Alleviating hunger and poverty won’t end jihad terrorism. The Pope here is repeating the oft-refuted notion that poverty causes terrorism. CNS News noted in September 2013 that “according to a Rand Corporation report on counterterrorism, prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2009, ‘Terrorists are not particularly impoverished, uneducated, or afflicted by mental disease. Demographically, their most important characteristic is normalcy (within their environment). Terrorist leaders actually tend to come from relatively privileged backgrounds.’ One of the authors of the RAND report, Darcy Noricks, also found that according to a number of academic studies, ‘Terrorists turn out to be more rather than less educated than the general population.’”
Also, does the Pope of Rome really think that alleviating material distress will solve a conflict that obviously has a major spiritual component? The jihadists believe they are doing the will of Allah in fighting against the Infidel. Does he really think that spiritual imperative will suddenly lose its appeal if they have a nice meal, a comfortable place to sleep, and a good job at the WalMart? The Pope, of all people, should be aware that satisfying material needs doesn’t solve spiritual hungers.
And if he thinks that “dialogue” will solve the problem of jihad terrorism, will he travel to Mosul and offer to open up a “dialogue” with the caliph Ibrahim, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi? And if not, why does he believe that “dialogue” will solve this problem at all?
“Pope Francis calls for inter-faith dialogue to stop terrorism during visit to Turkey,” ABC.net.au, November 28, 2014:
Pope Francis has called for inter-faith dialogue to help end fundamentalism and terrorism during his first visit to Turkey.
He said fighting hunger and poverty, rather than military intervention alone, were also key to stopping Islamist militants carrying out “grave persecutions” in Syria and Iraq.
Speaking at the start of a three-day trip to Turkey, Pope Francis said “terrorist violence” showed no sign of abating in Turkey’s southern neighbours, where Islamist insurgents had declared a caliphate and persecuted Shiite Muslims, Christians and others who do not share their ultra-radical brand of Sunni Islam.
“It is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor,” the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics said in reference to the Islamic State militants after a meeting with Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan.
“What is required is a concerted commitment on the part of all … [to] enable resources to be directed, not to weaponry, but to the other noble battles worthy of man: the fight against hunger and sickness.”…
“It is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties,” Pope Francis said….
Jas says
Pius XII, and Pius VI were absolutely shook to the core that communism held as its belief “PROPERTY IS THEFT” it was a source of great FEAR to the Vatican, that a rival “ISM” was determined to strip the “Proletariat” to its basic elements “Brute Muscle” vis
Proletariat – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proletariat
The proletariat (/ˌproʊlɪˈtɛəriːət/ from Latin proletarius) is a term used to describe the class of wage-earners (especially industrial workers) in a capitalist society whose only possession of significant material value is their labour-power (their ability to work); a member of such a class is a proletarian.
Islamism goes one better than communism its strips the masses of its ability to think freely, and believe without fear, an enslavement of a persons cognitive abilities, and his intellectual properties.
Why didn’t Article 18 of the UN Charter get a mention.?????
Jas
Jon Sobieski says
I’ve had enough of the Stupid Pope. This is the same loser who said the koran is peaceful – “Authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence” See JW Pope Francis: “Authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence” Nov 26, 2013. That’s when I know he was an idiot, and useful at that (for Islam).
Wellington says
Three of the greatest offices that exist in the West are the American Presidency, the British Prime Ministership and the Roman Catholic papacy. Sadly, exceedingly sadly, they are all three right now occupied by fools. If the West survives, and I think it will, it will owe nothing, nothing at all, to the men currently occupying the offices I mentioned.
Kepha says
Full speed ahead into the year 1968!
I agree with you that Moe, Larry, and Curly–oops, Dave, Frank, and Barry–are not the men we need for these times. Or, did I mean Mickey, Donald, and Goofy?
Wellington says
We’d be better off, Kepha, with Mickey, Donald and Goofy. Easily so. Hope you and yours had a memorable Thanksgiving.
somehistory says
It isn’t islam…but all of the jihadis say it is
It’s due to poverty…OBL was not a poor man, and neither is is poor
It’s because other nations *occupy* muslim lands…muslims forced other groups of people from their lands first…as in the false prophet taking what belonged to the Jews and his army taking what belonged to Christians and others.
“That which is crooked cannot be made straight (Ecc. 1:15).” The beast rapes, murders and commits atrocities because it is a beast controlled by satan the devil. No dialogue can change…or straighten… that.
Bettina says
The Pope lives in the fervent illusion that islam and muslims are capable of reciprocity — ignoring all the anti-Amerian hatred and violence they constantly heave at the U.S. in return for our efforts to lift them up from the mud where they dwell.
Don McKellar says
How bizzaro world can you get than a picture like that with the Pope shaking hands together with a man dedicated to the death cult of the moon god, with a background devoted to flags of the moon god’s cult. Does the Pope even comprehend that this man’s core beliefs are to discredit Jesus as having been resurrected and conquer the Pope and his flock? Of course not.The Pope may as well be shaking hands with Richard Dawkins and giving a sheepish grin while he does so. NO, STRIKE THAT. At least Richard Dawkins would be HONEST with this most naive of popes and tell in point blank that his beliefs are full of stuffed blueberry muffins, unlike this Islamic Supremacist who lied to him all the way through their meeting practicing Islamic taqiyya and kitman, you can be sure of that. What a pathetic pope this guy is. A prize fool media darling.
gravenimage says
Don, the other difference—a much more salient one, in my estimation—is that Richard Dawkins is not murdering Christians, nor is he calling for their murder.
Don McKellar says
Of course. Yes, it is the more salient one. Though you’d never know it the way so many Christian fundamentalists go nutso bonkers when his name is mentioned and they start comparing him and other atheists with evil dead communist dictators — right out of left field and with no grounding whatsoever! Incuding many who pop up here on this comment section! But yes, of course he’s not doing that, nor would he ever do that, nor would any normal, sane atheist. Obviously.
David says
His Holiness spews socialist dogma. Same crap as Ferguson rioters/looters and Walmart jerks.
Jaladhi says
Muslim propaganda is working well on Pope!!! Some body should give Pope a copy of Quran as as a Christmas gift so that he can read for himself where do Muslims learn their duty of jihad.
