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Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

The Pope’s new Coptic secretary: Islam is a “culture of death”

May 4, 2014 3:06 pm By Robert Spencer

yoannis gaidoThis is odd and surprising. It would seem most likely that the Pope wanted a secretary from the Islamic world to show his favorable view of Islam, and is unaware of Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido’s previous statements. He will undoubtedly soon find out, however, if he hasn’t already, and what happens then will be interesting.

Here is Blazing Cat Fur’s modified Google translation of a German-language article: “The Pope’s new Coptic secretary: Islam is a ‘culture of death,’” Blazing Cat Fur, April 29, 2014 (thanks to Jamal):

Pope Francis has a new secretary who speaks Arabic and has very clear words about Islam.  It is no coincidence.

The new secretary, Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido, is a Copt from Egypt, where Christians are a beleaguered minority who have had experience with Islam for 1,350 years.  His realistic view of Islam lacks any Western gloss.
[…]
The new secretary of Pope Francis is Coptic Catholic Christian and comes from the diplomatic service of the Vatican. In his CV, his critical remarks about Islam stand out…

Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido was born in 1975. He visited the Diplomatic Academy of the Holy See and entered the diplomatic service in 2007. His first destination was the Apostolic Nuncio to Congo in Brazzaville…

[He came to the Pope’s attention] for his ability to speak Arabic…The Egyptian has become the interpreter of the Pope when he receives news from the Arab world.

Among the friends of the new secretary is another well-known Egyptian, the famous Muslim Magdi Cristiano Allam, a journalist and writer who converted to Christianity, and was baptized by Benedict XVI at the Easter Vigil in 2008 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

There were violent riots in various parts of the Islamic world, including fatalities, as a consequence of this.

Allam has been a member of the European Parliament since 2009.  After the election of Pope Francis, he took an increasingly critical position towards the Catholic Church, which he accuses of disregarding the warnings of Benedict XVI and adopting the “dictatorship of relativism” and appearing soft on Islam.  He says Islam is a “real threat to Christianity and the freedom of man.”

In his book “Grazie Gesù”(Thank you Jesus) that Allam published in the year of his baptism, he wrote about Father Yoannis Gaido:

Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido, an Egyptian, deserves a special mention. [He was] for years chaplain to the church of Santa Domitilla in Latina and is currently Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Brazzaville.

I met him in Rome, and he has given me years of friendship and expressed his solidarity [with me].

He has a profound knowledge of the real Islam, as it is actually present in the hearts and minds of the majority of Muslims, and not distorted by the ignorance, naivety, good nature and ideological blindness of the West, which is exploited by mystifiers and hypocrites.

Father Yoannis shares my position on Islam completely and I was close to him as a brother Christian, as the organized media storm after my conversion, that tried to discredit and defame me, reached its climax.

Allam cited an interview that Father Gaido gave on 31 March 2008:

I have always tried to be a friend that respects the different religion of the other, without being afraid to tell the truth or to emphasize that Christianity is a call to freedom.

And when Magdi asked me about the Copts in Egypt, I did not hide the enormous difficulties under which Christians must live in places with a Muslim majority.

These difficulties are not caused by a few Islamists, but by a culture of death and violence that is based on very clear verses [of their scripture] that they quote, calling for violence and jihad, saying they should murder all who are different and killing [those who express] freedom of conscience.  Just to think differently is enough to be sentenced to death.

In 2010, after the anti-Christian massacre on New Year’s Day in Alexandria, Egypt, Father Gaido disagreed with the public declaration of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University. He [the Imam] strongly condemned the words of Pope Benedict XVI on January 2 as “interference” in internal Egyptian affairs.

Al-Azhar broke with the Vatican because of the entirely justified [sic! — RS] criticism of Benedict XVI, so different from the previous boring conversations of the past….

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Comments

  1. Jay Boo says

    May 4, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    NEW AGAIN
    What is ancient is yet new again, in a newborn’s soul.
    Let’s begin at the beginning.
    Whether conceived in love or sin,
    each blessed young soul is made pure from within.
    Islam’s intricate web was conjured from without, not from within.
    Entropy assures us that simple truths will overcome the sin of Islam.
    Wash away the dust.
    Wash away the ashes.
    A new destiny is about to begin.

  2. rev g says

    May 4, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    This Copt is not likely to hold his position long. He refuses to live with the delusions about islam that the church considers truth.

    The Pope and his church would do well to learn from this secretary, but I don’t see that happening.

    The longer the west and Christendom pander to islam, the worse the fallout will be when the truth cannot be ignored. I fear that a time of reckoning on that problem will be forthcoming.

    • Joseph D'Hippolito says

      May 5, 2014 at 1:43 am

      Robert, the question is whether this new secretary has any influence beyond his position. I suggest you look at the following link:

      http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/…/pope-bows-down…/

      The Vatican’s attitude of appeasing Islam is one of three major reasons why I left the Catholic Church. JPII *never* decreed Islam as a culture of death. He was, perhaps, the Catholic Church’s foremost appeaser during his tenure.

      I’m *very* cynical about the Catholic Church, and I don’t think Francis is going to initiate any substantial change in policy. Why? Because the Catholic Catechism considers Islam to be a fellow Abrahamic, monotheistic faith (despite the fact that Abraham’s descendants never would have heard of the Muslim Allah before the seventh century).

