Erdogan's Willingness to Meet pope Shows Character of Turks
This week marks the long-awaited visit by the Catholic religious leader known as the pope to the predominantly Islamic nation of Turkiye. The visit, which wouldn't be terribly controversial on its own, has become a firestorm of criticism due to the pope's anti-Islamic and insulting remarks made a few months ago. The world leader of a religion known for violence associated with religious crusades over generations made insensitive and insulting comments toward Muslims and Turks several months ago when his visit was announced.
I must make the clarification here that the pope is a leader of Catholicism and is in no way affiliated with Christianity. I am a Christian and proud of being so, but Catholicism is no more similar to Christianity than Buddhism. It is important to make that distinction. I don't make a habit of criticizing other religions and Christ instructed his followers to respect people of other faiths. However, despite the claims of many Catholics, Christianity and Catholicism are not related.
Prior to announcing his visit to Turkiye a few months ago, the pope cited passages that described Islam as being a violent, evil, and unhuman religion. He followed up those remarks by speaking out against Turkiye's efforts to join the European Union. Ofcourse, anyone who has any true knowledge of Islam knows that it is a peaceful religion based on traditional values of non-violence. The pope obviously knows little about Islam from his remarks and lack of remorse for making them. After angering an entire religion and the nation of Turkiye, he said he was "sorry if anyone was offended by his comments." He wasn't sorry that he made the comments or sorry for his ignorance of Islam; he was sorry if anyone didn't like what he said. Does that sound like remorse?
No, I'm not Muslim and I'm not Turkish. But I know enough about Islam to know that its reputation is not accurate in the Western world. Islam is a misunderstood religion to most non-Muslims. I also know that Turkiye would be a tremendous asset to the EU, which is obvious to nearly everyone but the pope.
Despite his remarks, the pope will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday, which is rather ironic considering it is the final resting place of Ataturk, the father of the nation that the pope insulted. He has tried to mend fences, but never fully apologized for his remarks. Turks have protested, for obvious reasons, but the true show of character came on Monday when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to meet with the pope this week. This comes in addition to the meeting offered by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Ali Bardakoğlu, the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate. Turkiye does not need the pope, nor do they need his visit. The pope, however, does need Turkiye. Despite his insensitive remarks, Turkiye's heads of state have all agree to meet with him. This is truly indicative of the character of the Turks. Despite being insulted by a religious leader, they have agreed to meet to assist him.
My heart goes out to the millions of Catholics worldwide who were put at risk by the comments made by their leader. As a Christian, I know what it is like to be insulted and embarrassed by leaders claiming to represent my faith. I know that the Turks, while incredibly insulted, will forgive and exhibit peace and understanding, something they are known for. I hope that this visit will showcase peace and understanding from Muslims and Turks, and I sincerely hope the pope will learn something from them.
I must make the clarification here that the pope is a leader of Catholicism and is in no way affiliated with Christianity. I am a Christian and proud of being so, but Catholicism is no more similar to Christianity than Buddhism. It is important to make that distinction. I don't make a habit of criticizing other religions and Christ instructed his followers to respect people of other faiths. However, despite the claims of many Catholics, Christianity and Catholicism are not related.
Prior to announcing his visit to Turkiye a few months ago, the pope cited passages that described Islam as being a violent, evil, and unhuman religion. He followed up those remarks by speaking out against Turkiye's efforts to join the European Union. Ofcourse, anyone who has any true knowledge of Islam knows that it is a peaceful religion based on traditional values of non-violence. The pope obviously knows little about Islam from his remarks and lack of remorse for making them. After angering an entire religion and the nation of Turkiye, he said he was "sorry if anyone was offended by his comments." He wasn't sorry that he made the comments or sorry for his ignorance of Islam; he was sorry if anyone didn't like what he said. Does that sound like remorse?
No, I'm not Muslim and I'm not Turkish. But I know enough about Islam to know that its reputation is not accurate in the Western world. Islam is a misunderstood religion to most non-Muslims. I also know that Turkiye would be a tremendous asset to the EU, which is obvious to nearly everyone but the pope.
Despite his remarks, the pope will arrive in Ankara on Tuesday, which is rather ironic considering it is the final resting place of Ataturk, the father of the nation that the pope insulted. He has tried to mend fences, but never fully apologized for his remarks. Turks have protested, for obvious reasons, but the true show of character came on Monday when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to meet with the pope this week. This comes in addition to the meeting offered by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Ali Bardakoğlu, the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate. Turkiye does not need the pope, nor do they need his visit. The pope, however, does need Turkiye. Despite his insensitive remarks, Turkiye's heads of state have all agree to meet with him. This is truly indicative of the character of the Turks. Despite being insulted by a religious leader, they have agreed to meet to assist him.
My heart goes out to the millions of Catholics worldwide who were put at risk by the comments made by their leader. As a Christian, I know what it is like to be insulted and embarrassed by leaders claiming to represent my faith. I know that the Turks, while incredibly insulted, will forgive and exhibit peace and understanding, something they are known for. I hope that this visit will showcase peace and understanding from Muslims and Turks, and I sincerely hope the pope will learn something from them.
posted by Nathan and Kristen Redd | 11:23 AM
1 Comments:
interesting! I never knew there was such a clear cut distinction between Christianity and Catholicism. I somehow always combined them in my mind and thought Pope is the leader of all Christians. Now it makes very much sense though.
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