Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of DelphiThere is no compulsion in religion
September 18th 2006 23:31
The Pope is on trouble for quoting "the erudite Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus" in a speech he made at the University of Regensburg.
If you read the full text of the speech carefully you will see that the Pope is making a very important point - a point that the world needs to hear. He is pointing out, with reference to a dialogue penned by Manuel II Paleologus, that violence in religion is contrary to reason.
It is terribly unfortunate that this message has been overlooked in the controversy over the offending quotation, "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."
How much better it would have been if the focus of public discussion had been on another quotation the Pope used, this one from the Koran sura 2:256 which reads: "There is no compulsion in religion."
If you read the full text of the speech carefully you will see that the Pope is making a very important point - a point that the world needs to hear. He is pointing out, with reference to a dialogue penned by Manuel II Paleologus, that violence in religion is contrary to reason.
It is terribly unfortunate that this message has been overlooked in the controversy over the offending quotation, "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."
How much better it would have been if the focus of public discussion had been on another quotation the Pope used, this one from the Koran sura 2:256 which reads: "There is no compulsion in religion."
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Comment by Big Cat
Chatterpillar
I prefer the suggestive approach of could, not should.
Ideas expressed as coulds encourage me, arouse my enthusiasm and ultimately stir my passion.
Passion is a much more powerful evoker of action than compliance. Gives me pliance to act without feeling aggrieved as in having to comply.
Is this message in anyway encompassed in the Pope's correct quote?