Is It Wrong To Equate Islam With Violence?

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (2L) accompanies Pope Francis as he departs from Istanbul after a three day visit, November 30, 2014. Pope Francis said Islamic militants were carrying out a "profoundly grave sin against God" in Syria and Iraq, calling on Sunday for inter-religious dialogue and action against poverty to help end the conflicts there. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Pope Says It Is Wrong To Equate Islam With Violence -- Reuters

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday that equating Islam with violence was wrong and called on Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism to help dispel the stereotype.

Francis, the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, told reporters aboard his plane returning from a visit to Turkey that he understood why Muslims were offended by many in the West who automatically equated their religion with terrorism.

Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, caused storms of protest throughout the Islamic world in 2006, when he made a speech that suggested to many Muslims that he believed Islam espoused violence.

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My Comment: I would say that radical Islamists around the world are in disagreement with him .... and by deliberating targeting those who do not share their view and interpretation of Islam .... they are making a mockery of his claim that it is "wrong to equate Islam with violence" with each new and disturbing atrocity. As for the Pope's call to Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism .... I have heard this same call from many other leaders over the years .... and I predict the same result .... most of these Muslim leaders are going to remain silent.