Posted on 09/22/2006 6:05:28 PM PDT by Mount Athos
In the view of some historians, the Pope's recent apology to enraged Muslims over use of a quote written by Manuel II Palaeologus in 1391 bears a striking similarity with a similar apology delivered more than 600 years ago by Manuel II Palaeologus himself to offended Muslim armies after they ransacked his Christian country, converted its citizens to Islam, and beheaded or enslaved those who resisted the forced conversions. In a public speech made shortly after the quote first appeared in Muslim press, Manuel II apologized to the Islamic community that besieged his controversial "Byzantine entity," the term used to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire of the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople (now Istanbul).
"I hope," said Manuel II, who was also known as a writer, poet and theologian, "that my apology will appease hearts and clarify the true meaning of my address, which was an invitation to a rational dialogue, with great mutual respect."
"In my seventh dialogue with an imaginary Islamic scholar," the learned Byzantine ruler continued as he evaded occasional critical arrows flying from the surrounding hordes, "I referred to the Koran's teachings about spreading the faith by the sword. And this, I said, could not come from God because violence is the opposite of reason, and God himself cannot act contrary to reason. But your passionate criticism has proven to me that there is, indeed, nothing evil or inhuman in spreading the faith by violent means, and that beheadings of non-believers and terrorizing communities in the name of religion are all signs of perfectly rational behavior and wonderful mental health."
"Taking quotes out of context is similarly a magnificent example of a reasonable dialogue from which we all should learn," Manuel II said, adding that the recent slaughters of thousands of his Christian subjects by the Muslim sword were the result of his own blindness to the true peaceful nature of Islam. "We can only hope that their sacrifice will help build real fraternity among us," he said, "so that all Muslims and Christians can learn to live with reciprocal respect of everyone's religious convictions, and that some 600 years from now conflicts and misunderstandings like this would be a thing of the past."
But many Muslims perceived the Emperor's emphasis on "rational" as unhelpful. Demonstrations, threats and calls to violence continued throughout the Muslim world, as protesters demanded that the Byzantine ruler be punished by strict Islamic Shariah law for implying that Muslims cannot respond to criticism rationally, but only with demonstrations, threats and violence.
Angry Ottoman activists burned a number of ancient Greek churches and publicly beheaded residents in several Byzantine towns, converting the less stubborn survivors to Islam to the cheers and applause of prominent Muslim clerics who gathered for the occasion. European leaders, who had recently declined Manuel's personal pleas for help against the invading Muslim armies, responded to the controversy by warning the Byzantine ruler about the danger of confusing Islam with a militant movement that masks itself as religion.
"We must avoid everything that increases tension between people or religions," said the King of France in an open letter to Manuel II (cc the Ottoman Court). "Islam is a religion of peace, and there is a need to be on constant alert against marginal provocations that are meant to turn this issue into a global crisis."
In conclusion, it should be noted that the "Byzantine entity" lasted for only 62 more years, falling to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, thus ending the 1100-year-old controversy about its right to exist next to Muslim lands. Its capital Constantinople was renamed into Istanbul, its churches were converted to mosques, the country changed its name to Turkey, and its residents lost their language, cultural identity, and religion to Muslim Turks. No wonder that today some of the strongest criticism of the Pope's use of the Byzantine quote is coming from Turkey - whose people suffered the most from bigoted remarks of the erstwhile Byzantine ruler.
That Fox News picture is priceless. I've just sent it out to my list.
:)
I just mailed the link to my whole list. Thanks.
Dude, I just died laughing at that FOX graphic.
Glad you liked it. Hope you look at the video as well.
I feel so sad for the Christians of Constantinople. It must have been a beautiful city before the evil moose-limbs destroyed it. islam needs to be erased from the face of the earth. But who will do it? How will it be done?
I formed my opinion of islam not long after 9/11 and I have seen nothing since to dispute my definition of islam. Here is what I think of islam:
islam (POA) is an intolerant cult founded by a Jewish and Christian hating, child molesting pedophile, who was also a murdering thief. The followers of the cult bow several times a day to worship a meteorite in the sand and follow teachings from a hate filled screed known as the Satanic Versus written by a maniac which is based on worship of a moon rock god. The sword, a symbol of the cult, and death are used to induct new cult members and remove non-believers. Women of the cult are treated as sub-human slaves whose worth is measured by the pleasure they give men and by the children they produce for the cult. Beheading, stoning, clitoral cutting, limb chopping, and self-mutilation maintain discipline within the cult.
Standing ovation! Wonderful!
LOL!!!
Well said!
"and beheaded or enslaved those who resisted the forced conversions"
They didn't "force" anybody to convert. Those who chose to convert weren't beheaded, and those who didn't choose to convert were beheaded. Conversion was therefore a choice.
Exactly, they were very fair and reasonable. They politely gave you a choice, an "invitation" convert to Islam or else they would attack your city and kill you. But that's fair, because hey, if you chose not to covert after being warned then YOU chose to die and left them no choice but to kill you and take your stuff. What could be more fair?
Yes, that's all true but the msm and the libs have determined that this "religion" and "culture" are on moral parity with ours and must be accepted. Sorta like they did with they gay thing only more explosive.
Thanks,
BTW translate the term (POA) to be PjSS on allah!
Excellent graphic and video! "Ancient" history seems to be lost to most people these days.
The MSM hates Christians so much that they would never publish anything negative against the islamic cult. They see them as an ally to help bash Christians. They are also afraid of getting their heads cut off.
Most people are ignorant of the evils of the cult. Once you study the history of islam and the cultures and lives that have been destroyed by its conquests and imposition you understand the danger we now face.
I believe that those who believe islam is evil are afraid to speak out. They fear the retribution that will come from the cultists. To say the truth about islam and its culture is fraught with danger. It is a brave soul that dares point out the injustices of islam. The Pope is trying to open our eyes and hearts to the danger of an islamic world.
ping
did you see this video?
Will view it later today. Thanks.
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