Pat Buchanan : Benedict XVI -- On God and the prophet

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Benedict XVI -- On God and the prophet

by Pat Buchanan

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Will the Dems' health care Christmas Present to America be an improvement or detriment to our health care system?

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We'll have to wait and see

To bank the firestorm ignited by his address in Regensburg, Germany, Pope Benedict XVI declared himself "deeply sorry" for the effect his remarks have had on the Muslim world. The words of the Byzantine emperor he quoted, Benedict explained, were "from a Medieval text which do not in any way express my personal thoughts."

The pope's subject was the "profound harmony" of Biblical truth and Greek thought. No conflict exists, he argued, between true faith and right reason. Contending violence is the antithesis of reason, he cited the "erudite Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus," during a siege of Constantinople, between A.D. 1394 and 1402.

Benedict's words merit being put into context.

"I would like to discuss one point -- itself rather marginal to the dialogue as a whole -- which ... can serve as the starting point for my reflections on this issue.

"In the seventh conversation ... the emperor touches on the theme of the holy war. The emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 (of the Quran) reads, 'There is no compulsion in religion.'

"According to the experts, this is one of the suras of the early period, when Muhammad was still powerless and under threat. But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions developed later and recorded in the Quran concerning holy war. ...

"(The emperor) addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness on the central question about the relationship between religion and violence ... saying, '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 explosion followed. For it was reported that Pope Benedict had endorsed the view that the only innovations the Prophet made to the monotheistic faiths were "evil and inhuman." The pope did not say this, and has denied that he believes this.

Yet the issues he raised, that true faith and right reason are never in conflict, that force is intolerable in advancing God's word, merit discussion in light of history, and the present.

How did the Christians conquer the Roman Empire, after 300 years of persecution? By living the Gospel, preaching the Word and dying for the faith -- martyrdom. But Islam came out of the desert to conquer the Holy Land, North Africa and Spain in a single century, by the sword. Islam is a fighting faith. Wrote J.M. Roberts in "The History of Europe," "Islam from the start has been a religion of conquest." Continued...

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About The Author

Pat Buchanan is a founding editor of The American Conservative magazine, and the author of many books including State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America .

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Khokar Location: AL

Reply # 1
Date: Sep 23, 2006 - 7:30 PM EST

Gestell

This is going to be a use less exercise of challenging each other, unless we agree to work out some common grounds between us to start with.

I have observed that basing on some preconceived ideas,some of our friends,simply do not like to face the truth put before them. They come up with their comments just to mock or to mark their presence. Mocking is the aim and they resort to an easy way of…slandering only.

God tells us that invariably all the prophets of God with out any exception, were mocked. They were geered and abused by the very people among whom they came. This mocking often became the sign of their being true representatives of God also.

God is the sole grantor of guidance. He guides to the right path to whom so ever he wants to guide and makes or keeps astray, to whom so ever, he wants to keep astray.

To be guided and to remain guided on to the right path, only comes through ones earnest prayers. Mere knowledge or even our extensive research, study may not stand guarantee to achieve our success in finding the truth.

A well known renowned authority on study of nature and life on planet, Sir David Atten Borough, a winner of most prestigious awards, a man considered to be documenting the nature and life on this planet, supposedly a religious man also, was once asked in an interview that whether he believed in the existence of God or not? His spot answer was surprisingly; No!

So we can start exploring each other views. Not just to negate it. But as a good knowledge seeker and with the basic understanding, that the view put forward for consideration may be true?

If convinced: well and good. You are better off one step farward to the truth. If not. This does not matter. No compulsion/ coercion. For you your religion! And for me my religion!

Will wait for your answer.
--------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for none.

Flag as Offensive

Khokar Location: AL

Reply # 2
Date: Sep 23, 2006 - 7:17 PM EST

Gestell

This is going to be a use less exercise of challenging each other, unless we agree to work out some common grounds between us to start with.

I have observed that basing on some preconceived ideas,some of our friends,simply do not like to face the truth put before them. They come up with their comments just to mock or to mark their presence. Mocking is the aim and they resort to an easy way of…slandering only.

God tells us that invariably all the prophets of God with out any exception, were mocked. They were geered and abused by the very people among whom they came. This mocking often became the sign of their being true representatives of God also.

God is the sole grantor of guidance. He guides to the right path to whom so ever he wants to guide and makes or keeps astray, to whom so ever, he wants to keept astray.

To be guided and to remain guided on to the right path, only comes through ones earnest prayers. Mere knowledge or even our extensive research, study may not stand guarantee to achieve our success in finding the truth.

A well known renowned authority on study of nature and life on planet, Sir David Atten Borough, a winner of most prestigious awards, a man considered to be documenting the nature and life on this planet, supposedly a religious man also, was once asked in an interview that whether he believed in the existence of God or not? His spot answer was surprisingly; No!

So we can start exploring each other views. Not just to negate it. But as a good knowledge seeker and with the basic understanding, that the view put forward for consideration may be true?

If convinced: well and good. You are better off one step farward to the truth. If not. This does not matter. No compulsion/ coercion. For you your religion! And for me my religion!

Will wait for your answer.
--------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for none.

Flag as Offensive

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