*Whenever I see a dead man unfairly attacked, I think it a charitable act of chivalry to mount a defense
I think that your hyperbole is overwrought.
*Yes. I can read that you do.
I said that JPII should not have kissed the Koran. Period.
*LOL well that setles it then
It does no good to speculate on his motives.
*Sure it does. Folks seldom read a defense of his actions. Even when some do, like yourself, it makes no impression upon them.
Most of your post is just silly, you know perfectly well that I would never say any of the frankly stupid things that you did. I understand about Paul, and Mars Hill and the Christian belief that pagans can know truth. I would direct your attention to the scripture verse found in 2 Corinthians that says that we are to take every thought captive to Christ. I cannot see how embracing the object that contains the teachings of a false prophet can do any good.
*He kissed the gift.
The reality is that it just confused people, Christians, Muslims and just about everyone else.
*Many of Jesus' actions confused folks. Their reactions revealed the truth in their hearts.Your attacks on his defensible actions could call into question your motives. This is not a one-way street
It did nothing to advance that cause of Jesus as we can see that Islam has become more virulent, and is metastasizing, and the actions of the last pontiff certainly did not buy Christendom any good will!
*Really? Sadly, you are woefully ignorant about that. The Vatican and Islam have cooperated repeatedly in the United Nations on the matter of Life/anti-abortion. There are other examples. However, you appear to be unwilling to admit YOU might have erred in misjudging the Pope
Both of you - return to the issues and stop making it - or taking it - personal.
When I sit here and read these post about Pope John Paul 2 I too wonder why he kissed the Koran. I remember thinking how so many Catholics are confused as to what their faith even is anymore. Since Vatican 2 many things have been done in the spirit of Vatican 2 but were never intended. All of that and the sexual abuse that when on has done so much damage to the church.In other words the Holy Father kissing the Koran only confused people all the more. I have a rosary that was blessed by Pope John Paul 2 and cherish it. But I believe in the love of my faith to question why he did some things that appeared to be confusing to the faithful.We need strong and steadfast leadership now more than ever and I am thankful for Pope Benedict. Right now we have too many priests and Bishops that bringing evil into the church and we all know who they are. We need the light of truth to expel the darkness that these people bring into the church. There are so many Catholic who fall prey to these liberal priests and Bishops and need to go.