The Pope Is A Tactical Genius (Jew-Baiting With a Purpose Edition)
If you think that we're using Jew-baiting in a negative way, you're obviously new around here. We were on the fence, but now we're 100 percent sure that he's doing it on purpose:
Having just stirred up a global storm by quoting from a text fiercely critical of Islam, it might have been expected that Pope Benedict would avoid anything alluding to another religion that could be open to misinterpretation. Yet minutes after saying he was "deeply sorry" about the reaction to his earlier remarks, he cited a passage from the New Testament highlighting the gulf between Christian and Jewish attitudes to Jesus' crucifixion.
The pontiff appeared to risk causing fresh controversy during his speech on Sunday when he cited a passage from St Paul that risked being interpreted as hostile - not by Muslims, but by Jews. It described the crucifixion of Jesus as a "scandal for the Jews". He said he wanted to comment on two recent Roman Catholic festivals relating to the crucifixion. What, the Pope asked, was the point of exalting the cross, a tool of execution?
In reply to his rhetorical question, he quoted a verse from St Paul, the New Testament author most often accused of anti-Semitism. In the Italian translation, used by the Pope, it runs as follows: "We preach the crucified Christ - a scandal for the Jews, a folly for the pagans." Jewish representatives expressed surprise at the latest incursion into sensitive territory. One said: "It does seem strange to come up with that particular quote at this particular time."
Number of riots being conducted by Jews: 0
Number of Catholic nuns shot by Jews: 0
Number of Churches burned by Jews: 0
Number of 'we're going to bomb the Vatican' threats issues by Jews: 0
Number of representatives recalled by Jewish states: 0
Number of expected Sabbath sermons advocating death to the Pope: 0
We dare you to suggest that he's not deliberately trying to make European Christianity wake up and realize that they've not only let the barbarians through the gates, but are paying them welfare. The man is a tactical genius, and we for one are willing to forgive him a little rhetorical playfulness and latitude in the cause of saving the entire effing world.
And if nothing else, seriously, we kind of deserve it... [this is where you say something like 'we're just kidding' -- ed... whatever - the Catholics have the guy who's trying to save civilization from savages and we've got some dense busybody of a Chief Rabbi sucking up to Qatari clerics - was this guy a Democrat in a past life or something?... you're still going to get in trouble for that 'we kind of deserve it' thing... eh - Benedict's a tactical genius and Amar is an idiot - done and done...]
Having just stirred up a global storm by quoting from a text fiercely critical of Islam, it might have been expected that Pope Benedict would avoid anything alluding to another religion that could be open to misinterpretation. Yet minutes after saying he was "deeply sorry" about the reaction to his earlier remarks, he cited a passage from the New Testament highlighting the gulf between Christian and Jewish attitudes to Jesus' crucifixion.
The pontiff appeared to risk causing fresh controversy during his speech on Sunday when he cited a passage from St Paul that risked being interpreted as hostile - not by Muslims, but by Jews. It described the crucifixion of Jesus as a "scandal for the Jews". He said he wanted to comment on two recent Roman Catholic festivals relating to the crucifixion. What, the Pope asked, was the point of exalting the cross, a tool of execution?
In reply to his rhetorical question, he quoted a verse from St Paul, the New Testament author most often accused of anti-Semitism. In the Italian translation, used by the Pope, it runs as follows: "We preach the crucified Christ - a scandal for the Jews, a folly for the pagans." Jewish representatives expressed surprise at the latest incursion into sensitive territory. One said: "It does seem strange to come up with that particular quote at this particular time."
Number of riots being conducted by Jews: 0
Number of Catholic nuns shot by Jews: 0
Number of Churches burned by Jews: 0
Number of 'we're going to bomb the Vatican' threats issues by Jews: 0
Number of representatives recalled by Jewish states: 0
Number of expected Sabbath sermons advocating death to the Pope: 0
We dare you to suggest that he's not deliberately trying to make European Christianity wake up and realize that they've not only let the barbarians through the gates, but are paying them welfare. The man is a tactical genius, and we for one are willing to forgive him a little rhetorical playfulness and latitude in the cause of saving the entire effing world.
And if nothing else, seriously, we kind of deserve it... [this is where you say something like 'we're just kidding' -- ed... whatever - the Catholics have the guy who's trying to save civilization from savages and we've got some dense busybody of a Chief Rabbi sucking up to Qatari clerics - was this guy a Democrat in a past life or something?... you're still going to get in trouble for that 'we kind of deserve it' thing... eh - Benedict's a tactical genius and Amar is an idiot - done and done...]
