Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Misunderstood
Recently, Pope Benedict came under great criticism by the muslim world for a quote made during a speech which was addressed to an audience of scholars.In his speech at the University of Regensburg, Pope Benedict quoted criticism of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad by 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who wrote that everything Mohammad brought was evil and inhuman, "such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".
Yes, it was a politically bad choice of quotation by his holyness but he did not say this or even agreed with that particular verse made by Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus.What he did say afterwards was that spreading religion through violence was " incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul". Many many people get the wrong idea of this whole issue. Let me tell you what that part of the Pope's speech was like...Its like someone reading out an essay in which only certain points were meant to be made and it was not meant to make other points(in the Pope's case, the quote on the criticism of Islam). Its like you talk about an Ex-convict's life and how he made good when he came out of prison but also mentioning the things he did that put him to prison. If you read his speech u'd see what i mean.
All religions in different aspects, teaches us good. And i believe that the statement was to condemn the use of religion to cover up for acts of terrorism and NOT to criticise Muslim teachings. Take for instance, Bali bombings, twin towers act, im sure we all STRONGLY AGREE that they were unjust and wrongful acts. And that was what the Pope was emphasizing.
I really really hate it when im misunderstood, tts y i empathize with the Pope.
But the thing is people tend to only hear what they want to hear, never really going to find out or listen to the whole story and jump to their own conclusions based on their emotions. And maybe the media is partly at fault 4 not presenting the whole picture, cuz when i first read in the papers that Pope Benedict said what he said i was quite shocked. But when i read his speech, i cud see it was meant so differently..
flew into your heart at [12:39 AM]
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