Does it? What does it say?
I would *really* be interested in what Catholics here have to say.
Really? Then do a search. This has been thrashed out repeatedly on numerous threads over the past several years and there are a wide variety of opinions expressed.
Is there *any* defense? I think not.
OK, then. Case closed.
In that case, why ask for our views?
If you'd paid attention, you'd have noticed that Pope John Paul II was a habitual "kisser". His first action whenever he landed in a country on his numerous foreign travels was to kiss the ground. This was not an endorsement of everything that country stood for or an embrace of that country's political system but a gesture of respect for all men of good will who dwelt therein.
I interpret his kissing of the Koran in the same vein. As a gesture of brotherly affection.
Just my 0.02.
Would the present Pope do the same thing? I doubt it.
Would the present Pope do the same thing? I doubt it.
_____________________________________________________
I would also add, “I hope not”. One can show tolerance without showing endorsement. There are many things about JPII that I like, but this event was a real “morale killer” to myself and many other devout Catholics. I’ve lived in Tennessee and Georgia all my life, and this was unbelievable fodder for Protestants to use against the moral authority of the Catholic church. It happened almost 10 years ago, but I can clearly remember the reaction from my friends and co-workers. I really don’t want to go through that again.
marshmallow, fair enough. But would the “kissing Pope” have kissed a copy of “Mein Kampf” in the presence of Hitler as a gesture of good will?
The Koran is a book FILLED with hate & evil, as was Mein Kampf. It preaches the slaughter of Christians & Jews & defiled the diety of Christ. This is SERIOUS “business.” Think about it.
Brotherly affection for Muslims? Give me a break. I love them, and want to see them come to know and worship the true God (Jehovah), but they are not my spiritual brothers and sisters. They don’t believe in the Trinity; Christ’s deity; Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; or in salvation by grace through faith. Their idea of salvation is works-based. They teach that Jesus didn’t die. They don’t believe that He is the Son of God. Their God (Allah) is a pagan god who was worshiped by the Arabs before Islam started.