Ashley Flaherty/March 24,2008 10:12 am/ Religious Conflict
Pope Benedict XVI rejoiced over the baptism of a prominent Muslim and used this time to call for peace in Iraq, Tibet, and the Holy Land. The conversion of Magdi Allam, a prominent journalist and commentator in Italy who has received death threats for his denunciations of Islamic fanaticism. His criticism of Palenstinian suicide bombings prompted the Italian government to provide him with a sizable security detail in 2003 after Hamas singled him out for death. the pope himself has come under verbal attack from Islamic militants. Osama Bin Laden accused Benedict of playing a role in what he called a "new Crusade" against Islam. The pope talked about denouncing "selfishness, injustice,hatred, and violence" between individuals and people.
I think that this is going to stir up more issues of hate with Muslims towards the Catholics and it is ridiculous. If Magdi wants to be baptized that is his personal choice and no one else should have a say in the matter. Especially since he was never a practicing Muslim. I think that this shows where most of the violence and hate started in the Middle East because they are so quick to hand out death threats when someone doesn't believe exactly what they what them to believe. Its like Guerrilla warfare over there and I don't think there is anything that the United States or any other country can resolve. it is belief they have had since the beginning of time and they are not going to fold for anything and we should not make them. We would not want someone coming into our country and tell us not to get angry or offended when someone denounces our beliefs so why should we do that to them?
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