And another thing!

That last point I think needs clarification.

While we would hope that Pope Benedict is incapable of making a diplomatic mistake, no amount of hope can change the reality that it is in fact possible.

What is the alternative? A "carefully" orchestrated plot to call the bluff of militant Islam? This is not the role of the Church, and it contradicts the Church's social teaching. We should not forget that the Church is the "sacrament of the salvation of the world," and that it is in fact possible for Muslims to be saved only because of the Church. The Church exists for the Muslims just as much as she exists for us.

The Church does have the moral responsibility of educating the world of those things that are against the dignity of the human person, violence being one of them. But the Church through her Vicar should not be the one to strong arm her way into the inner workings of Islam, especially when there is nothing intrinsically evil about the practice of Islam as a religion. Are we to expect from now on that the Pope will be addressing the evils of other religions haphazardly in obscure academic gatherings? I think this would be a subversive move on the part of the Pope for ecumenism everywhere: "so that's how the Pope wants to deal with things."

The humble apology of the Pope did not in my opinion look to be one of mere diplomacy or just "good PR." As Pastor of the entire world, he is in a certain (but real) sense, responsible for the salvation of everyone--including the Muslims. I do not think the Pope would have sacrificed authentic dialogue with peaceful and rational Muslims, nor do I think he would have endangered the lives of Christians so haphazardly. This would not be in accordance with the dignity owed to Muslims, nor would it be in accordance with the role of the Pope.

The Church can never be used as a "means" for anything. It doesn't seem reasonable to me that if Pope Benedict was so fed up with intellectual terrorism, that he would take it upon himself to use his position to effort a change in this way, especially when--as Christopher J said--the Pope has exhibited a pacific stance in regards to Lebanon AND Iraq, both having ties with radical Islam.

While I do think that the clash between Islam and the West is problematic and may one day lead to apocalyptical happenings, I don't think this is what the Pope hopes to achieve, nor do I think that he despairs of the possibility.

Any thoughts out there?

-CS

An attempt at a humble disagreement

I reprint here a response I made to Christopher J's Blog.

I've been fighting with this for awhile. While I'm trying to presume upon the wisdom of the Pope, while observing potential fruits from this "misunderstanding", I still do find myself thinking he was perhaps unintentionally careless about some of his phraseology. Check out this response:

Religion, Reason and Violence: Pope Benedict XVI and Islam

This line from Benedict makes me wonder:"I would like to discuss only one point-- itself rather marginal to the dialogue itself-- which, in the context of the issue of faith and reason, I found interesting and which can serve as the starting-point for my reflections on this issue."Words like "marginal" and "interesting" do not match the subject matter in my opinion. Granted, context context context. This is an academic presentation intended to promote PEACEFUL but by no means passive discussion and disagreement in regards to some serious issues undermining the process as a whole.In my limited vision, I think Pope Benedict still could have stated the same issues differently, more pastorally. For instance, where he discusess Mohammed and jihad, I think he could (should) have exhibited more sensitivity--like pretending he was speaking to a Muslim in the audience.

My point is, I think Pope Benedict was trying to speak as an academic presuming upon an academic audience, a freedom he probably once had. As Pope--especially in our media saturated times--I think he has to show a different side.I mean, let's be honest, if the Pope was going to really speak about Islam and the violent issues, he would have done so much more pointedly and convincingly. That he deals with it in this cursory manner, lends me to think that he was making an academic presumption, a presumption all of us academics can respect and enjoy, but not one suitable for these times.

To say that after the fact, almost as a felix culpa, the "true colors" of the antagonistic side of radical Islamic movements have been conveniently manifested, would be (for me) reading into Pope Benedict's speech a duplicitous agenda unfitting for a Vicar of Christ of his virtue and character.

Mixed Drinks

After a long absinth, I figured it was high time for me to post a gin. I don't think there's rum-my on the board, I just wanted tequila time. Doubt it not, that I can make Whiskey sour from my shot at having Coloda fun. Oops! Looks like like Mai-tai is up.

Did you miss me?
-CS