Posted on 08/11/2013 4:33:18 PM PDT by RaceBannon
Pope Francis on Sunday urged Christians and Muslims to promote mutual respect , especially through the education of new generations. His remarks came at the end of his Angelus address when he sent greetings to Muslims throughout the world who have just celebrated the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/08/11/pope_francis_greets_muslims_and_urges_both_christians_and_muslims_to/en1-718872 of the Vatican Radio website
“This is a foolish comment. The Pope’s comment has nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with Catholics and other Christians living in terror within Muslim communities. You are probably unaware of the decimation of Christians in Iraq, what is happening in Egypt and Syria, and Christian persecution in the Indonesia, the largest Islamic country in the world.”
According to the article, the Pope calls them “our Muslim brothers.”
You are probably unaware that Islam is not a branch of Christianity, and that there is no salvation for any Muslim, or anyone from any other religion, but is exclusive only to those who belong to Jesus Christ.
Some of you intellectual FReepers please answer this question — is it my duty to respect and feed someone whose children will one day threaten the lives of my children?
Will I have been a good parent if I do so?
If you want to convert millions to saving faith in Jesus Christ (since that is the ONLY way to Almighty God), then you don't go to pagans or believers in false gods and wish them well after their "holy" days. Calling for respect for the beliefs of others is one thing, acknowledging their false religion as equal to ones own is blasphemy and I don't doubt the Muslims feel the same way about Christians and Jews. They KNOW we don't worship their god allah and they think nothing of beheading those who don't.
In reading St. Paul, have you ever wondered into whose territories he wandered? I have.
It’s the new world order religion out of revelation.
We should obey the commands of Almighty God, which are:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21)
You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)
The inference, I think, is clear, that we are to love, pray for and do good unto those that think they are our enemies when they are in need. That's not to say that we should not protect ourselves and our families from attackers. Just that by doing good and helping those, who have been taught all their lives that Christians are evil, we show them that the truth is the opposite. The "heaping coals of fire on their heads" is a figurative expression of divine vengeance but also "his conscience would be stung with a sense of former injuries done to his benefactor, and he be filled with shame on account of them, and be brought to repentance for them, and to love the person he before hated." (Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible). The sense is that Christians should be known for gentleness and compassion towards all.
I've read a few news stories recently that talk about Syrian refugees being brought into Israel for hospital treatment of their injuries. Rather than reject their sworn enemies, Israel is reaching out in compassion towards the innocent women, elderly and children that have been caught up in the Syrian uprising. What better way to demonstrate the true nature of the Jewish people here, who, like the Samaritan of Jesus' parable, reached out to the injured victims and did all they could to treat, heal, feed, clothe and protect the weakest? THAT is what changes hearts and minds!
According to Hilaire Belloc’s famous book “Heresies,” outside of Catholicism all sects are heretical sects and he makes a very convincing case. The reference to “our Muslim brothers” is quite innocuous and is not to be taken in the literal sense except that we are all “Children of God,” atheists and heretics included. If you were a Christian in Northern Nigeria surrounded by the marauders like Boko Horam who kill people during Mass, you will understand why the Pope doesn’t want to place human life in jeopardy. You evangelize by example first.
“You evangelize by example first.”
This actually has no basis in the scripture, which actually has men preaching in worse conditions than Northern Nigeria surrounded by marauders. I take this kind of thought to be more a manifestation of excusing people for not taking a stand for the truth.
As for Hilaire Belloc, for some reason I doubt he is even welcome amongst the Papists anymore.
Bless his heart.
St Paul didn’t wander, and didn’t ‘respect’ pagan beliefs, He preached Christ crucified to them. He didn’t preach syncretism.
Sure about that?
There is good news, the Christian faith is REALLY growing biggtime in the global south.
Paul never wandered
All the Pope is simply is doing is doing what St. Francis said, “preach the gospel, but when needed, use words.”
Good comment.
Yours is a more foolish comment.
If I'm living in a muslim community and and I'm scared to death, are you suggesting , when they threaten my life, my family or beat my boy up on the way to school, I should have respect for them?
What are you smoking ?
Well Paul did move around.
He didn’t wander ... he followed obediently
Maybe that's his intent - everyone knows the only way for Christians and Muslims to "mutually respect each other" is if Christians start murdering Muslims like they murder us. They won't change, so we must if we want to obey the Pope's wishes...
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