Pope Watch!

[Bolivar]

I'm very happy they picked someone who really embodies a life of humility and service to others instead of someone who just talks about it. Especially during Lent, when we're welcoming new Catholics into the Church and hoping to be worthy of them joining us. Being Colombian myself, it's really awesome to see a Latin get the job. And a Jesuit to boot, whose big mission has always been bringing education to the masses and social justice and economic welfare to the disenfranchised. Pope Francis seems to embody a lot of the best things about the Catholic Church and has received praise for working with non-Catholic groups and advocating tolerance and respect for everyone. I'm looking forward to watching what he accomplishes.

[Teek]

I'm very happy they picked someone who really embodies a life of humility and service to others instead of someone who just talks about it. Especially during Lent, when we're welcoming new Catholics into the Church and hoping to be worthy of them joining us. Being Colombian myself, it's really awesome to see a Latin get the job. And a Jesuit to boot, whose big mission has always been bringing education to the masses and social justice and economic welfare to the disenfranchised. Pope Francis seems to embody a lot of the best things about the Catholic Church and has received praise for working with non-Catholic groups and advocating tolerance and respect for everyone. I'm looking forward to watching what he accomplishes.

This.

I mean, did we really expect a pope who would be pro-gay marriage, legalize abortion and allow female priests? Really?

He so far seems a hell of a lot more capable than the last pope and I have high hopes he will slowly help usher in a new era for the Church. But then, let's give him longer than a few days, at least, to do it.

[Formalhaut]

I mean, did we really expect a pope who would be pro-gay marriage, legalize abortion and allow female priests? Really?

He so far seems a hell of a lot more capable than the last pope and I have high hopes he will slowly help usher in a new era for the Church. But then, let's give him longer than a few days, at least, to do it.

Eh. I agree. I didn't expect the pope of all people to be openly liberal. I guess it could have been worse, and this Pope does seem to be slightly more open and media savvy than the previous pope.

Doesn't mean I still like his view though.

[Unbreakable Will]

I for one only like popes when they remind me of popular dark lords of the sith.
I don't like a lot of popes.

[Raistlin]

I mean, did we really expect a pope who would be pro-gay marriage, legalize abortion and allow female priests? Really?

Of course not. But with those archaic views as the baseline, it's hard to take the church leadership as a whole seriously.

[Jinx]

I mean, did we really expect a pope who would be pro-gay marriage, legalize abortion and allow female priests? Really?

Of course not. But with those archaic views as the baseline, it's hard to take the church leadership as a whole seriously.

Except that's what their religion is founded on.

Regardless of whether or not people agree with it, the fact that people are getting upset there's an anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, and anti-women clergy kind of blows my mind. Really, what did you expect?

[Raistlin]

I never said I was upset. I just said I don't take them remotely seriously as a moral authority, just like I don't take any the views of any organization stuck in the Middle Ages seriously. Just because no one expected any differently does not bizarrely make them immune from criticism; that would seem to only justify more criticism if no one expects them to change on their own.

And I even specified "leadership," because there are plenty of reasonable Catholics out there who don't share those views.

[blackmage_nuke]

I assume this is like a Headmaster of Hogwarts dealie and by resigning instead of dying as pope he doesnt get his portrait up in the Pope office.

[Unbreakable Will]

He also doesn't get his own popemobile in heaven.

[Bolivar]

And I even specified "leadership," because there are plenty of reasonable Catholics out there who don't share those views.

Your ability to acknowledge this makes me wonder why you say such sweeping generalizations about the Church. Because when I go to hear the Archbishop of Philadelphia preach every weekend, I don't recall hearing any of the negative stuff you guys talk about. In fact, I'd say you'd fit right in, Raistlin

I didn't expect the pope of all people to be openly liberal.

It depends on your definition of liberalism. If you're talking about social justice, compassion for the poor, and harmony across all divisions, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more liberal than this guy.

Except that's what their religion is founded on.

Our religion is founded on kindness and compassion towards others. All else is small peanuts, really.

[Jinx]

I was raised Christian my whole life. I've read nearly all the Bible. If you're saying legalism isn't a key component of Christianity, then you aren't reading your Bible properly, sorry.

[Unbreakable Will]

Yeah I had Southern Baptist upbringing that thankfully did not stay, mostly because I can think for myself, and I heard on a daily basis bigotry, bigotry, fire and brimstone, love of god, bigotry, infighting bigotry. Not just one church, several. I believe in God but organized religion can suck a big one and so can judgement and persecution of others for that matter.

[Bolivar]

I was raised Christian my whole life. I've read nearly all the Bible. If you're saying legalism isn't a key component of Christianity, then you aren't reading your Bible properly, sorry.

Actually, last week's Gospel was the story of the prodigal son, which is about how people with strong legalist opinions are usually just as far away from God as those they're trying to condemn.

C'mon Sam, I know you're better than "you disagree so your interpretation is wrong."

[Pheesh]

Everything after that last image of the seagull needs to be taken out of here and dumped into an EoEO thread where it belongs

[Jinx]

I was raised Christian my whole life. I've read nearly all the Bible. If you're saying legalism isn't a key component of Christianity, then you aren't reading your Bible properly, sorry.

Actually, last week's Gospel was the story of the prodigal son, which is about how people with strong legalist opinions are usually just as far away from God as those they're trying to condemn.

C'mon Sam, I know you're better than "you disagree so your interpretation is wrong."

The prodigal son isn't about legalism. It's theme is that if you turn from God, you can always come back and be forgiven.


Dude, I am just saying what is written plainly in the Bible. It's not even about interpretation. You can't interpret blatant words. I used to read a looooooot of the Bible every day. And the Bible itself says that you can't pick and choose what to believe.

Yes, you CAN focus more on the love bits. But you can't forget the God's wrath bits. Or the part where JESUS HIMSELF SAYS that a Christian is judge saved on their fruits--how they act, and how they turn from sin.