Just another WordPress.com site

Actually, reading ALL of Pope Benedict’s “Regensburg Lecture” (2006 Sep 12), and not just the quote that Muslims chose to hear (“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.” Manuel II Paliologos, 14th century), I can find no fault. Almost seven years later, observing the behavior of the Muslim world, I’d have to say that Benedict was too kind by far.

Our current pope, Francis, when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, apparently thought Benedict destroyed 20 years of Pope John Paul II’s efforts in 20 seconds. I’m not sure the Muslim world paid that much attention to JP2.

Has there been a day go by when you’ve seen any kind of sign (literal or figurative) that seems to originate from any Muslim of any stripe that promotes peace with anyone? Starting with Muslims of different stripes, continuing to the secular world, and on to the Christian sphere. It goes w/o saying that Islam will never stop its unilateral war with Jews.

So, now we have the diplomatic envoy to the grand imam of Al-Azhar asking (demanding – do Muslims ever “ask”?) that Francis declare Islam a peaceful religion. What is this guy smoking? How about Islam doing something – Dear God (Allah) ANYTHING – that might be remotely construed (confused?) as peaceful? How about walking the talk?

There is no doubt that the Catholic Church wielded the sword plenty – in the past. That was then and that is to be regretted. However, Muslims still go out of their way to kill, maim, destroy. This is now. Thank God the Catholic Church has put the sword where it belongs (yeah: about time); I just don’t see Islam doing the same.

I look around me and I can only conclude that Manuel II’s words have proven timeless.