Al Qaeda threat over pope speech

[Quicksilver]

The pope said he hoped his remarks and the Vatican's explanation Saturday were enough to "appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect." (Vatican statement)

The remarks came last Tuesday, when the pope spoke to professors in Germany and quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus.

"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 quoted. (Full story)

The reaction?

Reaction from Muslims around the world was strong and swift, prompting Italian police to raise the alert level around the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo, a police spokesman said. (Watch Muslims around the world react with anger and disappointment -- 1:54) http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/17/pope.islam/

It is my opinion that If this kind of stuff continues there's gonna be a clash of cultures that may result in some serious issues.

Why you might ask. It appears that Pope Benedict XVI believes that unlike other religions, Islam cannot be reformed and, therefore, is incompatible with democracy. The pope, according to Fessio, believes Islam cannot become compatible with democracy because a radical reinterpretation of the religion would be required, which is "impossible, because it's against the very nature of the Quran, as it's understood by Muslims." http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:U...&client=safari

[Eric5273]

At one time Catholicism was not compatible with Democracy either. Is the current situation with radical Islam any different than Catholicism was during the Spanish Inquisition? They are just going through it about 500 years later.

[Quicksilver]

Who knows. A lot of wars were fought in the past because of the arrogance of men. When there is talk about the Spanish Inquisition, or the Crusades it all adds up to bloodshed bigtime. In that way there indeed may be no difference. The question could therefore be asked is mankind going to go through it again as you say "500 years later"? That may well be what the future holds

Originally Posted by Eric5273

At one time Catholicism was not compatible with Democracy either. Is the current situation with radical Islam any different than Catholicism was during the Spanish Inquisition? They are just going through it about 500 years later.

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

The question could therefore be asked is mankind going to go through it again as you say "500 years later"? That may well be what the future holds

Well, sort of but not exactly. The difference here is that in today's world, none of the Islamic countries are large world powers. Just the opposite, most of them are small third world countries that have very little power.

When the Spanish Inquisition took place, Spain was the #1 world power and they controlled a massave percentage of the world's wealth, resources and land.

Back then anyone who did not stay in line was in danger. In today's world, only people in a certain small region are in danger, and even within that region there are some moderate countries that are relatively safe. Although what we are doing there the last few years could very well change that.

[Quicksilver]

Eric: Thanks for your thoughts

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

The pope said he hoped his remarks and the Vatican's explanation Saturday were enough to "appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect." (Vatican statement)

The remarks came last Tuesday, when the pope spoke to professors in Germany and quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus.

"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 quoted. (Full story)

The reaction?

Reaction from Muslims around the world was strong and swift, prompting Italian police to raise the alert level around the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo, a police spokesman said. (Watch Muslims around the world react with anger and disappointment -- 1:54) http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/17/pope.islam/

It is my opinion that If this kind of stuff continues there's gonna be a clash of cultures that may result in some serious issues.

Why you might ask. It appears that Pope Benedict XVI believes that unlike other religions, Islam cannot be reformed and, therefore, is incompatible with democracy. The pope, according to Fessio, believes Islam cannot become compatible with democracy because a radical reinterpretation of the religion would be required, which is "impossible, because it's against the very nature of the Quran, as it's understood by Muslims." http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:U...&client=safari

Insane, that's all there is to it. Just because there are similarities to the past doesn't mean it is "ok" to do it again.....

In Egypt Muslims burned a "pope" in effigy....just IMAGINE what would happen if I lit a "muhammed" on fire.....total BS force-fed crap that we even have to deal with this.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

The group said Muslims would be victorious and addressed the pope as "the worshipper of the cross" saying "you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere. ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (killed by) the sword."

Yah this is a great group of people....gee didn't see any Muslims saying anything about these words being wrong...no shocker there.....

[Ed Garces]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

would be victorious and addressed the pope as "the worshipper of the cross" saying "you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere. ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (killed by) the sword."[/i]

Yah this is a great group of people....gee didn't see any Muslims saying anything about these words being wrong...no shocker there.....

Aren't we all blessed that the U.S., England, France, and Germany are not Muslim countries?

[DINANM3]

I dont care who disagrees with me on this one. But I really feel that there is no peaceful solution to our current problems and eventually it is going to be a holy war between muslims and everyone else. They are nuts and either want us to convert or die. I say F that. They want to kill us. Lets kill them first. I know im gonna get shit for saying this but i dont give a shit.

[Ed Garces]

Originally Posted by DINANM3

Lets kill them first. I know im gonna get shit for saying this but i dont give a shit.

No need. Just get the DaVinci Code author to write a "historical" book of Mohammed and let Hollywood take it from there The world would get very violent at that stage.

[Eric5273]

Originally Posted by DINANM3

I dont ca who disagree with me on this one. But I really feel that there is no peaceful resolution to our current problems and eventually it is going to be a holy war against muslims and everyone else. They are nuts and either want us to convert or die. I say F that. They want to kill us. Lets kill them first. I know im gonna get shit for saying this but i dont give a shit.

You are buying into propoganda. None of the Islamic extremist groups have ever said they want westerners to convert to Islam. They just want us to take our military out of their part of the world. They have said this over and over and over.

But the war profiteers within this country need there to be constant war so that their profits can swell, and they will do anything to get the public to support continual increases in military spending. The wars justify the budget, and this propoganda along with some timely terrorist attacks justify the wars. If one enemy disappears, they create another. Once communism was no longer a threat, they needed a new enemy so now we have terrorism. And if that enemy is ever neutralized, they will create another not long after.

We can have peace if we want, but we as citiznes have to demand it. Our government is a puppet of big industry and they will never lead us in the direction of peace as long as those who profit from war and conquest remain powerful.