Pope Benedict XVI criticises Prophet Muhammad's teachings

 

 

Pope Benedict XVI has enraged the Islamic world by quoting a 14th century emperor who said Islam had brought "things only evil and inhuman", on Tuesday, August 12.

Whilst speaking on his six-day visit to Germany the 79-year-old Pope (who was a member of the Nazi organisation Hitler youth ] quoted a book recounting a conversation between 14th Century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian interlocutor

 

 

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of Jihad , holy war," the Pope said "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Mohammed 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'."

"It certainly wasn't the intention of the Pope to carry out a deep examination of jihad and on Muslim thought on it, much less to offend the sensibility of Muslim believers," Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardi said.

 

 

 

Muslim anger over papal comments grows :

 

 

- Pakistan's legislature unanimously condemned Pope Benedict XVI Lebanon's top Shiite cleric demanded an apology. And in Turkey, the ruling party likened the pontiff to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades.

 

Across the Islamic world Friday, Benedict's remarks on Islam and jihad in a speech in Germany unleashed a torrent of rage that many fear could burst into violent protests like those that followed publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

By citing an obscure Medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam's founder as "evil and inhuman," Benedict inflamed Muslim passions and aggravated fears of a new outbreak of anti-Western protests.

The last outpouring of Islamic anger at the West came in February over the prophet cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper. The drawings sparked protests — some of them deadly — in almost every Muslim nation in the world.

Some experts said the perceived provocation by the spiritual leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics could leave even deeper scars.

"The declarations from the pope are more dangerous than the cartoons, because they come from the most important Christian authority in the world — the cartoons just came from an artist," said Diaa Rashwan, an analyst in Cairo, Egypt, who studies Islamic militancy.

On Friday, Pakistan's parliament adopted a resolution condemning Benedict for making what it called "derogatory" comments about Islam, and seeking an apology. Hours later, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry summoned the Vatican 's ambassador to express regret over the pope's remarks Tuesday.

 

Notably, the strongest denunciations came from Turkey — a moderate democracy seeking European Union membership where Benedict is scheduled to visit in November as his first trip as pope to a Muslim country.

Salih Kapusuz, deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted party, said Benedict's remarks were either "the result of pitiful ignorance" about Islam and its prophet or, worse, a deliberate distortion.

"He has a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the Middle Ages. He is a poor thing that has not benefited from the spirit of reform in the Christian world," Kapusuz told Turkish state media. "It looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades."

"Benedict, the author of such unfortunate and insolent remarks, is going down in history for his words," Kapusuz added. "He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini."

Even Turkey's staunchly pro-secular opposition party demanded the pope apologize before his visit. Another party led a demonstration outside Ankara's largest mosque, and a group of about 50 people placed a black wreath outside the Vatican's diplomatic mission.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the pope should explain and "tell us what exactly did he mean. ... It can't just be left like that."

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi has tried to defuse anger, saying the pope did not intend to offend Muslim sensibilities and insisting Benedict respects Islam. In Pakistan, the Vatican envoy voiced regret at "the hurt caused to Muslims."

But Muslim leaders said outreach efforts by papal emissaries were not enough.

"We do not accept the apology through Vatican channels ... and ask him (Benedict) to offer a personal apology — not through his officials," Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, Lebanon's most senior Shiite cleric, told worshippers in Beirut.

Rashwan, the analyst, feared the official condemnations could be followed by widespread popular protests. Already there had been scattered demonstrations in several Muslim countries.

 

"What we have right now are public reactions to the pope's comments from political and religious figures, but I'm not optimistic concerning the reaction from the general public, especially since we have no correction from the Vatican," Rashwan said.

About 2,000 Palestinians angrily protested Friday night in Gaza City. Earlier, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic militant group Hamas, said the pope had offended Muslims everywhere.

In Cairo, some 100 demonstrators stood outside the al-Azhar mosque chanting: "Oh Crusaders, oh cowards! Down with the pope!"

The pope quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th-century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," Benedict said. "He said, I quote, '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 pope did not explicitly agree with nor repudiate the comment.

In Britain, the head of the Muslim Council, a body representing 400 Muslim groups, said the emperor's views quoted by the pope were bigoted.