      • EYESOPEN says

        May 5, 2014 at 5:07 am

        What you say is true enough, Joseph. I had many of the same thoughts myself years ago, although not specifically about izlam. However, that quiet, still voice of the Holy Spirit cautioned me “not to throw the baby out with the bath water”, so to speak. I still very much want – and need – the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of my Lord, Jesus Christ.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 8:18 am

          @EYESOPEN

          If we look closely at the post by Joseph D’Hippolito , it seems his main focus is to proselytize against Catholicism.
          He state that “JPII *never* decreed Islam as a culture of death.”
          So what does that prove?
          BTW, Catholicism (and Evangelical Protestants as well) are a growing threat to Islam’s influence in the developing world regardless.

      • Jay Boo says

        May 5, 2014 at 8:00 am

        @Joseph D’Hippolito
        You claim that the Catholic Catechism considers Islam to be a fellow Abrahamic, monotheistic faith.
        A VERY INTERESTING CHOICE OF WORDS (Catechism )

        I have attended many Catechism classes and have never heard Islam mentioned in any way. NOT ONCE — NOT EVER
        Are you really sincere? Are you really a Catholic?
        Are you referring to some academic study by the Catholic clergy and trying to extrapolate it as standard belief?

        • umbra says

          May 5, 2014 at 10:47 am

          The CCC c.841 states that muslims “profess to hold the faith of Abraham” and “adore the one, merciful God”. This has the appearance of an implicit acknowledgement of islam as being part of the Abrahamic faith. However, objectively c.841 only states that muslims (it could be a few, some, many or all) – therefore not the ideology that is islam – “profess” (claim) to hold the faith of Abraham. Furthermore, these muslims who “claim” to hold the faith of Abraham also “adore the one, merciful God”.

          Clearly , when objectively applied, c.841 would exclude many muslims in the modern world. It is also clearly not applicable to islam since the CCC is concerned with the salvation of souls of individuals not the salvation of ideologies.

        • voegelinian says

          May 5, 2014 at 1:40 pm

          It’s part of the Catechism rebooted by Vatican 2.

          841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

          http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm#841

          Fallible PC MC.

        • joe m says

          May 5, 2014 at 5:53 pm

          This statement “The CCC c.841 states that muslims “profess to hold the faith of Abraham” and “adore the one, merciful God” seems vague. Just because they, whoever they are, profess it, doesn’t meant they do it. This statement by the Catholic Church is not a statement of Faith and Morals so I’m not sure we as Catholics have to believe it as a matter of faith. The way the Islamists say God is power and can make it right to kill, hate as well as love or whatever, shows they do not worship the same God we do. Our God is love, they can’t say the same.

        • umbra says

          May 6, 2014 at 1:18 am

          @joe m

          Your observation is correct. Clearly, the barbaric actions of some muslims (along with islamic scriptural justifications) do indicate that these individuals do not “adore the one, merciful god”. Yet, there may exist some muslims that do not accept or follow any repugnant aspect/practice/tradition of islam (though still mysteriously consider themselves muslims). These individuals may live their lives, in general, according to the Abrahamic faith and may also adore the one, merciful God.

      • eib says

        May 5, 2014 at 8:24 am

        As the Jihad continues, the Catholic Church will have no choice– it will have to condemn Islam as profane.
        And Islam is profane.
        There is nothing of God in it.

    • EYESOPEN says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:02 am

      Rev G, you took the words right out of my mouth. But I say “Bravo!” to this Coptic priest for having the courage to tell the truth about something which has apparently “confused” the Catholic Church since Vatican II.

    • Jay Boo says

      May 5, 2014 at 8:35 am

      @rev g
      First, I must mention that:
      The Catholic church is in no position to take on Islam head on because it is currently dealing with its own mess and Islam has an ally in the White House.

      I agree that we should not get over-optimistic about this small victory and it may even be short-lived, but let’s not fall into the trap of complaining “all is-lost” even when events turn in our favor.

    • Shane says

      May 5, 2014 at 10:13 am

      Let’s hope this guy is able to freely speak his mind and tell the truth about Islam and the genocide against Christians in the Middle East.

  3. CogitoErgoSum says

    May 4, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    Anyone who claims to be a Christian and accepts the concept of the Holy Trinity should do all that is possible to ensure that the future does not belong to those who slander and libel Jesus Christ….who is one in being with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Muhammad and the Quran are guilty of denying the divinity of Christ and spreading lies about His true nature and mission on Earth. The slaves of Allah have taken their stand. As the storm clouds continue to gather and the winds begin to blow against me, acting as a man with free will, I shall stand with the Christians.

    • christopher says

      May 4, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      … I know Bob’s a Christian and all but… all this Jesus claptrap is every bit as bonkers as Islam. It’s just less dangerous is all.

      • Kepha says

        May 4, 2014 at 5:07 pm

        Interesting, Christopher. Your own name means “Christ carrier” in Greek.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 4, 2014 at 7:14 pm

          Abdullah (Christopher) is apparently more interested in attacking Christianity than revealing Islam’s filth therefore he is but a servant of Allah.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 4, 2014 at 7:42 pm

          (I know Bob’s a Christian )
          ==========

          Why does christopher make a point to mention Robert Spencer here (as Bob)?
          Sounds like christopher is a gutter troll up to no good.

