While the Pope is, I�m sure, well meaning, making these kinds of hollow proclamations without holding islamists to a definable standard of behavior is not going to revise islamists� totalitarian politico-religious beliefs.  

The insensate hatreds for competing religions that islamists are indoctrinated with is simply tragic especially because they tend to project their hatreds internally as well as externally. It's tragic (as in the case of the �Palestinians�) that so much hate can define a people, and it's tragic that it so often consumes them and their children whole. It's tragic that so much money, time, energy, and blood have been squandered on hate instead of being used to build a functioning society.

It�s tragically comical that islamists living the West seethe with indignation at their perceived �religious� practices being restricted. In fact, they are the beneficiary of an accommodating and pluralistic society such that as a resident of a Christian majority nation, the U.S., the West overall, their rights are not diminished because they are a non-christian. It�s a shame that Islamist nations (the islamist nations these people choose not to live in), use religion as a weapon of coercion and threat. 

In an environment where islam is mandated by law, where the social and political constructs are Islamist to the exclusion of other religions and where there is societal exclusion for not embracing islam and those not embracing the state religion are ostracized, it�s pretty easy to understand that compulsion is the weapon of choice for forced religion. Whether you will admit it or not, there clearly is compulsion in religion when the societal structure does not allow competing religions.

Pope urges support for Mideast Christians

NICOSIA, Cyprus � Pope Benedict XVI is urging support for the embattled Christian communities in the Middle East, calling them a vital force for peace in the region.   Benedict's remarks on Saturday underscored a key theme of his three-day pilgrimage to Cyprus that the Vatican views as a crossroads between Europe and the Middle East.   Meeting with Orthodox Christian Archbishop Chrysostomos II, Benedict said the continuing conflict in the Middle East "must be a source of concern to all of Christ's followers."   War and harsh economic conditions have led to the exodus of thousands of Christians from the Holy Land, Iraq and elsewhere in recent years.   The pope said Catholics play an important role in cooperating with other religions in "praying and working together for peace."

 

The Pope is facing a problem. The Church wants to say they are "divinely" guided and "God's envoy on earth" and well, they got big problems. 

Hey Boomer, nothing stopping people in the Mideast from praying in their homes.. now if  they were in China or other places, maybe trouble.

I believe Saudi Arabia is the only country without churches, someone please correct me if I am wrong. But you know, no one can run around naked there either, or play loud rock music on a boom box.

So what is your point? The vast majority of Muslims here in the US complain about very little. In fact they are pretty conformist as a whole Probably cause they are well-off.

Just like most people in Saudi Arabia don't complain cause they are well off.

If someone does not like Saudi rules, well don't live there. Just like I tell any Muslim if they don't like some rules here, work to change them or go elsewhere. The world is a big enough place, there is a place for all of us.

Matt Browne wrote: If a Saudi woman does not like Saudi rules she can't go elsewhere. She has to ask the permission of her husband or father (if not yet married). If they say no, she can't leave. She doesn't even get a passport.

Why would a Saudi woman like to go anywhere when they are taken care off with all creature comforts? Say if she ends up say in the land of milk and honey do you think anyone would let her be with all the negetivity floating in the media etc. How would she be better off by taking that plunge if she were allowed to?
I think they can go to Bahrain without a passport for some fun LOL

Some radical Muslims say the Pope must die. Well, asking for something like that is a disgrace too.

I agree... a dead Pope and then there is a new one and this goes on...Pope has bigger problem with his own flock than with Muslims I think!

Even after Luther broke off and had his dogma the concept sin is the issue that guides the God consciousness that the Christian church doesn't know how to go about! so the priests' child molestation or homosexuality lingers on!
As Luther stated "In his work, one of his most emphatic statements on faith, he argued that every good work designed to attract God's favour is a sin."

How can one be any good if one knows he has get out of jail card! Then comes the state where laws have also been written and amended by the lawmakers to fit the attorneys trade, then comes the law enforcement if they are on the take so where does the game end? I see if there is no God consciousness there is no faith other than the pageantry and drama to fool themselves buying darkness for sake of some gold!




Edited by Sign*Reader - 13 June 2010 at 12:22am

Hi Matt,

There are rules to leave or stay in any country. I cannot "just go live" in other countries. Of course some rules we won't agree with. I cannot just Live in most countries. You do have to be invited in. People just cannot leave China for instance.

I am not sure how many Saudi women you know, most live a pretty darn good life. Now I agree the driving law is absurd and unislamic. But Inshallah- God willing- it will change. It is the only Muslim majority country to have it. But honestly, most of the Saudi women.

I wish there were laws for more options to move. In fact Saudi Arabia is very restrictive to getting in there. I think more Muslims would go if they could.  Its rich and has many creature comforts and you are in a Muslim society.  But its hard to get into...