EGENSBURG, Germany — In what some immediately saw as a serious diversion from the rapprochement approach of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday, September 12, said the Islamic concepts of "Jihad" was unreasonable and against God's nature.
Using the words, "Jihad" and "Holy War" in lecture at the University of Regensburg, the pontiff quoted criticism of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) by a 14th Century Byzantine Christian emperor, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"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," Benedict quoted Manuel II.
Quoting the Byzantine Christian emperor, Benedict said spreading the faith through violence is unreasonable and that acting without reason was against God's nature.
"Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul," added the pontiff in his own words.
British Karen Armstrong, a famed prolific writer on all three monotheistic religions, has criticized stereotyping the Arabic word "jihad" as merely meaning holy war.
She stressed that "jihad is a cherished spiritual value that, for most Muslims, has no connection with violence."
At a giant open-air mass earlier Tuesday, Pope Benedict urged more than 250,000 pilgrims to stand up for their beliefs in the face of the "hatred and fanaticism" tarnishing religion.
"Such an atmosphere made it important to state clearly the God in whom we believe," the pope said.
Strongest criticism
"This is maybe the strongest criticism because he doesn’t speak of fundamentalist Islam but of Islam generally," said Guolo.
Pope's criticism of Islam made his address the most political of his six-day visit to Germany, which had previously dealt exclusively with spiritual matters, commented AFP.
"This is maybe the strongest criticism because he doesn’t speak of fundamentalist Islam but of Islam generally," Renzo Guolo, a professor of the sociology of religion at the University of Padua, told The New York Times on Wednesday, September 13.
"Not all Islam, thank God, is fundamentalist."
Marco Politi, the Vatican expert for the Italian daily La Repubblica, said the pontiff's speech revealed "deep mistrust regarding the aggressive side of Islam."
"Certainly he closes the door to an idea which was very dear to John Paul II — the idea that Christians, Jews and Muslims have the same God and have to pray together to the same God," he asserted.
Daniel A. Madigan, rector of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Cultures at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, agreed.
"If we are really going into a serious dialogue with Muslims we need to take faith seriously."
But papal spokesman Father Federico Lombardi sought to ease the severity of the Pope's rebukes of Islam.
He argued that the pontiff used Manuel's views of Islam only to help explain the issue and not to condemn all of the Muslim religion as violent.
"This is just an example. We know that inside Islam there are many different positions, violent and non-violent," he said.
"The Pope does not want to give an interpretation of Islam that is violent."
Unlike late pope John Paul, Cardinal Ratzinger, who took the name of Benedict after his election, does not approve of joint prayers with Muslims.
He is also skeptical of the value of inter-religious dialogue.
In the summer of 2005, Pope Benedict devoted an annual weekend of study with former graduate students to Islam.
During the meeting, and since, he has reportedly expressed skepticism about Islam’s openness to change given the conviction that the Noble Quran is the unchangeable word of God.
In 2004, Pope Benedict also caused a stir by opposing Turkey's accession into the European Union.
He said Turkey should seek its future in an association of Islamic nations, not with the EU, which has Christian roots
*Without Allah, without Islam, life would be meaningless. If I've ever learned patience, it's because of this. Alhamdulillah...*
Have there been powerful Imams that have critisized Christianity before? The Trinity is easy prey for many forum members here, and many powerful Muslims everywhere. I personally think it is dumb to bicker and debate on about religion.
Our Rabbi's teach us that to debate is not wise because you only make enemies. Jews aren't out to convert people so we really don't care if you degrade our religion, as long as you do not try to murder the souls (convert our naive members of our faith.)
But I have gotten off track.
The point of my post is basically not to support anyone, and condemn all this childish banter between religions. I really do not expect much from the pope. Possibly Muslims can speak louder by showing there integrity and not trying to slander Catholics or anyother faith.
Quoting the Byzantine Christian emperor, Benedict said spreading the faith through violence is unreasonable and that acting without reason was against God's nature.
has he forgotten that Christianity has spread the same way. How else do you think Islam and CHRISTIANITY spread. G-d taught to never conquer and convert anyone. They had to make the choice on there own.
Thank G-d Judaism never taught to convert people in mass like some of our counterparts on earth. Only 14 million Jews on earth, yet we seem to be in the news, winning prizes, creating new things, producing scientific papers, and accomplishing so much. Only 14 million and we truly have accomplished the impossible already.
