What do you think about these reactions to the Popes citation?

Question

Benedict cited the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."
The pope said Sunday that he was "deeply sorry" about the reactions to his remarks and that they did not reflect his own opinions. Earlier this week, he said his comments were open to misinterpretation and that he had "deep respect" for Islam.

At Islam's third-holiest shrine, the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, hundreds of worshippers hoisted black flags and banners that read, "Conquering Rome is the answer."

In the West Bank city of Nablus, Hamas supporters took to the streets after prayers, shouting slogans against the pope and waving Hamas flags. Raising their hands to the sky, the more than 2,000 protesters chanted: "We put up with hunger, detention and occupation, but we won't put up with the offending the prophet. We sacrifice our lives for you prophet."

More in details.

"If I get hold of the pope, I will hang him," Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a senior MMA leader, told protesters in Islamabad, who carried placards reading "Terrorist, extremist Pope be hanged!" and "Down with Muslims' enemies!"

Thursday's meeting was organized by radical Islamic Jamaat al-Dawat group, which runs schools, colleges and medical clinics. In April, Washington put the group on a list of terrorist organizations for its alleged links with militants fighting in the Indian part of Kashmir.

After the meeting, a statement was issued demanding the West "change its stance regarding Islam (or) it will face severe consequences."

Malaysia's opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party staged demonstrations outside mosques nationwide, calling for the pope to fully retract his remarks. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city, some 150 party members chanted "Stop the insults" and held a banner that read "We Muslims are peace-loving people."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060922/ap_on_re_eu/pope_muslims_4

Answer 1

In an ironic way the reacton of violence kinda validates his point

not ALL but SOME...most certainly SOME groups in Islam are somewhat prone to violence

Answer 2

Malaysia's opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party staged demonstrations outside mosques nationwide, calling for the pope to fully retract his remarks. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city, some 150 party members chanted "Stop the insults" and held a banner that read "We Muslims are peace-loving people."

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
True
Muslims

Answer 3

I read the entire statement of the Pope, and it seems his point was more the idea of recovering "reason" as the "logos" of the Greeks and the idea of "in the beginning was the Word (logos)" as the modern age unfolds than it was an indictment of Islam. He really seemed to put down scientific reasoning and simply defined the difference between the perception and understanding of God between the Islamic and Christian world, based on the understanding of the New Testament as a fundamentally Greek-influenced work. The most inflammatory thing I think I found in there was the indictment of scientific reasoning as "limited" and inadequate for defining an ethical/theological world view and thus the need for the inclusion of theology as a "scientific" discipline with its own "expanded reason." He made good points about the limitations of Man and thus his brainchild Science, and I'd say Benedict is as close to an old time German philosopher as I've seen in awhile.

Answer 4

I don't necessarily disagree with Pope, but him actually stating that publicly was completely wrong move. There is enough conflicts in the world already, without Pope stirring religious hatred even more. He is not only head of the state but also head of catholic church and should think ahead - does this statement represent views of catholics and how is it going to effect their position. I believe that catholic minority in Muslim world (which co-exists fairly peacefully) don't really want any animosity from Muslims because Pope can't keep his mouth shut.

Answer 5

I think that maybe...this time...violence will be the solution. I know it has only created more violence in a repeated no-win cycle for thousands of years. But - just maybe... This time will be the time when that one last car bomb will be the cure to all of the problems in the world and we'll all see the light and convert to Islam.

I'll get to grow a cool beard and all women will be stripped of their rights and forced to wear those formless black sacks over their bodies. Then we can turn our faces heavenward as we begin our glorious search for extra-terrestrial infidels to convert or kill.

So - all we need to do to convince people of this is to blow up more stuff and hang the pope... yep that ought to work.

This time.

Answer 6

I'm with "bookish" on this one. It's like a stupid-salad.
There's one guy saying "I'm sorry you felt bad about me quoting someone who said your prophet is a murderer." (As if they're supposed to feel glee?)

And not to be outdone, some Islamic religious leaders more or less responded by saying:
"How dare you say that! You should be murdered!."

This will add fuel to the argument of some of my atheists friends who see religion as a blight.

Answer 7

It was a stupid thing for the Pope to say. They've finally stopped bashing Jews and now they've moved on to the Muslims. Way to work for world peace, there, Pope.
The reaction is predictable and just as idiotic.

Answer 8

although i disagree with the pope theologically and spiritually nothing he said was untrue in the statement. There was no need for an apology. it was a true statement that was not even made by him ut just repeated by him...there was no need to apologize

Answer 9

I'm glad he apologized for linking Islam to violence!

(sarcasm)

Answer 10

i think the peace loving people arent so peaceful