Pope Francis: Capitalism is 'Terrorism Against All of Humanity'

[rug]

Pope Francis argues that modern economy's worship of 'god of money' leads to disenfranchisement and extremism

Published on Tuesday, August 02, 2016
by Nika Knight, staff writer

Pope Francis surprised reporters on a flight from Krakow to the Vatican late Sunday when he blamed the "god of money" for extremist violence in Europe and the Middle East, saying that a ruthless global economy leads disenfranchised people to violence.

"Terrorism grows when there is no other option, and as long as the world economy has at its center the god of money and not the person," the pope told reporters, according to the Wall Street Journal. "This is fundamental terrorism, against all humanity."

The pope was responding to a journalist's question about whether there is a link between Islam and terrorism, particularly focusing on the fatal attack on a priest by Muslim extremists in France last week.

"I ask myself how many young people that we Europeans have left devoid of ideals, who do not have work. Then they turn to drugs and alcohol or enlist in (the Islamic State, or ISIS)," he said, Reuters reports.

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/02/pope-francis-capitalism-terrorism-against-all-humanity

[Jim__]

1. Wow! That's a discussion worth having.

What role do poverty, post-colonial exploitation, and globalization play in international terrorism?

[rug]

2. You're not kidding.

A lot more productive than talking about drones and surges.