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"Death to Pope Benedict" cries Muslim Protesters
 So Pope Benedict XVI opened his recent speech, "Faith, Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections", with a quote from Byzantine Emperor Manuel II that said "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.". 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 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." Benedict said that quote solely for the purpose as an introduction discussing that it made him think harder about the relationship between Christianity and Islam. After this he goes on to refute the statement made by the emperor. The intent of his speech was to invoke an intellectual discussion to bring closer understanding between Islam and Christianity.
So Muslims all around the world react with violence protesting that Islam is not a violent religion? I don't get it. Radical extremists had this to say regarding Pope Benedict speech: "You infidels and despots, we will continue our jihad and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks and raise the fluttering banner of monotheism, when God's rule is established governing all people and nations". A cleric in Somalia said: "Whoever offends our Prophet Mohammed should be killed on the spot by the nearest Muslim". This was a cleric! The only insult to Mohammed was that he spread his religion by the sword. They are reacting their leader being called violent with violence! I will never understand these people.
Link: Entire Speech by Pope Benedict XVI hosted by BBC (Adobe PDF)
Belched up with tidings of comfort and joy by Joe
at
8:20:00 PM. |
