"Benedict XVI began a lecture in the Aula Magna of the University of Regensburg in Germany. As Joseph Ratzinger, the pope spent much of his life in the country’s academic milieu; as he spoke to a gathering of scientists in the hall, he reminisced about his teaching days at the University of Bonn. “There was a lively exchange with historians, philosophers, philologists ...” Benedict said early in an address on faith and reason. Citing a conversation between a 14th-century Christian Byzantine emperor and an Islamic Persian, Benedict quoted Manuel II: “‘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.’”
He did say Manuel II’s words were “startlingly brusque,” and made certain the audience understood he was reading a quotation,
In the stormy aftermath of the address—on Saturday two churches in the West Bank were bombed. "
one possible view of this encounter:
Pope talks about this 14th Century fella's take on Islam. Apparently the guy he's quoting thinks the Muslims tend to lean a little towards violence. This makes some Muslims so mad they go out and start bombing churches and kill a nun.
Ah yes, the peaceful religion of perpetual outrage.
ReplyDeleteIt's always something with this set of folks.
Westerners are going to have to eventually realize that "peaceful coexistance" is not possible with radical Islamists, because, to them, "peaceful coexistance" means "if you convert and wear a burqa, I will be peaceful and not kill you."
I find this post both intriguing and fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to have all of Christianity judged by the words and actions of Pat Robertson. Or even worse, those folks from www.godhatesfags.com. I find it sad that all Muslims are being judged by the actions of a radical sect.
That's like me saying ALL Christians are judgmental jerks because SOME Christians are judgmental jerks. Interesting that so many Christians hate being lumped together, and yet so many of us do the same thing with other religions and groups.
Not saying you are doing that Sean, just saying that it's being done.
well, there's two issues with that, Steve:
ReplyDelete1) The general silence of the Muslim majority, or the feigned outrage of some that do speak out. Very few Muslims actually work and fight against this radicalism.
2) Estimates are that 10% of the world's Muslims would fall under the heading of "radical." That's 100 million. If there were 100 million Pat Robertson's running around and the rest of us Christians said and did nothing or very little, I would expect the world to say nasty things about Christianity. And if there were 100 million Eric Rudolphs running around blowing things up, I would expect foreign governments to become suspicious of us, search us, arrest us, question us, etc.
Fair? Maybe, maybe not.
Reasonable? Completely.
out of curiosity, if hypocrisy, by definition, ironic?
ReplyDeleteI remember last year when the Mosque in clifton was attacked by idiots. Don't remember too many churches being bombed following that dark day. I certainly don't remember reading about too many of the other area Muslim centers doing much to contribute to the violence, no pastor's shot, no buildings razed...
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should read, and if possible listen to, the following article about Sheikh Hamza Yusuf:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6057297
There are people who are trying to help fight the violence of extremist Muslims from within.
And just because there aren't 100 million public "Pat Robertsons" in the world doesn't mean there aren't 100 million Pat Robertsons running around speaking the same type of message.
Also check out the historical facts for the region...
ReplyDeleteSuleiman the Magnificent, as he was known to the western world during the 15th and 16th century, became the leader of the Ottoman Empire. After conquering more space for the empire, he established religious freedom and tolerance
Wikipedia.com, "In the city of Jerusalem, the rule of Suleiman and the following Ottoman Sultans brought an age of religious peace; Jews, Christians and Muslims enjoyed the freedom of religion that the Ottomans granted them and it was possible to find a synagogue, a church and a mosque in the same street. The city remained open to all three religions" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suleiman_the_Magnificent.
murph-
ReplyDeleteyour logic is your downfall.
that's what i think.
most things you write just make too much sense (except when talking about the steelers...)
let everyone note - I wrote, "some Muslims" not all...not most....just some
ReplyDeletethe irony is in those few getting mad at being labeled violent and then going out and bombing some churches and killing some people.
irony
hypocrisy
idiocy
pick one
Idiocy is a world leader using his platform to say what he did.
ReplyDeleteIf GW quoted KKK or neonazi dogma (whether or not he said he was just quoting someone else), you can bet that there would be a firestorm here in our country. There would be riots and government building would be targeted because that is George Bush's forum (and rightfully so). Churches were targeted because churches are The Pope's forum. It was SO irresponsible for the Pope to do what he did. He knew what the outcome would be. He's not a stupid man so it leaves me trying to figure out WHY he said what he did. Is he hoping to topple over the already tenous relationship between Christians and Jews?
Sara
oops, my bad, Muslims...not Jews...
ReplyDeletesorry...
Sara