I've been thinking a lot lately about the pope's comments on Islam. I really think the pope was out of line to say anything close to what he did, and to not simply apoligize afterward. I've always understood that muslims were peaceful, it was only the extremists that were prone to violence. In thinking about this, I've looked more and more into what the pope has done, and his views.

I've been a Catholic my entire life, its the faith I've always known, and I'm not sure if i want to be part of his church anymore.

I was hoping I could find some insight, and help on these forums, for support and ideas of what to do when my idea of my religion is beginning to fall apart.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dougel I've been thinking a lot lately about the pope's comments on Islam. I really think the pope was out of line to say anything close to what he did, and to not simply apoligize afterward. I've always understood that muslims were peaceful, it was only the extremists that were prone to violence. In thinking about this, I've looked more and more into what the pope has done, and his views. I've been a Catholic my entire life, its the faith I've always known, and I'm not sure if i want to be part of his church anymore. I was hoping I could find some insight, and help on these forums, for support and ideas of what to do when my idea of my religion is beginning to fall apart.

Hi, welcome!
I really think that you have to take what was said and not take it out of context. Look at the whole speech. I don't think that what he said was 'wrong', sure it po'd a lot of people but...they picked apart what he said instead of looking at the larger picture.
JMO

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-Candi

Not as lean. Not as mean.
Still MARINE.

hey, Doug.

i'm sure you're not the only Catholic who's having problems with some of the things Pope Benedict has been saying. it troubles me alot, too, and i'm not even Catholic.

i think it's fine to branch out and re-evaluate one's faith now and again. what do i believe? why does this make sense or not make sense to me? what do i want to reconcile and how can i do that?

and between you and me, i want JPII back, too.

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love the Lord God with all your heart and all your soul and all your might, and love your neighbor as yourself - Hillel

Doug the best thing you can do irregardless of your religion is learn about theirs. Xenophobia is a huge contributer to religious friction between peoples. Buy a copy of the Koran and go to a few Islamic sites and learn about the religion. You can't control what the Pope says or does but you can do your part to curb religious intolerance around the globe by learning what you can about those who are different from you.

footnotes
http://www.islam.com/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm
http://www.islamworld.net/

the speech was given to a group of academics in an academic fashion, the manuel11 part was taken out of context and flashed around the world as "the speech" it needs further looking at or you fall into the trap set by journos and illwishers

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what is needed in this world is a little less God and a little more Humanity

Welcome to RF! I hope you find your answers.

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I'd thought what I'd do was, I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes

Welcome to the forum Dougel.

I hope the links which robtex posted will help alot in order to understand Islam.

Quote: Originally Posted by mostly harmless I don't think that what he said was 'wrong', sure it po'd a lot of people but...they picked apart what he said instead of looking at the larger picture. JMO

Do you really believe that, what the pope 'quoted' about prophet Mohammed was right?

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To err is to be human and the pope is human along with the people who put him there. So there's alot of room for error, and I for one never viewed the pope as representing catholics individualy anymore than president of the US does his (maybe her soon, wouldn't that be delightful) citizens. So why let one person shake up your beliefs?

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Now it is 1984, knock, knock, at your front door. It's the homeland security police!

Quote: Originally Posted by The Truth Welcome to the forum Dougel. I hope the links which robtex posted will help alot in order to understand Islam. Do you really believe that, what the pope 'quoted' about prophet Mohammed was right?

you should ask, do you think what manuel the 11 asked was right?

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what is needed in this world is a little less God and a little more Humanity

Quote: Originally Posted by kai you should ask, do you think what manuel the 11 asked was right?

Isn't it the same?

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