The Pope's Remarks on Islam

NPR.org, Sept. 19, 2006 · Pope Benedict XVI ignited a firestorm last week when he quoted a 14th-century text that characterized some of the prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman." The pope's remarks came during a speech in which he argued for a reasoned faith. The pontiff has apologized for causing offense and said the quote does not reflect his own views. But reaction in the Muslim world has been angry and, at times, violent. Below, a sampling of world opinion on the subject:

 
 

INDIA

Storm over Vatican

Times of India

September 18, 2006

The Pope cannot get away with a citation about the violent nature of Islam without indicating where he himself stands in relation to the citation... It is also up to religious and political leaders to tamp down tensions over the issue. It is ironic that Islamabad should summon the Vatican's ambassador to protest the Pope's remarks, yet do nothing about those inciting religious hatred from its territory.

MIDDLE EAST

Using or Abusing Religion

Middle East Times

September 18, 2006

To be sure, religion is being abused, as it has been for millennia. Listening to or reading the poisonous utterances of bin Laden, Zawahiri and Zarqawi or any of those who are being called "Al Qaeda's second generation" makes it clear that there is a problem that Muslims must address. But listening to Christian evangelists like Pat Robertson and a whole host of other preachers or Israel's Rabbi Oveida and that country's other racist ideologues makes it clear that there are problems all around.

ISRAEL

Islamic Intolerance

The Jerusalem Post

September 18, 2006

Messages of regret from the Holy See have not subdued the clamor for an outright apology.... This is more than bewildering, the more so considering the conspicuous absence of Islamic clerics of stature even approaching that of the head of Roman Catholicism stepping up to renounce the noxious calumnies heaped by numerous high-ranking Muslim spiritual leaders on Jews, Christians or any they deem infidels.

ENGLAND

Why the Pope Was Right

Times Online

September 18, 2006

The Pope's actual quotation is not just a medieval point of view. It is a common modern view ... 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and then you shall find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.' Is it true that the Koran [sic] contains such a command, and has it influenced modern terrorists? The answers, unfortunately, are 'yes' and 'yes.'

UNITED STATES

Pope Gets It Wrong on Islam

Juan Cole

September 15, 2006

"The pope was trying to make the point that coercion of conscience is incompatible with genuine, reasoned faith. He used Islam as a symbol of the coercive demand for unreasoned faith. But he has been misled by the medieval polemic on which he depended. In fact, the Quran also urges reasoned faith and also forbids coercion in religion. The only violence urged in the Quran is in self-defense of the Muslim community… The Pope was wrong on the facts. He should apologize.

AUSTRALIA

Subtle Scholar, But What an Inept Politician

The Age

September 18, 2006

Pope Benedict's speech was an academic address at a German university on an esoteric theological theme that had nothing to do with affronting Muslims. The apparently offending remarks were almost a footnote to the discussion… But it seems some elements in the Muslim world are looking avidly for something to offend them. Meanwhile, governments looking to boost their Islamic credentials are only too happy to seize on this, or nurture it, for their own political advantage.
 
 

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