Orthodox Church Archbishop attacks 'Islamic fanatism'

[gilliam]

Johannesburg (AND) In yet another furore to grip the Christian community, the head of the Orthodox Church of Greece has joined the Pope controversy by attacking what he calls Islamic fanaticism in Africa.

In a scathing attack, barely 48 hours after a Somali Islamic cleric called for Muslims to kill the Pope for his Tuesday utterances, Archbishop Christodoulos told a sermon in Athens that Christians in Africa were suffering at the hands of ‘fanatic Islamists’.

"Many Christians on the Black Continent (Africa) suffer from fanatic Islamists. The example of Roman Catholic monks who were slaughtered last year… because they wore the cross and believed in our crucified Lord is still recent,” said Christodoulos.

andnetwork.com/index?service=direct/0/Home/top.fullStory&sp=l51985

 

[Damascus]

I don’t see this as an attack but a statement of truth. I will pray for his saftey and hope that he continues to stand for the truth in spite of the many that will not like hearing it.

 

[Caesar]

Good, the Orthodox are standing with us.

 

[Image_of_God]

Reunion between the Orthodox and the Catholics are becoming more possible. It is in fact possible that this contraversy made lead to reunion.

 

[Georgess]

Is it not ironic too that it took Islam to pay real attention to what the Holy Father tried to convey - that violence has no place in true religion …

Now , if we could only anticipate the potentially enormous fruits of this message , if really taken to heart, in the lives of each person, and family, and community …

Thoughts of violence and slander against others …banished …

words of undue harshness …and tears that follow, in families …schools …

Violence in one of its most horrific forms , against the unborn , becoming unthinkable …

Violence against the sacredness of marital union in the use of artificial means …

Violence against the human body and mind , through use of porn …drugs …alcohol …

Well, do our Islamic brethren have a point -since in some of these latter , they seem to have taken in the message , may be better than us …

Glory to The Lord , who can always bring out good , when we let Him …

May Pope Benedict XV1 coninue to be the powerful voice to get the attention of all for the sake of peace !

 

[kevathaide01]

How much influence does this black-hearted Somali cleric have on Muslims worldwide, is what I would like to know.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Good for him If only all bishops of all Churches would do likewise​

 

[gilliam]

How much influence does this black-hearted Somali cleric have on Muslims worldwide, is what I would like to know.

Not that much, but these guys have a lot of influence:

Jihad is God’s will, says the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says Pope Benedict has not made a “clear apology” for remarks on Islam that sparked anger across the Muslim world.

 

[Eden]

I will include this Orthodox Archbishop who had the courage speak about “fanatical Islamists” in my prayers.

 

[Damascus]

Good for him If only all bishops of all Churches would do likewise​

Are you aware of any other religious groups that have made comments on this? I wonder why all the silence from Christians…

Is it likely our Protestant friends will say anything?

 

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Are you aware of any other religious groups that have made comments on this? I wonder why all the silence from Christians…

Is it likely our Protestant friends will say anything?

Are you serious?

Anna

 

[Damascus]

Are you serious?

Anna

I have posted on so many threads re: Islam issues as of late I assumed that everyone knew that I am avoiding the news now since I am so angry, and watching the news gets me too angry- not good.

I am not making a joke, and really asking - when I say Protestant friends I don’t really mean the average guy but a pastor or a minister that represents a group or denomination. I am sure some have- I just want to know who.
Franklin Graham or someone else?

 

[Dale_M]

I wonder why all the silence from Christians…

Is it likely our Protestant friends will say anything?

This is a “storm in a tea cup,” the former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, told The Jerusalem Post. “Anything Pope Benedict says should be weighed carefully. He is not given to slight or idle remarks,” he added, dismissing Muslim charges the Pope had “rubbished” Islam.

“If he quoted something said 600 years ago, we should not assume that this represents the Pope’s beliefs about Islam today,” he said.

Lord Carey, who chairs the Foundation for Reconciliation in the Middle East, has long been active in Christian-Muslim dialogue, and in 2002 signed an accord in Alexandria with the Grand Imam of the al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo and the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel calling for an end to violence, suicide bombings and a resumption of the peace process in the Middle East.

link

 

[Damascus]

link

Thanks for the link. Anglicans are very close to Catholics- but he was not exactly being totally supportive-
I guess its better than nothing. I will pray for him and his bravery to say what he said.

Who speaks for the Lutherans? All of them? All denominations of them?

Will they speak?

Calvinists?

Mormons?

Baptists?

Pentecostals?

Non-denoninationals?

Charismatics (non Catholic ones)?

Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Unitarians?

I guess there is a long list - but you get my point?

No one is speaking out? There are too many Protestant groups to list, and too much confusion of who can speak for them-

Robert Schuller?
Pat Robertson?

Hello! Anyone home?

 

[Damascus]

Are you serious?

Anna

You betcha I am serious.

 

[Dale_M]

Who speaks for the Lutherans? All of them? All denominations of them?

Will they speak?

That was the only Protestant leader I found who spoke out on the issue. I guess most of them see the controversy as a mud puddle that they would rather step around than step into.

And I have known some Christians, I believe they were from the Calvinist tradition, whose beliefs about God’s transcedence is more closely to that of Islam. They believe that God can lie if He chooses (His will is unbounded) and that His laws and ways are totally inscrutable. These people would reject the Pope’s analysis of faith and reason that he gave in the speech. So that may explain some of the silence from Protestant leaders.

But I think you raise a good question. It would be nice to hear some Protestant leaders speak out about this topic.

On the other hand, some Iranian newspapers are claiming that the Pope’s words were dictated to him by Israeli and American operatives. So maybe we don’t need more American voices which might strengthen that view.