"One would expect a religious leader such as the pope to act and speak with responsibility and repudiate the Byzantine emperor's views in the interests of truth and harmonious relations between the followers of Islam and Catholicism," said Muhammad Abdul Bari, the council's secretary-general. Many Muslims accused Benedict of seeking to promote Judeo-Christian dominance over Islam

's often divided Shiite and Sunni Arabs found unity in their anger over the remarks, with clerics from both communities criticizing Benedict.

 

"The pope and Vatican proved to be Zionists and that they are far from Christianity, which does not differ from Islam. Both religions call for forgiveness, love and brotherhood," Shiite cleric Sheik Abdul-Kareem al-Ghazi said during a sermon in Iraq's second-largest city, Basra.

Few in Turkey, especially, failed to pick up on Benedict's reference to Istanbul as Constantinople — the city's name more than 500 years ago — before it was conquered by Muslim Ottoman Turks.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended the German-born pope, saying his message had been misunderstood.

"It is an invitation to dialogue between religions and the pope has explicitly urged this dialogue, which I also endorse and see as urgently necessary," she said Friday. "What Benedict XVI makes clear is a decisive and uncompromising rejection of any use of violence in the name of religion."

In the United States, a Muslim group, the Council for American-Islamic Relations, asked for a meeting with a Vatican representative and urged more efforts at improving understanding between Muslims and Catholics. "The proper response to the pope's inaccurate and divisive remarks is for Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam," the group said.

Even Iraq

So much for tolerance.

 

If Islam does not want to be viewed as a violent religion, then why do they get more mad about this then when extremist hijack their religion and use terrorism?

 

You seem more mad about this then when a person kills innocent people in the name of Allah...

So much for tolerance.

 

If Islam does not want to be viewed as a violent religion, then why do they get more mad about this then when extremist hijack their religion and use terrorism?

 

You seem more mad about this then when a person kills innocent people in the name of Allah...

 

 

 

We mad because he didn't talk about the terrorists,he talked and insult prophet of God Mohammed.

 

Everybody insult Bin-Laden and we didn't get mad

 

When a terrorist kill an innocent people it's ok to insult him,but to insult the prophet of this religion,no of course.They are many Christians and Jews terrorists,but we didn't insult their prophets

Did you see them protests over the Cartoons?

 

You should see some of the placards being held - most were along the lines of believe Islam or die.

 

This could get intresting.

We mad because he didn't talk about the terrorists,he talked and insult prophet of God Mohammed.

 

Everybody insult Bin-Laden and we didn't get mad

 

When a terrorist kill an innocent people it's ok to insult him,but to insult the prophet of this religion,no of course.They are many Christians and Jews terrorists,but we didn't insult their prophets

 

Yes but what does it say that you guys arent up in arms about the hijacking of your peacefu religion?

 

I didnt say it was ok to insult other religions, that is rude, but what does it say when you guys take offence to this and not to terrorism by islamic extremist?

 

PS my religion gets attacked every 10 secons in our media, Jesus and God are made fun of all the time, you dont see the christian world up in arms or rioting. Like what happened to the muslim world after those cartoons

Ironic that the orginal poster says we should repsect all religions...when hes an antim-semite who denys the holocaust.

 

Btw, what do you think of the new pope so far?

I dont like the Catholic church nor popes so i dont like him. What about you?

Yes but what does it say that you guys arent up in arms about the hijacking of your peacefu religion?

 

I didnt say it was ok to insult other religions, that is rude, but what does it say when you guys take offence to this and not to terrorism by islamic extremist?

 

PS my religion gets attacked every 10 secons in our media, Jesus and God are made fun of all the time, you dont see the christian world up in arms or rioting. Like what happened to the muslim world after those cartoons

 

 

Who said that we encourge the Islamic extremist? at least and from my opinion,I hate them so much

 

 

Your media free to insult the prophets which they belive in them,they just be in their own and didn't insult the others [ if you want to kill yourself,it's ok but didn't kill anyone else ]

 

Everybody know how we get mad when they published the cartoons,so there is no need to repeat this again

Ironic that the orginal poster says we should repsect all religions...when hes an antim-semite who denys the holocaust.

 

Btw, what do you think of the new pope so far?

 

 

 

I told you thousands times that I Semetic origin.

