I vaguely remember this incident, wasn't there a bruhaha because the pope walked out?
I think there are at least two elements to this current situation.
1) The Catholic Church doesn't hold present day Protestants guilty for what we see as the errors of the reformation so it's kind of difficult to hold muslims guilty for the way islam got started.
2) Prudence. Pakistanis were already burning Christian churches on the threat alone of the koran burning, I think 3 churches were attacked. It's one thing for the pope to willingly choose martyrdom for himself, it's another for him to take as many people as he can with him.
CANON 13. Concerning the restoration of free will. The freedom of will that was destroyed in the first man can be restored only by the grace of baptism, for what is lost can be returned only by the one who was able to give it. Hence the Truth itself declares: "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
No, it was just the opposite. He politely sat and listened. There was some question whether or not he knew what was being said, but I'm sure there were priests there that did. Imagine how he would have been condemned in the muslim world for walking out and applauded in the Jewish and Christian world.
2) Prudence. Pakistanis were already burning Christian churches on the threat alone of the koran burning, I think 3 churches were attacked. It's one thing for the pope to willingly choose martyrdom for himself, it's another for him to take as many people as he can with him.
I've been blessed to be able to contribute to groups like Gospel For Asia. I get regular reports on the persecution Christians face in this part of the world. If your church's leader stood up to these thugs it wouldn't have changed a thing, EXCEPT it would have helped clarify the distinction between being a Christian and a muslim.
Christianity does not get advanced by letting the forces of darkness control the stage.
Yes, you are right — thanks to a pastor of 30 folks, there were riots in Indian administered Kashmir (Iranian TV broadcast the pastor’s threats to burn the Koran) and this resulted in a Christian school being burnt down and churches attacked and no doubt Christians attacked too —> the west does not realise that it’s actions cause misery to Christians in the rest of the world — when Gene Robinson became a gay bish, there were murders of Christians in Nigeria. Now this loon comes and says he’ll burn the Koran, and Christians in Asia pay for his threats.