Pope apologizes for Christian violence in history

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Borrowed from AF.com

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-expresses-sh ... 17823.html

ASSISI, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, leading a global inter-religious meeting, acknowledged Thursday "with great shame" that Christianity had used force in its long history as he joined other religious leaders in condemning violence and terrorism in God's name.

Benedict spoke as he hosted some 300 religious leaders from around the world - including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Taoists, Shintoists and Buddhists - in an inter-faith prayer gathering for peace in the city of St Francis, a universally recognized symbol of peace.

The day-long event was called to commemorate the 25th anniversary of an historic initiative in favor of peace hosted here by the late Pope John Paul in 1986.

Each leader, most wearing traditional religious garb, solemnly pledged to promote dialogue and understanding among their own communities, with other religions, and to work incessantly against violence.

"Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon Earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love," the pope said in his public commitment at the end of the day.

In his major address at the start of the gathering the pope asked forgiveness for his own church's use of violence in the past.

"As a Christian I want to say at this point: yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith," he said in his address to the delegations in an Assisi basilica.

"We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature," he said.

It was one of the few times that a pope has apologized for events such as the Crusades or the use of force to spread the faith in the New World. Pope John Paul apologized in 2000 for Christianity's historical failures.

Well, that's good. Words alone can't heal the damage that's been done, but at least he's willing to--

Benedict said history had also shown that the denial of God could bring about "a degree of violence that knows no bounds." He said the concentration camps of World War Two revealed "with utter clarity the consequences of God's absence."

Ahh. Of course.

[Seth]

"As a Christian I want to say at this point: yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith," he said in his address to the delegations in an Assisi basilica.

"We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature," he said.

Do you suppose this will put an end to the Wayback Machine fallacies here?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

"As a Christian I want to say at this point: yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith," he said in his address to the delegations in an Assisi basilica.

"We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature," he said.

Do you suppose this will put an end to the Wayback Machine fallacies here?

If you believe the Pedo-in-Chief, maybe.

[Jason]

"As a Christian I want to say at this point: yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith," he said in his address to the delegations in an Assisi basilica.

"We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature," he said.

Do you suppose this will put an end to the Wayback Machine fallacies here?

'force'?? Wow what a nice little euphemism. I suppose that covers the centuries of tortures and executions commissioned and sanctioned at every level of the Roman Catholic Church, from the various Popes on down? Not to mention the sheltering of pedophiles and rapists among their ranks?

Fuck off.

[Seth]

"As a Christian I want to say at this point: yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith," he said in his address to the delegations in an Assisi basilica.

"We acknowledge it with great shame. But it is utterly clear that this was an abuse of the Christian faith, one that evidently contradicts its true nature," he said.

Do you suppose this will put an end to the Wayback Machine fallacies here?

'force'?? Wow what a nice little euphemism. I suppose that covers the centuries of tortures and executions commissioned and sanctioned at every level of the Roman Catholic Church, from the various Popes on down? Not to mention the sheltering of pedophiles and rapists among their ranks?

Fuck off.

So...what would you have the Pope say instead? Probably "Burn the heretics!" just so you can justify your bigotry.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

How about he's just honest for one fucking time in Church history.

[Seth]

How about he's just honest for one fucking time in Church history.

I'm pretty sure that's what just happened.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

How about he's just honest for one fucking time in Church history.

I'm pretty sure that's what just happened.

And you've never been wrong before...

[Azathoth]

hmm, nice godwin.

Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord

who said that again?

[klr]

hmm, nice godwin.

Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord

who said that again?

Good evening, Herr Schicklgruber, we've been expecting you ...

[Jason]

[Tero]

If they could come out and admit celibacy was a bad idea. All those nuns drowning their babies from day 1.

And what was with all those kings anyway? Bunch of opportunists bacjed by pope.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[apophenia]

[Seth]

If they could come out and admit celibacy was a bad idea. All those nuns drowning their babies from day 1.

Evidently, God told them it was a good idea, and so they listened to God, not you.

And what was with all those kings anyway? Bunch of opportunists bacjed by pope.

More Wayback Machine fallacy.