 

The Holocaust is a civil matter not religious or holy matter

Who said that we encourge the Islamic extremist? at least and from my opinion,I hate them so much

 

 

Your media free to insult the prophets which they belive in them,they just be in their own and didn't insult the others [ if you want to kill yourself,it's ok but didn't kill anyone else ]

 

Everybody know how we get mad when they published the cartoons,so there is no need to repeat this again

 

I'm not saying you do, but not many people speak out agaisnt it and seem to get mad over little issues and Islamic terrorism being a huge issue they keep silent.

You dont do much to discourage them thou. Alot of people in your region took to the streets and celebrated 9/11.

 

Lots of Muslims demostrate against the war, but no-one demostrates aagainst terrorism.

 

And why did you get upset over a few cartoons? Every other religion has been the butt of a lot of jokes, yet they dont get all hysterical. Why is that?

I'm not saying you do' date=' but not many people speak out agaisnt it and seem to get mad over little issues and Islamic terrorism being a huge issue they keep silent.[/quote']

 

Who said that? I want to tell you,that those terrorists harmed us before harmed you,of course we hate them

 

But the declarations like which insult our prophet,this what make the terrorists

I told you thousands times that I Semetic origin.

 

The Holocaust is a civil matter not religious or holy matter

 

Yes it is because you know it will upset people. Being anti-semite nowdays means one who hates Jews.

 

Bastard used to be a word to describe illigitamate children. Nowdaysits just a regular swear word.

 

Btw just read an intresting artilce on Anti-semtism.

 

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/anti-semite

You dont do much to discourage them thou. Alot of people in your region took to the streets and celebrated 9/11.

 

Lots of Muslims demostrate against the war, but no-one demostrates aagainst terrorism.

 

And why did you get upset over a few cartoons? Every other religion has been the butt of a lot of jokes, yet they dont get all hysterical. Why is that?

 

 

It's tottaly wrong,at least my family and my friends get upset when they saw 9/11 and we knowing that who did this,just a terrorists because they killed innocent people

 

We demonstrate aganist the war because we have the right to do this,look for what happening in Iraq,Lebanon and Afghanistan

 

 

You are free doing what you want with you religion,make cartoons or jokes like what you want but don't mess with tho others belives

But you have to tolerate others views about your religion.

 

But the point were making is the muslim world does not get as mad about terrorism. You do not protest in the streets or have your religious leaders speak out. It makes the muslim world look very bad. People may personally have dislike for the terrorist attacks but its not made that public like their anger over silly cartoons or the pope.

Who said that? I want to tell you,that those terrorists harmed us before harmed you,of course we hate them

 

But the declarations like which insult our prophet,this what make the terrorists

 

 

"Anti-Zionist propaganda in the Middle East frequently adopts the terminology and symbols of the Holocaust to demonize Israel and its leaders. At the same time, Holocaust denial and Holocaust minimization efforts have found increasingly overt acceptance as sanctioned historical discourse in a number of Middle Eastern countries. Arabic- and Turkish-edition of Hitler's Mein Kampf and the Protocols of Zion have found an audience in the region with limited critical response by local intellectuals and media. The Protocols have even inspired TV series (in Lebanon and Iran) showing rabbis ritually slaughtering (throat cutting) Christian children."

 

For the benefit of the orginal poster - if someone made a tv show were an islamic charcther slit a childs throat they'ed be uproar wouldnt there? Yet you youve done the same to them.

But you have to tolerate others views about your religion.

 

But the point were making is the muslim world does not get as mad about terrorism. You do not protest in the streets or have your religious leaders speak out. It makes the muslim world look very bad. People may personally have dislike for the terrorist attacks but its not made that public like their anger over silly cartoons or the pope.

 

True.

But you have to tolerate others views about your religion.

 

But the point were making is the muslim world does not get as mad about terrorism. You do not protest in the streets or have your religious leaders speak out. It makes the muslim world look very bad. People may personally have dislike for the terrorist attacks but its not made that public like their anger over silly cartoons or the pope.

 

 

I will be tolerate if who speaking knowing information about what he talk,It's wrong when you talking about something you didn't know it [ you will be like a stupid ]

 

Know,we was demonstrated when we was hit in Egypt aganist the terrorists and our governments fight them so long

Well it may have happened, but where were the tv pictures? the press coverage? couldnt have been that big.

