Do we owe religious assent to Pope's statements about Islam?

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PoorKnight

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Recently on Relevant Radio, Robert Spencer, of Jihad Watch and Fr. Steward Swetland of Donnelly College had a debate over whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. Fr. Swetland arguing the affirmative, Robert Spencer arguing the negative.

Regardless of the fact that Fr. Swetland was K.O.'d by Mr. Spencer, in follow-up comments, Fr. Swetland has now said that Catholics are bound by religious assent to believe that Islam is a religion of peace because Pope Francis and some other bishops have said so.

Here is the debate: youtube.com/watch?v=TvTneiqT3kA
Here is Mr. Spencer’s reporting of Fr. Swetland’s follow-up comments in full. jihadwatch.org/2016/08/is-there-room-in-the-catholic-church-for-those-who-dont-believe-islam-is-a-religion-of-peace?doing_wp_cron=1471211680.4314041137695312500000

The question here is NOT whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. The question is: do we as Catholics owe “religious assent” to the Pope’s statements about the beliefs about another religion? Is this faith and morals, or is this personal opinion?

Do you believe Fr. Swetland is out of bounds (wrong) for saying that Catholics, who do not believe Islam is a religion of peace, are schismatic?

I’m interested in the discussion.

God Bless, :signofcross:
Poor Knight
Holy Father: Reinstate the Templar!
 
The question here is NOT whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. The question is: do we as Catholics owe “religious assent” to the Pope’s statements about the beliefs about another religion? Is this faith and morals, or is this personal opinion?
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Do you believe Fr. Swetland is out of bounds (wrong) for saying that Catholics, who do not believe Islam is a religion of peace, are schismatic?
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This is not a matter of faith and morals. It deals with another, irrelevant religion that is not of the Christian life. Pope Francis’ comments should be paid attention to, but they do not need to make an approval or disapproval of what he’s saying.

I’m not a Catholic, though I do believe that that is a little extreme of Fr. Swetland to say that these Catholics are schismatics. Schism is:
Schism is a rejection of communion with the authorities of a Church, and not every break of communion is necessarily about doctrine…
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If these people are not already schismatics, then they are not schismatics… remember, Islam is not a doctrine of Christianity, it is something foreign to it.
 
We are not bound to agree with the Holy Father on this issue, and disagreeing with him on this does not constitute a schismatic act.
 
Islam, according to many muslims, is meant to be a religion of peace. Just like how Christianity is meant to he a religion of love. But religious people “ruin” that.

IMO I feel like muslims are generally peaceful, but islam, if followed properly, can lead to anything but peace.I don’t think we are to accept his opinion, but instead be respectful to our neighbors.
 
The Pope’s opinion about another religion isn’t a matter of faith, it’s just his opinion.
 
It’s truly mind boggling how some, by the rationale of “not having to agree with the Pope on certain issues” would that make the Pope himself a cafeteria Catholic? 🤷
 
PoorKnight said:
Recently on Relevant Radio, Robert Spencer, of Jihad Watch and Fr. Steward Swetland of Donnelly College had a debate over whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. Fr. Swetland arguing the affirmative, Robert Spencer arguing the negative.

Regardless of the fact that Fr. Swetland was K.O.'d by Mr. Spencer, in follow-up comments, Fr. Swetland has now said that Catholics are bound by religious assent to believe that Islam is a religion of peace because Pope Francis and some other bishops have said so.

Here is the debate: youtube.com/watch?v=TvTneiqT3kA
Here is Mr. Spencer’s reporting of Fr. Swetland’s follow-up comments in full. jihadwatch.org/2016/08/is-there-room-in-the-catholic-church-for-those-who-dont-believe-islam-is-a-religion-of-peace?doing_wp_cron=1471211680.4314041137695312500000

The question here is NOT whether or not Islam is a religion of peace. The question is: do we as Catholics owe “religious assent” to the Pope’s statements about the beliefs about another religion? Is this faith and morals, or is this personal opinion?

Do you believe Fr. Swetland is out of bounds (wrong) for saying that Catholics, who do not believe Islam is a religion of peace, are schismatic?

I’m interested in the discussion.

God Bless, :signofcross:
Poor Knight
Holy Father: Reinstate the Templar!
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Of course not. Everything that isn’t dogma, ex cathedra or hasn’t received the seal of infallibility is debatable. Another example would be climate change. If the pope thinks it’s a grave issue with impending catastrophic consequences, i’m still free to think it’s a mass control fad, like acid rain was in the 80s. I also notice that out of 100 terror attacks happening anywhere in the world, not one is claimed by a Hindu or a Buddhist group, gee I really wonder why that is…:rolleyes: I’ll decide to stick to a party line when i decide to join politics, and contrary to what Fr. claims or hints at, the party line is non existent and non binding.
 
Strydersroom said:
It’s truly mind boggling how some, by the rationale of “not having to agree with the Pope on certain issues” would that make the Pope himself a cafeteria Catholic? 🤷
Click to expand...
It’s true, though, that not every opinion of the Pope’s binds all Catholics to agree with him. I agree with the Pope on this issue, and nevertheless I also think the debater was out of line to state that this is a matter of obedience for Catholics.
 
The Pope’s personal opinion is not infallible teaching. However we can take cue from it to guide our own attitude toward Islam, that is, to treat its adherents with love and respect.

Personally I find it hard to agree to the fact that Islam is a religion of peace in view of its teaching that I know of; and the action of its followers who base them on the teaching.
 
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