On second thought, maybe Robert’s book ” Politically incorrect Guide to Islam ” will a better choice.
David, Thailand says
It seems the most critical element for being a Western leader is to lose your mind and be unable to see the stunningly obvious.
Wellington says
Agreed, David. Your comment reminded me of what one wag on talk radio recently stated and that is that anything is allowed at high-brow cocktail parties in Washington D.C. except the stating of the truth.
zebo says
The pope is not the naive idiots he pretends to be.
Sadly he is successfull in fooling people to think so.
1)the pope is very well aware that hunger and poverty are not the reason for totalitarian dictatorships.
He himself has experienced this in Argentina during the dictatorship.
It is about power,control and forcing others to acceppt the own ideology.
2)compared to most muslim coutries even the poorest muslim is superrich in europe,but jihadism is getting stroger and stronger and the more you give the impertinent muslim the more he wants
3)the pope himself was accused by priest Yorio to be responsible for his kidnapping and being tortured by the junta.Sadly Yorio died in 2000.
4) the pope is a hipocryt.
He is singing the same multicultuaral “let more people enter Europe” just like all western politicians.
Therefore he has to pretend that poverty and hunger are the reasons for jihadism.
That’s 100% bullshit.Poverty & hunger are 100% result of jihadism.
As jihadism is mandatory for every muslim and peaceful jihadism has 0% succes onla war jihadism can succeed.As world domination is the goal of islam jihadism will never end.
5)The pope is a Jesuit.
Many times when they appeared with their slimey ,silvertongue deceiption they entered very fast the highest positions either in goverment or grabbed influental positions.
Trouble was many times the result.And as result they very kicked out of many countries.
It was a jesuit & a dutch royal nazi general who created the bilderbergers.
Therefore i don’t trust the pope+ jesuits have one big boss and that’s the so called black pope.
As the pope is a jesuit he has to follow the black popes orders.
6)The Jesuits say :”Give me the child at the age of 6 and i will give you the man”
Therefore the pope knows for sure that jihadism is result of education and indoctrination(poverty and hunger and low education will just accelerate the process)
The pope is lying.
I even remember that some time ago the pope(i don’t know wether this one or benedict) have met
with the nigerian islamist political leader who caused all the chaos after he lost elections in nigeria 2008.
7)there are poor christians,bhuddists,hindhus and maybe people from 100 different religions-but noone of them is making some kind of jihad-only muslims
As the vatican has an incredibly huge knowledge and old writings aboit all religions and their history and extremly skillrf religious experts like noone else the vatican and the pope know better than anyone else on planet earth how dangerous islam is and that hunger and poverty are not the cause for jihad.
Thetefore:The Pope is 100% willingfully lying.
I am not a christian but i know he is violating the commandment: you shall not lie
(i guess the pope replaced it with:”Though shall be a politically correct slimy”
Jacksonl03 says
But, but . . . but: This is a very extensive set of accusations re the Pope and though I have no certainty one way or the other as to their accuracy I’m left wondering what the Pope’s ultimate motive would be if they are accurate.
Zebo says
you can try to cheqcke wether i am wright or wrong.
One guy who accused the pope of treason is dead,the other won”t comment anymore.
It is said that he has forgiven the pope.
These accusation are not new,this is going on since the 90ies .Long before the pope became pope(this is no Superstar-bashing at all)
About the other things-the vatican is far away from being so “middle age”.
the vatican has its own bank(with contacts to the mafia,using them in the 70ies to sell a vatican owned Anti Baby Pill producer.
+ the vatican is full aware that usury is forbiden ,and i think interesst too.
Maybe the pope has good intension.Maybe he is hoping that kissing muslims ass will lead to something good.
Maybe he is just trying to do what jesus may had done right now.
But i can”t follow him because that way Islam will destroy everything.
Look at Afghanistan-former world center of bhuddism with thousands of temples-
no more bhuddist left.Either killed or forced to convert and all their temples have been destroyed.
This is how islam works when there is no resistence,
but there is hope..Seems that not all leaders are kissing islams asshole.
I found this(but i have to verify it)
“In Russia live Russians. Any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in Russia, to work and eat in Russia, should speak Russian, and should respect the Russian laws. If they prefer Shari’ya Law, then we advise them to go to those places where that’s the state law. Russia does not need minorities. Minorities need Russia, and we will not grant them special privileges, or try to change our laws to fit their desires, no matter how loud they yell ‘discrimination’. We better learn from the suicides of America, England, Holland and France, if we are to survive as a nation. The Russian customs and traditions are not compatible with the lack of culture or the primitive ways of most minorities. When this honorable legislative body thinks of creating new laws, it should have in mind the national interest first, observing that the minorities are not Russians.” — Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, addressing the Duma February 4th, 2013
Seems Russia will be a country where normal people can live in 50 years and islam methastasis won”t spread.
Wellington says
Whether, zebo, the present Pope is foolishly naive or clandestinely complicit, either way he adds up to be being the wrong man at the wrong time in the wrong place.
Jacksonl03 says
Okay, okay to all the above. Still, my question is: What the hell is the Pope’s objective in all this assuming he’s not a total dumb shit who doesn’t understand what’s going on? Is he a stealthy Muslim trying to further the mission to Islamize the world while in the guise of being chief Catholic or what? What’s his objective, intellectual or otherwise?
Wellington says
Any Pope has to take into consideration that there are Catholics and other Christians in a Muslim nation like Turkey (churches and other structures too), so to this extent, for reasons of security, Popes have to try to maintain some kind of normal relations with at least some Islamic countries. This is perfectly understandable but the present Pope has said things about Islam which the previous Pope simply didn’t, to the previous Pope’s credit and to the discredit of the present one.
Salah says
As a Catholic myself, I have this to say: forget about the Pope and forget about our PC leaders. *WE* will win the battle against Islam on our own, we don’t need them, they are useless. Islam will be defeated because *WE* won’t stop telling the Truth no matter what.
Thanks to Robert, Pamela and all freedom fighters, the Truth about Islam and Muhammad is being read by millions of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world. Slowly but surely the general public opinion is changing; Muslims are starting to ask tough questions about their faith while non-Muslims are starting to reject their PC leaders’ policies.
