Sticks and Stones
It is hard to understand religion sometimes. How one group can profess a faith and yet follow it so loosely (or not at all) baffles me. For example, a faith that preaches tolerance and love might reject entire groups of people based on little or no reason. The comments made by the Pope last week fit into that category.
It is my belief that many religions in the world spread themselves via violence and force. Christianity and Islam are the two that immediately come to mind. Both share a penchant for bloodshed and coercion that seem to undermine claims of peace and love.
Christianity has the Inquisition, the Crusades, and a long history of forcing pagans to follow or else.
Islam also has numerous examples, but is becoming more and more famous nowadays due to terrorism and suicide bombings around the world. Also, Muslims in many parts of the world are following the lead Christianity set so many generations ago by forcing conversion to Islam under the threat of death.
So it should be no surprise to know that many people recognize these historical facts and may even quote them. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech. But it should surprise us quite a bit when one of the major religious leaders in the world feels the need to talk about the violent beginnings (or nature) of another religion in public.
Public leaders need to be more careful about what they say - period. If I condemn Islam as a violent religion, no one will care and no one would probably get hurt. But the Pope says it and people die.
It amazes me that the Pope did not have the wisdom to know that the words he used last week would serve only to fan the flames of anger, violence, and hatred. I am not saying what he said is wrong – that is not for me to judge. I am not saying that he meant what he said in a mean-spirited way – I cannot know his heart. I am only saying that it was pointless and ignorant to malign another religion in such a public manner, and it shows how insensitive and foolish we have become as a society.
I am also saying that when the Pope bad mouths Islam by saying it had violent beginnings, it is as ironic as what the pot said to the kettle.
Likewise, if an Imam in Syria wants to say bad things about Christianity, he may do so. That is his right – just as it is the Pope’s right to talk about Islam. But again, it is stupid and useless speech that only serves evil more of the hatred on which it thrives.
My point is this: The Pope’s comments bring no benefit to our society. The Imam who preaches violence against those who are not Muslim is more a part of the problem than a part of the solution. In the end, is not religion supposed to be about solutions and higher morality? Anyone in the public eye must hold themselves to a higher ethic, because what they say can affect others in a more profound and immediate fashion.
But in the real world, religion is better thought than in practice. If the idea of religion attracts people, it is the severity of it that keeps its followers in line. Tolerance ends where religion begins. One need only view history repeating itself to prove that point.
The Pope blew it with his words last week. I am sure that the actions of others in the months that follow will only make things worse. More blood in the name of God.
It is my belief that many religions in the world spread themselves via violence and force. Christianity and Islam are the two that immediately come to mind. Both share a penchant for bloodshed and coercion that seem to undermine claims of peace and love.
Christianity has the Inquisition, the Crusades, and a long history of forcing pagans to follow or else.
Islam also has numerous examples, but is becoming more and more famous nowadays due to terrorism and suicide bombings around the world. Also, Muslims in many parts of the world are following the lead Christianity set so many generations ago by forcing conversion to Islam under the threat of death.
So it should be no surprise to know that many people recognize these historical facts and may even quote them. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech. But it should surprise us quite a bit when one of the major religious leaders in the world feels the need to talk about the violent beginnings (or nature) of another religion in public.
Public leaders need to be more careful about what they say - period. If I condemn Islam as a violent religion, no one will care and no one would probably get hurt. But the Pope says it and people die.
It amazes me that the Pope did not have the wisdom to know that the words he used last week would serve only to fan the flames of anger, violence, and hatred. I am not saying what he said is wrong – that is not for me to judge. I am not saying that he meant what he said in a mean-spirited way – I cannot know his heart. I am only saying that it was pointless and ignorant to malign another religion in such a public manner, and it shows how insensitive and foolish we have become as a society.
I am also saying that when the Pope bad mouths Islam by saying it had violent beginnings, it is as ironic as what the pot said to the kettle.
Likewise, if an Imam in Syria wants to say bad things about Christianity, he may do so. That is his right – just as it is the Pope’s right to talk about Islam. But again, it is stupid and useless speech that only serves evil more of the hatred on which it thrives.
My point is this: The Pope’s comments bring no benefit to our society. The Imam who preaches violence against those who are not Muslim is more a part of the problem than a part of the solution. In the end, is not religion supposed to be about solutions and higher morality? Anyone in the public eye must hold themselves to a higher ethic, because what they say can affect others in a more profound and immediate fashion.
But in the real world, religion is better thought than in practice. If the idea of religion attracts people, it is the severity of it that keeps its followers in line. Tolerance ends where religion begins. One need only view history repeating itself to prove that point.
The Pope blew it with his words last week. I am sure that the actions of others in the months that follow will only make things worse. More blood in the name of God.
posted by Neil Dallas | 11:40 PM
3 Comments:
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Hello Neil and all,
Good article. Here's my two cents in support of it.
There is no truth without discernment and taking this situation out of context will never solve this world's problems. The straw that breaks the camel's back always follows the results of earlier deeds.
The Pope's choice of words was brain dead, in my humble opinion, if he was seeking to spread peace. He could have appealed for cooler heads and humility from all sides using any other words, but instead he chose to quote Crusade era hypocrisy that was guaranteed to inflame Muslims. Now we see the backtracking and spinning that always follows the gaffes of those afraid of simply telling the truth.
More proof that religion is the opposite of truth, wisdom, and justice
The "infallible" Grand Inquisitor (the pot) sought to lecture Islam (the kettle) about spreading religion through dark deeds by quoting a Dark Ages text while the USA and Europe are in the midst of the Neo-Crusades. The irony and absurdity in this situation is amazing, to say the least. It evidences both the fallacy and fallibility of those who vainly and arrogantly pretend to serve the Creator.
Dear Pope, ever heard of Karma or the golden rule? Ever stop to remember how the Vatican and western nations became so rich and powerful over the centuries? Ever consider giving up your blood drenched wealth and earthly power to end the blatant hypocrisy of your vane, materialistic, and duplicitous empire? Ever think of forgoing your peacock's robes to walk the walk instead of simply talking the talk? Remember the "eye of the needle" and "log and mote in the eye" parables? Is this a demonstration of your infallibility, wisdom, or utter blindness? As another wise one once said; What goes around comes around!
The West has killed far more Muslims (and other dark skins) than they have killed westerners, yet our press and leaders can only see Muslim and "third world" desperation in the face of western military and economic dominance and oppression, (in the name of God and country, by the way), as sources of evil in this world.
Guess what guys and girls, war, violence, and injustice are evil, no matter what the excuse or cause or who is doing it to whom. Anyone who thinks the Creator would judge religion, war, or any other profiteering at the expense of others as wise or acceptable activities has a very big surprise in store.
Here is Wisdom!!
...and here too...
Well said SSH.
The blatant hypocrisy in most modern religions is enough to make me puke. I am not a particularly religious person, but I did learn much as I grew up going to church every Sunday. I even taught Sunday school for a while as a young adult, before leaving the church once and for all.
But despite my limited faith, I have a deep understanding of what Christianity professes to be true and I can honestly say, that the wealth the churches of the world sit on could probably end hunger and cure diseases. The lie that this money is necessary to spread God’s word only makes them look worse.
I am sure of one thing. If Jesus were to return today, he would weep at what is done in his name.
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