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:37 pm

          Just because someone doesn’t agree with Christianity, does not mean he is a Muslim. The existence of atheism sort of validates my point.

          I am very interested in exposing Islam for the evil that it is, but I think calling out the fact that Cogito inferred something akin to the adoption of Islamic Blasphemy laws by stating “…ensure that the future does not belong to those who slander and libel Jesus Christ…” is a good thing.

          It is remarkably reminiscent of the comments made by Obama regarding Islam – both are equally dangerous. You can’t advocate for free speech and freedom of expression on one hand, then attack those who disagree with Christianity on the other. They are contradictory.

          It is also helpful to point out that the anti – Jihad movement is NOT composed purely of Christians, but of people from a multitude of faiths, including those that refute the idea of faith in the first place. The way to defeat Jihad is not through Jesus, it is through concerted and coordinated multi -faith and ideological attacks on Islam as a whole.

          As an example, Robert Spencer does not refer to the Bible or spout Christian propaganda in his posts. He uses sound reasoning and a pervasive use of logical morality. Please note I am not denigrating Christianity, I consider Christianity a core foundation of Western Civilisation – and have defended the faith vehemently as a whole numerous times on this site.

          Cogitos insistence that all belief is ‘bonkers’ is not particularly helpful, but stating he is a ‘troll’ and referring to him derisively as ‘Abdullah’ makes you no better than he.

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:38 pm

          Correction – Christopher’s statement that faith is ‘bonkers’, apologies to Cogito.

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:45 pm

          Cogitos insistence that all belief is ‘bonkers’ is not particularly helpful, but stating he is a ‘troll’ and referring to him derisively as ‘Abdullah’ makes you no better than he.

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Hi Tax, it was christopher that stated this, not Gogitos. Take care! 🙂

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:46 pm

          Never mind ..you caught it )

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:53 pm

          Thank you Champ, it’s too early in the afternoon for thinking – I re read the post and noticed multiple mistakes and wished for the existence of an ‘edit’ button.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 4, 2014 at 9:54 pm

          @Jax Tolmen
          The topic is about Christianity and Islam and Christians have the right to mention Christianity whether or not atheists or atheist pretenders wish to promote a diversion.

          It is not about whether or not someone doesn’t agree with Christianity, that is an irrelevant straw man you are offering.

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 4, 2014 at 10:27 pm

          @Jay Boo
          Hello Jay Boo, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of direct interaction before – however I have read many, many of your comments – most of which are thoughtful, helpful and of value to the cause that we all fight for.

          That being said, I apologize if I mistook your attacks on ‘Christopher’ as merely being of the anti – atheist slant. I also acknowledged that his remarks are not in the slightest bit helpful, I believe both ‘Champ’ and ‘Wellington’ summed up quite nicely just how useless attacking Christianity is on this site. They are right, we should all be united in our fight against Islam; we should not waste time/energy on attacking faiths that are benign. They are also right in stating that every religion should be open to criticism, but that this is not the forum for such discourse.

          What I took issue with, is you referring to him immediately as a ‘troll’, derisively referring to him as ‘Abdullah’ (which has facets of racism) and insisting that he must be a Muslim. Since when has name calling been the way that intelligent arguments are conducted. Name calling and slanderous insinuations are the tools that the enemy uses to attack US, so why is it that you have resorted to such tactics?

          If a Muslim, such as ‘Ibn Muslim’, comments on an article – the response is generally not to resort to name calling to point out the flaws with his statements. In order to win the struggle, we all must hold ourselves to a higher standard than the enemies we are all working toward eliminating. This is achieved through reason, rational arguments and sensible retorts – we will never defeat Jihad if we resort to their tactics; they are far better at being amoral hate – mongers then we could ever hope to be.

          And I stand by my original statement that ‘CogitoErgoSum’s’ comments are deserving of criticism – however, not in the way that ‘Christopher’ has chosen to do so. ‘Christopher’ is equally worthy of criticism, in fact more so; attacking all religions as a whole is both stupid and decisive. Much like the infamous ‘Mr. Dude’ (who I make a point of attacking every time he rears his hateful head), they both have displayed a level of intolerance usually only reserved for Islamists and the kinds of militant atheists that are mostly not welcome on this site.

          On the subject of Christians being free to ‘comment’ – I completely agree; even though quoting the Bible may not be terribly helpful to some, I can see the appeal to others. Where I draw the line, is when that is taken to a point of mimicking Obama’s ridiculous comment that ‘the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam’. I fail to see how ‘CogitoErgoSum’s’ comment “…do all that is possible to ensure that the future does not belong to those who slander and libel Jesus Christ….” is any more helpful or less damaging than ‘Christophers’ comment about all religion being ‘bonkers’. One is worryingly totalitarian, the other is extremely insulting and insensitive.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 4, 2014 at 10:45 pm

          @Jax Tolmen
          We agree on some things

          Given the timing and nature of “Christopher’s” comment he is but a servant of Allah troll whether or not he is a Muslim, hence the reference to that particular name of Abdullah.

