>> If that was not your intention then I withdraw my comment. <<
No, it was not my intention. You are gracious in acknowledging that and I thank you for so doing.
>> Other than to say that the Church has spoken on this subject <<
Sorry, the Church has not spoken. The Pope offered a prudential judgement to which any Catholic should give serious weight and consideration BUT with which we are not bound to agree nor to adhere
>> Muslims recognize in JPII a man who sincerely longs for the face of God, truth, justice and peace <<
Not at all what your earlier comment asserted. And please, please do some serious reading on Islam (no sarcasm intended). I mean this as a genuine enjoinder. The Holy Father KNOWS who God is and He is not to be found in the false religion of Muhammad. Somehow, you also appear, here, to draw a distinction between God and "justice and peace". I will do you the courtesy of assuming that this was simple, unintended tautology on your part.
>> Every passing day shows that the Pope was correct <<
No it doesn't. It does show that your country and mine and a few others are taking the fight into the enemy's territory (and I don't mean the Iraqi people) rather than allow them the initiative of doing so on ours.
As a former soldier who had to fight on his own home turf, believe me I know whereof I speak - you won't like it when it comes.
And, as to Zarqawi, do you really perceive him to be some sort of Iraqi, maquis-like figure defending his country against the imperialist aggressor? Need I remind you of the theicide being perpetuated in Sudan and the daily massacres of Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia, The Philippines and elsewhere. If you would care to send me your essay on the topic, I'll gladly critique it.
No, my friend, Zarqawi and his ilk have already proffered you the option. A mihrab or a coffin. You choose.
This is the Church's position:
"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 841, quoting from Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, 16)
That's in the Catechism. That is what I meant when I said that "the Church has spoken on the subject." I'm not talking about the Pope's prudential judgement.
And, as to Zarqawi, do you really perceive him to be some sort of Iraqi, maquis-like figure defending his country against the imperialist aggressor? Need I remind you of the theicide being perpetuated in Sudan and the daily massacres of Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia, The Philippines and elsewhere. If you would care to send me your essay on the topic, I'll gladly critique it. No, my friend, Zarqawi and his ilk have already proffered you the option. A mihrab or a coffin. You choose.
You seem to believe that I'm unaware of the dangers posed by Islamic fundamentalism. Furthermore, I don't know where you obtained the idea that I think Zarqawi is some sort of patriot. I'm fully aware that he is a murdering cut-throat and that he represents a violent Islamic sub-sect.
What I do contest is the idea that invading Iraq furthers the cause of the fight against Islamic fundamentalism. I consider it totally within the realms of possibility that when all is said and done an Islamic regime will govern Iraq, that it will be far more anti-western and pro-terrorist than Hussein ever was and that the Iraqi Christians will have been either exterminated or exiled.
I'm not minimising the dangers posed by radical Islam. I am questioning the idea the invading Iraq is the correct way to combat it. Am I making myself clear?