Posted on 09/14/2006 1:05:49 PM PDT by neverdem
ROME, Sept. 14 As Pope Benedict XVI arrived back home from Germany, Muslim leaders strongly criticized a speech he gave on his trip that used unflattering language about Islam and violence.
Some of the strongest words came from Turkey, possibly putting in jeopardy Benedicts scheduled visit there in November.
I do not think any good will come from the visit to the Muslim world of a person who has such ideas about Islams prophet, Ali Bardakoglu, a cleric who is head of the Turkish governments directorate of religious affairs, said in a television interview there. He should first of all replace the grudge in his heart with moral values and respect for the other.
Muslim leaders in Pakistan, Morocco and Kuwait, in addition to those in Germany and France, also criticized the popes remarks, with many demanding an apology or clarification. The extent of any anger about the speech may become clearer on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer in which grievances are often vented publicly.
The Vatican did not respond today, as the pope returned from his six-day trip to his homeland, Germany, to the criticism of his speech. On Tuesday, Benedict delivered a major address which some church experts say was a defining speech of his pontificate saying that the West, and specifically Europe, had become so beholden to reason that it had closed God out of public life, science and academia.
But the pope began this speech at Regensburg University with what he conceded were brusque words about Islam: He quoted a 14th Century Byzantine emperor as saying, Show me just what Muhammad 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.
Benedict also used the...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
His Holiness speaks the truth and is not afraid to take heat for it. It's called a spine, something noticeably lacking in the Religion of Pieces.
This Ali Barkingdog character certainly gives a new perspective on the concept of hypocrisy ...
Is it too much to ask that these [ahem] journalists at the NYTimes use a capital P when referring to the Pope?
Sometimes these pontifs are not popular for speaking the truth. That comes with the territory. Remember how JPII angered the sodomites?
Why would anyone respect a pedophile terrorist posing as a prophet.
Muslims are not used to criticism. We should not indulge them on this.
The Holy Father spoke the truth. There is an evil violent murderous movement that is hell-bent on invading peaceful countries and converting them, or cut their heads off if they won't convert.
Disgusting to see these hypocrites criticize the Pope when they are the murderous head-chopping bastards.
One of several rows housing Islam's Encyclopedia Of Grievances (Abridged Edition)
LOL
Think about that for a second. It speaks volumes.
Islam's prophet was and is a DOG!
Oooo, the muslims feelings got hurt....oh boo hoo hoo. Did anyone catch the caller on Rush's show yesterday who was a Shiite muslim and when Rush asked why aren't more muslims vocal in their outrage about terrorists she sort of had a very vague anaswer like, "you just don't hear abuut them.."
Actually, that's not what he said at all. But I guess it's what the Times wanted to hear.
What he actually said is that the God of Christians is a God of reason, himself knowable by reason (even Thomas Aquinas said this), and creator of a world knowable by reason and running on the basis of laws that are knowable. Islam, on the other hand, posits a god who is arbitrary and unknowable, bound to no natural law within himself, and creator of a world that is entirely arbitrary in its existence and bound by no natural law; law comes from without, imposed by the irrational god, who could as soon order one thing as order its exact opposite.
In terms of modern knowledge, he said that post-Enlightenment man often separates what he knows of reason from the source of all reason, the Logos. But he did not attack reason.
His point was to show the difference between the Islamic world-and-deity view and that of Christianity, as well as to examine what it was in the modern Western world that had separated modern society from the roots of reason and set it adrift so that it might paradoxically be the prey of Islam or any other nihilistic, anti-rational and chaos-driven ideology.
"I've got a lot of problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it!"
I fear for the Pontiff's life. People of good will, please say a prayer for this brave man's safety.
Hmmm ... yes. Mo' Ham-Head was a violent pervert, and founded a religion/political ideology designed to appeal to violent perverts ... no wonder it's so popular in US prisons.
Mohammad, Stalin, and Hitler were Satin in human form.
Gee, if Muslims spent a fraction of the time being aggreived over real atrocities committed by their followers instead of being ridiculously defensive about perceived insults or slights, the world would be a WAY better place.
I entirely support Pope Benedict in his indictment of Islam, which has waged war on the Christian west since the seventh century. The only reason they haven't been effective until now is...western technology, which they profess to despise.
However, I believe it is common style to use lower case for ecclesiastical titles if the name of the incumbent is not also stated. While I have no reason to infer that the NYT might have any respect for His Holiness, I am not sure that this usage can be inferred to imply irrespect.
I take your point however, in that there is only one Pope, so his name must be inferred to be Benedict, hence the title in this case might well rightly be always capitalized.
And I see that I do that without even thinking, just because of this.
Then again, I deeply respect and venerate Pope Benedict and am happy to make that clear.
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