Pope Francis Defends Islamic Violence

Shameful, un-Jesusonian remarks from Peter’s successor. NBC:

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis suggested there are limits to freedom of expression, saying in response to the Charlie Hebdo terror attack that “one cannot make fun of faith” and that anyone who throws insults can expect a “punch.”

The pontiff said that both freedom of faith and freedom of speech were fundamental human rights and that “every religion has its dignity.”

“One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith, one cannot make fun of faith,” he said. “There is a limit. Every religion has its dignity … in freedom of expression there are limits.”

The pope was speaking to reporters on a plane as he flew from Sri Lanka to the Philippines on his tour of Asia.

The right to liberty of expression comes with the “obligation” to speak for “the common good,” Pope Francis said, cautioning against provocation.

To illustrate his point, he referred to Vatican aide Alberto Gasparri who was standing nearby on the plane. “If my good friend Dr. Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, then a punch awaits him,” the pontiff said.

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2 Responses

  1. Hey, I see your point. but he also has, and it should be screamingly clear to him, an abiding interest in the war against Islamic fanatics.

    He also conflates insult and hostile comments made by an individual against another individual, with the public practice of satire aimed at various ideas and establishments.

    Just think back on how astute Benedict was about the philosophical and moral quandary at the heart of Islam’s belief in a dictator god who cannot be argued with, a god of pure will and power(contrast this with Abraham’s taking of God to task for leveling Sodom and Gommorah).
    The West now has a pope who stupidly compares someone the violence many Muslims commit or praise when Muslim fanatics are mocked to someone insulting someone else’s mother.

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