          The ‘name’ or moniker of Christopher does sound a bit suspicious for someone who would use this article in particular to mock Christianity.
          I wish I had more time to track who is who to know his whole track record but I have seen enough here to know he is serving no useful purpose.

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 4, 2014 at 11:05 pm

          @Jay Boo
          I’m glad we agree on some things, that shows unity. I’d venture to say that most of the time we would agree, or have similar outlooks despite minor differences.

          It does sound suspicious as an internet handle; beyond the obviousness of it being a fake name. It is too simple, and I’ve never seen any other comments by that person. Personally, Jax Tolmen is a pseudonym and a name I use for this site and the blog that I operate (which is not related to Islam or anti – Jihad in any way) as the enemies of civilisation have long memories and I do fear for my safety, given where I live.

          And atheists that waste their time attacking Christianity disgust me in more ways than anyone else. As an atheist myself, I identified that Islam was the true cause of evil in the world – not the benign and benevolent umbrella of Christianity. Even though there are certain faults to the faith, Christians do not make me fear for my life and liberties the way that Islam does. Simply put, most atheists are wasting their time with Christianity when they should instead be focusing on the very real threat that Islam poses to our way of life.

          That is probably why I have been accused by said militant atheists, both here and in real life, of not actually being an atheist. I will defend Christianity as ardently as any person of faith, purely because Christianity is not the enemy.

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 4, 2014 at 11:41 pm

          Simply put, most atheists are wasting their time with Christianity when they should instead be focusing on the very real threat that Islam poses to our way of life.

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Spot on, Tax! …that’s the crux of the matter.

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 4, 2014 at 11:44 pm

          LOL! ..oops I mean Jax. I guess “Tax” is Jax and Tolmen combined 🙂

        • christopher says

          May 5, 2014 at 2:06 am

          I’m posting as christopher because that’s my name. Christopher Mullans. I make a lot of comments you guys are probably more approving of over at Jihadwatch on facebook.

          I’m an agnostic, leaning towards atheism. My comment probably was counter-productive to what we are trying to do, but I’m not a troll, I just can’t read such material about the divinity of Jesus and not see the parallels to Islam’s reverence of Mohammad. Difference being you are not insisting I accept him too, or offering violence to persuade me. We should be united yes.

          But that doesn’t change the fact that I am correct. I have a lot of respect for Robert because yes he does tend to keep his Christianity out of his criticisms of Islam (a point I have made here before), with no Bible quotations etc. Because Christianity, historically, is at fault for Islam’s very existence. I have no doubt that someone, either Mohammad or someone who fabricated his existence, took a look at Christianity and thought “ooh, WE could try that one…” and manufactured a religion. I’m someone who has had to stare down the existential abyss of meaningless so I’m sorry if I come across as somewhat harsh but there you go. I’ll drop it now. As it stands today, yes Christianity is relatively benign. I don’t agree with it, never will, and in fact once Islam is finished I would expect Christianity to continue to fade, but for now you are allies yes. Anyone fighting Islam is by definition.

          Anyway, it’s interesting that I was called a troll at the EDL website too purely because I disagreed with a single thing. I’m not someone who mindlessly tows the party line (as you may have gathered by now)…

        • rev g says

          May 5, 2014 at 4:56 am

          If you peruse the quran you will note Muhammad asked Jews to teach him about their religion
          I guess because of that you could blame the Jews for the existence of islam?
          Don’t forget to also implicate women for the existence of rape.

        • EYESOPEN says

          May 5, 2014 at 5:13 am

          Very astute comment Kepha! People can believe in Jesus Christ, and in His great love for all mankind, or not. But there is no reason to bedevil the subject. That merely shows a person who may have their own problems with Almighty God.

          They are certainly free to reject the offer of salvation, given for free and only out of love; but there is no reason to constantly go on the “attack” against those of us who do believe and are grateful for Jesus Christ’s completely selfless love for all of us – yes, even those who don’t believe.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 8:54 am

          @ christopher

          Once again THE TOPIC is not about the pros and cons of atheism VS Christianity.
          You could have offered a simple explanation of your intent and moved on instead we get a long paragraph filled with more useless BS

          BTW The Coptic Christians are on the ‘front lines’ and having Copt from Egypt who speaks Arabic and knows that “Islam is a Culture of Death” will be a welcome addition in filtering through Muslim BS posing as dialog.

        • voegelinian says

          May 5, 2014 at 1:45 pm

          ” I just can’t read such material about the divinity of Jesus and not see the parallels to Islam’s reverence of Mohammad. Difference being you are not insisting I accept him too, or offering violence to persuade me.”

          In the context of the Counter-Jihad, this kind of vaguely theoretical, anthropological and superficial similarity should not only not be mentioned at all, it should be named and shamed as positively injurious to the movement.

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 5, 2014 at 2:15 pm

          ” I just can’t read such material about the divinity of Jesus and not see the parallels to Islam’s reverence of Mohammad. Difference being you are not insisting I accept him too, or offering violence to persuade me.”

          In the context of the Counter-Jihad, this kind of vaguely theoretical, anthropological and superficial similarity should not only not be mentioned at all, it should be named and shamed as positively injurious to the movement.

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Good catch, Voegelinian! …islam has been weighed and found wanting–independent of any other religion, and is judged rightly on islam’s evil merits alone.

