Explore Christian Blogosphere
Yes my friends, more Hitler rhetoric…this time directed at none other than the Pope.
At the outset, let me say that this story is being covered in a huge number of places around the blogosphere. For instance:
BBC Article - Muslim Anger Grows Over Pope’s Speech
BBC Article - Vatican Statement
.pdf copy of the Pope’s speech.
At Hot Air here, and here (with Pope assassination fantasies).
Michelle Malkin says “I support the Pope.”
At Occidentality here and here.
The Jawa Report has it here, and here.
Aside from the obvious irony of the entire situation, I would like to point out some theological issues I see in this story. But first, let’s recap:
The Pope gave a speech in Germany. During that speech:
…the Pope quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only “evil and inhuman” things.
Let’s get it straight here. The Pope quoted someone from the 14th century who criticized Muhammed.
Again from the BBC article:
In his speech at Regensburg University, the German-born Pope explored the historical and philosophical differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith.
Stressing that they were not his own words, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul.
The emperor’s words were, he said: “Show me just what Muhammad 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 said “I quote” twice to stress the words were not his and added that violence was “incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul”.
“The intention here is not one of retrenchment or negative criticism, but of broadening our concept of reason and its application,” he added in the concluding part of his speech.
“Only thus do we become capable of that genuine dialogue of cultures and religions so urgently needed today.”
To any reasonable person, this is mild and tame. Especially when compared to what people say about and do with the person of Christ. The immediate irony of the situation is that from the “Religion of Peace,” Muslims voicing their discontent at having their prophet criticized (by a 14th century figure) for propogating a violent religion, are showing their contempt through explicitly violent means.
Look at the images at Michelle Malkin’s post linked above. This image of Muslims burning the Pope in effigy at The Jawa Report:
According to Muslim logic, then, the entire Catholic church should be rising up in protest, even violently, at this deplorable tantrum.
Occidentality points to a Google News story that reports that the Pope’s safety is now in danger for his upcoming visit to Turkey.
And then, this article, the original headline of which the AP apparently thought too inflamatory. Turkish lawmaker compares pope to Hitler (now titled “Fury of pope’s remarks raises concerns” ) -
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Pakistan’s legislature unanimously condemned Pope Benedict XVI Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric demanded an apology. And in Turkey, the ruling party likened the pontiff to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades.
…
Salih Kapusuz, deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted party, said Benedict’s remarks were either “the result of pitiful ignorance” about Islam and its prophet or, worse, a deliberate distortion.
“He has a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the Middle Ages. He is a poor thing that has not benefited from the spirit of reform in the Christian world,” Kapusuz told Turkish state media. “It looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades.”
“Benedict, the author of such unfortunate and insolent remarks, is going down in history for his words,” Kapusuz added. “He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini.”
Can you imagine what would happen if a non-Muslim (or a Muslim for that matter) likened Muhammad to Hitler and Mussolini. And here, it is completely alright, normal even, for the ruling party of Turkey to liken the Pope of all people in the world to Hitler.
Where is the condemnation? Where is the outrage? Not just from Catholics, or from the media, or from normal people. Where is the outrage from the “Moderate” Muslim community? Where is the condemnation from our neighbors for this radical and utterly childish behavior? I haven’t found it yet.
But here’s the theological issue:
From the AP article: Many Muslims accused Benedict of seeking to promote Judeo-Christian dominance over Islam.
This is basically criticizing the Pope for being Catholic. There are two issues I have with this.
First, we see constantly that Islam tries to promote dominance over both the Jewish and Christian faiths. In fact, we have, as I continue to point to, the Islamic holy book instructing the Muslim to wage war on beahlf of Allah against the infidels - that is you Jews and Christians.
And further to that, isn’t that what the competition between beliefs is all about? Always. And without exception. Unless you are incredibly pluralistic, you believe for a variety of reasons that the narrative of belief/faith to which you subscribe, whether it be religious or social, theological, agnostic, or athiestic, is superior to other narratives/faith systems. That is the reason you hold that belief system. If one thought that there were superior reasons to subscribe to another faith system, for instance your belief in its truthfulness, one presumably would. This is known as conversion. All narratives are in competition for prominence…or at least a place. Religious narratives, political narratives, popular cultural narratives, self-help narratives, beer commercial narratives. All want a place in your narrative. But the major religious narratives - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all claim exclusivity. All claim dominance.
By exclusivity, I mean that each states that it must be held independently of the other, or, to put it another way, each narrative claims superiority, in terms of truthfulness, in its depiction of God. For instance one cannot be both Christian and Muslim - the systems are in competition for dominance. Both Christianity and Islam would affirm that, though each does so in a different manner. Radical Islam claims dominance through jihad. If all else fails, wage war. In ideal circumstances, Christianity follows Christ who claimed exclusivity and dominance through submission and peace. Christ states clearly the exclusivity of the Gospel - “No one comes to the Father except by me,” (John 14.6). However, the exaltation of Christ is accomplished through his submission to violence on behalf of others. And Christ’s followers are called to participate in Christ’s lowliness and suffering on belhalf of others.
I am tired of political correctness dictating how we must talk about our faith. All three major religions, except in their diluted forms, claim exclusivity and a greater fidelity to Truth. For Musliims to criticize the Pope for being Catholic is inherently hypocritical, and utterly ridiculous.
This brings me to my second concern with the above complaint. I really hope that the Pope does not apologize for his comments. Why should the head of the Catholic church apologize for supporting the uniqueness of Christianity? Muslims do not apologize for their attempt show the superiority of Islam. Jews do not apologize for their belief in God. Christian faith should not apologize for its inherent exclusivity.
The Gospel is offensive in its exclusivity. I say let the Gospel offend.
Tags: Islam, Christianity, Pope Benedict