When you think of it, this is VERY interesting. Pope Benedict did not have to baptize Magdi Allam himself. It could have been done quietly.
The Vatican has to be careful of offending Muslims, because millions of Christians are hostage to their anger in Muslim countries around the world. That is one reason why popes have not been more outspoken about the evils of Islam—because of all those innocent Christian hostages. It’s a very difficult situation. It’s one thing to accept martyrdom yourself, but it’s another to risk martyring others.
I can only conclude that Pope Benedict decided that this was the best choice. He certainly did not do it with any unawareness of the possible consequences, because he is a very smart guy and is deeply concerned about the problem of how to deal with Islam, and whether it is possible to talk rationally with them at all.
Well said!
I think that the current Pope Benedict is following in the foot steps of the previous Pope. While Pope John Paul determined that Communism was the greatest threat to Christians of the world, I believe that Pope Benedict has determined that his legacy will be to destroy the the spread of Wuhan Islamic-Fundamentalism from spreading around the globe.
As such, a new "Crusade," of sorts, has been started. It is being waged in the media (at the moment) to capture the hearts and minds of many in Muslim countries and in countries where Saudi oil money is trying to create religious unrest through the export of Wahhabism.
In my opinion the Muslim faith needs its own Reformation of sorts so that Wahhabism is wiped from the face of the earth.
At some point I think that the new crusade will shift from the media to the street and there will be blood on the streets, but that hopefully, it will be grass roots revolutions in certain middle eastern countries due to common people becoming upset with the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. I see Pakistan, Iran and Iraq as being in the forefront of the new crusade, just a little behind Turkey.
Until then, the world and the middle east will be very dangerous places. I believe that Pope Benedict has determined that Wahhabi beliefs have no place in a civilized and modern world and will take steps to keep the spotlight on them and do things that will provoke actions on the part of the fanatical Muslim community.