During a lecture on "Faith and Reason" at the University of Regensberg in Germany, Pope Benedict XVI used a conversation between Byzantine Emporer Manuel II and and educated Persian as the starting point for his reflections on the topic at hand. Quotes from the conversation harshly questioned the teachings of Mohammed, but the Pope's main focus was to point out the differences between Christian and Muslim thinking, primarily in the use of violence to spread one's faith.
Outrage and protest over the comments made during the speech are coming from around the Islamic world. The government of Turkey has condemned the statements and one leading Lebanese Cleric believes the Pope should personally apologize for the remarks.
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Media Not Helping
CNN helpfully writes "he pope’s speech in Germany last week — in which he appeared to endorse a Christian view, contested by most Muslims, that early Muslims spread their religion by violence — has sparked protests around the world" (emphasis added.) Funny, but I kinda thought that was historical fact, not even "contested by most Muslims." I'm glad CNN is here to clear up that little matter.
Pope's Words Much Harsher Than I Thought
I just read an uncensored transcript of the Pope's comments about Islam, and now I can understand why the Muslims are so upset. (Disclaimer: linked site contains naught words.)
"Islam Can Suck It"
"Why don't you have a seat on my pointy-ass hat. You'd like that, wouldn't you, Abdul?"
"Sure, we treat our women like $&%#, but if we made them dress like fat ninjas, there wouldn't be a single full pew in the whole @$%&*@ world. I mean, it's 2006, how do you a$$holes get away with it?"
and
'After pausing to drink deeply from a bejeweled chalice, His Holiness then closed his statement with, "I got your Allah right here," emphasizing his point by tugging sharply through his robes at his own scrotum. "Pope out."'
(Note: this is obviously just a joke.)
2 Choices
IMHO: It appears that we have 2 choices:
I} we continue to find excuses and reasons to spin up new modern hatred on the wreckage of the past - and then create new fodder for the fires of hate for future generations. We all KNOW what will come from that - especially in a nuclear age.
II} as a global community we find ways to come to peaceful terms with our differences and then deal with voices of hatred in our respective civil and faith communities as we forge acceptable solutions to the divisions that confront us.
Unfortunately, hatred is the easier of the 2 choices. Peace requires (among many other traits and behaviors) respect for others where none may be reciprocated; a hand reached out where none is returned and a calm mind and discourse amidst a world that seems to lust for rage as it's next meal.
I am sad that an innocent nun lost her life over this poorly chosen historical reference on the part of Pope Benedict (and I am Catholic). Well intended or not, the Holy Father lost a GREAT deal of future leverage in this whole issue by doing so. That's a voice we needed in modern times.
But mistakes or not, all Christian and Musilm communities need to re-ground themselves on the most peaceful portions of their traditions and assertively deal with sub-communities in thier midst that seek power through violent and chaos.
No one inherits anything of value from the dark promptings of violence and chaos.
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Ironic by romanizzo :: NR6 :: Show
My favorite part is that Muslims of the world choose to protest the Pope's quote that said Mohammed's teachings are violent and inhumane with...violence and burning him in effigy. Does this strike anyone as remarkably fitting?
I, for one, hope that the Vatican does not backpedal. Someone needs to stop treating Islam like a spoiled child, and its about time the Vatican stepped up to the plate.