Christianity and Islam must move beyond triumphalism -
Sep 16, 2006
John Paul II's papal rule was largely defined by his relationship with a global conflict between West and East. On Tuesday 12 September 2006, in a badly judged speech before a home crowd of Bavarian academics, Benedict XVI may well have set the parameters of his own period as Pope, pitching himself into a debate over Islam that has prompted outrage throughout the Muslim world.
Although not a religious person myself, I am usually in favor of a revitalization of Christianity in Europe. However, I sometimes have my doubts when I see how many, too many, church leaders consistently end up on the wrong side of issues related to Islam and Muslim immigration.
William Rees-MoggBenedict did give offence — but no great religion should be immune from difficult questions.Journalists should not criticize Pope Benedict XVI for his lecture at Regensburg. He has done only what every sub-editor on the Daily Mail does every day. Confronted with a long and closely written text, he inserted a lively quote to draw attention to the argument. We all do it. Sometimes the quote causes trouble, but more often it opens up an argument that is needed.
Islam flexes its muscles... and Ms Kelly is surprised?
16:49pm 12th September 2006
The Mail on Sunday
The real menace to this country does not come from terrorist bombs, which a calm, resolute people can cope with. It comes from the liberal elite's decision to appease Islam. The louder the Blairites talk about the 'threat to our way of life' from Muslim extremists, the more they themselves increase that threat.
WHEN will the Muslims of Britain stand up to be counted? When will they declare, loud and clear, with no qualifications or quibbles about Britain's foreign policy, that Islamic terrorism is WRONG?
Most of all, when will the Muslim community in this country accept an absolute, undeniable, total truth: that Islamic terrorism is THEIR problem? THEY own it. And it is THEIR duty to face it and eradicate it.
Tuesday, August 8, 20064:30 p.m. EDTDuring the Cold War, both sides possessed weapons of mass destruction, but neither side used them, deterred by what was known as MAD, mutual assured destruction.
Challenges — new and old.By Bat Yeor The dhimmi mentality cannot be easily defined and described. An endless variety of reactions has been provoked by the evolving historical situations in the civilization of dhimmitude, which spans three continents and close to fourteen centuries. Generally speaking, dhimmi populations can be described as oscillating between alienation and submission and, at the other extreme, a self-perception of spiritual freedom.
The Psalmist wrote,”Blessed is the Lord who has shown the wonders of his love in a besieged city.” (Psalm 31) Indeed the Christians of the Middle East are besieged, but in gatherings such as this one begins to see what the psalmist had in mind.
