Sentences that struck a chord
Recently, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a Byzantine
ruler who was in a 14th century verbal dispute with
a Muslim/Persian scholar: Somewhat brusquely and
maybe in anger, the Emperor (and I quote the Pope)
declaimed: “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.”
It is said that the so-called Sword Verse above
is drawn from content in Chapter 9 of the Koran (Qur’an).
Some scholars dispute such interpretation.
The Pope’s words have struck a chord East and
West. “Muslim critical responses have been fierce”.
“The Islamic world, from Indonesia to Morocco is in
uproar”. “The West is agog, in trying to
understand”.
What follows are firstly some comments by the
author, then reported and published comments and
reactions.
They are not my published comments and reactions
– I use reportage in bringing them to you; I have
sub-edited some, for reasons of brevity and clarity.
They are NOT in some subjective ‘order of
importance’
Because of this you may find diametrically
opposed opinions or viewpoints following on, one
after another.
Please therefore – don’t send me complaints about
‘offense by order’ !
Decades of discussions ahead and small steps of
progress
Here are some vox populi comments from a variety
of sources, from the public and professionals, which
have stood out, and may be helpful in broadening our
individual understanding.
We may have decades of such discussions and major
debate ahead, and the voice of many peoples need to
be heard, for all humanity.
The author, in the timescale of setting up this
site, has not sought a preponderance of “Quotes” one
way or the other. Integrity has been his aim in
reporting and displaying what has been said and
commented upon by others. He offers this primarily
for those who want to know more of what has been
said, and feel supportive for the unity (of mankind)
which can be the only long-term goal.
The true idealistic aim, surely, is service for
mankind, not service to mistaken objectives. Service
prompted by mixed-up, emotional delusion does not
serve Allah and his Prophet (pbuh), God, Absolute,
Brahman and all other Names whom sincere and
balanced believers welcome into their lives.
My Chapters 2-8 explore (in brevity) the range of
comments and statements which have been made. |
