Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If you want a church where you can do your own thing, start your own church. That's the American way! I'm sick of all these Catholic-haters, whether they call themselves "Catholic" or not. Name me any church that is growing because of its "laid back" attitude on sexuality.
So many of the Church's teaching date back to the days when women had no rights whatsoever, oldest sons inherited everything, and it was a financial imperative for people to procreate. Face it, even most religious holidays were created so the rich didn't work their serfs to death. There were just as many homosexuals back then, too. But they took their place in society by taking a wife they didn't want and having children because children were needed for families to function. Then they had their amusements on the side (as straight men also did) and the Church looked the other way if they played the game in other ways. The Vatican had enormous political influence throughout the world, but especially in Europe, so they tended to focus on things related to politics and economics, instead of the teachings of Christ (e.g. the Golden Rule, love for others, fairness and justice, etc.)
This pope seems to have gotten the message that women are not possessions, Henry the VIII won the divorce war, the world doesn't need any more children to do the work, and the Golden Rule has wandered far, far away from most "religious" teachings. It's about time and I support him. He seems to realize that the real bad guys in today's society are the Worldwide SuperRich who:
-abuse the poor
-want to eliminate the middle class that many nations have not even yet achieved
-wage war to create income for themselves.
I truly believe Pope Francis can increase the membership of his flock if he lives in the real world instead of in Dictatorville. But he needs to temper his message and take changes in baby steps or he will face a revolt from some very entrenched powers.
I love that he wants to ride the subway, drive a used car, etc., but I certainly hope he is listening to his security. There are a lot of crazy people out there who cannot deal with any change and he is really rocking the boat.
he's like the most bro'd down pope since Pope Brad the Chill (not an actual pope)
That made me laugh out loud.
I'm not Catholic, but I do like the messages that this guy shares with his followers. I also thought Pope John Paul II (the guy before the last guy) was pretty cool.
I think the church has been bleeding money for a long time. He's trying to shore up that leak by bending doctrine to be more attractive to the wealthier countries, which are more accepting of gay and have legalized abortion for a long time. If you can't beat 'em join 'em.
It's a matter of opinion but I do not agree with this. The Catholic church may be bleeding money but it also has a lot of money to bleed. I don't believe that this has anything to do with money.
What is boils down to is the fact that Pope Francis is a good guy who is in touch with today's world. What a breath of fresh air.
The great corporation that is the universal church...commonly called the Catholic church will do anything - and say anything to maintain and ensure it's survival. I would not take this pope seriously...the last real Pope was John Paul.....in his withering old age he knew that he was the head of what was in part had become an evil institution. I really think that John Paul was the last pope...the poor guy died of a broken heart and the the self serving church was glad to be rid of this good man.
Pope Benedict was rebuking American nuns in who'd actually been out in the community helping teen mothers and AIDS patients for not being more judgmental about premarital sex and homosexuality. It sounds like Pope Francis isn't trying to get on the nuns' bad side (I wouldn't.)
Don't make the nuns mad. That's good advice to follow.
The most trusted followers of Christ were the woman....The Vatican has always been in breach of the original doctrine put down by Christ....Christ was an intelligent corporate socialist..."Sell everything you have dispose of your property...put the money in a common purse creating a common wealth and those in need could come and take as needed"...Well the Catholic church did not fully adhere to this contract... The Vatican bankers took the money gladly but no way in hell can a Catholic in need with draw from this common bank account.....They horded the wealth.
He seems ok, but his views won't go over well with the conservative members of the church, especially in the US and Europe, who are likely the biggest donors. I wonder if that will temper his messages.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
That's good advice to follow.