*WE* are changing the equation one day at a time, one Muslim apostate at a time and one leftist idiot at a time.
Tom Syseskey says
Turkish reaction (hat-tip to PewSitter.com):
Erdogan wants to call the Pope to fight against Islamophobia
KNA Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur
11/24/14
Google translation of http://www.kath.net/news/48483
The Islamist press expressed openly their aversion to the pope. “Do not be welcome,” the headline in the newspaper “Milli Gazette” – short before 9.30 clock started the Pope from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Ankara.
Istanbul (kath.net/KNA) Expectations of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pope Francis were the focus of Turkish press reports about the upcoming visit of the head of the church on Friday. Erdogan will call the Pope, “together to stop the Islamophobia”, reported the bourgeois newspaper “Hurriyet” on the title page. Francis had left on Friday morning for a three day trip to Turkey.
Erdogan wants in his meeting with the Pope stressed that Islam would unfairly associated with violence, so “Hurriyet”. Faults of the Christian world would have to rise by Islamist terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda or “Islamic State” contributed. The sheet “Vatan” expressed its expectation will deal with the abuse of religion by the “Islamic state”.
The high security measures for the Pope’s visit has been illuminated by the press. On the front page of the pro-government “Aksam” was a “guard ring” of the security forces in Ankara and Istanbul’s speech. The Bouleveradzeitung “Posta” compared the safety measures with the strict regulations of a state of emergency. The pro-government “Takvim” spoke of a “Pope-alarm”.
The Islamist press expressed openly their aversion to the pope. “Do not be welcome,” the headline in the newspaper “Milli Gazette,” the voice of the Islamist Felicity Party (SP). The also Islamist “Yeni Akit» Pope quoted Ali Agca bombers with the words, Francis was a “tyrant” and the “ambassador of Satan.” Agca had the then Pope John Paul II. Injured at St. Peter’s in 1981 with several shots.
Jay Boo says
(LICIT) ?????
Concerning ISIS — Pope Francis said,
“It is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor,”
Why not say “It is justifiable”?
The word ‘licit’ is not only way too weak but it could easily be misheard as illicit.
Jas says
Well said Wellington
Have you noticed how markets work?
When the Sun Newspaper first came out its main rival was The Daily Mirror, who seemingly led themselves to believe that their (devoted) readers would be loyal to them, but in the event the market share was split 50/50, and again when the Daily Star came out it took some of the share from both, again.
Politicians faced with any threat to their credibility always try to divide by compromise.
True Christianity understands the meaning of the testimony of Simeon about Christ,
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the secret thoughts out of many hearts will be revealed.”
Secure in your Christian faith there is a reward far greater than can be gained by any other confession, but it doesn’t hurt to shout collectively about it either.
Jas
abad says
Hunger and poverty has nothing to do with terrorism.
Gary Fouse says
So much for the Pope. I had hoped that he was going to forcefully speak out about what Muslims are doing to Christians and other non-Muslim minorities from one end of the Islamic world to the other. And he comes out with this?
All he has done is link this issue with his redistribution to the poor agenda.
Disgraceful.
RaymondofCanada says
If I were to say that the pope is misguided, what would that say about his god?
gravenimage says
Not much one way or the other, despite your sly implication.
There have been foolish popes, and foolish prelates of all kinds. They are men, and potentially subject to exactly the same kinds of foolishness that the laity is prone to, especially on political matters.
Wellington says
Clever response, gravenimage, to that loaded, tendentious query.
jewdog says
It’s very common among clergy of other faiths to misunderstand Islam. Even Rabbi Boteach, an otherwise brilliant thinker and writer, has a ludicrously idealized view of Islam as a fundamentally tolerant faith. As Will Rogers once observed, we’re all ignorant, only in different subjects. I was very lucky to have had a Chabad Rabbi who grew up in Casablanca, Morocco, and who had Islam down pat, but he’s the exception.
We just need to keep plugging along and filling in the gaps.
gravenimage says
Pope calls for fighting hunger and poverty as key to stopping jihad
………………………….
My God, what stupidity. This moronic idea has been debunked many times.
Firstly, there are no poverty-stricken Christians, or Hindus, or Buddhists, or Atheists waging violent JIhad against us. Why is that?
And then, as poster zebo notes, Muslims in the West—even those living on the dole—are quite well off compared to many in the third world, yet there are incredibly high levels of Jihad terror among them.
It’s been shown over and over that Jihadists are seldom the poorest of Muslims. Osama bin Laden was a wealthy man, as was the panty bomber.
Moreover, the most horrifying Jihad group today—ISIS—is flush with stolen oil revenue, Zakat, Jizya, and all the loot taken from their hundreds of thousands of victims. They have the means, if not to completely eradicate poverty in the Islamic State, then certainly to wipe out hunger there.
Instead, they have been systemically starving Christians and Yazidis.
And that the Pope spouted this absurdity while speaking with Turkey’s Erdogan is especially perverse—since the Turkish leader *is himself* heavily supporting the Islamic State.
What fools these dhimmis be!
jewdog says
Hey, what about all those Haitian suicide bombers?
Kieran Pavlick says
Matt 12 :25 Jesus said, A house divided against itself cannot stand, nor an Empire.
Islam is divided and while it will take a long time, it will collapse and in order to save themselves, followers will abandon the religion and there will then be little pockets of hard core Muslims. But they will practice their rituals quietly because descendants of those they persecuted will be looking for an excuse to enact revenge.
jewdog says
And eventually those isolated pockets of hardcore Muslims will devolve into an even more primitive life forms. They will live deep in remote swamps and be featured on the Discovery Channel, where intrepid investigators will pick out their glowing eyes at night with flashlights before repulsing their attacks with stun guns.
Dave J says
A hunger for domination and a poverty of good ideas, maybe.
The fact that some of the terrorist leaders have technical or medical educations is profoundly depressing – it means that their 7th century savagery and idolatry exerts a stronger force and inspires more loyalty than logic or humanitarianism.
What a waste. Oh religion, I hate you.