 

Your religion has been hijacked by extremists, they whip all this trouble - how else to explain the cartoon thing? Was it really that bad? Theres hundreds of jokes/insults etc about every other religion - why do you get upset when others dont?

 

Extreme elimente's of your religion uses this as propaganda, they want more people to believe that Jews and the western world are evil. thats how they get their sucide bombers, that how they get their money.

 

If you want to be part of that then go ahead, keep being anti-semite, take every insult/joke to heart. You'll only end up feeling bitter and full of hate. Do you want that?

 

You denyed the holocaust which hurt and upset alot of people on this board - you knew it'd do that.

 

Its people like you who give Islam a bad name.

Well it may have happened, but where were the tv pictures? the press coverage? couldnt have been that big.

 

Your religion has been hijacked by extremists, they whip all this trouble - how else to explain the cartoon thing? Was it really that bad? Theres hundreds of jokes/insults etc about every other religion - why do you get upset when others dont?

 

Extreme elimente's of your religion uses this as propaganda, they want more people to believe that Jews and the western world are evil. thats how they get their sucide bombers, that how they get their money.

 

If you want to be part of that then go ahead, keep being anti-semite, take every insult/joke to heart. You'll only end up feeling bitter and full of hate. Do you want that?

 

You denyed the holocaust which hurt and upset alot of people on this board - you knew it'd do that.

 

Its people like you who give Islam a bad name.

 

 

I see you replying you words.I know there are Islamic extremist but there are also Christians a Jewish extremist too,but we didn't see or listen somebody insult their prophets

 

I told you many times that your people are free to do what they like withe their belives but don't put yourself among the others belives.What the interests from that what will you gain from this.

 

This insults helping the extremist to get more suicide bombers

 

 

The Holocaust is a civil matter,and I can't insult anyone holy belives.You denied that Egypt won war 1973 and I didn't insult you religion for that because it's a civil matter

 

You said that I give bad name for the Islam.God knows that I never said any bad word for anyone while many people here raining me with very bad words

You denied the holocaust- thats on the same level as saying Islam is phoney and your parents and their parents are all liars.

 

Youve insulted Jews in what can only be described as being a vendetta, yet someone says something bad about you, you get all hysterical. Youve upset alot of people on this board and never apologised. Youve spread alot of lies on here.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16092006/325/pope-sorry-remarks.html

 

Pope apologises.

 

can we expect one from you Maldini?

You dont do much to discourage them thou. Alot of people in your region took to the streets and celebrated 9/11.

 

Lots of Muslims demostrate against the war, but no-one demostrates aagainst terrorism.

 

And why did you get upset over a few cartoons? Every other religion has been the butt of a lot of jokes, yet they dont get all hysterical. Why is that?

 

 

Thta reminds me of a Madonna concert in Germany......she insulted or "prophet" ,Jesus Christ, badly.....and yeah.....they talked about it in Germany....but the reaction was not as hysterical as the Muslim's reactions are....oh man....

yeah a bit off-topic but however......it's annoying me...

You denied the holocaust- thats on the same level as saying Islam is phoney and your parents and their parents are all liars.

 

Youve insulted Jews in what can only be described as being a vendetta, yet someone says something bad about you, you get all hysterical. Youve upset alot of people on this board and never apologised. Youve spread alot of lies on here.

 

 

How you say that tht Holocaust denial on the same level as saying Islam is phony?

 

The Holocaust is a civil matter but the Islam is a hloy matter,how I insulted the Jews,is that because I denied the Holocaust?

 

Is the Holocaust a holy matter for Jews?

 

When I talking about something,I know what's I talking about,I bring evidence and proofs and facts,I never came as ignorant one and talking about something I never read about it,I will seems like stupid one

Thta reminds me of a Madonna concert in Germany......she insulted or "prophet" ,Jesus Christ, badly.....and yeah.....they talked about it in Germany....but the reaction was not as hysterical as the Muslim's reactions are....oh man....

yeah a bit off-topic but however......it's annoying me...

 

 

I told many times before that everyone is free to do what's she/he like to do.but don't mess with the others belives,respect it