On April 19, 2005 Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and chose to be named as Pope Benedict VXI. This event sparked a new episode of Clash of Civilization, or rather Clash of religion.
Let me start with a quote from the new Pope on Islam...
"The roots that have formed Europe, that have permitted the formation of this continent, are those of Christianity. Turkey has always represented another continent, in permanent contrast with Europe. There were the [old Ottoman Empire] wars against the Byzantine Empire, the fall of Constantinople, the Balkan wars, and the threat against Vienna and Austria. It would be an error to equate the two continents...Turkey is founded upon Islam...Thus the entry of Turkey into the EU would be anti-historical."
Pope Benedict XVI ascended the throne with the following facts on the ground:
Muslims demographically represent a vast portion of the globe.
Since, Islam is not only a religion that governs personal attitudes and beliefs, rather it is a way of life that mandates to cover all faculties of a society.
Muslims -as oppose to Judaism- does not believe in closed circle religion, they put every effort to call others to join this faith.
Over the last decades, Muslims are increasing in Europe both by immigration and original Europeans converting to Islam.
The current system of Europe or America -as being secular systems and democratic nations- can not prevent Muslims from immigration or other state rights, as it will violate the original constitutional rights.
The secular ideology is retreating and every nation is looking forward to be religious once again.
Europe or America can not live in full isolation with Islamic world. If Europe decided to fire all Muslim citizens tomorrow, then the whole continent will collapse the day after tomorrow.
Besides the Muslim human resources that have impact on Europe, Muslim world governs 90% of material resources in terms of raw materials for manufacturing and fossil fuel energy.
Although, modern Information and Communication technologies are western product, yet many Muslims acquired the technology and with proper coordination and funding can use it in full fledge without the help of the west.
Although, the west reside higher in Human development Index in terms of materialistic well being, still Muslims are the best nation when it comes to mental and meta-physical well being.
Above are some facts that the new Pope can not deny. These troubling facts made his mission as custodian of the mainstream Christian faith very critical and challenging. His inner hatred towards Islam will not let him kiss Quran -as the previous pope did- but at the same time, he can not kick the Quran given the above facts of Muslim influence. I think, Pope is totally convinced on the idea of Clash of Religions (or Civilizations), and I think he decided to launch the new episode of this clash.
Protestant movement was triggered from the intolerance attitude of the roman catholic church in Europe. That further triggered a departure from religion and clinging to various secular ideologies. Now with the downfall of such man-made ideologies, people are coming back to religion. I think, the coming days will witness a consolidation -to some extent- between the Catholics and Protestants. President Bush -who's brother Jeb converted to Catholic- expressed his increased faith in Christ when he attended the funeral of the late Pope. Now, if the new Pope -who represents the spiritual leader of the Crusaders- could join hand-in-hand with the military leader of the Crusaders -i.e., President Bush- then all main players of the new episode of the new Crusade are complete!
Do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. [Quran aal-Imran (3):139]
On April 19, 2005 Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger was elected the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and chose to be named as Pope Benedict VXI. This event sparked a new episode of Clash of Civilization, or rather Clash of religion.
