AmericanPapist Comments
There is indeed a world of difference from, 'I'm sorry you were offended at what I said,' and 'I'm sorry I said it.' Nevertheless, I'd really like to know what positive thing Islam added to what Christianity had already given the world.
My favourite bit was the bit about the 'careful and attentive reading of the whole of the text', which is thinly veiled code for, 'Stop being so touchy. You haven't even read it.'
The article you've linked about West Bank firebombing mentions an Anglican sanctuary and a Greek Orthodox church, no Catholic churches.
Perhaps this new jihad will unite Christians behnd the Pope.
Pray.
.
here from? here from? should be "hear from"
Thomas,
The full text of Bertone's declaration is already posted in English and Italian at the Vatican Website, in the Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office.
I wonder when CAIR will apologize for all the burnt churches and Muslim threats against France, Germany, the Pope, et al. I think that will happen the day Jack Chick goest to mass.
Irony: Pope's comments inflame Muslims. Muslims attack non-Catholic churches.
Does anyone else think that these protests are orchestrated for the Western media? I see so many poor (most likely illiterate) folks carrying signs in English??? Where did these signs come from??? I am not saying this is some vast conspiracy, but its certainly well orchestrated on the parts of the relgious and political leaders in the Islamic world.
My, my, how dare you uppity Christians not be satisfied with your dhimmi status. You ungrateful infidels, at least we let you live!!!! . . . for now.
Well, there you go. I guess Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus was right about certain Muslims. You know, the ones who decapitate, blow up, desecrate non-Muslim places of worshiop, and/or forcilbly convert infidels [remember those kidnapped reporters a few weeks back in Palestine?]. Yes, those Muslims.
Yes, the Emperor would know, just guess who was waiting [or should I say "seige"-ing] just outside the walls of Constantinople to do the deed and eventually rename the city Istanbul?
BTW the dreaded Crusades were in response the Muslim evangelization by the scimitar.
Just one more thing, since when does one apoligize for the truth? Especially when it is being played out right in front of our eyes?
According to a REUTERS article today, the Iraqi government has callled for calm in the wake of Pope Benedict's remaks. The government has asked that the small Christian minority not be attacked.
The article also quoted Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of Iraq's largest Sunni bloc in the country's governing body, as saying that the Pope's remarks disparage the Muslim faith and it's "merciful Prophet."
I beg to differ. I say, "You're wrong sir. It is not the Pope's remarks that insult or "disparage" your religion. It is the violent reaction and behaviour of your co-religionists that show that they are quite capable of doing that ALL BY THEMSELVES!! They don't need the Pope's, or anyone's help.
There I go, mouthing off, uppity woman that I am. 'Guess I better go put on my bhurka.
If the Pope is German,
the Vatican is inside of Italy,
and Latin is the official language of the church,
why in the blue blazes are they protesting with signs in English?
It seems to the church burners are using the Pope's speech as a convenient excuse to be violent rather that any sort of true ideological response to the Pope's quote - much like the violence tied to the cartoon of Mohammed was. Those bent on destruction need no excuse to burn and bomb but occasionally use some offense as an excuse for their senseless evil.
I just lost most of the respect I had for Pope Shenouda III if this FOX News Story is correct. In it, he is quoted as saying "any remarks which offend Islam and Muslims are against the teachings of Christ" and "Christianity and Christ's teachings instruct us not to hurt others, either in their convictions or their ideas, or any of their symbols — religious symbols."
You don't get much more unChristian that Pope Shenouda's statements.
It is not offensive to call a duck a duck.
The Muslim reaction is an act of dishonest intellectual cowardice. Conveying a reasoned criticism founded in truth is well within the moral, ethical, and legal (in Christian nations at least) bounds of debate.
I am reminded of instances when great minds like GK Chesterton and Sir Thomas More called their opponents heretics to their face and the fact that, though the people in question were originally offended, they had the courage to listen to the whole argument. Of course, these people were all Christians.
And by the way, seeing as Muslims have been calling us infidels and Satan for the past 1400 years, aren't we about 14 centuries late to show our righteous outrage?
even the mohammedens see our Papa as Patriarch of all Christendom, lets give them a fight to remember!
I think we should try calling them the great Satan and see what happens.
Meanwhile, outside London's Westminster Cathedral:
http://catholiclondoner.blogspot...ushed-
post.html
Shane--
Don't be surprised by Pope Shenouda III's comments. He is reflective of the struggle that happens when Jesus is not at the center of one's life.
Here in my neck of the woods, there is a struggle going on between Hispanics in our parrish community, including the clergy. It's now gotten to the point that each of those individuals has to decide if they are Catholics who are hispanic or Hispanic catholics.
I believe the same goes for Pope Shenouda. He has to decide whether he is a Christian who is arab or an Arab christian. Islam being culturally Arab. However, let the dust settle and give him a chance and see what happens.
Unfortunately, what appeared to be 'upset' in Bertone's Italian (if not in the official English translation, which expressed 'regret') became 'regret' in the Pope's later statement--indeed, an Italian form of 'I'm sorry'. But it was regret at the reaction, not in the words having been said. It's still 'I'm sorry you feel that way.'
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