17 September 2006

Benedict XVI and Islam

The London Times has an editorial worth reading for a clearer perspective on the Holy Father's address at the University of Regensburg that has militant Muslims up in arms, even calling for the murdering of the Pontiff.

If you have not yet read the Holy Father's speech to the University you really should. It might take a time or two to get through it, but it is a brilliant discussion on the relationship of faith and reason, and a good critique of the current culture of the "west".

To read the Vatican Secretary of State's clarification of the Holy Father words, go here.

For a good discussion of the Pope's address, go here and here. Amy over at Open Book has a great list of links and discussions and from her I have taken these. Thanks, Amy!

For several violent Islamic reactions - which might seem to validate the thoughts of the Byzantine Emperor quoted by the Holy Father - go here, here, and here.

Despite the fact the Muslims claim to be peaceful, it is rather ironic that the primary way they react to a scholarly address in a university setting that criticizes not Islam but the relationship between faith and reason is through violence and threats of death and destruction even after an apology has been issued. When was the last time they apologized for the actions of even a small handful of Muslims, say the 9-11 attacks, the London bus bombing, the Madrid train bombing, etc., etc., etc.

Simply look back to how Islam spread in its first decades: you have two options, it was said, convert or die. That does not sound like a religion of peace to me.

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