The Pope and lack of context
Waleed Aly writes a thoughtful piece in today's Age about the (over)reaction to Pope Benedict's comments on Islam.
As the more extreme elements in the Muslim world go about demonstrating that they are not violent by reacting violently, Aly points out that Benedict's comments were delivered as part of an academic theological paper at a German University and that his quoting of the 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II has been taken almost entirely out of context.
Regardless of whether or not you believe it was appropriate for a man of such religious prominence to be drawing attention to the (presumably now) irrelevant musings of a medieval christian leader, it is difficult to argue that the response has been warranted. As Aly points out more lucidly that I am able, Benedict used the quote almost as a footnote to elaborate his point that "missionary violence is contrary to rationality" and therefore could not have "come from God". Taken in context, how this could be construed as being anti-Islam it is difficult to say.
But that's exactly the point. The Pope's words were not taken in context.
The quotation that was used was plucked from the transcript and broadcast across the world. A brilliant soundbite, certain to stir up a lively response. That it ran contrary to the spirit of the full address was considered irrelevant.
I find it increasingly depressing that this style of reporting and the public acceptance of it has reduced debate to the simplest of phrases and quickest of soundbites. What was done to the Pope's address is done on a daily basis to politicians and as a result, political discourse both in this country and around the world is now little more than a battle of one-liners. It leaves no room for big ideas or the encouragement of intelligence or discussion. Any extended concept or speech is tagged by the best, most controversial soundbite that can be wrung from it and as a consequence, no one in the public eye is willing to say anything even remotely engaging and when they do you end up with a Barry Jones' spaghetti diagram situation, a perfect example of not being willing or able to engage the ideas put forward.
Gah. This is why we need more people like Waleed Aly. You never know, one day people might actually go back to respecting complex thought.
As the more extreme elements in the Muslim world go about demonstrating that they are not violent by reacting violently, Aly points out that Benedict's comments were delivered as part of an academic theological paper at a German University and that his quoting of the 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II has been taken almost entirely out of context.
Regardless of whether or not you believe it was appropriate for a man of such religious prominence to be drawing attention to the (presumably now) irrelevant musings of a medieval christian leader, it is difficult to argue that the response has been warranted. As Aly points out more lucidly that I am able, Benedict used the quote almost as a footnote to elaborate his point that "missionary violence is contrary to rationality" and therefore could not have "come from God". Taken in context, how this could be construed as being anti-Islam it is difficult to say.
But that's exactly the point. The Pope's words were not taken in context.
The quotation that was used was plucked from the transcript and broadcast across the world. A brilliant soundbite, certain to stir up a lively response. That it ran contrary to the spirit of the full address was considered irrelevant.
I find it increasingly depressing that this style of reporting and the public acceptance of it has reduced debate to the simplest of phrases and quickest of soundbites. What was done to the Pope's address is done on a daily basis to politicians and as a result, political discourse both in this country and around the world is now little more than a battle of one-liners. It leaves no room for big ideas or the encouragement of intelligence or discussion. Any extended concept or speech is tagged by the best, most controversial soundbite that can be wrung from it and as a consequence, no one in the public eye is willing to say anything even remotely engaging and when they do you end up with a Barry Jones' spaghetti diagram situation, a perfect example of not being willing or able to engage the ideas put forward.
Gah. This is why we need more people like Waleed Aly. You never know, one day people might actually go back to respecting complex thought.
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