Pope Makes Plea for Religious Freedom
Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Christians to not emigrate from Lebanon, and to bond with the Muslim youth, claiming that they were the future of Lebanon and the Middle East in general, so they should look to build their nation together. I believe that this shows how religious freedom and tollerance have grown. In the article, it explained how the pope "has sought to mix a strong advocacy for Christians in the region with calls for tolerance, religious freedom and greater cooperation between faiths." This is a great example of how the world is maturing and becoming capable of working together to help eachother. The high rankings of respect and status that the pope carries adds significance to his words- painting him as representation for the Christian community at a whole. As previously separated peoples continue to put aside prejudice to speak out and help eachother, barriers melt and nations can grow. Pope Benedict XVI inspired a positive tollerance ethic that I do not think would have been announced by a pope to the public in previous generations due to social separation.
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While I don't think that you are wrong, there is also an undertone to the popes message. As with most religious leaders, the pope is constantly trying to preach and convert. Although the Pope is expressing a hope for religious tolerance, I personally feel that he is trying to solidify Christianity in Lebanon. The Pope shows this through his wish to forge closer bonds with Muslim youths. You could argue that the statement was intended to create friendship and mutual understanding, but I believe it is intended to change the children's religious beliefs and increase to power of the Christian religion.
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