Pope Francis Denounces Religious Fundamentalism That Inspired France Attacks, Mideast Conflict

[hrmjustin]

AP By NICOLE WINFIELD

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday denounced the religious fundamentalism that inspired the Paris massacres and ongoing Mideast conflicts, saying the attackers were enslaved by "deviant forms of religion" that used God as a mere ideological pretext to perpetuate mass killings.

In his annual foreign policy address to Vatican-based ambassadors, Francis called for a unanimous response from the international community to end "fundamentalist terrorism" in the Mideast. And he called for Muslim leaders in particular to condemn "extremist interpretations" of their faith that seek to justify such violence.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/pope-francis-religious-fundamentalism-terror-attacks_n_6454708.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

[NYC_SKP]

1. "Religious fundamentalism... ...eliminates God himself, turning him into a mere ideological pretext

I've come to that same conclusion. These events, this fundamentalism, under careful scrutiny, are cases of evildoers appropriating religion to serve as cover for their despicable agenda.

As such, it's not the fault of that religion.

In fact, the religion is a victim of the misappropriation.

Peace.

Francis said the Paris attacks were the result of a "throwaway culture" in which human beings and even God are rejected outright. Referring to the "tragic slayings" in Paris, Francis said those responsible had become "enslaved" by new fads and "deviant forms of religion."

"Religious fundamentalism, even before it eliminates human beings by perpetrating horrendous killings, eliminates God himself, turning him into a mere ideological pretext," he said.

Francis also denounced the "abominable" kidnapping and enslavement of young girls by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria and the slaughter of "unspeakable brutality" of more than 100 children by the Taliban in Pakistan.

[hrmjustin]

2. Unfortunately some people want to indict the whole religion.

Foxnews for example.

[NYC_SKP]

3. And, the evildoers know this. So, if they really are sincere about their faith...

...why would they want the scorn of the world brought to bear on their less-fanatical believers.

I'm convinced that there's something entirely different going on.

Do the Christian bigots and haters who use the Bible as cover when they go after abortion clinics pray and read the bible in the privacy of their own home?

I rather doubt that they do. I rather think that they have to work really hard to ignore the bulk of the teachings of the faith and, in the end, have no faith.

Hatred leaves no room for faith, no room for love or compassion.

[hrmjustin]

4. It is likely something in themselves that just hates and their interpretation off their religion

gives them an excuse to be so evil.

[okasha]

5. I think you and NYC-SKP

are right on target with this. To borrow an artistic metaphor, the hatred is the painting; the religion is just the frame in which it's presented, plainer or more elaborate as circumstances warrant.

[el_bryanto]

6. I think that some probably do

They have a world view informed by the Bible, so while it would be comforting to believe they aren't reading the Bible, there are plenty of passages that would seem to justify putting the wicked to death.

I think we have to own up to what is in our Holy Books.

That said I can understand where you are coming from as well; the spiritual life - a life in harmony with God - should be, in my opinion, a life marked by love and compassion. And certainly anybody who murders is a pretty long way from that.

Bryant