SallyA says
Islamic apologists = idiots, traitors and/or enemies. How many times do we rehash the same tired refrain of idiots, traitors and/or enemies? (Rhetorical Q; won’t be returning to this thread to check these comments.) Just wanted to say how predictable it all is, and boring. I’ll take my own self-care measures. The pope never cared for women like me in any event, any more than an imam would. In turn I care nothing for him or them of any monotheistic leadership, Islam of course being the worst example of the far and heinous extreme of oppression and violence.
Edward says
Pope calls for fighting hunger and poverty as key to stopping jihadists
Some times I think Pope Francis practices reverse psychology. A practice that even Jesus had used during His short three year ministry. Some writers in the past has labeled…. Jesus the “Reverse Psychologist”? Pope Francis (aka) Jorge Mario Bergoglio studies included Philosophical, Theological and Psychology of which he taught for several years as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis#Jesuit
“Reverse Psychology” describes the attempt to motivate individuals to action by telling them to do the opposite of what is actually desired. The method is based on the assumption of the perversity of human nature. Since we tend to do disobey whatever commands we receive, why not command what is wrong, and then our natural “disobedience” will result in good?
http://www.thesacredpage.com/2012/09/jesus-reverse-psychologist-twenty-third.html
AM says
This pope doesn’t know his Bible. Jesus said there will always be poor people.
duh_swami says
Another story has it that Jesus was referring to a group of ascetics from Damascus who were called ‘the poor’ because they had given up all possessions. Apparently some people wanted to reject ‘the poor’, and Jesus was sticking up for them. Is that true? I don’t know, I wasn’t there.
patches says
I can’t believe what tripe the Pope believes..surely he’s not that completely senile just yet ?? Please God there is someone behind the scenes who has an idea what Turkey has planned for Rome and the rest of Europe. Poverty and hunger my arse !!
meafrica says
he knows. He is the AntiChrist
Bill says
The Scriptures clearly teach that the antichrist is going to be a Middle East Muslim. And, the “body” of antichrist is Islam.
1. 1 John Chapter 2: The antichrist is identified as “he who denies the Son.” Islam at the creedal, foundational level is defined by its denial of the Son. The Koran and all Islamic texts are replete with denials of the Son and of the Trinity. The al Aqsa Mosque, for example, is filled with plaques that deny the Son, the Cross and the Trinity. Islam is a Unitarian heresy like the Arian heresy.
2. Psalm 2 demonstrates the nations are aligned against the Son who is enthroned on Mount Zion.
3. Daniel 9:26 says that “the people (Hebrew “am” meaning ethnic group or kindred, not empire or nation) of the prince who is to come will destroy the Temple.” Josephus identified those who destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD as the Tenth Legion “Frentensus.” The Tenth Legion was comprised of Turks, Arabs and Syrians. These are the “people” of the antichrist.
4. The antichrist is referred to as “The Assyrian” (Micah 5), “The King of Babylon” (Isaiah 14), “The King of Tyre” (Ezekiel 28) and “the “terrible ruler” of Egypt (Isaiah 19).
5. Gideon is a type of the Messiah (see Isaiah 9, Isaiah 10, Psalm 83). When Gideon killed the princes of Midian (i.e. Arabia) Gideon took their CRESCENT ornaments off their camels.
6. In Revelation 20 the Saints are killed during the Tribulation by BEHEADING.
7. In Daniel 11 the antimessiah “has no regard for the desire of women.” This does not mean he is gay. It means he has “no regard for what women want” (i.e. respect and equality). Islam degrades women.
8. The OT is filled with texts of YHWH, The Messiah and/or the Jews fighting the enemies of God and Israel at the end of the age. All of the fighting is against the following: Edom, Mt. Seir, Gaza, Philistia, Lebanon, Babylon, Elam, Midian, Teman, Dedan, Ethopia, Libya, Egypt, Assyria, Moab, Damascus, “Yavan” (not “Greece” but the western shores of Turkey), Mesech, Tubal…not one mention of fighting against European nations. (See Micah 5, Numbers 23, Pslam 83, Isaiah 63, Ezekiel 35-39, Zechariah 9, Isaiah 19, Isaiah 17, Obadiah, Isaiah 9-11 to name a few).
9. In Revelation, as Jesus is addressing Pergamum, He states they live where “Satan’s throne” is. Pergamum is in Turkey.
10. In Matthew 24:15 Jesus warns those “in Judea” to “flee to the mountains” when they see “the abomination of desolation spoken of by the Prophet Daniel.” Judea is “The West Bank.” Currently there are 500,000 Jewish “settlers” living there. They will be slaughtered by Palestinians once the horrible event happens. As Matthew writes: “Let the reader understand.” Someone needs to warn them. Do you believe they are going to be slaughtered by Europeans in The West Bank?
11. The types of the antichrist include only Middle East characters (e.g. Goliath, “The Assyrian,” Antiochus Epiphanies, Pharaoh, Nimrod, etc).
12. At the foundational, textual level, Islam hates and is antagonistic against Christians and Jews.
13. Isn’t it clear by now that the dispute over Jerusalem (Zechariah 14, et al) and THE LAND is at the heart of Islam?
somehistory says
Thank you for saying so much in a few sentences easy for anyone to understand, even those who may not read the Bible or be acquainted with the history contained therein.
Neil Jennison says
He doesn’t seem to believe in much to me…..certainly not Catholicism.
reichartk says
This view of his has been echoed in the past by self-loathing anti-West liberals. And indeed, those of the Marxist persuasion. Again this view is based on the promotion of materialist cause and solution to jihadism- eerily, all this sounds Marxist.
Rob says
Erdogan says the West wants Islam’s wealth.
Please point out the busloads of Germans traveling to Turkey to take part in that country’s economic bounty.
How Turkey can remain in NATO – let alone pursue EC membership is beyond me.
Erdogan’s Turkey is hurtling towards Islamic fundamentalism.
Green Infidel says
A while back I was travelling by train in Poland. As it was a long journey and our group of 6 all found ourselves there due to an unforeseen situation (plane diversion), we had a long conversation. One of the passengers was an Ivy League graduate who had some really interesting things to say about the banking system, and how Western civilisation in its current state is in not good shape. But then he said he thought terrorism was caused by poverty – to which I replied by asking why so many of the terrorists were not poor, but engineering students at foreign universities (hence paying higher fees) such as the 9/11 hijackers. He contemplated for a moment, then acknowledged that many terrorists and their supporters might not be poor…
Yet somehow, it seems to be a belief ingrained in many people, that poverty causes terrorism and also hatred of the West and Capitalism. Especially in the part of the world that the Pope comes from.
cs says
I also had the same thoughts, there is a connection though, terrorists tend to come from religious backgrounds, and the most poor tend to be more religious. So statistically there is this connection I think, and he/she may be more detached from things as he/she is poor already, has little to lose.
But it does not explain the phenomena by any means.
somehistory says
If one reads books on Criminology, he will find that many criminologists believe the theory that poverty is the root cause of crime. There are many theories of what causes criminal behavior, but it seems a large portion of these criminologists put most of their stock in the poverty theory.
I believe a lot of crime comes from the psychopathic personality of the criminal. And in fact, a large, very large, percentage of criminals in prison are diagnosed as psychopathic.
From the definition of psychopathic personality, and the personality exhibited by a whole host of muslims, the ones we get to hear about, read about, see on the news, etc., my theory is..(and regarding ordinary crime is espoused by some criminologists)…the psychopathic personality is at the root cause of terrorism as well as most crimes committed by repeat offenders.
somehistory says
And islam teaches and rewards psychopaths for their behavior and gives them the feeling that they are superior to all others….that is also already a trait of the psychopath, to view himself as superior to fellow humans, to whom he lies, manipulates, uses and abuses, etc…all things that islam teaches men to think is their rightful due and for which they will be rewarded with all their hearts evil, lustful, desires.
Serial killers are psychopaths. So are those members of groups like is who lust for the time they can behead others, young or old.
Darren says
I also wonder if the environment that muslims grow up in contributes to that psychopathic behavior. As poverty being the root cause of crime, well I guess that would depend on the nature of the crime. Each crime and each reason could be very different. I’ve read that environment can also play a factor in how minds develop, and muslim society tends to breed those who exhibit psychopathic behavior, it’s a breeding ground for it, similar to how a pool of water is a breeding ground for insects. Also as you said islam rewards psychopathic behavior in both this world and the after life, which helps create even more.
Darren says
As to the root cause of “terrorism” as everyone on this site knows, it’s islam. Poverty is not the reason for jihad, the ideology wrapped up in a religion that tell it’s followers to conquer non infidels is.
FarmerMike says
Re: 9/11. There is overwhelming evidence that 9/11 was an inside job. Maybe part of the Permanent War Economy, & Disaster Capitalism Path. Google on 911Truth.
Wellington says
No there isn’t. Get a life and quit living in an unrealistic and paranoid alternative universe. If you think 9/11 was an inside job, that nineteen Arab Muslim monsters weren’t the perpetrators of terrible evil on that day, then you’re a loon and of no use to those who responsibly try to fight what Islam intends for all the world.
Mirren10 says
”No there isn’t. Get a life and quit living in an unrealistic and paranoid alternative universe.”
🙂
It wouldn’t matter *how* much evidence was shoved under the nose of such as ‘farmermike’; he and his ilk love conspiracy theories because they think it makes them privy to ‘secrets’ that the rest of us dumbos just ignore. He probably thinks Lee Rigby’s murder was a put up job, the moon landings were faked, and Kennedy was shot by the CIA/Mafia/Reptiles from the Planet Saurian.
These people never cease to amaze me. I don’t know if you’ve ever read any of ‘smart guy’s posts ? He periodically writes delirious drivel about freemasons and illuminati, and asserts that the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens has goat’s hooves and hairy legs. Even when I posted a photograph of the statue, he refused to acknowledge he was wrong.
Farmermike and ‘smart guy’ should get together …
Darren says
Who is smart guy?
Wellington says
Particularly, Mirren, your words, “…privy to ‘secrets’ that the rest of us dumbos just ignore.” point, I would contend, to the key in understanding conspiracy folks, this being their conviction that they are in possession of a special gnostic knowledge that only those capable of being cognoscenti can grasp. It’s a classic us v. them theme with the ‘us” being a select few and the “them” being the vast rabble like you and me. And, of course, when you challenge these folks on their looney theories, generally they start citing sources no sensible person should pay any attention to or even know about in the first place.
In short, gnosticism of whatever brand makes gnostics feel special. It’s all an ego thing, engaged in by those who have not kept the built-in crap detector they were born with in fine tune and devoid of rust. Yawn.
Well, it’s the Great Man’s birthday today. He was born 140 years ago to the day. In a way, I’m glad he’s not here because it would greatly sadden him to see what has happened to his own nation and to the West in general, though we certainly need another person like him, although I see none of his caliber either in the UK or America. Geert Wilders in the The Netherlands is the closest thing we have right now to the Great Man and he is more villified than even Churchill was during his “wilderness period” in the 1930s.
Take care, my friend, Now, back to the fight (preferably without any gnostics hanging around).
Jay Boo says
Now that FarmerMike told us who he suspects cause 911, why doesn’t he enlighten us and say who he does not suspect?
Let me guess.
— Anyone but Islam —
Bettina says
Hey FM, why don’t you go whole-hog here? Prove you’re not a paranoid schizoid by putting here a few links to REPUTABLE publications, not your run-of-the-mill neo-Nazi, white supremacy, and other assorted rags fit only as wrapping for stinky fish.
Ben says
“He said fighting hunger and poverty, rather than military intervention ALONE, were also key to stopping Islamist militants carrying out “grave persecutions” in SYRIA and IRAQ”
I don’t see what is not true in this sentence considering the situation in both countries and considering the fact that many djihadists are brainwashed using pictures of people being poor and hungry in these countries. If in these countries people are OK they will be less kind to accept terrorists.
Then he agrees that it is “licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor”. So military intervention necessary”. He already said it before.
Finally the last sentence is priceless if you consider he is talking to Erdogan:
“It is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties”. This is maybe the most important thing to defend against the islamization of Turquey.
The only thing I am a bit curious is the “inter-faith dialogue”. I don’t really see how it can help. Except if you help muslims get rid of their religion…
Bill says
The Pope is wrong because the cause of the jihad is Islam not poverty. If it was poverty then we would have jihadists everywhere especially in Latin America. What is it about Islam, Muhammad, The Koran, The Hadith, and the history of Islam that he doesn’t understand? He is complicit with the jihadists in his ignorance and obfuscation.
