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Does the Pope ____ In The Woods?
Sep. 21st, 2006 09:52 amSo recently there's been a huge uproar about some things Pope Benedict XVI said pertaining to Islam and its founder Mohammad. I have to admit I don't know much about this other than he was citing some old text that isn't the Koran, said that Mohammad was evil, inhuman and preached violence against non-Muslims, and that all religions should strive to rid themselves of violent teachings.
The Vatican has since apologized for any "misunderstandings" that may have happened from these words, though apparently the Pope hasn't.
Now, the Islam that I was taught about in school sounds similar to what the Pope has said, I won't lie. I was taught growing up that for a Muslim to kill an infidel (Me! eep!) was not only okay and acceptable by their standards, it was praised! I've since realized that I was raised in a town that at the time was quite backwards and misguided, but this is what I was raised knowing.
It was wrong of the Pope to say what he did, how he did. His entire speech was apparently misunderstood and was not meant as a blast towards any faith, but comes across that way to many (CNN.com reports) and I just have to wonder, does the Pope have speech writers? If he writes them himself, does anyone look them over and say "Excuse me sir, but this might anger every Muslim in the world?" I have to imagine this would be an important job, one that could possibly stop a holy war? Yeah, maybe fire that person.
I defend the Popes right to not apoligize for his words. He said what he believes is right, stands by those words, and sustains that it was a simple misinterpretation that made people upset. I believe this is probably the only stance he can take without ruining his reputation further. Think about it, if he apoligizes for his words, the full apology that some Muslim leaders are calling for, he effectively says that he DID mean what he said, is too weak to stand by his words, and can be influenced by public relations pressure. If he apoligizes for the misunderstanding, explains what he really meant to say, then he can save some face, hopefully calm some flaring tempers, and yet still be seen as strong.
After all, we know that it's all about saving face, right? Honor and all that? We couldn't have a religious leader appear weak because that would make the religion look weak, all the followers would convert to Islam, Buddhism, and any other rising religions that come around, and Christianity as we know it would become like a furtive little mouse, scurrying along the floor looking for crumbs, hiding when the cats come out to play, all because the Pope said "You know, my words will ill-thought, and I apoligize for them."
Good thing he won't apoligize, civilization as we know it hangs in the balance. It's much better that he stand by the words that apparently enraged some Muslims enough that they shot and killed a nun in Somalia in retaliation, caused churches to be attacked, and made people burn him in effigy.
Yes, good thing it's better this way. I'd hate to see the world in chaos.
The Vatican has since apologized for any "misunderstandings" that may have happened from these words, though apparently the Pope hasn't.
Now, the Islam that I was taught about in school sounds similar to what the Pope has said, I won't lie. I was taught growing up that for a Muslim to kill an infidel (Me! eep!) was not only okay and acceptable by their standards, it was praised! I've since realized that I was raised in a town that at the time was quite backwards and misguided, but this is what I was raised knowing.
It was wrong of the Pope to say what he did, how he did. His entire speech was apparently misunderstood and was not meant as a blast towards any faith, but comes across that way to many (CNN.com reports) and I just have to wonder, does the Pope have speech writers? If he writes them himself, does anyone look them over and say "Excuse me sir, but this might anger every Muslim in the world?" I have to imagine this would be an important job, one that could possibly stop a holy war? Yeah, maybe fire that person.
I defend the Popes right to not apoligize for his words. He said what he believes is right, stands by those words, and sustains that it was a simple misinterpretation that made people upset. I believe this is probably the only stance he can take without ruining his reputation further. Think about it, if he apoligizes for his words, the full apology that some Muslim leaders are calling for, he effectively says that he DID mean what he said, is too weak to stand by his words, and can be influenced by public relations pressure. If he apoligizes for the misunderstanding, explains what he really meant to say, then he can save some face, hopefully calm some flaring tempers, and yet still be seen as strong.
After all, we know that it's all about saving face, right? Honor and all that? We couldn't have a religious leader appear weak because that would make the religion look weak, all the followers would convert to Islam, Buddhism, and any other rising religions that come around, and Christianity as we know it would become like a furtive little mouse, scurrying along the floor looking for crumbs, hiding when the cats come out to play, all because the Pope said "You know, my words will ill-thought, and I apoligize for them."
Good thing he won't apoligize, civilization as we know it hangs in the balance. It's much better that he stand by the words that apparently enraged some Muslims enough that they shot and killed a nun in Somalia in retaliation, caused churches to be attacked, and made people burn him in effigy.
Yes, good thing it's better this way. I'd hate to see the world in chaos.
