“That’s not the point (I am making), but that to seek for acceptance from the world, or the Muslims or the Catholics even, is a sign of ecumenicalism that only furthers the cause of AntiChrist ...”
While I understand your concern regarding too much Ecumenicalism. I don’t see this Pope seeking acceptance from the world or asking their advice on anything. I do see Obama et al though, use the “acceptance from the world” canard, to tear down everything we hold dear in this country.
In his quiet, direct manner, the Pope continues to send a message against religious and civilizational violence. He uses - a dialogue of cultures - not religion (because as we all know, they go into the ‘burn and kill mode’, when that happens) which places him on a more diplomatic level. When he was in Ankara he told them - “The civil authorities of every democratic country are dutybound to guarantee the effective freedom of all believers,” - “and to permit them to organize freely the life of their religious communities.” Read what he’s saying in Jordan - the message is consistent.
In staying on his message, Pope Benedict continues to demonstrate that even while healing and nurturing relationships, he can speak the truth in love. In so doing, he’s proving himself both a diplomat and a peacemaker. Now how many secularists are doing what he’s doing? None. I see them bowing and scraping into submissive genuflections - see Obama’s picture on that one - or how about Hilary’s visits to oppressive countries, where persecution is also rampant yet there’s nary a mention of it from her.
Did the Pope bow in submission? Did the Pope ignore their practice of violence and persecution? No. He stood in a mosque, wearing his Cross, with his shoes on and meditated for 30 secs, at the invitation of the imam. What on earth would one expect him to do? We’re taught to love our neighbor as our self - extremely difficult in this specific circumstance - but our Pope is following the teaching of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and NOT the anti-Christ. Believe it or not but Muslims do respect Judeo-Christians who actually follow their Holy Book which is why they tolerate them living their at all.
What does the Bible say?
St. Paul did it in Greece at the Aereopagus. See Acts 17:22-23:
Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: 6 “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious.
23
For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ 7 What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
Did some men listen and some men mock?
Did some follow the Pope after his denouncement of Allah?
Paul did not say, "Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said: 6 “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious."
He said,
"v22 ... Then Paul stood IN THE MIDST of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitios." Which, acording to Strongs' the reference translated 'superstitious' is towards ba'al worship.
A big difference from being religious.