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I think it's a matter of this pope, in comparison to his predecessors, being a 'pretty nice guy'; but a 'pretty nice guy who's at the top of a corrupt, bloated, patriarchal bureaucratic system that's based on unsubstantiated mythology; one which does little to improve the lives of the poorest of its followers - the vast majority.
And after this pretty nice guy has come and gone that system will remain, relatively unaffected.
The evidence? On the flight from Cuba yesterday, the pontiff made sure that the media captured a very important statement: “Some people might say some things sounded slightly more left-ish, but that would be a mistake of interpretation.”
It's NO SMALL THING that the Pope sought to make it clear that he's not a liberal. Not at all.
You see, as the Pope, it's very easy to spew anti-US/anti-capitalism remarks when you're across the ocean in friendly socialistic territory. But when you come to the US, you have to realize that the two-party system is uniquely positioned to capitalize on specific comments, particularly those comments that play right into the Liberal Handbook.
Now that the Pope is in the US, it appears that he now understands the negative ramifications of his words and how those words will now be used as a partisan battering-ram by Democrats.
The Pope can try to run and hide from his liberal ideology, but US Democrats will ensure that he will NEVER be able to do that. Maybe he learned a lesson in his regretful decision to enter into the political fray with American Democrats.
Nothing personal, but who are you to judge the Pope?
I realize that many extremists spend their lives obsessing about and judging liberals, but seriously--they are now attacking a Pope?
In fact, let's take a close look at how some extremists in the GOP reacted to the Papal visit. The GOP has taken rudeness, incivility, disrespect and the warped idea that everyone should believe what they believe to a level that is positively disgusting. Atheists are more respectful of this religious leader than the GOP extremists who I am sure call themselves 'good christians.'
Interesting. An agnostic passing judgment on Christians and their views of what the Pope says?
How can an agnostic possibly begin to understand the spiritual nature of the stated positions?
If you really cared to learn something new you'd find out that many/most agnostics are well read on the topic of world religions and their various denomination, myself included. I'll match my list of college level courses taken about religion and from various secular and religious institutions against yours any day. I'll match my list of books read on religions around the world against yours as well. Being agnostic does not translate to lacking a spiritual or moral foundation or a set of values that can stand up side-by-side with Christianity. I have every bit as much right to "pass judgement on Christians and their views" as you do. Maybe more.
If you really cared to learn something new you'd find out that many/most agnostics are well read on the topic of world religions and their various denomination, myself included. I'll match my list of college level courses taken about religion and from various secular and religious institutions against yours any day. I'll match my list of books read on religions around the world against yours as well. Being agnostic does not translate to lacking a spiritual or moral foundation or a set of values that can stand up side-by-side with Christianity. I have every bit as much right to "pass judgement on Christians and their views" as you do. Maybe more.
Head knowledge is not the same as spiritual understanding. Kudos to you for all the reading and courses, though.
I think it's a matter of this pope, in comparison to his predecessors, being a 'pretty nice guy'; but a 'pretty nice guy who's at the top of a corrupt, bloated, patriarchal bureaucratic system that's based on unsubstantiated mythology; one which does little to improve the lives of the poorest of its followers - the vast majority.
And after this pretty nice guy has come and gone that system will remain, relatively unaffected.
Though I like this pope for his seeming affection for the poorest among us - I can't argue with one thing you said.
The Pope is staunchly opposed to homosexual marriage and abortion. How is that liberal?
The Pope has not said anything that is not backed by the bible, nor anything not according to Catholic doctrine.
The Pope does not fit into either pigeonhole that American pundits would like to put him into.
Pope Francis I does in deed believe that abortion and homosexuality are wrong in fact sinful but he also believes that the Church must never be used as a tool for persecution. Francis believes that people who have had or done abortions or committed homosexual acts can confess the fact that they have done so and then receive absolution and take communion the ritual that defines the Catholic Church. In short he believes in the power of redemption through Christ and that no soul is lost. This was laid out in one of his latest letters to the Church.
The Pope was a priest of the streets...I suspect his "discomfort bar" is quite high.
Pope Francis has two letters attached to his title S.J. which means Society of Jesus otherwise known as a Jesuit. He took vows nearly 50 years ago in this monastic order and then spent 15 years becoming a Priest. Jesuits are specialists in mission work and living the life exemplified by the Savior. They take a vow of poverty and service to the Church.
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