          Besides, there are NO similarities between Jesus and Muhammad–other than both being founders of their said religion. Beyond that, and upon closer examination, their differences are like night and day. I’m stunned that christopher does not know the difference; and this is basic need-to-know information if you’re going to post comments on Jihad Watch.

      • Wellington says

        May 4, 2014 at 5:22 pm

        Not smart, christopher, to divide an alliance against malevolence. The malevolence is Islam and the alliance against Islam includes a hell of a lot of Christians. Agnostics (this would include me), atheists, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, et al. must form a common front against the only world religion which calls for war to be made upon the unbeliever and which is a threat to freedom and equality under the law as no other major faith even remotely is. Wise up.

        • southeuropean says

          May 4, 2014 at 5:57 pm

          Christopher is right. There should be alowed criticism on every religion,including Christianity,but the sin of Islam is not that it is denying the divinity of Christ,but the legacy of ShariA and its political mobilisation towards that kind of a CRIME. Finnaly,every religion has some reserves over the human rights and freedoms,but Islam has more than fascism,thus,that should be our counterargument

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 8:58 am

          Christopher comments are just a useless diversion from the topic

          The Coptic Christians are on the ‘front lines’ and having Copt from Egypt who speaks Arabic and knows that “Islam is a Culture of Death” will be a welcome addition in filtering through Muslim BS posing as dialog.

        • voegelinian says

          May 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm

          “Christopher is right. There should be alowed criticism on every religion,including Christianity…”

          Not in the context of the Counter-Jihad. There is plenty of freedom outside that still small context. Indeed, the entire West has a positive industry of self-criticism in which Judaeo-Christianity has been subjected to deep criticism on an academic level, profoundly searching (if not morbid) criticism on a cultural level in the high arts (painting, novels, plays, movies), and criticism, sarcastic humor and often outright mockery in popular culture. I.e., you have a massively mainstream free cultural atmosphere to breathe in and breathe out all the criticism of Judaeo-Christianity you want to your heart’s content. Why do you atheists insist on bringing your anti-religious animus to ever fucking nook and cranny you possibly can?

      • CogitoErgoSum says

        May 5, 2014 at 12:17 am

        To Christopher and others: I figured there would be some who consider my comments to be “claptrap” but I never thought they would be taken as being dangerous. It is tiresome to me that others can ridicule my beliefs while I am supposed to be silent and not defend my faith; perhaps that is a weakness in me. Nevertheless, I am still going to say this…… if you are offended by my words, so be it….I am not going to apologize. The topics for discussion at this site involve religion and I”m letting you know where I stand. I am not for taking away anyone’s freedom to disagree with me. I am not and never will be an advocate of forceing anyone to become a Christian but neither will I stand by quietly while my religion is defamed and its members are persecuted. I believe we all will eventually have to make a
        stand concerning our core beliefs. May you always be free to think and comment and believe as you see fit. I think it is your right…….as well as mine.

      • Mannie says

        May 5, 2014 at 7:21 am

        christopher, how many hundreds of people have the Christians murdered in the name of our religion, lately? Where is the active and immutable commandment in our Scripture to murder our neighbors?

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 9:01 am

          Christopher is a topic changing troll

      • Champ ✞ says

        May 5, 2014 at 4:22 pm

        christopher contends:

        “all this Jesus claptrap is every bit as bonkers as Islam. It’s just less dangerous is all.”

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Christianity is LESS dangerous? Such buffoonery! Christianity isn’t dangerous at all! Get your facts straight, jack …

        And christopher really needs to read one of Robert’s books and STAT:

        “Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is And Islam Isn’t”

        http://www.amazon.com/Religion-Peace-Christianity-Islam-Isnt/dp/1596985151

    • eib says

      May 5, 2014 at 8:21 am

      I am a Christian.
      I am an Athanasian Christian.
      I am an orthodox Christian.
      My religion was not cooked up by some Arian or Unitarian reformer in the 17th or 19th century.
      This is the religion I taught to my children.
      This is the religion I speak of to my friends.

      • John C. Barile says

        May 5, 2014 at 10:30 am

        I agree with Athanasius.

    • Mirren10 says

      May 5, 2014 at 8:22 am

      I respect your faith, Cogito, and your determination to stand for it, and fight for it, and I totally agree with Wellington’s comment, and Jax Tolman’s.

      But I **must** take issue with your statement :

      ”Anyone who claims to be a Christian and accepts the concept of the Holy Trinity should do all that is possible to ensure that the future does not belong to those who slander and libel Jesus Christ”.

      That is clearly a paraphrase of Obama’s infamous statement at the UN, that ”the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of islam”.

      What, exactly, would be entailed in your determination to ensure ”that the future does not belong to those who slander and libel Jesus Christ” ??

      Blasphemy laws ?

      • Jay Boo says

        May 5, 2014 at 9:09 am

        You recognized that Cogito’s statement is clearly a paraphrase of Obama’s infamous statement.
        Therefore, do you honestly believe that Cogito is proposing Blasphemy laws ?

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 9:13 am

          BTW given the nature of this topic of persecution of Christians it should be obvious that the comment was directed at Islam.

