Religion of peace declares criticizing religion of peace is a threat to world peace

[Dumpy Dooby]

ANKARA, Turkey - A leading Turkish cleric called criticism of Islam a serious threat to world peace, speaking Wednesday as Turkey prepared for a controversial visit by Pope Benedict XVI later in the month.

Benedict visits Turkey — his first as pope to a predominantly Muslim country — two months after provoking widespread anger by quoting an emperor who characterized the Prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman."

Ali Bardakoglu, head of the country's religious affairs, said "it was saddening" to see Islam being criticized while the religion's contribution to civilization is ignored.

"This attitude, which fuels division and lack of mutual trust, is seriously threatening world peace," Bardakoglu told a conference in Istanbul attended by several African Muslim leaders.

The Religious Affairs Directorate oversees religious issues in Turkey. Bardakoglu is expected to meet with Benedict during the pope's Nov. 28-Dec. 1 visit.

"We always tell the truth to everyone," Bardakoglu said when asked whether he would express his dismay to the pope. "People meeting does not mean that they approve each other. It could help them express their opinions with an open heart and know each other correctly."

Benedict has appealed for greater dialogue with Muslims since the September speech at a German university in which he quoted the 14th century Byzantine emperor as calling Islam a religion spread by the sword.

Since the uproar over the speech — which has cast a cloud over his visit to Turkey — Benedict has expressed his regrets for offending Muslims.

Bardakoglu, however, called the pope's apology "indirect." He encouraged Muslim religious leaders to work and correct false and misleading information about Islam.

"Today, Muslims must first remember the human values of Islam ... and the collective peace it aimed for, and tell and teach this to the world," Bardakoglu said.

Benedict, in an appeal last month to Muslim envoys, said the two faiths must together reject violence because the future of humanity is at stake.

Although the official focus of Benedict's trip is his scheduled meeting with Bartholomew, the Istanbul-based leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, Benedict is widely expected to use the visit to improve relations with the Muslim world.

The pope's tentative schedule includes a visit Nov. 28 to Ankara to meet with the Turkish president and Bardakoglu; a Nov. 29 trip to the ruins of Ephesus, and a meeting with Bartholomew in Istanbul the following day.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul are expected to attend a NATO summit scheduled for Nov. 28-29 in Riga, Latvia, and were not scheduled to meet the pope.

The pope's vicar in Anatolia, Monsignor Luigi Padovese, told The Associated Press by telephone that Erdogan's absence during the pope's visit was a "lost opportunity."

"It's a pity: It could have been a good opportunity to talk about many issues," Padovese said.

Benedict also is expected to lead a ceremony at Istanbul's Saint Esprit Cathedral on Dec. 1.

Cleric: Criticizing Islam threatens peace - Yahoo! News

[Kytro]

Dealing with religious authorities is like dealing with the unreasonable neighbor. Their antics annoy you, but you don't want to argue with them so you just try to avoid spending any time with them.

[Diamond Cross]

This is what makes me think they're cry-babies. They can dish it but can't take it.

It's funny though that if Chrstians were to say this they'd be insulted to no end.

[imind]

granted, this sort of nonsense is becoming tiresome, to the point of being annoying. i do take issue, however, with your sarcasm in calling them a religion of peace. since this thread is going nowhere quickly, why don't we revive it with a discussion of whether it is peaceful or not. sound good?

[ballz2wallz]

I'm still waiting for the Christians to start riots and killing people over this one:

[Dumpy Dooby]

Originally Posted by imind

granted, this sort of nonsense is becoming tiresome, to the point of being annoying. i do take issue, however, with your sarcasm in calling them a religion of peace. since this thread is going nowhere quickly, why don't we revive it with a discussion of whether it is peaceful or not. sound good?

Sure, let's summon Grouch and Dylith so they can get Round 2.

Personally, I think all of the Abrahamic religions are peaceful or warlike depending on interpretation. Mainstream Christianity was founded on war (those crazy Romans), but the teachings of Christ were quite peaceful. I see the same thing with Islam. Mohammad was a rather violent bloke, but his teachings (in the good book) are peaceful.

[alias]

If you think the teachings of Islam are peaceful, you have never read it. Jesus founded the Christian religion. The Romans made it the "state" religion. There is a difference.

[Dumpy Dooby]

Originally Posted by alias

If you think the teachings of Islam are peaceful, you have never read it. Jesus founded the Christian religion. The Romans made it the "state" religion. There is a difference.

