Again, Pope Benedict's Speech

People have spoken. The words “holy war” and “crusade” have been uttered. These are ultimate methods of compulsion. There have been violent demonstrations. Perhaps the Indonesian Government promise to execute some Christians on death row who had received a stay of execution on a previous papal appeal is related to this uproar. Now, a story from the Sufi tradition. Mullah Nasr-ud-din is walking down a street accompanied by a scholar. Another Sufi approached them, stopped Nasr-ud-din and pointed at the sky, by which he meant “There is only one truth, which covers all.” But he spoke no word. The scholar said to himself, “This weird apparition is mad. Perhaps Nasr-ud-din will take precautions against him.” The Mullah rummaged through his backpack and brought forth a coil of rope. The scholar thought, “Excellent. He will seize and bind this madman.” Nasr-ud-din’s action had actually meant, ”Ordinary humanity tries to reach the ‘ sky ‘ by methods as unsuitable as this rope.” The second Sufi, the “madman”, laughed and walked away. “Well done,” said the scholar; “you saved us from him.” Now, you , my audience; is the rope a method of compulsion or is it a symbolic pointing to some truth beyond words? Are we as blind as the scholar who fancies himself learned? Shall we find out by arguing and fighting? I myself seek to exit from this generation of compulsion. “There is no compulsion in religion.”