      • CogitoErgoSum says

        May 5, 2014 at 11:10 am

        Mirren10, yes, I did deliberately paraphrase President Obama’s words and, no, I am not in favor of blasphemy laws. I am a citizen of the United States and I take to heart the words that all men (and women) are created equal. I also believe that my government is bound by its constitution never to impose laws favoring one religion over another. I hope that shall always remain true…..so I am speaking from the viewpoint that it is not possible to impose blasphemy laws…..at least in the United States….. and I am hopeful that one day it will be that way in every country around the globe. By the way, has President Obama ever clarified his remarks?

        • Mirren10 says

          May 5, 2014 at 1:03 pm

          Thank you for your clarification, Cogito.

    • Shane says

      May 5, 2014 at 10:16 am

      Obama said that he will stand with the Muslims and that his job as President is to defend Islam from slander. How is he able to get away with outrageous remarks like that.

  4. jewdog says

    May 4, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    This item is very interesting. I hope that Francis will show moral courage if and when he learns of his new secretary’s critical views of Islam, assuming that he doesn’t know already. As I recall, B16 kind of tread lightly after he quoted Emperor Palaiologos and people were killed in riots. The Catholic Church seems to be torn between honesty that foments violence and silence on Islam. I think they can make a big difference through speaking out, ultimately saving more lives and advancing freedom by educating people.

  5. Jewcat says

    May 4, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    I can’t imagine this appointment was made unconsciously. A lot of intelligence would have been gathered about this man before he was appointed to such a lofty position. I’m hoping he’ll model the way forward for Catholics and thereby influence the Christian world not to bow to Islam in any way.

  6. Wellington says

    May 4, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    southeuropean: “christopher” is not right. We’re not talking here the tangential issue you raised, i.e., allowance of criticism of every religion. Of course every religion should be open to criticism, but it is stupid, yes stupid, to criticize Christianity while fighting the awfulness of Islam since Christianity doesn’t want to shut down liberty and Islam most certainly does.

    Here are some of the reasons why: It’s extremely bad timing; it’s unnecessarily divisive; it’s fighting more than one fight at a time; it’s counter-productive to the anti-jihad struggle because it tends to split the anti-jihad alliance; it’s all about feeling good rather than doing good; it’s silly because Christians wanting to kill anyone who disagree with their views is non-existent, contra Islam.

    As the non-religious person that I am, I am utterly sick of all the non-religious fools out there who want to bring up their beef against all religion while the West is in a struggle to the death against the one major faith, Islam, which would destroy freedom and completely change Western Civilization if only given the opportunity. Such an approach sickens me and instills in me nothing but contempt for such idiots——-yes, I think the term “idiots” is not too strong of a term.

    • Jay Boo says

      May 4, 2014 at 7:08 pm

      southeuropean: “christopher” is not right.

      Agreed,
      Furthermore, the fact that southeuropean would even defend Abdullah (Christopher) by immediatedly going to a with a point about the divinity of Christ shows an obvious lack of scruples which is just the kind of behavior that Islamists love because such inclined individuals will bow and fold before Islam in groveling obedience and then have an epiphany to switch sides at the first opportunity.
      Those with side agendas are worse than useless in this battle.

      • christopher says

        May 5, 2014 at 5:41 am

        “because such inclined individuals will bow and fold before Islam in groveling obedience and then have an epiphany to switch sides at the first opportunity.”

        Wow. You truly are an idiot. You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about, trying to smear me individually instead of sticking to the arguments.

        Fact is the flaw with Islam is that it is a RELIGION. You make the same ARROGANT leaps in your reasoning: “I know Christ is the son of God, who died on the cross for my sins!”

        How you can know this? You can’t! You are a shambling ape! How the hell can you know this?!!?

        The religious arrogance sickens me. Consider me a VERY reluctant ally with you chumps. And once again: BRAVO to Robert for keeping his religion out of his critique of Islam. If he was quoting Bible passages left and right I don’t think I could stomach it.

        But hey, at least your delusions keep you securely insulated from the reality of death!

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 9:18 am

          It truly is not all about you.
          Such narcissism.

          But back to the TOPIC
          The Coptic Christians are on the ‘front lines’ of Islam.

        • voegelinian says

          May 5, 2014 at 2:00 pm

          Less often, but still often enough perhaps to be significant, we see the phenomenon with atheists that we see with seemingly benign (i.e., garden-variety) Muslim: scratch them long enough or in the right way, and one uncovers the fanatic under the surface. So our resident atheist Christopher was eventually provoked to blurt out:

          “Fact is the flaw with Islam is that it is a RELIGION. You make the same ARROGANT leaps in your reasoning: “I know Christ is the son of God, who died on the cross for my sins!””

          This betrays a staggering (but, alas, unsurprising) incomprehension of the unique nature of Islam, and of Islam’s threat to all freedom-loving people. While we in the Counter-Jihad do need unity in a “Big Tent”, that should not mean such tardigrades are accorded a place at the main table for our strategizing in the “battle space in the war of ideas” (as Frank Gaffney aptly put it): perhaps we can put Christopher to use at the desk back by the swinging doors of the canteen, where he can lick and stuff envelopes for our mass mailing drives, or can do data-entry 8 hours a day for minimum wage on our clunky 1980s word processor in the back room by the copier.

        • Champ says

          May 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

          christopher wrote:

          And once again: BRAVO to Robert for keeping his religion out of his critique of Islam.

