His Holiness Pope Shenouda III’s Seminar at Heliopolis Club — A Speech on Terrorism and the Religions’ Stance on It
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III opens the speech with strong condemnation of what happened in Luxor and describes it as a betrayal of the nation and an assault on the reputation and tourism economy, with a prayer for Egypt to regain its position.
Definitions and Forms of Terrorism
He enumerates types of terrorism (international, local, nuclear, kidnapping, bombing, piracy…) and points out that terrorism has become a studied tool with external and internal leaderships, whose aim is to sabotage society, plant fear, and dismantle trust.
Nature of the Terrorists and Religion
He clarifies that terrorists are not religious in the true sense; they use religion as a means to justify violence and many of them have forged identities and receive training abroad to complete their crimes.
Media Objectives and Intimidation
He explains that they seek media exposure to prove their existence and stir terror, so they choose targets and times to achieve psychological and economic impact.
The Necessity of Correct Religious Interpretation
He stresses the importance of studying the sources of their thought and responding with correct interpretations and explaining issues such as the concept of allegiance, the ruler’s authority, the meaning of jihad, and the sanctity of protecting the guest, so that people’s consciences are purified from wrong interpretations.
The Educational Story as an Example of Security and Generosity
He cites the story of treating the guest kindly (the story of Ibrahim son of Sulayman) to show that hospitality and safety are values that must not be betrayed, and that a guest in our country must be preserved no matter who he is.
Intellectual Terrorism and the Judgment of Apostasy
He warns of the danger of takfir as a kind of intellectual terrorism that imprisons minds and prevents intellectual freedom, leading to an intellectual fear that prevents writing and discussion.
Means of Resistance and Education
He calls for systematic awareness starting from childhood in schools, youth centers, and the family, activating the role of rational religious men, wide campaigns to disarm weapons, and presenting examples and promoting positive values instead of force and threat.
Spiritual and Moral Conclusion
He affirms that true religiosity comes from love of goodness and purity of heart, and that true repentance is hating sin from within not forcing people by force; violence produces fear and does not purify the heart.
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