The pope is not just the head of the Catholic Church, he is also the head of an independent state. There are certain protocols he has to follow.
I will admit that I had no idea this had happened since at the time I was an agnostic who professed no real faith or attended any church.
I had to do some research. I did not find any explanation from the pope as to his motives. I did find many Catholics and non Catholics alike who were troubled by the action.
It would be wrong of me to try to speak for him, but a sign of respect is not out of order for a head of state or visiting dignitary. For example, Nancy Pelosi and Hilary Clinton wear head scarves when they visit a Muslim country.
Do you think because they do that they are condoning the practice?
We don’t know God’s plan for the Muslims. They do profess to be descendants of Abraham, just as the Jews do and just as we Christians do.
Did he do it ecumenically, as a head of state or as an acknowledgment that the Islamic people are just like us in most respects? They seek to know and love God. They are not all murderous thugs and maybe it was to them that he was reaching out.
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus they said, “Peace to people of good will.” Maybe that was the pope’s way of saying that to the millions of Muslims who do seek peace and not war.
Again, the pope is not perfect in all he says and does. It is a mistake to think that and silly in light of the many faults and scandals involving popes.
However, when one looks back upon the history of the church, one sees that the Holy Spirit protects us from them in that while they may have been personally sinful and scandalous, they never declared that their sin was not sin or that the faithful should emulate them. They never declared as doctrine anything that would endanger the souls of those in their care.
Peter was not perfect, nor was Paul, in fact none of the Apostles were, yet when you read Scripture, you believe it and accept that the Holy Spirit worked through them to preserve the truth.
That is what we trust today. That the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit proclaims, teaches, preserves and protects truth.
I don’t think Jesus ever put state above faith. One cannot serve two masters you know. I’ll let the scriptures speak for the respect we should have of “other gospels”.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
>>They do profess to be descendants of Abraham, just as the Jews do and just as we Christians do.<<
The promise is to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God Specifically stated the lineage that was to be blessed as “sons of Abraham”.
Abraham released Ishmael and Hagar as slaves. At the age of fourteen, Ishmael became a free man along with his mother. Under Mesopotamian law, their freedom absolved them from laying claim to any inheritance that Abraham and Sarah had.
The Arabs have no special rights and the god they serve is NOT the God of the Bible.
>>Again, the pope is not perfect in all he says and does.<<
Non of us are perfect but when one openly receives the Muslims or any other who openly denies Christ as savior is “partaker of his evil deeds” and is to be condemned and avoided. I would suggest the Pope entered that category.