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Once again–this is NOT true. I have been over this before with, christopher, but he’s deliberately ignoring the facts …

          Robert has written many books which prove that christopher is wrong. Here are three such books:

          1) “Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is And Islam Isn’t”

          2) “Not Peace But a Sword: The Great Chasm Between Christianity and Islam”

          3) “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)”

          http://www.jihadwatch.org/books

          Clearly Robert does NOT keep “his religion out of his critique of Islam”. Some of the books Robert has written prove otherwise.

        • Champ says

          May 5, 2014 at 3:28 pm

          christopher wrote:

          The religious arrogance sickens me. Consider me a VERY reluctant ally with you chumps.

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          I think it’s safe to say that christopher doesn’t want to be a team player with the counter-jihad team. He would rather create enemies where there are none: with those whom Christ has restored to new life, and whose aim is *truly* peaceful. Hmm, this doesn’t make sense to me, so I must consider this his loss.

        • voegelinian says

          May 5, 2014 at 4:10 pm

          Yes Champ, I’ve noticed over the years that some atheists or secularist critics of “Religion” (i.e., Judaeo-Christianity usually) have an evident emotional need to bring up their hobbyhorse: it seems to preoccupy their thoughts and feelings inordinately. Some seem to have learned to moderate this so it doesn’t impinge on the main topic of the discussion (Islam); others seem less able to control themselves in this regard — indicative of an ideological position whereby Islam is in their minds, apparently, not exclusively and uniquely The Problem.

          They aren’t the only ones who deflect focus; there are those I have called the “Real Problemers” — those who conclude that some nefarious dastardly cabal of evil White Western Elites are really pulling all the strings and manipulating Muslim marionettes on the world stage in order to solidify their (the White Western Elites’ that is) supposedly crypto-totalitarian control of the Lost West. While not all “Real Problemers” overtly articulate positions that go this far, the ones who don’t irresponsibly purvey rhetoric that strongly implies this and does nothing to counteract it. (Then there’s a wing of the “Real Problemers” who identify the evil cabal as “Jews”.)

          The cure for all these distractions from the focus is to erect in stone the principle that Islam is the Problem, and all Muslims enable that Problem. While of course Western myopia is idiotically facilitating this Problem, it should be impermissible to distort that facilitation and magnify it into some evil movement or process, rather than to see it more generously as sincere, if sincerely benighted.

        • Jax Tolmen says

          May 6, 2014 at 1:38 pm

          @voeglinian and @Champ
          I did not realize the veritable storm that Christoper’s comments kicked up – it is astounding. In response to everyone; I tend to agree in most respects about my atheist bretheren – I just hope that you don’t view all of us in the same light.

          I know some horrendously anti – Christian atheists, to the point where they want to burn bibles and attend anti – christian meetings – its utterly ridiculous. These same atheists seem outwardly ambivalent toward Islam though; which is utterly sickening. They waste their time whinging about the ‘evils’ of Christianity, and ignore the blatant issues with Islam.

          Christopher is not painting us in a good light, and his further comments make me feel silly for even bothering to attempt to defend him – he really is, intentionally or otherwise, splitting the cause. His remark that Christians should ‘ Consider me a VERY reluctant ally with you chumps.’ is disheartening.

          Please do not take his views to represent those of all the anti – jihad atheists that frequent this site.

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 6, 2014 at 2:22 pm

          Dear Jax, I agree, not all atheists are angry and hateful towards Christians, and there are a few atheists on Jihad Watch that I can consider good Friends–including you. Thank you for writing! 🙂

    • Champ says

      May 4, 2014 at 7:12 pm

      Bravo, Wellington! …you’ve raised some excellent points.

      And “christopher” wasn’t merely being critical of Christianity, as “southeuropean” claims, but christopher was being derogatory and insulting. He wrote:

      “all this Jesus claptrap is every bit as bonkers as Islam. It’s just less dangerous is all.”

      southeuropean is marginalizing christopher’s nasty comment. And I very much doubt that a atheist would appreciate being called “bonkers”.

      • Jay Boo says

        May 4, 2014 at 7:18 pm

        Notice how southeuropean tries to provide ‘cover’ for marginalizing christopher’s nasty comment with the following:

        “but Islam has more than fascism”
        What a despicable clown is this oh so clever southeuropean

        • Champ ✿ says

          May 4, 2014 at 8:14 pm

          Yes, I agree, Jay Boo!

        • christopher says

          May 5, 2014 at 5:46 am

          “Notice how…”

          See who is splitting the coalition now? Anyone defending my position in the slightest is now an outsider who is going to say the Inshallalala and go Muzzo at any moment!

          I hate Islam every bit as much as you and THEN SOME because I understand the root problem of it. You do not because you are also religious. Ah whatever, probably would have been better for me to keep my mouth shut but it is interesting to see your petty, personal responses.

          Some Christian.

      • christopher says

        May 5, 2014 at 5:49 am

        “christopher”

        It’s my name, get over it. Christopher Mullans. Come get me.

        • Jay Boo says

          May 5, 2014 at 9:21 am

          Once again, the TOPIC is not about you

        • CogitoErgoSum says

          May 5, 2014 at 11:20 am

          Christopher, I wish you only the best and hope you will always feel free to reply to any comment of mine…..no matter the topic. I respect your right to think and express your own thoughts …and hope you will do the same for me. Peace to you always.

