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Letters

Conversion by violence

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 Contents - Nov 2006AD2000 November 2006 - Buy a copy now
Editorial: EWTN and the secular media: fighting fire with fire
Education: The Spirit of Generation Y: the challenge for Catholic schools - Cardinal George Pell
Living the Faith: What distinguishes a practising Catholic? - Bishop Luc Matthys
News: The Church Around the World
England: British Catholicism's dark night of the soul
Books: Is the Catholic Church in Australia 'lost'? - Michael Gilchrist
Brisbane Archdiocese: inclusive language in the liturgy continues - Michael Apthorp
Liturgy: US bishop sets out clear guidelines on celebrations of the Mass - AD2000 REPORT
Television: EWTN: now affordable and accessible in Australia - Moira Kirkwood
Letters: Missal translation - Pat Hurley
Letters: Translation hang-up - Fran Swindale
Letters: Accuracy needed - Carol V. Phillips
Letters: Faith and reason - Peter D. Howard
Letters: Narrow - Norm Yodgee
Letters: Infallible teaching - Don Ford
Letters: Education needed - Judy O'Reilly
Letters: Early baptism - John Schmid
Letters: Declining practice - Gerard J. Keane
Letters: Chavagnes College scholarship applications - Ferdi McDermott
Letters: Conversion by violence - Gregory F.J. O'Regan
Letters: Generation 'Y' - Kevin Cains
Letters: Common sense and married clergy - Errol Duke
Letters: Poem's author - Valerie J.Staunton
Letters: Anonymity - Michael Apthorp
Letters: EWTN by broadband - Bren Scheiner
Poetry: Sometimes Gladness: Collected Poems 1954 to 2005, by Bruce Dawe - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer)
Books: St John Bosco, St Dominic and the Rosary, St Thérèe of Lisieux - Siobhan B. Reeves (reviewer)
DVD: A Family Retreat, by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen - Daniel Tobin (reviewer)
Events: The teachings of the Catholic Church: an exploration
Events: Second Annual Victorian Catholic Students Association Conference 25-26 Nov 2006
Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au
Reflection: Catholic schools must proclaim the total love of Christ - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

The clamour of those who want an apology from Pope Benedict is, as usual, confected. Imams, muftis and preachers of Islam feel exposed by the Pope's reference to its history of conversion by violence which the Pope illustrates is not in accordance with reason, and is contrary to God's nature.

Islamic leaders seeing their influence challenged, resent a reasoned analysis of Islam, claiming it is insulting and warranting an apology.

The escalating reactions, demands and threats substantiate the Pope's claim that Islam fosters a mindset that approves violence as a means of responding to opponents to its viewpoint.

Though the Koran at Surah 2, 256 reads: ‘There is no compulsion in religion’ there are a multitude of verses advocating violence against infidels if they are not persuaded to convert to Islam. For example, in 9:123: ‘O you who believe, fight those of the unbelievers near you and let them see how harsh you can be. Know that Allah is with the righteous.’ The injunction is to deal with unbelievers, even 'near' relations as well as those geographically proximate. Surah 9 also rebukes Muslims who see jihad only as a struggle of the soul and not of a military nature.

The previous Pope apologised for the past wrongs of Catholics. The present Pope need not apologise for an analysis of Islam.

The world is tired of the victim role adopted by Islamic leaders to excite volatile reactions. It awaits apologies and even acknowledgements for the litany of crimes against humanity committed in the name of Islam.

GREGORY F.J. O'REGAN
Farrer, ACT

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Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 10 (November 2006), p. 15

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