Quote http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/15/pope.islam/ In his speech, Benedict quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus who said, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." So pleased to see this new hot off the press news release of a speech by Pope Benedict XVI in which he more or loss re-affirms what Blogmaster and other educated articulated posters have been saying in this Politics & Religion Forum in many other recent threads recently Seems educated folks have a lot in common
This was the sentence that caught my attention too. Now watch the reaction of islam nations. They are going nuts. I just read that the tone of critics and demands for appologies are getting harder.
No, that would be against the truth. At its best, the muslims will reap sorrow, perhaps try to get violent just to prove that they a wrong again.
I haven't read the whole speech but do you think he is doing any good by trying to negate another religion?
But shouldn't the pope rise above it instead of being dragged down to 'their' level? Who knows what this could escolate to...Christian Suicide bombers j/k but you never know...
A person with so much respect around the world and who influence millions of people’s opinion, aroused the anger of the whole Islamic world and strengthened the argument of those who say that the West is hostile to everything Islamic. I can’t understand that a high profile person made such ignorant comments. And we have to ponder what will happen when an ignorant person guides millions of people, a total disaster. Does he deserves to be a Pope? He needs some history lessons, I hope Vatican is arranging them for him. I believe person with such influence and power should be a bridge between religions, countries and people, to resolve issues not to intigate them. Whether he made these comments by his own or under political influence, he should aplogize to muslim world. I would like to ask Pope Benedict, few questions: 1. Why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West and USA? Are muslims spreading it by sword? 2. Tell us when muslim army went to Indonesia, which is the largest muslim populated country in the world? Islam was spreaded by the muslim traders, no army went there. 3. Why there are so many Coptic Christians still living in Middle East? Why they were not murdered, when muslims conquered Middle East? 4. Why Pop didn’t mention about Sultan Salah-uddin’s acts after reclaiming the Jerusalem from crusaders, did he mudered the Christian war prisoners? No, he gave amnesty. 5. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) conquered Makkah, did He murdered all his enemies? No, He pardoned their hostile acts towards muslims.
Not sure whether he is trying to negate another religion .............. but what can be guaranteed is that by virtue of The Pope making these comments. The Islamic scholars will have to clearly reply to The Pope, what is today's Islamic scholastic interpretation of 'The Koran supports Jihad (Holy War)' ............ which is noted in the Koran editions past and present. Perhaps they can clear this up once and for all, what this means in today's chaotic world Because Islamic radicals use it as the reason that justifies to them, why they can just rain down bombs on anyone,anytime, anyplace!
Calm down geezer its not a competition, anyway I don't think the Pope reads this forum. He is allowed to express his opinion, I have opinions on Islam that will make the extremist minority of Islam want to chop my head off. I am free to say what I like. The Pope chose his words carefully and you should not be offended by the fact that someone thinks your religions is false.
Yes at least he has now put the ball in 'their' court, its a shame they dont have one single leader/spokesperson. Benedict know exactly what he is doing, he said those words with a purpose in mind.
What's wrong about that? The emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 reads: "There is no compulsion in religion". It is one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under threaten. and look it changes then all of a sudden... But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Qur’an, concerning holy war. Without decending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he turns to his interlocutor somewhat brusquely with the central question on the relationship between religion and violence in general, in these words: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". The emperor goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God is not pleased by blood, and not acting reasonably is contrary to God’s nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death...".
Trumpetting false all the time makes it truth in future. You are free to talk any thing but maligning people/religion is not your right? You have to be careful with that; I think you had never learnt that..... My faith and ethical values restrain me from doing what you are doing or saying. Free speech but with knowledge I will appreciate but with Ignorance that won't solve our differences.