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Pope Benedict XVI and his unwise utterances
 Press
Statement / Forum for Faith and Fraternity
The
Milli Gazette Online
» Infallible as he is the Pontiff can be only be “deeply sorry” for the intended reaction in the Muslim world, and not to apologize for the highly prejudicial and provocative quoting of an archaic view expressed by a 14th century emperor, not known for his scholarship. Surely, Pope Benedict XVI, through his unwise utterances has caused irrecoverable damage to the image of the high office that he holds.
» Holy Father, Why should a new born carry the ‘Original Sin’ of a great great father (Adam) whom he never saw or knew and redeem it by believing in the death of Jesus on the cross some 2000 years ago; and what about the redemption for the millions and millions of people (including such prophets as Abraham and Moses) who never heard of Jesus?
» Holy Father! Who will save the vast humanity who was born and died with their ‘Original Sin’, before Jesus came to earth as
‘Saviour’?
» The basic doctrine of Islam is that there is only one God, the Creator of the whole universe. Why should anyone impose such as simple and universal truth and idea with arms and force?
» If Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks and references are true, he cuts a sorry figure as the Head of responsible Church and does not deserve to be even the Pastor of a local Parish.
» Perhaps, the Pontiff knew before making such an abrasive statement that Muslim community, because of its utmost respect and reverence to Jesus, that they will never abuse him, in spite of their strong theological objection to be basis doctrine of Christianity.
» The remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI makes him a diminutive figure, compared to his predecessor John Paul II, who always spoke with dignity and with true Christian spirit.
» I wish that before the Pope made such a provocative and baseless statement he should have read the writing of another well-respected Christian theologian, Bosworth Smith of 19th century England:
“We must not judge of a religion by its perversions or corruptions… Islam was spread, not by the sword, but by the earnest and simple minded Arab missionaries…The sword may silence, it cannot convince: It may enforce hypocrisy; it can never force belief.”
KV Mohammad Zakir, Chairman
Dr KK Usman, Secretary
VA Mohamad Ashrof, Joint Secretary
Forum for Faith and Fraternity
Vanchinad Residency Post Box 4239, Kochi 682017, Kerala
Tel +91-484-6529815 Email: fffkochi@yahoo.com
(18 Sep 2006)
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