Today in my world issues class (this one course is both a blessing and a curse) we discussed the topic of the Pope’s lecture.
Most of the lcass didnt say anything, but one girl across the room began voicing her opinion that the Pope is a racist and is encouraging violence against Muslims. I had brought a copy of the lecture since I figured that I would have to say something. I asked if anyone had read the Holy Father’s speech, nobody had, so the teacher had me read the relevant paragraph. I did and then she said that it did sound like he was making anti-Muslim comments and she couldnt figure out why he would say something like this now. I said it was a very good speech and he was just using that quote as an example, and even called it “forefull” and “bruesque” in the lecture. That didnt matter, another student said that the Catholic Church is more violent than the Muslims have ever been. My teacher said the Pope had no room to say something like this, considering that the Catholics caused the Crusades (differance: the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago, while 5 years ago last week Muslim extremists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon). I tried to argue this, but no, yet another classmate told me to open my eyes and stop living in the past. After class a student said loudly that if anything happens to the Holy Father she will laugh. I am begining to wonder if my grandfather was right when he said that my generation has got itself a one-way ticktet to hell.
Now most of that class wont talk to me and more than a few times today I’ve been called a “Churchie” or a more derogatory comment that I preffer not to say here.
Is God testing my faith or something? I try to defend the Church, but I always get shot down. Is there any easier way to do this? I try to have a positive outlook, but everyday I cant help but see signs of a religion in decline surrounding the Church. This stuff even keeps me up at night
