Should the Pope apologize?

[Rochir]

During a lecture in germany, pope Benedict XVI has quoted a medieval emperor with the following statement:

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 Mohammed 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".

Benedict lecture - English transcript

Benedict lecture - German original

In the context of the lecture the meaning of the pope's words become clear - spreading any religious belief with violence is wrong and not what God wishes!

Many, however, both within the Christian and especially the Muslim world have taken these remarks as an all out exclusive reprimand against (violent) Islam (which is an entirely wrong interpretation of Benedict's lecture! read the whole lecture and see for yourself!).

Many Muslims, and some Christians, ask that Benedict apologize for his remarks - should he do so?

 

[Soul Searcher]

I have to say no on principle, but I figure he probably will in an effort to calm the angry mob.

 

[bammertheblue]

Not sure. I understand what he was trying to say, but perhaps he could have said it in a more tactful manner?

A clarification might be better than an apology. At least in my opinion.

 

[TheMissus]

Nah. He's the Pope. He answers to God and God alone.

Besides, if the angry Muslims get violent about his remarks, wouldn't they just be proving his point?

 

[Eryk]

Pope Apologizes for Offense Caused by Islam Comments

Pope Benedict XVI apologized today for causing offense to Muslims with comments he made in a university lecture this week implicitly linking Islam to violence, and reiterated his respect for the Islamic religion.

The apology, on the Vatican Web site, comes after Muslim groups worldwide protested and Pakistan's parliament called on the pontiff to issue a retraction. Some Muslims welcomed the apology, with others saying it might not go far enough.

``The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have appeared offensive to Muslims and were interpreted in a way he hadn't intended them to be,'' Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said in a statement in Italian on the Web site. Statements from the pope generally come through the secretary of state or his spokesman.

 

[sethad]

Nah. He's the Pope. He answers to God and God alone.

Besides, if the angry Muslims get violent about his remarks, wouldn't they just be proving his point?

If someone had said something similiar but said it about Jesus and Christianity....wouldnt you be upset?

 

[Pogue]

Probably. I don't know exactly what he was trying to say, but it obviously came across the wrong way. If an apology would help calm the situation, than that would seem to be the right thing to do.

 

[TheMissus]

If someone had said something similiar but said it about Jesus and Christianity....wouldnt you be upset?

Nope.

 

[Rochir]

Not sure. I understand what he was trying to say, but perhaps he could have said it in a more tactful manner?

A clarification might be better than an apology. At least in my opinion.

Fully agree with you here. and I voted he should not apologize!

 

[stray bullet]

I think the Pope needs to tell them that Christians aren't going to be influenced by violent behavior of fanatics and the world needs to stand strong.

 

[Eryk]

I think the Pope needs to tell them that Christians aren't going to be influenced by violent behavior of fanatics and the world needs to stand strong.

He hid behind someone else's words, and then he folded like a cheap lawn chair when Muslims got angry. Muslims are attcking churches over this, and no apologies from them. Mobs are anonymous and unaccountable.

 

[Lynden1000]

I don't think he should apologize if he's not actually sorry. Otherwise it's just a farce.

 

[fillerbunny]

While there's absolutely nothing wrong with condemning the perpetuation of violence in the name of religion, the pope chose to do so in an extraordinarily tactless manner. Within the context of the address in its entirety, the quotes do read as less defamatory, but IMO, still poorly chosen- particularly given the present climate.

He has served only to increase christian-muslim tensions in areas where this is an issue.. and quite possibly placed some of his followers at risk, as violent extremists may be quick to retaliate. The possibility of violence is not, by any means, a reason not to speak one's mind when they see injustice being perpetuated. However, taking such dangers into account, why on earth would one opt to phrase things insensitively when there are other, far less inflammatory means of saying what he feels needs to be said?

I'm with Lynden, though.. an apology means nothing if he's not genuinely sorry.

 

[stray bullet]

He hid behind someone else's words, and then he folded like a cheap lawn chair when Muslims got angry. Muslims are attcking churches over this, and no apologies from them. Mobs are anonymous and unaccountable.

How did he hide behind someone else's words? Did you understand what he was saying?

 

[Eryk]

How did he hide behind someone else's words? Did you understand what he was saying?

He didn't disagree with what Emperor Paleologos said about Islam. The Pope wanted those words to be spoken. But by quoting someone else he can distance himself from what is being said. This isn't the way to take a stand.

 

[michabo]

The pope shouldn't apologize for anything, he's infallable! It was a mistake to apologize for mistreating Gallileo, even if it was a few hundred years after the fact. If Pope Urban VIII could be wrong, then any pope could be wrong, even Pope Pius XII for supporting Nazis. And if they could be wrong, then people might think Benidict was a nutter instead of the infallible conduit to God that he is.

 

[stray bullet]

He didn't disagree with what Emperor Paleologos said about Islam. The Pope wanted those words to be spoken. But by quoting someone else he can distance himself from what is being said. This isn't the way to take a stand.

Are you suggesting he used the quote as an subtle insult against Islam?

 

[stray bullet]

The pope shouldn't apologize for anything, he's infallable! It was a mistake to apologize for mistreating Gallileo, even if it was a few hundred years after the fact. If Pope Urban VIII could be wrong, then any pope could be wrong, even Pope Pius XII for supporting Nazis. And if they could be wrong, then people might think Benidict was a nutter instead of the infallible conduit to God that he is.

The Pope isn't considered infallible and Galileo wasn't mistreated.

The idea that Pius XII supported the Nazis is beyond worth bothering. The man did so much to stop the Nazi genocide of Jews. Anything more would have meant an attack on the Vatican which would have stopped what assistance they could provide.

 

[Eryk]

Are you suggesting he used the quote as an subtle insult against Islam?

I am flat out saying that the Pope agreed with the quote. He spoke those words, he did not disagree with them, and he tied them to a larger argument about violence in religions. But by using a quote he conveniently distances himself from the controversial nature of the statement.

 

[stray bullet]

I am flat out saying that the Pope agreed with the quote. He spoke those words, he did not disagree with them, and he tied them to a larger argument about violence in religions. But by using a quote he conveniently distances himself from the controversial nature of the statement.

What do you believe the point the Pope was trying to make, was?