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September 16, 2006
Pope Benedict
Ya know, I wasn't too sure about this Pope Benedict when he was elected, but now I can say, I am impressed.
I'm so impressed, I might even start going back to church, if this good pope is going to defend my faith instead of pander to the political correctness of these times and pretend that all religions are equally good.
He (Pope Benedict) quoted from a little-known medieval text recording debates between a Byzantine emperor and an educated Persian. The Pope recalled that the emperor had told his adversary: "Show me just what Muhammad 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."SourceBenedict acknowledged the "startling brusqueness" of the remark, but went on to endorse fully the view that "spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable".
The Pope said this (just one paragraph from a long speech)
In the seventh conversation edited by Professor Khoury, the emperor touches on the theme of the holy war. The emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 reads: "There is no compulsion in religion". According to the experts, this is one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under threat. But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Qur'an, concerning holy war. Without descending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness on the central question about the relationship between religion and violence in general, saying: "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, after having expressed himself so forcefully, 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", he says, "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...".Source
I will bet anything that very few of the reporters and none of the upset Muslims bothered to read the entire text of the speech. It is a marvelous speech, addressing the value of teaching theology in universities. I recommend it heartily. Pope Benedict is truly a brilliant man.
Naturally, the uneducated Muslim crowds, urged on by self-appointed mullahs and imams and what-have-you, are rioting and burning pictures of Good Pope Benedict and demanding a personal apology. Why Pope Benedict should apologize for recognizing the elephant in the room is beyond reason.
And naturally, they are comparing the Pope to Hitler and Mussolini.
I believe that Pope Benedict is surely the man we need as head of the Catholic Church in these times of turmoil caused by the Islamofascists of the world.
Michelle Malkin also supports the Pope. This is one issue I agree with Michelle on wholeheartedly.
Posted by Beth at September 16, 2006 7:37 AM
Comments
I applaud him in saying what we all think!
Posted by: Greta (Hooah Wife) at September 16, 2006 6:58 PM
I read this post the other day and it made me wonder if this would up attendence in any way. My sister Jen and I went to Mass at our sister Grace's church, so I couldn't tell. The priest didn't mention anything about the violence. I was surprised.
This Pope was my pick from the time the Cardinals began the Conclave in April. I've always liked him.
Posted by: Maggie at September 17, 2006 9:09 PM