The pope's speech at the University of Regensburg

[Matthew Panchisin]

Dear Owen,

I don't know if you have read this yet?

http://www.diplomatictraffic.com/debate.asp?ID=581

In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin

[M.C. Steenberg]

Thank you for posting the link to the pope's article, Matthew. It's been so much in the news here in the UK over the past days; but I'd not yet seen the text. It was good to read it 'in its own words'.

INXC, Matthew

[John Charmley]

Many thanks for this reference, the UK press, whilst full of the furore it has caused, have been rather short on the text.

It does seem plain that for reasons we might guess at there are those who have been at great pains to take this out of its context. In fact, for readers of this forum, it has a great deal of relevance, and suggests that Pope Benedict may yet have some surprises for those who simply saw him as the Panzerkardinal.

It is, sadly, not surprising that some Muslims have chosen to misrepresent what was said -nor that the western press cannot address the real subject of his lecture, which has a great deal of relevance to modern life.

I have seen it written that the Pope seems surprisingly ignorant of the likely impact of his words - the only real surprise is that he should have thought our western media capable of understanding him and of wanting to have a debate about something that really matters.

Still, good on him, and shame on those who seek to use his words to stir up hatred. I am sure that most Muslims see the irony in trying to refute a negative image of their religion by actions which only strengthen such an image.

In Christ,

John

[Kosmas Damianides]

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 19:30).

The problem of our Modern Age is that Few People care about what Christ said...

Many have rejected the Truth and bow down to Satan. Many are those who live in darkness. Many are those who serve God for their own glory. Many are those who follow the path to destruction. Many are those enslaved to sin. Many are those who live as kings and believe that they are something, that they have accopmlished much, that they are right and everyone else is wrong. Their soul purpose is to appear righteous to appear wise and honoured among men. Many are they who constantly and quickly judge others mistakes and have no compassion for them.

Few are those who seek and follow the Truth day and night. Few are those who seek the will of God at their waking and at their sleep. Few are those who pray without ceasing and ask for God's great mercy. Few are those who follow the narrow path that leads to salvation. Few are those who will pray filled with love, filled with hope for all people, who feel their neighbours pain, who work ceaslessly for the good of their fellow man. Few are those who truly believe. Few are those who shall never bow down before Satan. Few are those who are fools for Christ. Few are the humble before God. Few are the peacemakers. Few are the sons of God. Few are they who do not wish to offend anyone yet they themselves are offended and mistreated daily for the sake of Christ. Few are those who do not pass judgement on others yet accuse themselves daily.

The question everyone has to ask is ultimately to themselves, not for others - "Am I one of the few or am I one of the many?"


"You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)