No need for a Papal apology
Pope Benedict XVI made some remarks about the Muslim faith by quoting a 14th-century Byzantine emperor during a seminar last week according to a CNN Online report.
The quote labeled the Prophet Mohammed’s teachings as “evil and inhuman.”
Muslims rioted across the world. Their leaders demanded a direct apology.
I believe the pope does not need to apologize at all. I also feel Muslims should also stop overreacting and rioting.
While the pope should have been more careful, the reasons why the pope does not need to apologize severely outnumber those in favor of imposing an apology.
For starters, the pope made a clear statement a few days ago stating that the views of the emperor are not his own according to the same CNN report.
He also said that he respected the Muslim faith and he is deeply sorry that people were offended by his comments.
The pope himself is not endorsing that Mohammed is evil and inhuman. He merely stated an opinion held by another individual.
That’s another key reason — it was not the pope’s own opinion. He respects the Muslim faith. Why can’t Muslims understand this?
Furthermore, he was giving a lecture. Not a sermon. Not a political speech. He was giving a lecture to others!
He should not need to apologize for stating the racist opinion of others while making a larger point in a lecture.
Asking the pope to apologize for that would be like asking a history teacher to apologize to Jews for discussing Hitler’s views and quotes.
Despite this, the pope took the trouble to make these points very clear.
I personally feel that this is a great compromise. While he did not apologize and bow before the Muslim religion, he still showed respect.
He still took the trouble to clarify things and express regret at the reaction.
Apparently that statement was not enough for Muslims who still demand an apology for making remarks some emperor, one that I never knew existed, made 700 years ago.
Key Muslim leaders still demand a direct apology.
So here is a final reason: the pope ultimately represents and answers to the Catholic faith and, to a certain, complicated degree, the Christian faith as a whole.
The pope does not represent the Muslim faith. He does not have to bow before the Muslim faith.
He just only needs to respect it to keep the peace and honor associated with his job.
He still kept that peace and honor on his side. He was only giving a lecture illustrating a larger point about the nature of faith in the world today.
Instead of trying to keep that peace and faith by inviting dialogue about the issue, leaders are demanding an apology from a man that is far removed from their religion.
To complicate this, a few individuals that may or may not represent the Muslim faith are destroying churches.
The Muslim leaders are calling for a high level of respect through apologizing for stating another’s opinions…while not making a clear statement condemning the destruction of Catholic churches.
Making political blunders by saying the wrong person’s opinion is one thing. Passively allowing for destruction is a completely different one.
As an ex-Catholic, I have had sharp disagreements with the religion. Likewise, I sharply disagree with the Muslim faith as a whole.
However, I do respect both religions. I feel that both ought to have the right to make statements supporting their religion and even questioning the practices of others.
More importantly, I feel that religions do not have the right to destroy another religion’s holy structures.
The pope ultimately fell within those bounds and does not need to apologize.
At the same time though, I am not condemning the Muslim’s right to protest. Even though I feel they completely misinterpreted the pope and are asking for an unfair request, it’s their choice.
I just wish that the religions would put hypocrisy aside and actually talk about things before reverting to anger and destruction.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum