As you may have heard, the current Pope -- Benedict XVI -- is set to travel to Turkey this week for a papal visit this mostly Muslim country. A diplomat, this guy ain't, in contrast to his predecessor who tried hard in his way to create understanding among peoples.
Benedict is quoted saying some pretty unhelpful things about Muslims in September 2006 near the anniversary of Sept 11. As a noted Jesuit scholar on the Vatican said: "If the Vatican says something dumb about Muslims, people will die in parts of Africa and churches will be burned in Indonesia, let alone what happens in the Middle East." Reportedly, the Pope does not like for anyone near him to refer to religions other than Christianity and Judaism as "faiths". Here is a longer quote of the infamous remarks he made which are remarkable in their overall patronizing and hostile tone:
I was reminded of all this recently, when I read... of part of the dialogue carried on - perhaps in 1391 in the winter barracks near Ankara - by the erudite Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both.
In the seventh conversation...the emperor touches on the theme of the holy war. Without descending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness on the central question about the relationship between religion and violence in general, 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 emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God," he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats."
In contrast, the Dalai Lama had this to say on Sept 11, 2003 at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. (among other things):
All religions have the same message of love. All have the same potential to help humanity. We must reduce sectarian violence...it's not right to place blame on one tradition as a whole.
Religion has some useful concepts like love and brotherhood and should be part of our life, part of ourselves.
If someone irritates you, remember love -- that person also is a creation of God.
Once you have a true inner spiritual experience, you can see value in other religions...Sincere practice is very important.
I am Buddhist, yes, but also Christian, Muslim, Hindu -- OK! And More. That's all -- Thank you!
Take heart, my Jewish, Jain and Sikh friends -- I am sure he meant to throw those in there somewhere! (I think that's in the "More" section. Yeah). He kinda got caught up and excited towards the end there. Anyway, here's hoping for a peaceful, productive and educational trip for the Pope -- let's hope he comes away more open-minded and tolerant-tongued.
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