More Pope Fiction: “Islam is a religion of peace, one which is compatible with respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence,” says the Pope. Then he calls on Muslims to push a “more authentic image of Islam, as so many of them desire.” Has he ever wondered how this version of Islam that he assumes to be inauthentic has become so widespread and so powerful as to displace millions of Christians from the Middle East?
Moreover, condemnations are easy. What we really need to see from Muslim leaders who profess to oppose jihad violence is real action against it to prevent young Muslims from adopting this view of Islam. But we do not see that, and neither the Pope nor anyone else seems to notice or care.
“Pope challenges Muslims to condemn violence,” by Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service, December 23, 2014 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis challenged Muslim religious leaders Tuesday to “unanimously” condemn the violent persecution of Christians in the Middle East, as well as killing in the name of God.
In an open Christmas letter to beleaguered Christians in the region, the pope called on Muslims to push a “more authentic image of Islam, as so many of them desire.”
“Islam is a religion of peace, one which is compatible with respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence,” the pope said.
“The tragic situation faced by our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, as well as the Yazidi and members of other religious and ethnic communities, demands that all religious leaders clearly speak out to condemn these crimes unanimously and unambiguously.”
The pope stopped short of naming the self-declared militant Islamic State but expressed his closeness to Christians suffering in the region, including the thousands of refugees and victims of kidnapping and violence.
He urged the international community to not only help the many Christians in need but to increase humanitarian aid and end the violence.
“I write to you just before Christmas, knowing that for many of you the music of your Christmas hymns will be accompanied by tears and sighs,” he said.
It’s not the first time that Francis has urged Muslim leaders to take a stronger stand against Christian persecution and condemn terrorism carried out in the name of Islam, particularly in Iraq and Syria. He previously called for greater support on his return flight from Turkey in November, saying a “global condemnation” of the violence would help the majority of Muslims dispel this stereotype….