I was very disappointed by the first bit of news coming out with regards to the Popes visit to Turkey. The new pope is, apparently, putting politics before doctrine in a rush to take some of the Islamic attention off of himself and the Catholic Church.

There where two main issues in his visist, as far as I was concerned.

The first was the valid point that there are real militant problems within the Islamic Church. What I would call pervasive militent teachings of a violent religion, but would expect the Pope to but that somewhat more discretely, especially while in Turkey.

And what dose the Pope seem to say?

Erdogan, who began his career in Islamic politics, added: “The most important message the Pope gave was toward Islam, he reiterated his view of Islam as peaceful and affectionate.”

Excuse me? Isn’t Islamic affection an oxymoron? Unless you consider beheding an afffection. And Peacefull? The religion which can effectively lie claim to more violent acts than any other the world over? The Pope cannot believe that, not truly.

The second main issue is around Turkey joining the EU, something the Pope has previously opposed siting that Turkey was in permanent contract to Europe.

Now that position has changed:

“He said ‘we are not political but we wish for Turkey to join the EU’,” Erdogan told journalists.

Again, a major reverse that can only be seen as an effort to placate the Muslim masses. This seems to say that the pope is compromising his faith for politics, a dangerous president. Also one that would be hard to reconcile.

I did say “seems to say” as we have no direct sources on what he said and what was communicated. The Peope has released no statements that I have found, but also has not expressed issue with anything currently expressed.

I hope the pope first survives his visit, and then takes the time to clarify his stance on these two important issues.