History Repeats

Submitted by John Stauffer (United States), Sep 19, 2006 at 14:14

It seems to me that several dynamics are at work being brought to light by the speech and "apology" by the Pope.

1) The Pope used statements in history to make a point about the approach that we, the western nations, primarily the United States, make in error. Solomon the king said, "there is nothing new under the sun" therefore I suppose humankind in reaction to the quoting of a thinker of the 2nd, 3rd, fifteenth or later centuries will elicit reaction rather than educated thought. Perhaps, not that I should advise the Pope, the Pope should have quoted the Koran in its instructions toward living in peace and being able to prosolitize peaceably.

2) We cannot change the thought processes of a violent person whether Muslim, Christian or Jew by violence and sadly by intense rhetoric. I do not have the answer, however perhaps power comes from the mind of the peace makers who refuse to fight either with words or wars. Perhaps peace ( if I understand the Christian Scripture in the Holy Bible) is unattainable by the wisdom, wit, or warring power of humankind.

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