Islam and Western Democracies(Full text of Cardinal Pell's Speech on Islam)

Archdiocese of Sydney ^ | 5-7-06 | Cardinal George Pell

[EternalHope]

Wow!

This took courage. Thank you, Cardinal Pell.

The time is fast approaching when all of us must take sides.

[pierrem15]

Both the Catholic Church and a lot of Protestant churches have trouble distinguishing charity (motivated by Christian love) and state transfer of benefits (done only for prudential reasons and enforced by the threat of violence).

[SauronOfMordor]

These two examples show that there is a whole range of factors, some of them susceptible to influence or a change in direction, affecting the prospects for a successful Islamic engagement with democracy. Peace with respect for human rights are the most desirable end point, but the development of democracy will not necessarily achieve this or sustain it.

The Founders were not interested in democracy as an end in itself. They were striving for a system that would preserve Liberty, and a Constitutional Republic was judged the best means to secure Liberty.

Pure democracy tends to degenerate into mob rule, characterized as "two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner"

[bayouranger]

Catholic BTTT!

[MHGinTN]

Ah, but you see the Muslim will parse this to mean (for his justification) that you will have peace ... while the assassins are moving in behind you to cut your throat. Islam is spawned from a demon.

[xkaydet65]

You are so right. Those who idolize pure democracy alwqys forget that those pure democrats of Athens voted to execute Socrates for asking questions. Liberty is much too often confused with democracy.