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Monday, September 18, 2006

POPE SORRY FOR HIS COMMENTS

Once again the Islamic community, and not merely the radical contingency, has overreacted to something with extreme violence. This time it was a quote from a 14th-century Byzantine emperor (Manuel II Palaeologus) that the Pope used as a "starting point" in a speech he made at the University of Regensburg in Germany, on 9/12/2006. It was entitled:
"Faith, Reason and the University
Memories and Reflections"
In his lecture, the Pope talks about a series of 'dialogues' dating back to the 1390s between Palaeologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Islam and Christianity:

"In the seventh conversation (διάλεξις - controversy) edited by Professor Khoury, the emperor touches on the theme of
the holy war. The emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 reads: "There is no compulsion in religion". According to some of the experts, this is probably one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under threat. But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Qur'an, concerning holy
war. Without descending to details, such as the difference in
treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness, a brusqueness that we find unacceptable, on the central question about the relationship between religion
and violence in general, saying: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God", he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably (σὺν λόγω) is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death..."

The quotes in red are Palaeologus' words and the reference to Islam being "evil and inhuman" is what sparked Islamic outrage, and yet, clearly, the violence that ensued has shown that Islam is exactly what it was criticized for being: 'evil and inhuman.'
Since Pope Benedict XVI made his comment they have been burning down churches in Palestine and in Mogadishu, Somalia a 65 year old Italian Catholic nun was shot and killed, execution style, outside the hospital where she worked. This was someone helping that community; an innocent, elderly woman violently gunned down, from behind, no less. How savage and inhuman can you get? And cowardly. And with her last breath Sister Leonella had the grace to forgive her killers.

If you are still unable to see the larger picture read the following:

"Al-Qaida in Iraq warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that its war against
Christianity and the West will go on until Islam takes over the world, and
Iran’s supreme leader called for more protests over the pontiff’s remarks on
Islam."

You can read the whole story on MSNBC.

The Pope actually apologized for his comments, though in my humble opinion none was owed.

It still baffles me how people continue to be blinded to the Truth. What more do you need?

Wake up people!!

2 comments:

Seven Star Hand said...

Hello Incognito and all,

There is no truth without discernment and taking this situation out of context will never solve this world's problems. The straw that breaks the camel's back always follows the results of earlier deeds.

The Pope's choice of words was brain dead, in my humble opinion, if he was seeking to spread peace. He could have appealed for cooler heads and humility from all sides using any other words, but instead he chose to quote Crusade era hypocrisy that was guaranteed to inflame Muslims. Now we see the backtracking and spinning that always follows the gaffes of those afraid of simply telling the truth.

More proof that religion is the opposite of truth, wisdom, and justice

The "infallible" Grand Inquisitor (the pot) sought to lecture Islam (the kettle) about spreading religion through dark deeds by quoting a Dark Ages text while the USA and Europe are in the midst of the Neo-Crusades. The irony and absurdity in this situation is amazing, to say the least. It evidences both the fallacy and fallibility of those who vainly and arrogantly pretend to serve the Creator.

Dear Pope, ever heard of Karma or the golden rule? Ever stop to remember how the Vatican and western nations became so rich and powerful over the centuries? Ever consider giving up your blood drenched wealth and earthly power to end the blatant hypocrisy of your vane, materialistic, and duplicitous empire? Ever think of forgoing your peacock's robes to walk the walk instead of simply talking the talk? Remember the "eye of the needle" and "log and mote in the eye" parables? Is this a demonstration of your infallibility, wisdom, or utter blindness? As another wise one once said; What goes around comes around!

The West has killed far more Muslims (and other dark skins) than they have killed westerners, yet our press and leaders can only see Muslim and "third world" desperation in the face of western military and economic dominance and oppression, (in the name of God and country, by the way), as sources of evil in this world.

Guess what guys and girls, war, violence, and injustice are evil, no matter what the excuse or cause or who is doing it to whom. Anyone who thinks the Creator would judge religion, war, or any other profiteering at the expense of others as wise or acceptable activities has a very big surprise in store.

Here is Wisdom!!
...and here too...

Incognito said...

I would agree that most organized religions are divisive, in as much as they often claim 'theirs' is the only way, and therein lies the problem.

I find it distressing when a religion claims that one will go to hell if one does not adhere to their particular doctrine, however, I find it reprehensible when a religion (Islam) attempts to 'force' one to 'believe' through violence, the threat of death or taxation ("Thou hast to accept Islam, or pay the tax, and obey God and His Messenger and the messengers of His Messenger, and do them honor and dress them in fine clothing, not in the raiment of raiders…for if you satisfy my envoys you will satisfy me. Surely the tax is known to you. Therefore if you wish to be secure on land and on sea, obey God and His Messenger…But be careful lest thou do not satisfy…for then I shall not accept anything from you, but I shall fight you and take the young as captives and slay the elderly…Come then, before a calamity befalls you..." .
There are many paths. Islam seems to condemn every religion other than it's own.

And yes, the Christian Crusades were a sad episode in that religion's history, however, it remains exactly that, history. The violence in the Muslim world, still prevails to this day. As a religion it has not evolved.

And appeal to cooler heads? I'm sorry, but there's no appealing to violent reactionaries. Any rational human being might be upset at what the Pope said, however, they wouldn't start burning down Churches or killing people in retaliation. Has the Jewish population risen in protest over the Holocaust cartoons that were published in Iranian newspapers? Have they burned down mosques? No, I think not.

And I too believe in Karma, In fact, the Holy Bible actually references it when it speaks of "as you sow, so shall you reap". (From the Bible, Galatians vi. 'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.')

Don't forget the west has also gone to bat for the Muslims. Although we should have gone in sooner, the War in Bosnia was to help the Muslims.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_War

Truth and discernment are based upon one's perspectives on life, whatever those might be. What I see as Truth might not be your Truth.