The Pope & Islam

There is an interesting interview of Kevin Madigan, SJ, president of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Cultures at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome that offers some insight into the latest furor. I'd recommend reading the original speech first, because, even though he get's a lot right, Madigan's take is off the mark in a few instances.

First, he says :

the Byzantine emperor’s position was relevant to the Holy Father’s larger theme: the rationality of God and the irrationality of violence. It is significant that the emperor was Greek because the pope wanted to underline the confluence of Greek philosophy and biblical faith.

But then he adds his own commentary:

It seems to me essential not to lock Muslims into one particular reading of their texts and traditions. It is nonsensical to say to someone who claims that Islam is a peaceful religion that he may not believe such a thing because the Qur’an says such-and-such. She should be encouraged to believe that Islam is peaceful and held to observe that.

I think the Pope wasn't trying to "Lock Muslims into one particular reading"; rather, he was commenting on the actions of people. I mean, there is violence and Islamic practice is forced upon people. If you don't think so, look at the Afghani who was almost sentenced to death from converting to Christianity.

By the end, Madegan has devolved into pure PC balderdash where the violence of the Islamic world is because of their poverty. That meme has been clearly refuted, IMHO, by the high numbers of terrorists which are actually fairly well educated, and come from staunchly middle class backgrounds. I mean, my students, certainly not poverty stricken by any sense of the imagination, often talk about violence as a means to justify religious differences. Madegan, however, does give throw the Pope this bone:

None of this is to say that it is all the fault of non-Muslims.

Well, gee, thanks. You mean this extremely out-of-proportion response to a legitimate critique is not my fault? Thanks for the support. Not.