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In Jordan, Pope Decries 'Manipulation' of Religion

By the Associated Press

Posted May 9, 2009 7:27 AM CDT

(AP) – The top religious adviser to Jordan's king thanked Pope Benedict XVI today for his expression of "regret" after a 2006 speech that many Muslims deemed insulting to Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Benedict told the audience of religious leaders and officials at an Amman mosque that the history of the two faiths has been marked by misunderstanding. The pope said it is "ideological manipulation of religion sometimes for political ends that is the real catalyst for tension and division and at times even violence in society."
 

The pope angered many in the Muslim world three years ago when he quoted a Medieval text that characterized some of Islam's Prophet Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith. Prince Ghazni bin Mohammed thanked Benedict for the clarification he issued after the speech that the views did not reflect his own opinion but were instead "simply a citation in an academic lecture."

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by parishioners after his arrival at the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in Mideast peace as he began his...
Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by parishioners after his arrival at the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes...   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
Pope Benedict XVI wears a traditional Jordanian Keffeyeh that was presented to him during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in...
Pope Benedict XVI wears a traditional Jordanian "Keffeyeh" that was presented to him during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep...   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
 Pope Benedict XVI wears a traditional Jordanian Kaffiyeh during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI wears a traditional Jordanian "Kaffiyeh" during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009.   ((AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano))
In this photo made available Saturday, May 9, 2009, by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, left, is cheered by wellwishers during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said...
In this photo made available Saturday, May 9, 2009, by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, left, is cheered by wellwishers during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman,...   ((AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano))
Pope Benedict XVI, second right foreground,  reviews the Honor Guards as he arrives at the Royal Palace in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in Mideast peace as he began his...
Pope Benedict XVI, second right foreground, reviews the Honor Guards as he arrives at the Royal Palace in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said...   (AP Photo/Luca Van Brantegem)
Pope Benedict XVI, right, prays in the Regina Pacis center's Church, in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in Mideast peace as he began his first trip to the region, where...
Pope Benedict XVI, right, prays in the Regina Pacis center's Church, in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can...   (AP Photo/Luca Van Brantegem)
Pope Benedict XVI is escorted by a Jordan police officer as he waves at faithful upon his arrival at the Regina Pacis center in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in...
Pope Benedict XVI is escorted by a Jordan police officer as he waves at faithful upon his arrival at the Regina Pacis center in Amman, Friday, May 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for...   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
wwwonderer
May 11, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
Well it seems that both Islam and Christianity have quite a bit of violence involved. As usual, sex is a no no, violence is the mark of a devout -BLANK-. Ever read about what Christians are SUPPOSED to do to those who preach a 'false god'?
justme
May 10, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
Muslims are part of the PC protected classes. Beat up on white male Christian conservatives all day long and you're safe. What a joke.
Thinker
May 10, 2009 1:56 AM CDT
Manipulation of religion for financial gain is just as bad. How much money does the Catholic Church have?

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