Philippine cardinal at Assisi: Islamist terrorists are ‘practical atheists’
September 23, 2016
Members of the Philippine Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf are “practical atheists” whose actions manifest a “denial of God,” a Philippine cardinal said during the recent day of prayer for peace at Assisi.
Abu Sayyaf members have an “inadequate knowledge of the Qur’an,” said Cardinal Orlando Quevedo. “They profess belief in God and are devoted to their prayer but their terroristic and criminal activities in fact say that they reject God and his divine word.”
“The same is true also for many Christians,” he added. “While believing in Christ and his teachings, there is a stark dichotomy between belief and practice.”
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Posted by: Bveritas2322 -
Sep. 23, 2016 3:56 PM ET USA
That dichotomy is reflected in the belief that evil is not a matter of sin but a practical or sociological problem that can be managed out of existence once government is granted enough power to do so, in other words, a belief system much like what is held by Pope Francis.
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Posted by: feedback -
Sep. 23, 2016 2:38 PM ET USA
The Cardinal is mistaken in trying to explain Islamic terrorism by Christian standards. The attackers are shouting "Allahu Akbar!" which gives their actions profoundly religious meaning: deviant and demonic, but nonetheless religious. And all the "correct Muslims" are neither too quick nor too vocal in condemning the attacks. On the other hand, when Catholics commit sins, they don't claim to do it in the name of God.
