Posted on 09/20/2006 10:05:35 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
Known for his toughness on matters of Catholic doctrine, Pope Benedict XVI gives no quarter when it comes to questions about Islam.
Unlike his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, Benedict has never [said] that Muslims and Christians pray to the same God or been accused of waffling on whether Christianity is superior to the religion of prophet Muhammad.
[Says David Gibson, author of the just-released book "The Rule of Benedict"], "He doesn't want to see this as a debate between equals. There's no theological parity between the two. He's not there to compromise on that.
...Benedict has studied Islam extensively and, in a 1997 interview with German journalist Peter Seewald, dealt generously with the religion.
...Still, he added, Islam does not fit in with Western civilization.
"Islam has a total organization of life that is completely different from ours; it embraces simply everything," he said. "There is a very marked subordination of woman to man; there is a very tightly knit criminal law, indeed, a law regulating all areas of life, that is opposed to our modern ideas about society. One has to have a clear understanding that it is not simply a denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic society."
...In March, the pope summoned 179 cardinals to Rome to discuss Islam, said John L. Allen Jr., author of "The Rise of Benedict XVI." At issue was increasing persecution of Christians in Islamic countries, he said in an interview
"He feels that if we have dialogue, we need to talk about things," Mr. Allen said of the pope, "and not just be nice to each other. When he said on Sunday that he wants a 'frank and sincere dialogue,' he meant that we have to put actual issues on the table.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.washingtontimes.com ...
As the article said:
"The great challenge is if he can find the vocabulary to raise these issues. And can he find a conversation partner? Are there credible forces within Islam who can engage in a discussion based on reason?"
What a great man. Chosen by the Lord for His very purposes in this particular time. Amazing. And how very scary. I was happy to see Archbishop Carey come out behind the Pope on this, today. A breath of fresh air, they all are.
You have to register to read the rest. :-(
What a great man. Chosen by the Lord for His very purposes in this particular time. Amazing. And how very scary. I was happy to see Archbishop Carey come out behind the Pope on this, today. A breath of fresh air, they all are.
Perhaps, it'll take a German to stop the advance of the jihadis?
He's-not-a-capon-dhimmi Ping
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What is amazing is that Christians see these obvious corollaries all the time -- both in worldly and personal situations, yet so many others choose to live life isolated from these great gifts.
They are there for the asking from the One True God.
I struggle at times finding the words to explain this to unbelievers.
Not a Catholic but sure glad we have this Pope at this time.
Pretty impressive so far. Death squads and assassins from the death cult means he's doing something right.
Have not seen one yet.
Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God. Islam was created in the image and likeness of someone a bit lower on the lowerarchy.
As I said on another thread, you can respect people, but you don't have to respect their religion.
Very, very well put Mrs. D. I agree wholeheartedly.
Prayers for Benedict's safety...
The Pontiff is not your favourite pundit. He doesn't play the soundbite, talking points game. But to see that, one has to look beyond one's own hands.
"He feels that if we have dialogue, we need to talk about things,"
Islamists will never do this. They know that once they start to examine their religion in a free forum they would have to acknlowledge there beliefs and actions are non-defensible.
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