I just recovered from a chicken pox that made me stayed in bed for more than a week. Today, I was alarmed after reading Tempo --the newspapers that I've worked for in the last five years--. Its headline today is the picture of Pope Benedict XVI with capital headings 'Stop Anger'.
Interested, I read the story. My first reaction was that the Pope has nothing to blame of. I, instantly, relate the anger amongst many Moslems toward the Pope these days, to the Danish cartoon's incident last year and immediately made comparison. My initial thought was “Why moslems easily provoked by any remarks made by non-moslem about their religion? How can we start a productive dialogue if everything about Islam that comes from a non-Moslem thinking is always seen as provocative and denouncing Islam?”
Then after I read the actual sentence (not the whole remarks and the context), I started to understand why several Moslems feel angry and demand an apology from the Pope. I dont think its appropriate to labeled Islam as a religion of violence through a quote made by someone who live hundred of years ago (in this case; King Manuel II Paleologus). I thought the Pope has made a sloppy mistake, and I immediately related this sloppiness to his background as a staunch supporter of a purer catholic teachings as opposed to a more open minded Pope John Paul II.
But tonight, after reading several e-mails circulating among friends, blogs and online news websites on the subject, and after I got the chance to read the whole remarks by Pope Benedict and also the context where he said his controversial statement, I changed my mind again.
I now realise that the Pope has made a very smart move indeed. In fact, by his remarks, he theologically challenged any Moslem scholars to come up with an explanation that can really open a meaningful dialogue between faiths.
In my understanding, the Pope questioned something that has long been questioned by non-Moslem or westerners in general: (1) if Christian's God is limited within reason, is it true that Moslem believe that their God is completely and fully transendent?
(2) If Allah in Islam cant be explained within the frame of reason and completely beyon human capability to understand, then is it true that there is a possibility that an irrational act like a suicide bomb for instance-- has a chance of becoming an act that inline with God's wish and command?
(3) Then, if that is also true, can moslem accept that there must be a flaw in Islamic teachings, since it allowed an act that –from one perspective-- is an act that completely against humanity? After moslem accept it, do they have the ability to reform it?
I believe The Pope is trying to do something almost everybody else trying to do; find whether there is a gap of faith between Christianity and Islam that cannot be reconciled. If there is, then lets find the solution. If there is not, then lets stop this clash of faiths and move on to other practical issues of living together peacefully.
Based on that, I think Pope Benedict's remark opened a rare opportunity for Moslem all over the world to present itself and its beliefs properly, thus start a constructive dialogue between east and west.
By reacting with anger, violence and death threats, Moslem seems to show that Pope's allegedly derogatory remarks has a degree of truth. That kind of respond gives the Pope an upper hand since then he can show the world that Moslem are indeed unable to engage intelectually in a theological showdown. However, by answering smartly and addresing the basic question in Pope's remark, Moslems will somehow start a process of internal questioning and intropection since –needless to say-- many Moslem still believes that Allah cannot be questioned whatsoever and remarks such as the Pope's can be seen as a violation to one's faith.
Either way, the Pope win the day. That is why I believe the remarks was carefully crafted. Look at the place and date –its just one day after fifth anniversary of 9/11 and few days away from Pope's first visit to Turkey. This Pope knew what he's doing. Everything about the remark is designed to give ultimate impression and effects it expected.
Comments
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 vain, 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...
I cant agree more. Religion is one of the culprits of many problems we face today. But, in my humble opinion, those believers who seek God through intolerance and violence are not the one who represent what religion really are. Religion is like any ideology, it guide people to see the world through a certain perspective. So, I think, in order to solve ongoing disputes in many fields, religious leaders have to sit together and try to find a shared space where everybody can live their life and pratice their beliefs without interference in any kind. It is in that context, I found the Pope remark was quite admirable, since --no matter how old the quotation he used-- it try to encourage debate and dialogue. It opened the pandorra box and now people start to talk and try to find their real differences. I believe one way to understand and openheartedly accept each other in a multicultural multireligious world is to accept and understand our differences first.