The Pope just said what everyone else thinks, what's the problem?

Question

...oh right, what every non-Muslim thinks.

Answer 1

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

In my opinion, although what the Pope said was true, he said it in the wrong way to the wrong people.

If you are going to give a constructive criticism to your neighbor (Islam) then you should do it to his face not behind his back.

The Pope's speech used Islam as a bad example of "faith and reason" to a group of Catholics when he probably could have found a better bad example in Catholicism.

Therefore it was appropriate for the Pope to apologize.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

--Is Catholic--

There are a host of problems at issue with what occurred after B16 gave his speech....a speech that really should be read in its entirety as it is equally harsh in a factual manner about the West as it deeply questioned Islam.

Essentially, the core of what B16 said, is a statement followed by a question. The statement is that violence done in the name of religion is against the very nature of God and is a completely irrational activity. The question, which gets to the heart of the problem, is that is violence core to the understanding of Islam?

Now if you listen to B16's "apology" he said that he was deeply sorry for the reaction of the Islamic street, which answered his question affirming that violence is core to their understanding of Islam.

Now let me show you some of the cards that are in play here. The dialogue that the Pope wants to get going is on the following: Can Islam reject violence for the sake of religion? Is it possible to separate violence out of Islam and enter into a rational discussion about the nature of God, humanity, life, peace, and all that? In other words, is Islam still Islam without the violence?

The response of many Islamic clerics, politicians, and nations is NO. Violence is commanded by Allah and it is written in the Koran that we shall kill all who do not submit. Mohammed, the very model of what it means to be man and Muslim, preached with the sword and commanded violence. The violent struggle is key to our ability to achieve paradise. The world must be conquered and put under Islamic Law.

If you are paying attention, because it is being taken as axiomatic that violence for the sake of religion is against the nature of God and is irrational, much of this dialogue is intended to focus on the following topics:
1. How infallible is the Koran if it commands violence?
2. How well do Muslims know God?
3. How much of a model is Mohammed really?

It really is up to the Muslim community to answer these questions. There is no need for Catholicism or anyone else to interject and point things out. Obviously Islam has a lot to think about and a very large existential question to answer.

Personally, I think that B16 simply asked the question that we are all to afraid to ask and demanded that Islam rise to the occasion and answer it.

Is violence fundamental to the nature of Islam?

Answer 3

thte problem is that the muslims that are upset all think that its ok to trash jews and cristians but we dare not do the same in return or some will blow themselves up and blame the popes statement on america````

Answer 4

The Pope, as the supreme leader of a bunch of religious nutters....should know better than to antagonize another bunch of religious nutters. Isn't that patently obvious?

Answer 5

I agree with you 100% Islam is a false religion to start wiith, there iis no Holy book that spoke oof Mohammed hhe is a false prophet

Answer 6

Who's everyone else?