> ITALIAN editor and critic of Islamic extremism Magdi Allam, who converted to Catholicism from Islam and was baptised by Pope Benedict XVI, today branded his former faith as intrinsically violent.
My initial reaction to this was “well Duhhh what was your first clue?”
Then I thought about it quite a bit harder and realized the remarkable courage this man has demonstrated, and what a stinging blow it would be for our enemy. He is much more credible and articulate than any of the western turncoats and traitors that have taken up arms on behalf of the Taliban/al Qaeda.
And good on the Pope — another brave man — for allowing this to happen in such a public manner.
May God bless them both.
We have converts from many faiths, and from total unbelief.
I can't imagine former Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus condemning their original faith as "intrinsically violent".
But for a former mohammedan to say that just doesn't strike me as odd.
Thank you all for your insightful comments. Like many of you, I too have pondered this at great length. The Pope is the only one today who has challenged the Muslims to come to the table for a frank discussion. Those meetings will begin shortly. This pope is not a showman and must have carefully weighed the impact of Allam's Baptism on worldwide television.
The real question is how did Magdi Allam arrive at this faith conversion. When asked that by a group of reporters, he replied:
"Undoubtedly the most extraordinary and significant encounter in the decision to convert was that with Pope Benedict XVI,'' Allam said. He said he admired the pope for his skill in laying out the relationship "between faith and reason as the basis of authentic religion and human civilization.''
It should be interesting to see how the conferences with the 142 Muslim clerics progress. If not Pope Benedict XVI, who?