The Pope Should Not Apologize To Muslim Leaders
Robert Paul Reyes
September 16, 2006
Pope Benedict has caused an uproar in the Muslim world with a speech quoting a 14th century Christian Emperor. The Pope quoted the Emperor's declaration that the Prophet Mohammed had brought the world "only evil and inhuman things such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". The pontiff took great pains to point out he was quoting and not necessarily endorsing the words of Emperor Manuel Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire.
The reaction in the Muslim world was quick and predictable, as soon as the Pope's words hit the wires, faithful Muslims commenced to burn his Holiness in effigy. Devout Muslims threatened, in so many words, to rain down evil and inhuman things on the infidels, if the head of the Roman Catholic Church did not apologize immediately.
As a freethinker I have disdain for all forms of organized religion -- Islam and Catholicism are both guilty of intolerance and homophobia. But in this instance I must defend the Holy Father, this gifted theologian and nuanced thinker did not categorically condemn Islam.
The BBC quotes German Chancellor Merkel: "What Benedict XVI emphasized was a decisive and uncompromising renunciation of all forms of violence in the name of religion."
I on the other hand do categorically condemn Islam. I look around the Muslim world and what do I see, nothing but evil and inhuman things. I see Jihadists kidnapping journalists and forcing them to convert to Islam at the point of a gun. I see Muslims killed for converting to Christianity. I see thousands of peace-loving Palestinians dancing in the streets in celebration of the butchery of 9/11. I see women treated like chattel. I see Jews portrayed as monkeys and pigs in the Muslim media. I see the acceptance and glorification of homicide bombers by an overwhelming majority of Muslims. I see women stoned for the "sin" of adultery. I see Hezbollah rain down rockets on civilians. I see Shiites and Sunnis killing each other in the name of Allah. I see multitudes in bondage to their holy book. In short, I see nothing but evil and inhuman things.
If Pope Benedict doesn't promptly apologize I expect Muslims by the thousands to protest violently, in a clear demonstration that Islam has not brought the world evil and inhuman things.
The reaction in the Muslim world was quick and predictable, as soon as the Pope's words hit the wires, faithful Muslims commenced to burn his Holiness in effigy. Devout Muslims threatened, in so many words, to rain down evil and inhuman things on the infidels, if the head of the Roman Catholic Church did not apologize immediately.
As a freethinker I have disdain for all forms of organized religion -- Islam and Catholicism are both guilty of intolerance and homophobia. But in this instance I must defend the Holy Father, this gifted theologian and nuanced thinker did not categorically condemn Islam.
The BBC quotes German Chancellor Merkel: "What Benedict XVI emphasized was a decisive and uncompromising renunciation of all forms of violence in the name of religion."
I on the other hand do categorically condemn Islam. I look around the Muslim world and what do I see, nothing but evil and inhuman things. I see Jihadists kidnapping journalists and forcing them to convert to Islam at the point of a gun. I see Muslims killed for converting to Christianity. I see thousands of peace-loving Palestinians dancing in the streets in celebration of the butchery of 9/11. I see women treated like chattel. I see Jews portrayed as monkeys and pigs in the Muslim media. I see the acceptance and glorification of homicide bombers by an overwhelming majority of Muslims. I see women stoned for the "sin" of adultery. I see Hezbollah rain down rockets on civilians. I see Shiites and Sunnis killing each other in the name of Allah. I see multitudes in bondage to their holy book. In short, I see nothing but evil and inhuman things.
If Pope Benedict doesn't promptly apologize I expect Muslims by the thousands to protest violently, in a clear demonstration that Islam has not brought the world evil and inhuman things.
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