Muslims don't Really Believe In Koranic Value of 'No Compulsion In Religion'

Note: In an Australian Islam, the 'proclaimed' Islamic value of religious freedom would actually be real. It would be useful to see Australian muslims enter into the deteriorating Australia-Indonesia relations and push muslim Indonesia to stop the officially (but under the table) authorised persecution of christians.



Cardinal Pompedda demands ‘reciprocity’ towards Christians in Islamic countries

Rome, Mar. 15, 2006 (CNA) - Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatory,( this is the Vatican 'High Court' for legal matters within the Church) is demanding a greater reciprocity in granting the same rights and recognitions that Muslims enjoy in Europe to Christians in Muslim countries.

“The same just opportunities that Italy and other European countries have granted to Muslims should be available for Christians in Muslim-dominated countries,” the cardinal said. This would apply also to the ongoing discussion about allowing Islam to be taught in Italy’s public schools.

The cardinal also warned about the use of the term “clash of civilizations,” saying that “Any chance of clashing or collision should be avoided through mature inter-religious dialogue among cultures.”

He added that he opposes the idea of defining the Christian identity as innately opposed to Islam. “This would mean heading down the path towards ‘holy war,’ a term which in itself is insulting.”

Cardinal Pompedda said dialogue with Islam must be based “on three pillars: reciprocity, the renouncing of a ‘clash of civilizations,’ and the need for a faith that is lived and is not reduced to the simple proclamation of values.”




Comment: Australians are informed enough to realise that muslims generally do not actually and honestly believe in freedom of religion. Try and find a muslim in Australia who will agree that the one million Filipino catholics working in Saudi Arabia should have churches available for them to attend Mass. Freely available, just like the mosque is freely available in Australia.

Try and find a muslim who will go public with this view of religious freedom, after he has whispered to you his private support for religious freedom.

Australian muslims have a long way to go in Australia. Governments should participate in this necessary journey.

Is any one awake in Canberra?