Mini-Editorial: Papal fallibility

September 20, 2006

We live in a world where words matter; what people say and how they say it are things of immense power. Over the years, we have become very politically correct in the way we write and speak. We try to not offend others of different races, sexual orientations, classes and religions. When a person or a group of people, especially those who are in the public eye, make offensive remarks toward different groups, the whole world reacts, at times causing riots and boycotts.

On Sept. 12, Pope Benedict XVI spoke at Germany’s Regensburg University and referenced a medieval text in which Islam is cited as being “evil and inhumane.” He failed to address in his speech whether or not he agreed with the quote he gave. He has since publicly apologized for using the quote in his address.

However, this is just one example of how the right choice of words (or choice of quotes) is essential to a public statement, especially one from such a prominent leader. In his apology, the pope said, “The true meaning of my address in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with mutual respect.” Unfortunately, this was overclouded by his poor choice of referencing the quotation.

The burden of communication falls upon the speaker, not the listener. A writer must choose every word with painstaking care as to effectively communicate. Public officials and personalities should do the same when it comes to what they say to an audience or the press. Controversy is not a dirty word. Some of the greatest and most noble ideas in Western history have indeed been controversial. It has its place in world dialogue, but we must take care to not let it degrade into insult for insult’s sake, nor should we allow the desire to be controversial be a hindrance to understanding and enlightenment.

The Muslim community has been in the public eye heavily in these modern times, with America’s involvement in wars overseas, accusations of it being a religion of intolerance, terrorism and hatred, as well as the recent controversy surrounding the Danish Muhammad cartoons. We, the West, and moderate Muslims, must work hand-in-hand to produce a new image for Islam wherein its peaceful and loving aspects are emphasized, rather than the hateful and violent aspects used by fanatics to keep people oppressed. In this vein, world leaders must choose their words ever so carefully. The situation is volatile enough as it is. While the violence that occurred in the wake of the pope’s statements can hardly be attributed to him, it is a testament to the necessity of choosing carefully the way in which we engage in dialogue in all matters, religious and secular. Indeed, we can only be responsible for that which we say, but let us at least take responsibility for that.