Was the Pope's action to pray while facing Mecca justified? Isn't he just giving in to the Muslims demands.

Question

Pope Prayed in a Mosque Like the Muslims
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=41435

Answer 1

That's what Jesus has taught us. Love your brothers and sisters. Show your faith with humble and peace. Anyway, we have to be careful in reading some newspapers. I think, the pope did not do deliberately all the ways muslims usually do when they pray. Musthafa asked the pope to face to mecca when, Musthafa was praying. And the pope tolerate with him in that way. I have many muslims friends in Indonesia who went to catholics schools where they had to say Hail Mary in the morning and attend church mass in the beginning of every semester, but they have been good muslims who are faithful to Al-quran and Hadits up to now. I think, the pope indirectly have shown tolerance between religion in some points which have to be followed by other religions. The pope said, "we appreciate differences, but we have to promote similarities between religion." This is not about giving in but how we should show tolerance and appreciation to other faith practices; not necessarily following their practices. This is about praying to one God: God of Abraham, Moses, and Jacob.

Answer 2

I am not Catholic and so I cannot call the pope out for his actions as I am not certain what their faith says about it. However, I can say that while my faith is tolerant to a point, it does not tolerate my doing what someone else does simply to pacify them. If you wish to pray to allah while facing Mecca. I fully support your right to do so, but for me to do it would be to turn my back on what my beliefs are. I will not do that for any amount of peace keeping. It sounds like a certain amount of whoring in the name of pacifism. I guess in the long run it will be between God and Ratzinger himself.

Answer 3

What PRAYER??? Where do you get this stuff??

"The mufti told the pope he was going to pray. The pope, his arms folded over his pectoral cross, stood next to the mufti and moved his lips, a moment shown in close-up on Turkish TV.

When they turned away, according to a reporter on the scene, the pope told the mufti, "Thank you for this moment of prayer."

Asked to elaborate afterward, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said: "The pope paused in meditation, and certainly he turned his thoughts to God."

What you have said is hardly true, my friend. The Pope thanked the mufti for HIS prayer!! Check your sources. Read something besides People Magazine.

Answer 4

No the pope is not giving into Muslim demands he is showing respect whilst being in a Muslim country which is much needed after his wrong quotation.
As for praying towards the Kaaba,that of our belief which we observe and of no relevance to Christianity so for the pope to that has no meaning to him or is religion.

Answer 5

It's called compromise. When those in leadership ignore the most precious of their teachings in favor of the evil ones among us it is a sad and dangerous thing. These are the last days when as the Bible says "even the very elect will be drawn away if possible."

Answer 6

Part of the Pope's job is to unite people and smooth religious tensions. His praying toward Mecca shouldn't have any significanace to you unless you're Muslim, and that being said shouldn't be an issue or affront to you.
It was a symbolic gesture meant to show openmindedness, a concept that wouldn't hurt you to learn.

Answer 7

Nothing makes sense these days. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. "But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away."

Answer 8

Why couldnt the Pope keep his word and speak with top scholors all over the world about the quote he read.

Answer 9

Jesus came to fulfil the Law and not to abolish it....same principles apply to all religions...Pope's example of 'giving in' according to you; is actually a sign of respect to them and not giving in for the sake! Alternately, why should Jesus die for you when he is the Messiah? How can you claim to be a christian when you break the two very most important commandments that Jesus gave?

Answer 10

Fear, He forgot what Jesus told Peter: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. " He is trying to appease the Muslims.