Pope prays at Jordanian mosque

UPI ^ | May 9, 2009 | UPI

[presidio9]

If only the modern Popes had your patience to wait.

That doesn't even make any sense.

[americanophile]

I was watching your debate, and at the risk of jumping into the fire, I thought it would be interesting to note how often a Pope does go to a mosque. Here’s John Allen from the independent Catholic newspaper National Catholic Reporter:

"Late this morning, Benedict visited the Hussein bin-Talal mosque in the Jordanian capital of Amman. That makes two mosque tours for Benedict XVI, after a visit to the legendary Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, in late 2006. Though John Paul made appearances at many mosques over the years, he only entered one – the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, in 2001. Granted, the visit in Amman wasn’t quite the same stunner as Istanbul. For one thing, the symbolism was different; Benedict didn’t share a moment of silent prayer with an imam, and he didn’t take off his shoes. He did both in the Blue Mosque in 2006."

That's 3 mosque visits by a Pope in over 2000 years. I would have preferred we didn't start this trend, but there it is.

[kosta50]

You're being way too judgemental in my opinion .

Why? Didn't Jesus tell us to imitate him? I expect the pope, or any Christian, to do that for that reason alone.

[kosta50]

In english please

Bible

[kosta50]

Four times in 1900 years, and all of those within the last few years. No there is a common historical trend in Catholic practice!

Yes, it's called the Vatican II "Tradition," all 45 years of it, aka re-inventing the Catholic Church.

[kinsman redeemer]

Marker

[stripes1776]

That doesn't even make any sense.

I guess I need to make the thought explicit for you. If only the modern pope's had the patience to wait a very only time before going to a synagogue or mosque. As in at least another 2000 years.

[stripes1776]

That's 3 mosque visits by a Pope in over 2000 years. I would have preferred we didn't start this trend, but there it is.

Exactly. This will only result in the Catholic Church moving toward a Unitarian understanding of God. There is already a strong current of this in the church. This only strengthens that trend. But in the superficial understanding of history among a miseducated generation of Catholics, 3 visits becomes a tradition that always was.

This is not a time in our history to be emphasizing the similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. On the contrary, we need to emphasize most strongly those things that separate us from those other religion, those things that make Christianity absolutely unique in the history of the world.

[stripes1776]

Yes, it's called the Vatican II "Tradition," all 45 years of it, aka re-inventing the Catholic Church.

kosta, at times we may have expressed many disagreements on various topics, but on this issue we see eye to eye.

[americanophile]

"This is not a time in our history to be emphasizing the similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. On the contrary, we need to emphasize most strongly those things that separate us from those other religion, those things that make Christianity absolutely unique in the history of the world."

Agreed. This is a time when the Catholic Church, uniquely positioned to do so, should be leading a revitilization of Christianity, not affirming it's "deep respect" for Islam...a faith which is not only contrary to Christianity, but holds it in contempt.

"In recent years a mentality has emerged in theological and ecclesial circles which tends to relativize Christ's revelation and his unique and universal mediation in the order of salvation ... In order to remedy this relativistic attitude, we must insist on the definitive and complete character of Christ's revelation … Therefore the theory of the limited character of the revelation of Christ, which can be complemented by other religions, is contrary to the faith of the church." - John Paul II

[presidio9]

Bible

If you have a point, make it. One word answers are open to interpretation. So is the Bible, as far as some people are concerned.

[presidio9]

Yes, it's called the Vatican II "Tradition," all 45 years of it, aka re-inventing the Catholic Church.

This conversation is moronic. If there is a human leading your Church, I'm wondering how often he does these sorts of things. Or are you the type of person who just loves it when you have a new reason to attack the Catholic Church. This is a new one to me, and its one of the stupidest.

[presidio9]

kosta, at times we may have expressed many disagreements on various topics, but on this issue we see eye to eye.

Please don't ping me in pontless messages like this that are better suited to FReepmail. My inbox is crowded enough already. Thanks.

[presidio9]

I guess I need to make the thought explicit for you. If only the modern pope's had the patience to wait a very only time before going to a synagogue or mosque. As in at least another 2000 years.

And I'm asking you if can tell me exactly how many times he was invited. If you can't, you're just bloviating.

[stripes1776]

Please don't ping me in pontless messages like this that are better suited to FReepmail. My inbox is crowded enough already. Thanks.

If you do not want to be included in a discussion of an important topic, then I would suggest that you refrain from discussing it at all. These discussions take place in a public forum. And that is where they will remain, public.

[stripes1776]

And I'm asking you if can tell me exactly how many times he was invited. If you can't, you're just bloviating.

And I am telling you that your point is irrelevant. The Pope is sending a very dangerous message to the Catholic Church by going to synagogues and mosques. By taking this action, he is reinforcing those factions in Christianity that are moving toward a Unitarian understanding of the Divine.

There is no Tradition in the Catholic Church of Popes going to synagogues or mosques. And there is reason to starting going now, with or without an invitation.

[presidio9]

If you do not want to be included in a discussion of an important topic, then I would suggest that you refrain from discussing it at all. These discussions take place in a public forum. And that is where they will remain, public.

That's part of the point: I find this discussion to be exceptionally stupid. If it interests the two of you, have at it. If I notice you saying something particularly stupid, I will call you on it. But FR etiquette dictates that you don't ping people unnecessarily. What you're essentially doing is setting up your own ping list on this topic, and forcing me to be a member. Sorry, not interested.

[stripes1776]

That's part of the point: I find this discussion to be exceptionally stupid. If it interests the two of you, have at it. If I notice you saying something particularly stupid, I will call you on it. But FR etiquette dictates that you don't ping people unnecessarily. What you're essentially doing is setting up your own ping list on this topic, and forcing me to be a member. Sorry, not interested.

There is a very easy solution to your problem. If your find this discussion stupid, then exercise enough self control to refrain from responding to any further pings. If you stop responding, then it means you do not want to discuss the issue under discussion.

[presidio9]

There is a very easy solution to your problem. If your find this discussion stupid, then exercise enough self control to refrain from responding to any further pings.

Actually there is an easier an more correct solution to this problem: Complain to the Moderator that you are pinging me unnecessarily, and the Moderator tells you to cut is out. On this forum you have zero right to continue pinging something once they have asked you not to. I'm not into the whole Moderator thing, so consider this your last warning. It won't make the slightest bit of difference to me if you get suspended.

[kinsman redeemer]

"This is not a time in our history to be emphasizing the similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. On the contrary, we need to emphasize most strongly those things that separate us from those other religion, those things that make Christianity absolutely unique in the history of the world."

That was a significant remark from Pope John Paul and the statement was made January 28, 2000. It may have been aimed as a jesuit professor someplace - teaching otherwise. Interesting.