Ben says
I am sorry but in the article, the Pope is NOT saying that the cause of jihad is poverty and not islam. He just says it is part of the problem and it’s true. An islamic state can only rule where there is ignorance and poverty. Look at Afghanistan, Somalia now Iraq, Syria, Lybia, Mali, etc.
I think the Pope is not naïve but he knows that it is not efficient to attack directly islam. Do you know Pope Pius XII and his fight against the Nazi? People usually think he did nothing but if you look in details he was always well-aware of the danger of Nazism and he fought against it.
I think the Pope is doing the same thing now with Islam but it is more complicate because not all muslims are bad. I think diplomacy is needed.
Malcolm (African Catholic) says
Ben, you make sensible comments however what you are dealing with here are people who are anti-Catholic although a few might be baptized Catholic and that happened to be the last time they set foot at Mass.
If it were not for the Catholic Crusades, Europe would be Muslim.
Then later. The siege of Vienna, again Catholics came to the rescue.
Then at the Battle of Lepanto, Catholics set the Ottoman Empire on a downward trend.
What has the West done A) supplied weapons to the Taliban, in return the Taliban gave them 9/11. Did the West win anything in Afghanistan, no they have left their arms, ammunition, they have even bought them Russian MI 17 Helicopters. Now that is dumb, guess what is going to happen, the extremist will acquire them and use it against the West.
Muslim nations such as Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syrian, Pakistan, no who to get freebies out of the West and use those freebies to gain power. Again the West has won nothing in those countries.
Now you would think that the West would wise up and learn a thing or two from Catholics, who know how to deal with evil.
You Can Trust the Catholic Church Teaching. I am not saying you can trust the individual, (Practicing Catholics will know the meaning of this, others will not, because they a a dumb brood of vipers)
Judi says
Well, if they get hungry, they can always eat each other. I believe cannibalism is permitted in the Koran is it not?
Jack Gordon says
Perhaps Francis wants to remind Catholics that the Holy Spirit does NOT prevent him from harboring blatantly stupid opinions. He’s been doing that a lot lately. Just the other day he was in Strasbourg speaking to the European Parliament. He rightly noted that Europe seems exhausted and lost since it had thrown its Christian inheritance overboard. But then he turned around and recommended Europe accept even more Mohammedan immigrants, precisely the source of its current exhaustion and confusion.
As a Catholic I am not worried he will ever traduce the Faith; the Holy Spirit DOES shield him from that. But when it comes to mundane matters, Francis’ notions are clearly not of the same quality as Benedict’s. Perhaps he knows something about Argentina; about Europe, not so much.
John A. Patriot says
Our current Pope is a complete and utter lackey for the liberal leftist agenda, his point of view on MANY topics tends to follow in the vein of much of socialist south America. [obviously tainted by his upbringing] His utter disregard for the plight of Christians world wide, while giving lip service to the Islamic moslem political diatribe absolutely disgusts me as a Catholic. We need today a Pope in the vein of Pope John Paul II [RIP] who virtually single handedly challenged the status quo and stood against all that communism was in Poland and the world.. Not some liberal who is willing to give ground to the infection that is islam and avert his eyes to the rape, torture, beheading & deaths of countless Christians of what ever denomination they may be affiliated with… They ARE CHRISTIANS who Love Our Lord Jesus Christ, and stand alone against the menace that confronts them in every moment of their lives. How can the Pope bow to these beasts who are calling for the utter destruction of Christianity…? How I ask…!
Jack Gordon says
John: I think you overstate the case just a bit. I agree with you that many of Francis’ notions about politics are of the predictable liberal variety, all the rot about global warming and long-suffering “refugees” flooding into southern Europe, for example. But he has denounced repeatedly the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. While he is reluctant to finger the exact source of this persecution — viz. Mohammedanism — he hasn’t ignored the phenomenon. Beyond that, if you bother to read his daily homilies, he hardly sounds like some Hollywood or NYC limousine liberal; people from those crowds wouldn’t comprehend a word he regularly says about abortion, euthanasia, or sodomy. Of course, the lap-dog liberal press chooses to emphasize his ambiguous phrases — too many of them, I agree — and ignores the rest. Nothing I say here denies, though, that he frequently utters completely unwarranted and stupid opinions about matters like Islam, immigrants, etc.
John A. Patriot says
Admittedly I do not read his daily homilies… although I have seen enough of his timid responses to the plight of Christians and the complicity of the Church; frankly I feel he spends far too much time holding out an olive branch, when he should be showing a bit of Gauntlet & Sword… We have progressed well beyond the point where discourse how ever gentile the overture only succeeds in granting moslem oppression yet another victory, in a time when we can hardly countenance further mayhem & murder. The Church as a whole seems to have forgotten along with ‘turn the other cheek…’ Our Lord also said there is a time to pick up the sword… My friend, if ever it was that time is neigh; how much blood must be shed before as a whole Christians stand and say ENOUGH…?!
Bill says
The Pope and other Christian leaders are clueless and in their ignorance are part of the problem of Islam. If Christians, let alone an atheist Christ hater like Bill Maher, had the accurate assessment of Islam like Maher, we would be closer rather than farther towards solving the problem of Islamic jihad.
Gail Griffin says
Let’s make this 80 comments. So there is the Pope standing in adoration in the Blue Mosque while IS fighters sneak behind his back on their way to a suicide attack at the Turkish/Syrian border crossing. What a great cartoon that would make
Gail Griffin says
Oh I forgot, Pope could have put out a Big Mac for them. That would have proved his point
Hummer says
Pope Benedict XVI told it like it was and is. Truth will set us all free and there is One who is the truth. It seems odd that an average person such as myself understands this is an evil ideology with 1400 years of non-productive activity. Billy Clinton peddled the same thoughtless bilge. Violence retaliation is what they respect and nothing else. What cutting edge technology have they ever produced? Swords and IED’s is as far as they have ever done anything and what they’ve got was taken from others.
Malcolm says
The problem with the Western Nations is that in reality you are a bunch of hypocrites especially the know it alls who have made ludicrous comments here.
