Posted on 11/27/2006 7:22:31 AM PST by Mark Felton
ISTANBUL—Tens of thousands of Turks have protested the Pope's visit to this Muslim country with placards and chants that denounced Benedict XVI as an enemy of Islam.
The protest of more than 25,000 people yesterday was an extraordinary sight in an officially secular country, where the government is counting on a smooth papal visit to boost Turkey's chances of joining the European Union.
"For Western civilization to develop it needs an enemy and the Pope openly says that this enemy is Islam," Recai Kutan, chairman of the Islamist Saadet Party, told the crowd.
The protestors jammed one of Istanbul's major boulevards, waving banners and Turkish flags under the gaze of 4,000 police backed by armoured vehicles and hovering helicopters.
One large English-language poster read, "Go home Pope" and showed the pontiff's face on the head of a pig, blood oozing from his mouth.
Another demanded he apologize for wars from the Christian crusades to Iraq. One accused the Vatican of producing terror while another said, "Jesus is not the son of God, he is a prophet of Islam."
In Rome, the spiritual leader of the world's Roman Catholics asked thousands of followers gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray for the success of his four-day trip to Turkey, which begins tomorrow.
"I want to send a cordial greeting to the dear Turkish people, rich in history and culture," the Pope said yesterday during his weekly noon address. "To these people and their representatives I express feelings of esteem and sincere friendship."
Benedict XVI sparked outrage in much of the Muslim world with a September speech in Germany, where he suggested Islam was rooted in violence. He later expressed regret for the offence his comments may have caused, but stopped short of the apology many in Turkey are demanding.
The Pope first angered many Turks in 2004 when, as the powerful Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he rejected the country's bid to join the 25-nation European Union, describing its Muslim faith as being "in permanent contrast" to Europe's Christian heritage.
His main mission is to support Turkey's dwindling Christian communities and work to heal a 1,000-year-old rift with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, regarded by many as the spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians.
This is a perfect example of accusing somebody else of the crimes you committed.
So that explains why Mohamad was a murderous warrior commanding troops to slaughter millions, and conquer vast amounts of land and then forcibly convert people to Islam or be slain by the sword.
Jesus Christ was the perfect man of peace with no military power at all. His Sword was His word. His leader was God and His enemy is our enemy, the enemy of every person, the Devil and all the evil fomented by the devil.
No man can convert another man to Christianity. Only God does that. Yet the truly evil Muslims have no concept of what it means to accept Grace from God and be Saved. They are so insecure and wrong they must be comforted by others sharing their misery thus must forcibly convert others to Islam.
Mohamed the Warrior required enemies to slay. Jesus attacked the devil and saved humanity by sacrificing Himself for us.
What a contrast. What clear truth in the difference between these two men. No wonder that Muslims must hurriedly kill Christians before everybody in the world learns about the lies being spread by their evil cult.
N.B. - Muslims claim Jesus as a revered prophet in their religion. Yet, they do not accept Jesus own words when he says "the only way to the Father is through me...". I asked a world famous cleric this question when he was touring to calm down fears of the Christians. I asked how can he accept Jesus as a prophet yet reject jesus own words, he refused to answer but his bodygaurd accused me of being a radical trying to foment hatred and rushed him out of the crowd. (I asked politely).
"while another said, "Jesus is not the son of God, he is a prophet of Islam.""
It should be interesting to see that gent standing before Jesus, the true Son of God, on his day of Judgment, wondering where Muhammad is.
We are in a religious war with Islam. It's them or us.
I choose us.
I demand an apology for the conquest of the East Roman Empire and the genocide of its population by the Turks - the direct cause of the Crusades.
God's protective hand go with the pope. If nothing else, I think his visit will show why Turkey should never be allowed into the European Union.
Muhammad, on judgment day will be just another face in the large crowd of the lost souls.
He can apologize to the Crusades for the outcome of the First Crusade by saying "I apologize that some Christians, of their own free will, became overzealous in their pursuit of a good cause, not because it was the fault of the Church, but merely to humor you." That will only occur after their imams, mullahs, and ayatollahs apologize to the Roman Catholic, Coptic, and Eastern Orthodox Chruches for the entire Islamic conquest from the Battle of Yarmouk to the Battle of Tours.
Meanwhile, the pope can also apologize the Greek Christians for the Fourth Crusade by saying "I guess excommunicating them twice just wasn't enough!"
"And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" -- Matthew 10:14-15
Good point.
Re: The Crusades
The Pope should say he's sorry the Church waited 300 years to go after the Muslims!
"Every Church was destroyed or converted into a mosque.."
Yep. Apologize for the Crusades? For what, exactly?!
Daring to defend Christians against an invading force of muslims?!
How DARE we defend ourselves before the moon cult!
OK.
We'll apologize for the Crusades if you return Constantinople.
Deal?
There is no way to talk with these people. There is no reconciliation possible. Living in peace and harmony is not possible. The Pope is very courageous and well-meaning, but there will be no peace with these people.
Theirs is a violent hate-filled ideology.
The protesters are very considerate to be carrying signs written in English for the Pope whose native language is German.
Thousands of Turks in Istanbul protest tomorrows arrival of Pope Benedict who is coming to support Turkeys dwindling Christian communities and to try to heal a rift with Orthodox Christians.
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