Saturday, September 16, 2006


"ANKARA, Turkey - A Turkish lawmaker said Pope Benedict XVI would go down in history "in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini" for remarks he made about Islam. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Vatican's ambassador to express regret over the remarks."

Wait, wait, TIMEOUT!!! I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused. Pope Benedict XVI will go down in history along with Hitler, according to a Turk, due to something he said in a speech? And let's be clear about what he said:

"Benedict quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, '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 did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it."

Oddly, members of the government of Turkey, which CONTINUES to accept responsibility for, admit to the events of, or even apologize for its own genocide of million of Christians feel it perfectly acceptable to ignore its own past and demand apology from the Vatican for one quote from one speech. Let's be clear here, the Pope did NOT call for Muslims to be slaughtered. He simply quoted a historic figure speaking on the issue of jihad and of Mohammad. He did nothing to incite violence, other than mention Mohammad without the posturing acceptable to Muslims, which is considered in the West somewhat demeaning to oneself.

All that the Pope did to bring on this latest spate of violent protest and rending of garments in good ol' Dar al Islam is to accuse Mohammad of doing something that Mohammad actually did. Well, sorry if the truth hurts. Maybe he should have included what happened to the Byzantine emperors who followed Paleogos II in the face of the Ottoman Turks. Or perhaps pepper his speeches with references to what happened to all of the descendants of the pre- and post-Byzantine Christians in Asia Minor and the rest of the Ottoman Empire, or even just by the ancestors of Turkey's present government? Would another Turkish National be sent to assassinate the Pope? Wait, I assume that we aren't to mention that either. No, never repeat truths about Turkish history to the world. But especially, never say a thing about Mohammad, unless you have the entire Swiss Guard and a bullet-proof "Pope-Mobile" to keep you safe.

Pope Benedict XVI is the Pope yes, but he is also a Philosopher. He quotes freely from discussions of this type in historical records, and always has. I just find it a tad bit funny that the Turks are still seething enough from his earlier comments that Turkey should not be allowed to join the European Union (which is surely the at the heart of their dislike for this particular Pope) to jump to the head of the fray of condemnation of the entire Vatican.

So just wipe it from your mind that the Turks brutally conquered much of Europe along with the Muslim world, something they do not apologize for despite being part of the racket of those asking for apologies for the Crusades. Forget about the genocides that went so unnoticed by the world that Hitler himself mentioned them as one condition by which he could "get away" with mass slaughter of Jews. Forget that they refuse to admit to those slaughters of Armenians, Pontic and Ionian Greeks, and Assyrians (above), much less apologize. Never mind at all that there have been more attacks on Catholic Priests in Turkey in the last year than in any other nation, and no attempt to crack down on these attacks or the others on the few Christian communities left in Asia Minor. Forget the recent death threats there. And ALWAYS forget that the Turks have made amends and apologized for NOTHING in their history against Christians. Just remember, they feel a bit hurt by one speech given by the current Pope. Remember that they are enraged by one comment about the one specifically Muslim "prophet".

Keep up the arrogant posturing, "Land of the Turks". Eventually someone with a greater voice than me will call you on your hypocrisy, and eventually you will be forced to explain.

Cross-Posted Somewhere out there.....

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's better to forget about who is more to blame where religions are concerned, when the far more serious issue of global warming affects us all and deserves our joint collaboration. We definately should not be trying to blame any race, religion, country or culture on this matter, should we?. Maybe if we just decide to tolerate others more on matters, especially regarding religion and culture, we can all focus on the real issue that is facing humanity. Lifes defining moments come from its differences and not its similarities. One mans good is another mans evil. You can't create something without destroying something else. You can't have good without evil. This is natures way!

Kiddo said...

Anon--I'd like to, but it's easier said than done when your church is being firebombed (as happened to many Christians in the Middle East this weekend) or Nuns are being shot and the Pope threatened with death. I'd like to move on to the bigger picture too, but somehow just when I want to, some new bombing occurs. Is it just me, or is there a definite faction on this planet who just won't let us get on with peaceful living?