Would you kiss the Pope's ring? (priest, nuns, atheists, missionaries)

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by irishmom

Ok I'm good, just couldn't let that comment hang as it was.

And yes I am sure you are right that there are some that would do it just to say they did....of course I would kiss the Blarney Stone for that same reason if I ever get to Ireland.

Not if you heard what the drunken Irishmen do after the tourists have left

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by Oakback

Not if you heard what the drunken Irishmen do after the tourists have left

Don't worry I'll bring my Clorox wipes for the occaision.

[bigthirsty]

Originally Posted by irishmom

When you say the Pledge of Allegiance do you cover your heart? If you were in the military would you salute an officer that out ranked you? If you went to a funeral would you wear black or a festive party outfit? When you are on a bus do you offer your seat to and elderly or pregnant person?

All these things are signs of respect or customs that people practice to show respect. Kissing the ring of the Pope is no different. No one holds the Pope to Higher power than Jesus. To insinuate that Catholics do is in and of itself disrespectful.

I don't know.. I mean I see what you are saying but it would still be difficult for me. Like the pledge and saluting.. those are things I believe in. I don't believe the Pope out ranks me.. sorry if that offends anyone but I don't think he is any closer to god that I am. As far as the funderal and the bus.. those to me are just social norms.. just called being nice.

However, I'd be more than happy to shake his hand.. thats just the respectful thing to do!

[NJTina]

As a former catholic I understand the emphasis that the catholic church puts on the Pope. They believe that when Jesus said to Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church" it was the catholic church He was talking about and nothing else. Peter was the first Pope to them. It's ridicules. I would never consider kising the popes ring. To me it's a non-issue. I do respect the office of pope but as far as my belief system goes I would be committing blasphemy. Saying a pledge to your country, courtseying to the queen do not compromise our faith.

[wehotex]

no, but i sure would bite his fingers

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by wehotex

no, but i sure would bite his fingers

Then you'd have to rumble with the Swiss Guard.

[AdrianR]

No. If the angels did not give thier names to those that asked and told humans not to bow down a worship them, then I'm not going to kiss the ring of a sinful man.

[sun]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Father_Guido_Sarducci.jpg/200px- (broken link)

Father Guido Sarducci - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"If I was the Pope, I'd never wear it or let anyone ever kiss it, ever! And it would only be displayed where people couldn't kiss it, or else it would need to be kept hidden until people lost their urge to keep kissing it. I mean people just lose all of their control when they see it. I've seen people lick it over and over again, just as if they were a doggie or kitty licking its fur. Imagine if someone went to kiss it and my lit cigarette burned one of their eyes out! It makes me so sick just to think about it happening over and over again. The Vatican would go bankrupt from all of the lawsuits, not to mention all of the people walking around with only one good eye.
Or else it would need to be destroyed by me flying in the Papal helicopter and throwing it into an erupting volcano or something. And then I would want to be known as either "The Pope with No Ring the 1st", or "The First Ringless Pope" or "The 1st Pope with No Ring-A-Ding-Ding" or something like that...
Sincerely,
Father Guido Sarducci"

[ProLogic]

Hell to the no. I'm a good catholic but I don't even drink from the wine. Someone could have herpies or something and thats disgusting.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by ProLogic

Hell to the no. I'm a good catholic but I don't even drink from the wine. Someone could have herpies or something and thats disgusting.

Not that you can get herpes from a drink, but I see your point. I was always a tad grossed out at sharing the Shabbat wine, since you never know who's sick! But I'd worry more about things like the flu & cold than an STD.