Pope visits Turkey: Online debate part II

The Pope was in Ephesus to visit a shrine to the Virgin Mary

On the third day of his visit, Pope Benedict XVI visited one of Turkey's most famous mosques in what is being seen as an attempt to mend relations with the Muslim community.

Here, two Turkish readers of the website - one Muslim and one Christian - continue their email discussion on the visit. You can read a third part on Friday.

Click here to read part one

Click here to read part three

TUNAY EGIN, 34, ANTALYA, LAWYER - SECULAR MUSLIM

Dear Bahadir,

Despite my feelings about the pontiff's previous remarks about Islam, I agree that this should be an opportunity for the Pope to start better relations between Muslims and Christians.

And so far the trip has gone well - though it is still early in the visit.

My freedom finishes where someone else's begins

I am a little confused because you say the Pope has made mistakes - which I agree with - but you also say he did not mean to deliberately insult Muslims.

The Pope is a well-educated person with very a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. If he didn't mean to deliberately insult Mohammed or Muslims, then it should be very easy for him to clear the misunderstanding.

I am a very strong supporter of freedom of expression, but this does not give us the right to insult others' cultural, religious or private values.

My freedom finishes where someone elses begins.

The Pope has faced much criticism in Turkey even before his arrival

If I told somebody, "you're an idiot" and that, "I have a right to express my thought freely" - would it be acceptable?

Look at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, London. Since 1872 people have been allowed to speak there on any subject without fear of prosecution.

If freedom of expression gives us a right to say whatever we want - including insulting words - then why does this free speech corner still exist?

I also disagree with you when you say Turkish people see the Pope's visit as a part of a general threat to the state.

In Turkish history there have been many victories against the crusaders and the Popes who gathered large armies against the Turkish people and the Muslim world. Therefore the Pope has never been seen as a threat to the state.

But I believe most Turks see a danger in those who are interested in both politics and religion - because their intention may be to use religious values in order to reach their political aims.

On this matter, I think Europe should have learned from its own past.

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BAHADIR, 30, ANKARA, WORKS FOR NGO - CHRISTIAN

Benedict will become only the second pontiff to visit a mosque

Dear Tunay,

I agree that as citizens of a civilized world we should respect each other's cultures and values.

And that the Pope should have been wiser in his choice of words, especially in light of his unique position as a religious figure and a diplomat.

In this sense I wish he was clearer in his 'apology' or 'regret'.

But we should be wise in our reactions too.

If the Pope's speech was unfortunate, the reactions - especially all over the Middle East - were unacceptable. Disagreement should not be expressed through violence.

I also agree that evils done in the name of a religion cannot be glibly attributed to the faith or those who practice it.

I don't think the West has consciously chosen Islam as the new enemy

But, whenever religion is used or abused with political motives, the end result is evil. Islam is no exception to this.

I would also question how far the Islamic world has gone to condemn and dissociate itself from the evil acts of 9/11, the bombings in Istanbul, sectarian killings in Iraq, Sudan, and so forth.

It is important to criticise and deal with faults in your own camp. Otherwise you leave yourself open to others doing so.

I do not agree that the West has consciously chosen Islam as the new enemy.

When the basis of the West is free speech and liberal democracy, then an upsurge in 'theocracy' in many Muslim countries is bound to cause a clash of ideologies.

Apart from Turkey - show me one predominantly Muslim country with relative democracy and freedom of speech.

Something like 9/11, or the killing of any innocent civilians anywhere, can never be justified.

And, if those who do it, do so while declaring it to be in the name of Islam, you cannot avoid being labelled by those under attack.

What do you expect a Londoner will think about Islam when a suicide bomber blows himself up killing dozens of civilians ?

Muslims and Christians must start talking instead of hiding behind slogans and history.

This is why the Pope's visit is a good opportunity to bridge the divide.

And so far it has been a very good start, with both the Pope and his hosts trying to avoid any mistakes.

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Click here to read part one of the debate