Letters: Dec. 18, 2006

Christianity, Islam and the Pope

In anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey, we explored how the Pontiff's remarks on Islam have made him a lightning rod in conflicts worldwide pitting that faith against the West. Prayers for peace, suggested readers, would be answered only through some soul searching by members of all faiths

It would be better if Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders would seek open dialogue with Muslim clerics rather than confront them with inflammatory debate [Nov. 27]. Christianity and Islam have glorious yet violent pasts; both have lost their way with stubborn claims to exclusive truth and the consequent rise of intolerant fundamentalism. Leaders of neither religion can claim the moral high ground, given their failure to shelter the innocent during the great wars and genocides of the 20th century. In the 21st century, both religions have the moral obligation to face the future together.

EDWARD D. WALKER

East Lansing, Mich.

TIME's story said,"The Roman Catholic Church's own record in the religious-mayhem department is hardly pristine," suggesting that the church has no business criticizing jihadist Islam. But right now Muslims are free to practice their faith in Christian-dominated nations, while non-Muslims in predominantly Islamic countries are severely, sometimes violently, restricted. The Pope is to be commended, not sneered at, for sticking his neck out for the sake of interfaith dialogue based on doctrine, reason and truth.

DAVID PEARSON

North Branford, Conn.

Demagogic leaders can exploit a host of religious texts to advocate the use of violence. Even Satan can recite Scripture. Perhaps we should be less concerned about the particular doctrinal precepts of Islam and more concerned about poverty and insufficient educational standards in the Middle East.

STEPHEN D. WAGNER III

Massapequa Park, N.Y.

If Islam is such a peaceful religion, why are so many of those who engage in terrorism avowed Muslims? Why do Muslims claim the West is oppressing them when oil prices are going through the roof? Muslims must take a good look at themselves and their way of thinking to find out what has gone wrong with their societies for the past five centuries.

LEO W. DAVIS

Waco, Texas

Any decent, fair-minded person has a moral obligation to condemn extremism, religious or secular. But the Pope's peremptory linking of Islam and violence is irrational and irresponsible, especially when such a wildly inaccurate judgment comes from somebody whose religion has historically caused much more extensive and brutal suffering than Islam ever has.

HUSAM DUGHMAN

Toronto

The article on Pope Benedict XVI leaves one with the impression that the Pope is a moral leader of great stature. He is not. His stances on abortion, contraception and stem-cell research are deplorable and, because of his authority, extremely harmful to many innocent people. Since Islam shares many of his mistaken values, we should fear that he will use any contacts made during his visit to Turkey to expand the influence (and harm) of his moral mistakes.

GERALD H. PASKE

Wichita, Kans.