Firstly you are individuals, you have no sense of community or family. Why is that, well you seek your own pleasure above all else. If baby might be a future problem to prospects kill it, call it abortion of a fetus and a baby becomes a non entity which is easy to except. Then you preach human rights to the rest of the world
Secondly, you want multiple sex partners, get sterilized, you want better living conditions then have one child.
You have become lazy, self centered individuals who have no courage or honor. Your population is decreasing and the middle east are taking over the lowly payed work that you are to proud to do, so when your suburbs are essentially middle east and sharia becomes the norm blame and your children s backsides are facing West and Heads east, blame yourselves you dumb asses.
By the way I am a African Catholic.
voegelinian says
Generalize much?
Bettina says
My oh my, don’t you sound a mite jealous of our Western freedoms, you poor thing.
If you consult your Bible, you’ll find this great quote on what ails you:
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.”
On the other hand, if you are not only envious but also selfish, read this one:
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Malcolm says
Thank you Bettina, quite frankly the freedoms you have, are the freedoms we have, fortunately the indulgence of self seeking pleasure is not one of those freedoms we chose, as it is a form of slavery, which we know about.
However, what is baffling is that in your form of human rights as you are well aware you need to consider that demographically, your European population is decreasing, as a result of your self indulgent life style.
As a result of this, people from the East or moving into your countries, doing the work that you are to lazy to do. They wear their symbols and dress code. Why they do this is for the reason to let you know that they do no like you or your way of life.
Eastern people enjoy the rights that you give them and they enforce their own rights on you, such as halal food in the cafeteria. The money they earn, some actively support organizations that behead your people.
Now this might be a bit difficult for you to understand, I am jealous about their rights in your country not because I want to live there, I prefer my country. What I would like to do is go to the East and wear my Catholic symbols, eat a pork roll and enforce my will on their culture, earn money and support the crusaders of my choice.
Well not really, I believe human rights are universal, from the womb to the to tomb and you do not extend them to those, whose countries or religion do not recognize those rights, to others. In fact you do not even trade with them. Yet you do.
It pains us to know your people are been beheaded in their countries or killed in your own country by those whom your politicians have given these wonderful rights, that you boast about.
It also pains me that Christians have their Churches blown up or that men women and children are slaughterd while in prayer, at mass.
Now that would not bother you as you have a selective morality, and this thread has been indicative of a bigoted band, that has no idea of what fairness, justice is about. That will be your downfall.
.
SpiritOf1683 says
Was hunger and poverty the reason why Jihadis invades Spain in 711 and virtually conquered it by 718, or why they reached as fdar as Tours in 732 AD – a battle which would have made Europe Islamic had the Jihadis won instead of Martel? Was hunger and poverty the reason why they besieged Vienna in 1529 and 1683, or almost conquered Malta in 1565 before being driven off that island? Or the kidnappings of white Europeans from their villages by Barbary Pirates from around 1550 to 1810 or thereabouts? I don’t recall Osama bin Laden being malnourished or living in rags at the time of 9/11, and that came over 200 years after Jihadis started kidnapping Americans. There are lots of poor people around who arent murdering Westerners in cold blood. We aren’t facing terrorists from Zimbabwe, Haiti or Bolivia, and the average citizens in those countries are certainly not millionaires – or Muslims. What irks Jihadis is their failure to conquer the West, but with fools like the present Pope and those who pass off as politicians, our PC-riddled media, academics and foolish populations, the Jihadis just might get their way.
Bill says
You make great points by citing a very generalized and factual understanding of history. This is beyond most westerners especially the Pope and many other Christian leaders.
Ferdinand (@StFerdinandIII) says
I am Catholic and cannot stand Pope Frank. On Islam and a host oo other issues he is a clueless worm.
robert wagner says
Why is it that the world’s (non Muslim) religious and political leaders don’t understand that Jihad has absolutely nothing to do with politics. It is only about making Islam to only religion in the world.
Kepha says
Full speed ahead into the year 1968!
Uncle Vladdi says
i.e: “If we don’t feed the jihadists, they’ll come here to take our food anyway! So feed a jihadi today!”
WHAT A SNIVELING SUBMISSIVE TARD.
PatnCats says
Well, I’m just an old white woman living in the USA and I read the koran last year. I knew from that moment when I shut the back cover, who the terrorists were and what their motivation was. Poverty? No jobs? Nah, Murderous followers of this 7th century barbarian. Someone needs to have the brass to hand the Pope the koran and have him sit down one week and read it. It speaks for itself. Murder, rape, pillaging, killing of apostates, non-believers, Christians, Jews, and then the beating of the saracens own women.
Koran sponsored.
Mohammed was a psychopathic madman who hated everyone who did NOT OBEY HIM and in his fake-allah voice telling everyone to OBEY MOHAMMED.
I was appalled at the abject barbarity of the koran. I got nothing of “peace” from that abomination.
I’ll keep my rifle loaded. The only mohammadan I’ve seen was the friendly fellow who sold me an oriental carpet and he has pictures of people in artwork in his store. He told me he escaped from Iran after the fall of the Sha of Iran and Kommeni took over. He said he would have been killed for possessing the artwork which has women as subjects – unveiled women at that. Then he owns a dog. So these are the people we need.
Not screaming mohammadans yelling allah akbar.
Definitely we don’t need CAIR either.
Since I read the koran last year, I’ve educated myself extensively on the barbaric pitfalls of islam, then watched in horror the Boston Marathon bombings, then learned about CAIR and their efforts to squelch freedom of speech by using our court systems against us. It was good to see the Saudi’s at LEAST label these CAIR bastards as a terror group. FINALLY. Now to think of all of the dminnis who melted under the threats from CAIR and cancelled the speeches from heros like Robert Spencer, Dr. Bill Warner and Dr. David Wood.
