SURA II (BAQARA)

This posting is not completely a departure from astrology inasmuch as it concerns the Pope's lecture that has aroused the Muslims all over the world against him. One of the significances of the passage of Pluto, the demoted planet, through the zodiac sign Sagittarius, is concerned with conflicts in religious beliefs that should eventually result in the resolution of their contradictions. Thus, we are witnesses to the current religious turmoils in the world today.

As mentioned by Archbishop Oscar Cruz in his Viewpoint blog, the Pope mentioned the comments of a medieval emperor regarding the violent method adopted by the Muslims in spreading Islam. Bishop Cruz mentioned that the Pope quoted Sura 2,256 of the Quran, but he (Cruz) made the error in separating the numbers. There is no Sura 2,256. However, there is Sura 2:256, or Baqara 256 which says:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in God had grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things."

Unfortunately, the CNN in publishing the news emphasized the offensive quote and did not mention the Sura which the Pope also raised to counter the emperor's bias. On the other hand, the immediate violent reaction of the Muslims serves to illustrate what the medieval emperor disliked about Islam.