Pope Benedict XVI, known as "God's Rotweiler" and to some as "Maledictus" (as opposed to Benedictus) is a polarizing figure for many Catholics. So what was he thinking when he recently quoted Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos:

"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"

Even thought they were not the Pontiff's words, did he not think that language like this would cause an uproar in the Muslim world? Should the leader of over 1 billion Catholics be antagonizing a Muslim world already bitterly at odds with the west?

What are some of your opinions on this topic or on the new Pope in general? Is he the right man to lead the church at this point in history or will he end up causing more controversy for the Vatican?

Justin... Ok controversial but you must know I am already getting hate emails by both sides of this issue. I would live out religion this days or we might have real ...problems

Isn't it ironic then that they protest with anger and violence? They blew up two churches only days after. I don't think the Pope was thinking clearly when he quoted the Emperor.

Thats all I have to say. Religion is always a touchy issue, but you can't deny that both sides are trying to come to some sort of an agreement or resolution to this. Some say the Pope needs to apologize completely, but I don't have a stance on the issue myself.

I think in this particular historic period The Catholic Church and The Pope shouldn't have to make mistakes in communication like that because I think the Pope doesn't prepare his speeches and people who work for him shouldn't give the islam world the chance to misunderstand what the Catholic Church is trying to say and spark hate. The meaning of Pope speech would have to be very direct without misinterpretation.

I agree with... well, almost everyone who's posted here about this.

Jonisea, I also believe that -- and have read things to this effect -- Pope Benedict does not run his speeches past enough advisors before he utters them. I can only imagine that the comments about Islam were simply overlooked... or, and this may be the case, the highest Catholic office in the world doesn't for some reason feel the need to be diplomatic. I can't imagine that anyone would believe, given the current situation in the world, that quoting that particular phrase -- out of every possible phrase in the world, thousands of which would NOT have been inflammatory -- would not incite some... reaction.

And now we're to the reaction. Dan, I agree with you, too. If it weren't so horrific it would be laughable. The pope says something that seems to indicate that the followers of Muhammed are evil and inhuman, and that they spread the word by the sword, and to protest this the followers of Muhammed do violence (i.e., with the sword, or some fascimile thereof).

Teresa

There's a fascinating book by Sam Harris called The End of Faith. Harris's premise is that if the world ever really expects and hopes to find peace, all religion must be abolished because the basic teaching of at least two of the major religions is that all those who do not believe as they do are WRONG, and BAD, and should not (in some cases) be tolerated.

I think there are many problems with this book, such as a) how do you actually get rid of religion, b) he bashes Islam quite solidly, c) he doesn't offer alternatives, and d) it would frankly be impossible to do what he is suggesting.

BUT, the idea is solid, I think, if all we take from it is that in order to have true peace in the world, one key ingredient would be putting religion aside enough to approach each other as human beings rather than as Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Taoists, etc.

Religion should be allowed to flourish, and everyone in the world should have the right to worship as he or she desires. Where it becomes problematic is when that worship or those beliefs infringe on those of others.

Easy enough to say, not so easy to do.

Teresa

I don't think pope wanted to create a diplomatic international case. I think he doesn't prepare his speeches so his staff, specially in this historic period, cannot do a terrible mistake like that. They don't have to give to islamic people the possibility to be misunderstood. They have to be carefull to do not be misunderstood.
Catholic church has to improve its communication and try to do not repeat these mistakes in the future or else many people can die like the sister in mogadischu.

Sapore di sale

So... what do you all think about the recent vist by Pope Benedict to Turkey?

When Benedict became pope I was worried... I thought he was going to be super hard core and unbending about things. And though there have been a few blunders, I am beginning to think he's less dogmatic than I originally thought. I'm still suspending judgment.

Anybody have thoughts on this??

Teresa

ı wanna answer this question as a turk.everything were really perfect when pope came to Turkey.and everyone thought ıt was dangerous but securıty was enough.and pope was really respective because u know he went to mosque and he prayed too.every turk was pleased to see this.according to me these visitings are important for getting on well with countries,religions eachother.

Hi Eveline!

I agree, I think the pope's visit to Turkey was important, and I'm glad it went as well as it did. I am not a Catholic or a Muslim, but they are both powerful religions with many adherents and it's important for both to find ways to accept other people and religions.

I think when the pope showed such respect to the Turkish people and the Muslim religion, it went a long way toward acceptance for everyone.

Welcome to the Forum!

What part of Turkey are you from?

Teresa