    • EYESOPEN says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:30 am

      Thank you, Wellington, for your cogent argument with regard to the foolish attempt to split the anti-jihad “coalition” with nasty, uncalled-for insults. As usual, well spoken – and correct.

  7. Champ ✿ says

    May 4, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido’s states the truth by saying that ‘islam is a culture of death’ …and lets hope that he stands firm in this truth and not succumb to the pressures he’ll face–to compromise this truth–going forward.

    • EYESOPEN says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:34 am

      Hi Champ! As one with first hand, up-close-and-personal knowledge of the horrors of what izlam and its devotees have upon Christians in the ME, I think that such a man would prefer to be fired (or moved elsewhere) rather than compromise the truth on this issue of which so many Christians here in the “civilized” West are blissfully unaware.

      Stay well, and God bless!

      • Champ ♥ says

        May 5, 2014 at 2:43 pm

        Hi EYESOPEN!! God Bless You, too, my friend! 🙂

  8. mortimer says

    May 4, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    No doubt Fr Gaido is well-informed.

    I would recommend that Pope Francis call Fr Henri Boulad, SJ of Alexandria. He has some of the clearest explanations of Islam from the Christian point of view.

    Sample:
    “Islamism is naked Islam, Islam without a mask and without paint, Islam perfectly consistent and true to itself, an Islam that has the courage and lucidity to go all the way to its ultimate conclusions and final implications.
    Islamism is Islam in all its logic and in all its rigour. Islamism is present in Islam as the chick is present in the egg, as the fruit is present in the flower and as the tree is present in the seed.

    But what is Islamism?

    Islamism is political Islam, the bearer of a project for a model society and whose aim is to establish a theocratic state based on Sharia, the only legitimate law—since it is divine—since it was revealed and enshrined in the Koran and Sunna—it’s a law that applies to everything.

    Here is an all-inclusive and all-encompassing project, one that is total, totalizing and totalitarian.”

    • Salah says

      May 4, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Henri Boulad is an excellent choice, the only thing is that he’s at least 85 years old.

  9. Jay Boo says

    May 4, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Claims of the Divinity of Jesus may be debated by other religions but it is especially infuriating to many Muslims. They will gladly kill Christians for making such a claim and eagerly raise a charge of blasphemy.
    Followers of Muhammad make no such claim about Muhammad.
    For a Muslim to make such a claim about Muhammad would invite unwanted scrutiny of Muhammad who claimed to be the final prophet above all others.
    Muhammad’s vile self-serving brutality would surface.
    If you find your self in a room full of ‘moderate Muslims’ bring up this topic and discover how fast their moderate pretense will slip.

    • Salah says

      May 4, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      ” Followers of Muhammad make no such claim about Muhammad.”

      They can’t. The Qur’an itself bears witness that Jesus (Isa) was Holy, while Muhammad was a Sinner!!!

      http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2011/05/saint-and-sinner.html

    • eib says

      May 5, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

  10. Kepha says

    May 5, 2014 at 5:59 am

    @Cogito–

    Lost in my reply to Christopher was my firm belief that both Islam and so-called “Christian” clergy who are more concerned to be “lberal” and “with-it” are full of libel, slander, and blasphemy against Jesus Christ.

    And, respect certain people here as I may, I can’t help but notice that since Western civilization decided that it will not longer have Christ ruling it, it has opened itself very wide to Islamic influence. Perhaps the conversion of Roger Garaudy to Islam is symptomatic of where the “liberated” and “mankind come of age” West is headed.

  11. eib says

    May 5, 2014 at 8:17 am

    The tolerance of the Roman Catholic church is based on some vague, Utopian idea that has nothing to do with the teaching of Jesus and the doctrine of the church fathers.
    The authority of the Copt is derived from experience.
    1st-hand experience with Islam.
    There’s nothing like it.

  12. masterslave says

    May 5, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    mortimer posted

    “” . . . Sharia, the only legitimate law—since it is divine—since it was revealed and enshrined in the Koran and Sunna— it’s a law that applies to everything.””

    should read

    “” . . . it’s a law that applies to everything [[ according to muslims ]].

    Please do not assume / presume the obvious when discussing Islam ; it is much too diabolical and fanatical muslims will exploit every possible ambiguity while demanding perfection from any disbeliever .

  13. Metro says

    May 6, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    My understanding is that the Church acquired a certain understanding of Islamic religious philosophy from historic (400,600 years ago?) exchanges with scholars from a decidedly minority and mystic sect of Islam that used similar language to Christian mystics – a sect that would be heretical to most Muslims. A practical understanding of Islam should clearly be remembered by both the occupation of Spain, and the Battle of Lepanto etc.
    No one should misunderstand or confuse the majority philosophy of Islam, with the poetic mysticism of a minority. I think Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaido will be a priceless asset to Pope Francis in this regard.

  14. Juan José Rivera Díaz says

    May 8, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    I think the Pope is very well aware about Fr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaido’s statements and position about Islam. Most people are deluded by the “pope” presented by the media, who has nothing to do with the real Pope, His Holiness Francis of the Roman Catholic Church.

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