Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (2L) accompanies Pope Francis as he departs from Istanbul after a three day visit, November 30, 2014. Pope Francis said Islamic militants were carrying out a "profoundly grave sin against God" in Syria and Iraq, calling on Sunday for inter-religious dialogue and action against poverty to help end the conflicts there. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Pope Says It Is Wrong To Equate Islam With Violence -- Reuters
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that equating Islam with violence was wrong and called on Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism to help dispel the stereotype.
Francis, the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, told reporters aboard his plane returning from a visit to Turkey that he understood why Muslims were offended by many in the West who automatically equated their religion with terrorism.
Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, caused storms of protest throughout the Islamic world in 2006, when he made a speech that suggested to many Muslims that he believed Islam espoused violence.
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My Comment: I would say that radical Islamists around the world are in disagreement with him .... and by deliberating targeting those who do not share their view and interpretation of Islam .... they are making a mockery of his claim that it is "wrong to equate Islam with violence" with each new and disturbing atrocity. As for the Pope's call to Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism .... I have heard this same call from many other leaders over the years .... and I predict the same result .... most of these Muslim leaders are going to remain silent.
The argument does hold because those "radical Islamic leaders", while enjoying a good deal of support, could hardly claim to speak for all Muslims or even a majority of Muslims. While there is a correlation, Islam=/=violence. Of course, that's just a platitude, but neither the Pope nor Obama are in a position where they could freely offer anything more than that...
ReplyDeleteDaniel .... I sincerely hope that you are right that a majority of Muslims do not support these radical Jihadists .... because their silence on what is happening is now becoming deafening. in the past few months .... among my own entourage and circle of friends and associates I have been asking my Muslim friends on why they are not vocal (on social media, in their mosques, etc.) when it comes to condemning these groups .... and surprise - surprise .... their non-response has completely shocked me.
ReplyDeleteI have always believed that the mass majority of Muslims would never tolerate or support the rise of radical groups like the Islamic State, Al Qaeda, and any or all of their affiliates .... how could they .... but now .... after many years of believing this .... I am starting to have doubts.
The Pope is from Argentina and is infected with the Leftist bug.
ReplyDeleteHe is a disappointment. I was hooping for a black pope instead of warmed over Kirchner fare.
Your "friends" are on the fence until they can be sure the tide is strong enough. That does not exactly show peaceful intentions.
ReplyDelete"I have been asking my Muslim friends on why they are not vocal (on social media, in their mosques, etc.) when it comes to condemning these groups .... and surprise - surprise .... their non-response has completely shocked me."
ReplyDeleteAh, the secrets held in the darkness of men's souls. The people who quote "The eyes are windows to the soul" have never looked in a mirror.