John A. Patriot says
You also need to realize that the ONLY reason that the house of saud aka: Saudis label the likes of CAIR anything is that they view them as LESS THAN DOGS, and as the saying goes “Not muslim enough…” that is the reason they are willing to label them… They are not of the same “SECT” and therefore not ‘faithful moslems…’
If you follow the killings throughout the middle east you will note that this or that group of moslems kill other moslems in bombings, beheadings, or other acts of barbarity which the west truly finds offensive… The reason they do this is they are of what tantamount to a different faith with in islam… and as such are ‘Not Moslem Enough…” thus need to be killed, expunged with the same or more violence than they attach to actual non-moslems… Wrap your newly minted understanding of islam around that one….!
voegelinian says
“I’ll keep my rifle loaded. The only mohammadan I’ve seen was the friendly fellow who sold me an oriental carpet and he has pictures of people in artwork in his store. He told me he escaped from Iran after the fall of the Sha of Iran and Kommeni took over. He said he would have been killed for possessing the artwork which has women as subjects – unveiled women at that. Then he owns a dog. So these are the people we need.”
Spoken like a true Jihad Watch Softy. All I can say is, “Good grief!” (plenty more words come to mind too, but it’s a nice Sunday…)
Blitz2b says
I am catholic and I disagree with you. This Pope is more a socialist than a catholic.
Do you wonder why he says that he wants to dialogue with ISIS? It’s because they have threatened to conquer Rome. He like many of the western leaders have sold their souls tho the god of this world…. Almost every western politician wants to either dialogue with, or accommodate Islam.
Politicians like Nigel Farage , Gerry Wilders et al are termed ‘fringe’ , ‘bigots’ and ‘islamophobes’ . These individuals are the only hope for Europe, to open the eyes of the blind or sleepy cowards of former Christendom.
Pope Francis cans join the ranks of Barack Obama. David Cameron. John Kerry, prince Charles and archbishop Rowan et al .
They are as useful to the preservation of the Judio- Christian civilization in the world as the testicles on a Pope… (Pun intended).
I am truly disgusted at the willful surrender of our far superior way of life to the barbarism of 7th. century Arabia.
How long before this cowering Pope declares Mohammed as a true prophet of God? I won’t put anything past him.
I want Benedict back.
Jack Gordon says
What you say here is snide, exaggerated, and decidedly un-Catholic. Can’t you disagree with the pope’s approach without being disagreeable? I think, for example, that Pius X’s efforts to stamp out modernism were counterproductive, and that Pius XI’s policies toward Mussolini and Italian fascism were miscalculated, but I would never wander into the intellectual wasteland of accusing them of conscious duplicity as you do here with Francis. You may idolize Benedict as you say, but rest assured he would never approve of your outlandish and outrageous language and accusations.
laisa says
exactly what we say : GIVE US BACK BENEDICT !!!
Blitz2b says
Maybe you are right, my opinions are “decidedly uncatholic”, and i apologize for my brash remarks if it hurt your sensibilities, that is because maybe I refuse to acknowledge the infallibility of the Pope, (as probably you don’t)
I believe that the slaughter and gradual eradication of Christians in the middle East that this Pope has largely been hush hush about, needs to be addressed, before he ventures to have evening tea with ISIS.
Why not introduce an education program to inform Catholics about Islam and effective means to not only combat the drifting off many Catholics from Christ’s fold towards Islam, but ways to bring the message of salvation to Muslims. If leaders of the church confuse the finished work of Christ on the cross with condescending messages of relativity of truth and coexistence, what do you think would be the future of such a church. We would be right behind the Anglicans who are now allowing Islamic worship in their cathedrals and churches.
BTW, I do not idolize Benedict, not do I care about what he would think about my remarks, but i believe at least he had the gonads to tell the truth about Islam, even though not his own words, which is pretty rare these days, as our church leaders can’t wait for an opportunity to dialogue with Muslims, which for them is the first step towards surrender.
Jack Gordon says
You appear not to understand Vatican I’s teaching concerning papal infallibility. Opinions the pope has about matters other than faith and morals — the latter do not include the proper attitude toward the fantasy religion of Mohammed — do not enter into this teaching at all. If, on the other hand, you dissent from the infallibility of the pope when teaching on matters of faith and morals, then you leave the realm of being simply “uncatholic” and enter that of being a heretic. Your answer isn’t at all clear about just what you believe and disbelieve.
voegelinian says
Yes, of course the Pope should be lambasted for his Syllabus of Errors regarding Islam (and, don’t forget, Counter-Jihad Softies Muslims too!); but Jihad Watchers I notice tend do couch their mockery, outrage and condemnation in terms that heavily imply that Pope Francis (and two doors down, for example, Prince Charles; or, a week ago, Karen Armstrong; etc.) were singular and not rather indicative of a massive worldview & paradigm that is as dominant and mainstream throughout the West as a brilliantly shining sun in a cold, bracing, clear blue sky on a Winter’s spectacular — and, alas, spectacularly dismaying — day.
Blitz2b says
Jack, Thank you for the catechism 101. This is not something the church teaches everyone…. And if they did in my schooling years then I would probably have been guilty of not paying attention… my bad.
I believe in Christ’s finished work of salvation on the cross..
I fail to see why we need anything or anyone else other than Christ…
Good works come from this salvation and not the other way around. The bible states that our own righteousness are like ” filthy rags”. So I’m pretty sure you will not lose your salvation if you didn’t use a condom, or gain it if you are a tithing, church going Christian.
If this is heresy then sure…. where’s the dotted line I should sign on?
As for Islam, many denominations of the church are drifting closer and closer into accommodating Muslims and accepting their beliefs rather than challenging it and proclaiming Christ. This frustrates and infuriates many “conscious” Christians, while others are leaving the fold and embracing Islam because of the Vatican ‘s unclear stance on this ” fantasy religion” of Mohammed.
I expect a church leader to truly understands and be assertive about the dangerous ideology of Islam. Then to implement and encourages education that will stimulate dialogue and then counter measures to prevent the uninformed faithful within the church from being drawn to Islam, and finally ways to demonstrate the superiority of Christ’s message to Muslims.
By holdings interfaith dialogues the church is equating Christ with Mohammed. By doing this we are not only facilitating the scrupulous industry of Islamic dawwah, but negating the mission responsibility to preach Christ to ask the world.
It seems like this socialist Pope is unknowingly (?) facilitating the Islamic agenda.
Ciao
Jack Gordon says
Blitz: Why didn’t you just tell me you were Protestant up front? It would have saved me the time writing my previous response.
sonoio says
http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/12/apostate-pope-francis-faces-mecca-prays-mosque-calls-europe-open-borders-muslims-says-wrong-equate-islam-violence/