Spreading faith through violence is unreasonable, that much is true. The act of killing is against the nature of God. However, if the Pope was concerned about those who have acted against the nature of God, he should have spoken about humanity as a whole, not Islam.
Therebbe, Islam didnt spread through force...if das what u mean.
Every nation has made some advancement, whether it was expanding it or starting it.
Islam teaches the same. If the person asks us then we should tell them. Some scholars like to debate, some dont. Allah tells us to invite people with wisdom..
Last edited by Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн; 09-14-2006 at 03:42 AM.
*Without Allah, without Islam, life would be meaningless. If I've ever learned patience, it's because of this. Alhamdulillah...*
Now I really missed someone pro-humanity like Pope John Paul II. He's good to both Jews and Muslims. The ONLY figure RESPECTED by both peoples. He prayed at Western Wall and kissed the Holy Koran.... to show that for him both of us, Jews and Muslims are humans like him.
Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).
009.032
Spreading faith through violence is unreasonable, that much is true. The act of killing is against the nature of God. However, if the Pope was concerned about those who have acted against the nature of God, he should have spoken about humanity as a whole, not Islam.
Have there been powerful Imams that have critisized Christianity before? The Trinity is easy prey for many forum members here, and many powerful Muslims everywhere. I personally think it is dumb to bicker and debate on about religion.
.
theres a difference between pciking at things in a religion and talking about the Prophets. and muslims have NEVER spoke against Isa may peace be upon him, because we respect him as a Prophet of Allah. Same goes to Moosa, may peace be upon him. the pope criticised Muhamed
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
has he forgotten that Christianity has spread the same way. How else do you think Islam and CHRISTIANITY spread. G-d taught to never conquer and convert anyone. They had to make the choice on there own.
Thank G-d Judaism never taught to convert people in mass like some of our counterparts on earth. Only 14 million Jews on earth, yet we seem to be in the news, winning prizes, creating new things, producing scientific papers, and accomplishing so much. Only 14 million and we truly have accomplished the impossible already.
Yup same with us Sikhs. It's about 'Quality' for us Sikhs and not about 'Quantity'
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
has he forgotten that Christianity has spread the same way. How else do you think Islam and CHRISTIANITY spread. G-d taught to never conquer and convert anyone. They had to make the choice on there own.
Thank G-d Judaism never taught to convert people in mass like some of our counterparts on earth. Only 14 million Jews on earth, yet we seem to be in the news, winning prizes, creating new things, producing scientific papers, and accomplishing so much. Only 14 million and we truly have accomplished the impossible already.
That's simply not sure if it were you'd be a muslim so would the majority of the world.
yeeaaa lets see...Islam was spread by sword? The hundreds and thousands of new converts today and still growing are being forced into Islam??
--- Who in the world is he to say anything about the Oneness of Allah and the Noble Prophet of Allah, Salallahu alayhi wa sallam.
---
Last edited by Muhammad; 09-15-2006 at 10:38 PM.
Reason: Please try to avoid insulting others, as we are taught to respond with goodness and wisdom
And When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed close: I
listen to the prayer of every praying person when he calls on
Me: So let them also, listen to My call, and believe in Me, so
that they may walk straight.
Surat AlBaqarah 2:186
here are excerpts from Pope's speech. Is it really offensive to you?
He quoted man from XIV century, who - yes, probably didn't like Islam. But hey! christian history is often also presented from one side! It doesn't make anyone happy but let's not exaggerat. It doesn't seem to me Pope was trying to insult you.
and another article: Turkish official compares pope to Hitler
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Lavikor, please don't make blind and baseless assumptions like that. dont insinuate the way YOU think islam was spread. btw, refer to the topic at hand.
btw, dont be singing your own praises here. thats YOUR point of view. there's more to it that other people sees that you're BLIND to.
----------------------------------------------------------
IMHO, THE new pope seems to expound prejudice over tolerance. does peace and co-existence means anything to him?
Thank G-d Judaism never taught to convert people in mass
r u saying helping ppl to find the truth and peace wrong?
we never force anyone to convert to islam (and u can ask few member here who r converts themselves if they were ever forced to become muslims)
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