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.
I see much of the same coming too.
I've heard many time that Turkey is immune from radical Islam. Yeah, right.
time(s)
an eye for an eye
The principle of justice that requires punishment equal in kind to the offense (not greater than the offense, as was frequently given in ancient times). Thus, if someone puts out another's eye, one of the offender's eyes should be put out. The principle is stated in the Book of Exodus as “Thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
I demand a new crusade.
They just may get one.
I'm sure you did. But this is what one would expect of a deliberate fraud whose scam is being publically challenged. Since Islam is a pseudo-religious hoax, it crumbles easily in the face of truth.
I'd be thrilled to just get an apology for 9-11
And he should do it again, too!
Sorry, the Pope is not a Jew.
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."
None of this is to say that one cannot defend one's self, but retribution, preemptive or otherwise is not a Christian concept.
Some will, some won't.
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
If the Pope's trip to Turkey resulted in even one sincere conversion, though, I am certain he would tell you it was well worth it.
I had had people tell me on here if they did that the war would cease.
I expect it would, but such an idea is a silly pipe dream. We might as well wish that Satan would give up and mend his ways. You and I know that Islam is a perversion of the Word of God. We also know there is but one source for such perversions. Sadly, evil is indifferent to the misery it causes.
But I still say I would rather keep my head then lose it to them.
As would I, but if it happens, I'm not worried about how I'll be judged for it. And that is why the Pope has no worries when he walks into the lion's den either.
Pre-emptive strikes are certainly justified when an enemy has decalred himself hostile and to give him time is to give him greater power to strike and kill you.
Policemen do not wait for an armed robber to pull a trigger before shooting them dead. Simply having a gun and showing willingnes to use it is enough to kill them.
Same for Iraq. Hussein was an enemy that vowed to retaliate. he should have been destroped in 1991 not waiting 12 years for him to get stronger and plan new ways to kill Americans.
Thomas Jefferson supported pre-emption, as well.
Until thr 20th Century, the city was still half Christian. That ended when the Greeks were driven out by Ataturk. Now the Christians are one percent and in hiding.
Your #21 is a true gem, beautifully said. Thanks.
That is undoubtedly true from a geo-political and military point of view, but I say again: pre-emtpive retribution is not a Christian concept.
"pre-emptive retribution" is a contradiction in terms. The word "retribution" is nearly synoymous with "revenge".
Retribution is an act precipated by an earlier act. Without the first act there can be no retribution.
it is like saying "pre-emptive revenge"
Either way it is not Christian to engage in malicious acts or violents acts without justifiable need.
In the case of Iraq there is no question whatsoever of the need to conquer an enemy. The risk had become too high once it was determined that those in the Mid East were prepared to commit suicide with any sort of WMD they could acquire. And Iraq was very wealthy and able to do much damage.
The same is true for Iran, even more so. Iran is a murderer pointing a gun at our heads and screaming he will kill us. Iran must be conquered since they choose to be our enemy.
The Holy Father and President Bush are in danger. We must pray. We really are in a war of good vs evil.
"How DARE we defend ourselves before the moon cult!"
Especially as we actually lost the Crusades.
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