Pope Benedict wrong in recent sermon re: muslim faith? Apologies needed for quoting 14th century theologian?

Answer 1

Pope Benedict apologized twice although it was not necessary, in my opinion.

At his weekly audience in St Peters Square on Wednesday, September 22, the pope said, "I wished to explain that not religion and violence but religion and reason go together," he said.

Pope Benedict has invited the ambassadors of Muslim countries at the Vatican, as well as leaders of Italy's own Muslim community, to a meeting on Monday at his summer palace.

Answer 2

NO. I dont think an apology is needed. What is wrong with these radical muslim people? They have to understand that the prophet mohammed is their God!! They hold him in high esteem. People who are not of that faith do not. Having said this, I think we should respect each other beliefs and faith but surely there is freedom of speech. How many times have people said the most awful thing about Jesus (My God), they have crucified him. Should i demand an apology from them. Should i now stage a holy war? These people need to get over themselves. The pope was reading a quote he wasnt personally attacking them. And even if he was, SO WHAT?? That is his opinion. I am sick and tired of this. Remember when some Dutch newspaper made a cartoon of this prophet person, the muslims were livid, got all crazy and started burning down buildings and injuring people. They need to get a grip. They DO NOT rule this world. Come on man, GIVE ME A BREAK!!

Answer 3

It’s a pity that the Pope has chosen to exacerbate a world divide over religious lines that have nothing to do with the real problems humanity faces today, and it is saddening to watch how humanity in the post-cold war era has shifted from a real divide to absurd divides that contribute to humanity’s deteriorating material as well as moral and ethical tragic status quo under the U.S.-led globalization world order

It's like quoting Bin Laden at ground zero on the five year anniversary of 9/11. Unless you're quoting him to call him crazy, don't expect applause from the audience.

John Freedland wrote in the Guardian on September 19:

"This is what makes the Pope's defenders so disingenuous when they insist that he was merely engaged in a 'scholarly consideration of the relationship between reason and faith'.

"He is not a lecturer at divinity school. He is the head of a global institution with more than a billion followers…When he digs out a 700-year-old sentence that could not be more damning of Islam…he has to know there will be consequences."

Attacks on churches in the West Bank should be condemned and should be used as an example of what not to do when offended by a Pope that has done nothing for suffering Palestinian Christians—especially at a time when Christians and Muslims should be uniting (as many have) against a brutal Israeli occupation that dominates every facet of their life.

One does have to be weary of who these "unknown groups" attacking the churches are, just as one had to be weary of the non-nationalist group that sprung up in Gaza and kidnapped the two Fox news journalists.

Those seeking unrest will prey upon incidents like this (taking on a transparent cover) and use the Pope as an excuse.

It was reported by the media that Hamas and Fatah both forcefully condemned the attacks and, as Khalid Amayreh reported, "Sheikh Muhammed Hussein, the highest-ranking Muslim clergyman in East Jerusalem described the bombing as 'immoral, unethical and injurious to Palestinian unity.'"

The West is systematically destroying half the countries in the Middle East and has its eye on a couple more. Muslims have the right to be infuriated by the Western world's collective effort to control the Middle East by force—this includes the policy pushed forth by the Pope.

Answer 4

The pope was stupid for even quoting the 14th century theologian. Muslims are so uber sensitive about anything said that sounds remotely bad about the faith they over react. BTW the muslim faith has been taken over by nuts.

Answer 5

This pope of yours MUST apologise,hes being smart but in fact hes stupid.Im confused now how a person like him would ingrain hatred and chaos between religions and cultures,muslims have received many blows as being terrorists,primitive people and fellows who believe only in violence the thing which is not true,and now we find this pope putting fuel to fire,shame on him!

Answer 6

No, he didn't say anything untrue. Since he said this, in protest of the popes statement that Muslims were violent, some Muslims in Somalia shot a nun. And many other Muslims have burned effigies and called for jihad.

They don't sound violent at all.

Answer 7

Yes. His statements were incendiary and counterproductive to interfaith understanding. And on the flip side, is there a charismatic Imam out there who can stand up and teach the Muslim faithful to turn the other cheek? And if not that, to simply not react so sensitively to every perceived slight?

Answer 8

yeah must have been wrong. After all, if you look at the way muslims have handled words from hundreds of years ago, you have to conclude that they are a nice lot. no violence there.

Of course, they did just declare war on all Americans (which I take very personally), and threatned to kill by the sword whoever does not convert to the religion of peace.

Answer 9

Here is a link to the English translation of the Pope's controversial speech: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

Yes because he did not make his stand clearly for all to read.
Does the Pope have another agenda, this was not made clear...shame on him for being so narrow minded.