Pope Benedict XVI and Parts of the Muslim Community
Posted in Uncategorized on September 18th, 2006 by His HolinessRecently, Pope Benedict XVI made comments, which parts of the Muslim community have taken out of context, and ironically used as justification for various acts of violence, as well as demand an apology from the pope for said comments.
More information on the situation is available here:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/12/pope.bavaria.ap/index.html
and here:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/16/pope.islam/index.html?section=cnn_topstories
Among other places. You are free to find your own sources.
Your assignment is to state your thoughts on the situation, AND to state what YOU would do, if you were the Pope in this situation.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:16 am
I wouldn’t apologize to the muslims because they are just looking for a reason to fight.In the muslim language the word jihad means “holy war.” The muslims are always looking for a reason to fight.Because of this the muslims went to a church and burned it down and and killed a nun.I think that this was over exageration.The muslims do not like to debate on religion instead they just go out and kill people to make a point.In an article that I read it said that “If the pope was wrong then the Muslim scholars should make that the case to the rest of us.But they should make it as the pope made his,without bitter threats or warnings.”
I got this quote from www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion
September 21st, 2006 at 2:06 am
I agree with Michael. The muslims are just trying to start a fight. I mean they killed a nun and burned down a church. Why would they do that. I know that they aren\’t all bad people, but they sure make themselves act like it. I most certainly wouldn\’t apologize to the muslims. And Michael what do you mean when you said that you thought this war was over exageration? I think that the pope made the right chose.
Pastor, what time is confermation on thursday? My mom and I were wondering. You can call us at home if you would like to.
Thanks!!
September 21st, 2006 at 2:39 am
Indeed Jessica, why would someone do that?
How angry would you have to be that you were willing to do those sorts of things?
Confirmation is at 4:15 – 5:15, just like before, only on Thursday instead of Friday. I know that some people want it later, but it was kept at this time to accommodate someone’s babysitting commitment.
Michael:
Thank you for again engaging the question.
And thank you for citing your source.
It is certainly true that it is ironic how some members of the Muslim community (and we need to be clear that it is not all Muslims) have chosen to protest being referred to as violent. It certainly appears to be the sort of thing one does without thinking – which perhaps provides some insight into their motivation?
Let me ask you this: If the pope can prevent further violence simply by making an apology, should he not simply make the apology, or is being right and in some way maintaining his autonomy (and in a real way refusing to meet the demands of terrorists) more important than the suffering of those who will be the victims of that violence?
September 23rd, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I agree with Michael, and Jessica. I wouldn’t apologize to the musilms either. If i was the pope I wouldnt do nothing to help the musilms because they are always doing something wrong to all of us not just one of us all of us. They dont deserve us to help them. They can go and do it them selfs. I think the pope did the right thing in this. I wouldnt even apologize to any of the musilms.
September 23rd, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Ashley,
Reading your response I am forced to wonder:
Do we only help those who we feel are deserving of our help?
Thomas Jefferson suggested that \”God helps those who help themselves.\” The problem with that idea is two fold – first that it is inherently anti-Christian as Christ came and saved not those who were worthy of him, but those who were not worthy – and then told his followers to go and do likewise; AND that those who help themselves are not in need of help from others. In fact those who are in need of help are almost always unable to provide it themselves.
But the question about Islam is not one of help – it is one of ending violence and the associated suffering.
I think it is important to point out that Benedict XVI chose to apologize – though we all agree that he had nothing to apologize for. Knowing that this is a pope known for drawing a hard line and sticking to his well reasoned positions, it might be an interesting question for you to consider why this rather hard nosed pope choose to apologize when he had no reason to do so.
I am also a little bit troubled to read your stated belief that \”Muslims are always doing something wrong.\” I think if you were to ask some groups of Muslims they might tell you that they behave the way they do because they think that WE do many things that harm them. And we do. Not that our behavior justifies their reaction, but neither should their behavior justify ours.