My example was not about the essence of Islam but to explicate the principle that leads us to reject Imams' defense: we did not sanctify terrorism. The principle is: it's not enough to sanctify; you must punish the transgressors. That was the only point I was trying to make. Again, sorry if I inadvertently gave any other impression.
I would like to thank you for your unambiguous moral clarity: This does not deny historic crimes on the part of any Catholic, including those of the highest hierarchical rank.
That's the only thing we can do from the past, don't we --- look at it honestly, learn and move forward? And, by being honest and responsible about the past, the present Pope has made an enormous step forward. May G-d bless him.
Thank you for your gracious words, TopQuark. May God bless you and yours, abundantly.
We had a good, mututally repectful; exchange on this thread, which I enjoyed. I have already thanked you for letting me see your thoughtful perspective: the sort of thing that makes it worth one's time to come to FR at all.
That being said, you did assert a statement which I --- from several years of reading relevant documents -- must conclude is mistaken, namely that the Catholic Church taught "... that Jews were Christ killers, and that the currently living Jews are responsible for that supposed sin of their ancestors.”
That has certainly been the theme of many a wrong-headed Catholic prelate, Orthodox priest, and Reformed/Evangelical preacher over the centuries; but it has never been a doctrine of the Church--- and by this I mean, of any of their churches, as far as I know.
Finally, one publication put this in a present-day perspective that makes sense; and (of all things) it was Investors Business Daily which made this good catch. Read it over and I believe you'll see what I mean: