My latest reply to Ellyn

Submitted by Gloria Stewart (United States), Sep 24, 2006 at 23:19

Dear Ellyn,

Thank you for your reply. I do not think that the head of a church or congregation should endorse a particular candidate or even comment on legislation unless such legislation has a strong moral component, e.g.abortion. If he is not speaking in his official capacity then of course he has the same rights as any citizen.

However, Islam is not a religion. It is a creed. It impacts every segment of society, the law, the polity, the culture. Its tenets - and I am speaking of doctrinal Islam and historic Islam - are counteropposed to Judaic and Christian tradition. Islam is messianic and imperialistic and thus presents an unprecedented threat. It is the duty of the Pope to present Islam as it is and to stand firm in his description. Yes that may mean riots and unrest; yes that might mean that the Christian population of Muslim countries might suffer. The Pope's duty and the people's right to know must trump.

I fear that most people believe the Hallmark card variety of Islam. Absent a Reformation in Islam - highly unlikely - Islam will continue its juggernaut if more people do not speak the truth.

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