Oh, of course there's a difference. That's why I made sure to say "mainstream" Christianity. Today's Pauline Christianity is not the same as the teachings by Jesus. As for the founding of the religion, there's really not a whole lot of evidence for WHO started the religion. The Ebionites seem to be the first Christians ("Nazarenes," as they were called), but they existed before the New Testament Gospels were written.

[alias]

Paul said every word he got was from the Holy Spirit. There is only one Holy Spirit. I don't know where you got your information about Christianity. Paul claims Jesus is the one who revealed himself to him and Peter called Paul's writings scripture. Were Paul and Petere liars?

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

Oh, of course there's a difference. That's why I made sure to say "mainstream" Christianity. Today's Pauline Christianity is not the same as the teachings by Jesus. As for the founding of the religion, there's really not a whole lot of evidence for WHO started the religion. The Ebionites seem to be the first Christians ("Nazarenes," as they were called), but they existed before the New Testament Gospels were written.

[Dumpy Dooby]

Originally Posted by alias

Paul said every word he got was from the Holy Spirit. There is only one Holy Spirit. I don't know where you got your information about Christianity. Paul claims Jesus is the one who revealed himself to him and Peter called Paul's writings scripture. Were Paul and Petere liars?

Well the thing is, Paul's writings predate the New Testament Gospels by a few decades. Paul never once mentions Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem, Herod, John the Baptist, entering Jerusalem, the miracles, et al. He never quotes anything that Jesus is supposed to have said. He never mentions Jesus having a ministry of any kind at all. He doesn't know about any entrance into Jerusalem. He never mentions Pontus Pilate, a jewish mob, or any trials.

Since the story of Jesus's life comes ~40 years after he's supposed to have died, and he supposedly didn't write any of his own teachings down, it becomes more intellectually honest to conclude that the actual founder of the religion is most certainly unknown. You might say that it's Jesus, but I would be inclined to fire back with, "Prove it."

[alias]

Paul quotes Jesus about 3 times in the book of acts. Have you read the book of Acts?

[Dumpy Dooby]

Originally Posted by alias

Paul quotes Jesus about 3 times in the book of acts. Have you read the book of Acts?

Acts was written by Luke, not Paul.

[alias]

I know. Luke writes the story of Paul being blinded by Jesus 3 times and Paul is telling the story of how he converted to a believer. Is Luke lying.

[Dylith]

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

ANKARA, Turkey - A leading Turkish cleric called criticism of Islam a serious threat to world peace, speaking Wednesday as Turkey prepared for a controversial visit by Pope Benedict XVI later in the month.

Criticism of certain sects of Islam is a must. I'll be the first to say that sects of Islam such as Qutbism and extreme Wahabist Hanbalism have no place in this world and should be exposed for what they are and put down. What I think is dangerous for world peace here though is mass negative stereotpyes of Islam in general. I don't think that a lot of westerners understand how divided the Islamic world really is in its beliefs. Judging all Muslims and making blanket statements about the religion of over a billion people based off of the action of radical Islamic sects will only lead to the polarization of Muslims and help to aid the revival of Islamic conservatism.

Ali Bardakoglu, head of the country's religious affairs, said "it was saddening" to see Islam being criticized while the religion's contribution to civilization is ignored.

Islam has done a lot of great things for the west and for the rest of the world, unfortunatly most of those great things happened quite a while ago and the "Islamic word" has slipped almost into its own version of the "dark ages."

Bardakoglu, however, called the pope's apology "indirect." He encouraged Muslim religious leaders to work and correct false and misleading information about Islam.

Probably the most important thing this religious scholar had to say. More Islamic scholastic heads need to step up and issue fatwas against current terrorism and against Qutbist ideals. Many have, and we don't always see/hear them due to our media, but it wouldn't hurt for more to do so.

[JSmythe]

I wouldn't care about those crazy Muslims so much if they weren't in charge of entire countries. But given that they are, I must say the whole idea of religious extremism just fails to gain any reasonable justification. In fact, using religion as anything but a way of leading one's own life is illogical and dangerous.

[Donkey®]

Religion has no place in government. Religion has no place in politics. Religion has no place in Science. All three of those to go with the fact that religion has no basis in Reality.

[Dylith]

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Religion has no place in government. Religion has no place in politics. Religion has no place in Science. All three of those to go with the fact that religion has no basis in Reality.

Religion has every place in government and politics for those who are religious.

Religion isn't something that is suppose to merely be a part of ones life. Religion is something that IS ones life (or should be for the truely devout).

[Diamond Cross]

But not for those who aren't religious.

[Dylith]

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

But not for those who aren't religious.

I agree.