What do you think of the current Pope?

[SDET]

I like to refer to him as the Red Pope. He consistently rails against Capitalism and embraces the Castro Brothers.

 

[_Sal]

I was smiling at the excitement surrounding his election. That smile, however, stated to fade and has not been back. That aside, I don't think he is a bad Pope. Rather, I just think he is overwhelmed as indicated by the pattern of proclamations, followed by retractions, clarifications, or new translations. To paraphrase forum member Goshin: He does not always think before he speaks, and that is not good for a senior leader. In the end, Goshin's observation is the same for progressive and conservative leaders. Even his most current proclamation about the Donald has already been "clarified" so the pattern goes on.

that doesn't bother me, I like that he just says exactly what is on his mind, and in his heart, later clarification is okay at least we know he is genuine and cares and lives what he speaks

 

[Sweden]

My feelings as well. He's fine, by pope standards.

I think that's called 'damning with faint praise'.

We conservative atheists think that religion should keep out of politics. And education, science, jam-making, car washing and anything else you care to mention. The spectacle of a grown man pushing superstitious claptrap is always unedifying.

 

[Fenton]

Thanks. I love irony.

What irony ?? People that believe that the Free Market is to blame for things like disparity and inequality ARE ignorant. The Pope is just parroting the same nonsense that Politicians like Bernie Sanders are using to appeal to a base that's equally uniformed.

 

[Cephus]

I was smiling at the excitement surrounding his election. That smile, however, stated to fade and has not been back. That aside, I don't think he is a bad Pope. Rather, I just think he is overwhelmed as indicated by the pattern of proclamations, followed by retractions, clarifications, or new translations. To paraphrase forum member Goshin: He does not always think before he speaks, and that is not good for a senior leader. In the end, Goshin's observation is the same for progressive and conservative leaders. Even his most current proclamation about the Donald has already been "clarified" so the pattern goes on.

I think the biggest problem is that he's trying to speak for himself and not as an authority for the RCC. The RCC doesn't want to change. He has views that clearly do not agree with the RCC leadership. He'll say something, they'll overrule him because they don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. I think he's probably a nice enough guy, but as the leader of the Catholic Church, he's really not that great.

 

[TwilaGreen]

Jesus is Lord, not the Pope.

The Pope isn't supposed to be Jesus. He is just supposed to be a great blessing to all. He is a man of love.

 

[Cephus]

I think that's called 'damning with faint praise'.

We conservative atheists think that religion should keep out of politics. And education, science, jam-making, car washing and anything else you care to mention. The spectacle of a grown man pushing superstitious claptrap is always unedifying.

Which is entirely true. I think the biggest issue here is that Francis clearly does want to take the Church in different directions, but the Church itself doesn't want to change. Every time Francis says something potentially positive, the Vatican follows along behind him, explaining that he really didn't mean what he clearly said because the Church can't be thought of as willing to change in any demonstrable way. They don't want a Pope with new ideas, they want someone who toes the party line.

 

[Fearandloathing]

Hahaha. For a change, we have a pope who reflects the actual views of Jesus and it pisses conservatives off to no end. "How dare he care about the poor as Jesus did!" "How dare he promote equality among fellow humans as Jesus did!" This is Christianity 101. Again, I'm not religious in any way, and I believe religion is one of the biggest problems in our country, but if you're going to claim to be a 'believer', at least abide by the tenets of said religion.

You are not religious, self admission, but still feel confident in telling them what to do.

Pardon me if we ignore the advice

 

[Fearandloathing]

Actually, it's a fence, at least where I live. A wall would probably have been better as the fence is leaving streaks of rust on its concrete base (why would they use metal that rusts?). Still, it's actually quite effective. It's not fool proof but it's like putting an alarm system on your house. Someone determined could still get in but any barrier to entry makes it somewhat more secure.

As far as the Pope deciding who is and is not Christian, well, I've never been comfortable with anyone deciding that. Even those west borough goofballs, as much as I want to disown them, I don't really feel it's my place to say. Then again, I'm not the Pope. I guess if any earthly figure comes close to being an authority on that, it would be him.

The most important and the last comment of Jesus to be recalled is "Mind your own business."

It is not for the pope or anyone else to say who and who is not a Christian as only "God knows the hearts of his children."

I find this pope to be reactionary and sometimes childish, like name calling with Donald Trump. Were I the head of an organization that is covering up sexual abuse of children, I wouldn't dare to take the inventory of someone else.

This guy is the worst pope we have known. When terrorists struck Charlie Hebdo in Paris, he popeness was ranting about how one shouldn't comment on people's faith. Now he is doing it. Two weeks after standing up for Islam, he called on the United Nations to go to war against ISIS the day AFTER ISIS established a stronghold across the pond in Libya. Sorry to say but I don't think he's very wise

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

The RCC doesn't want to change.

why should they?

 

[Cephus]

why should they?

Because they are losing millions of adherents?

 

[lb_on_teh_cb]

Because they are losing millions of adherents?

ok, and so what?

do they actually believe what they say they believe or do they change what they "believe" to keep butt$ in the seat$?

at some point they are exposed as just a fraud

 

[Μολὼν λαβέ]

Really like him. He lives like Christ instructed us to. Love the way he wades into politics sticking up for the poor and dispossessed.

 

[Cephus]

ok, and so what?

do they actually believe what they say they believe or do they change what they "believe" to keep butt$ in the seat$?

at some point they are exposed as just a fraud

Well, they are. All religions are. That's why churches are trying so hard to fill pews. They want your money, whether they want to admit that's their goal or not.

 

[SecularSapience]

You are not religious, self admission, but still feel confident in telling them what to do.

Pardon me if we ignore the advice

You sound kinda' butt hurt. You know I'm right, which accounts for that. Just because I'm not religious doesn't mean I'm wrong. It's like saying that I don't know anything about football just because I'm not a player in the NFL. Grow up and stop the "us vs. them" mentality.

 

[Sweden]

You are not religious, self admission, but still feel confident in telling them what to do.

Pardon me if we ignore the advice

The religious delight on telling the non-religious what to do. They attempt to use the criminal law to enforce their ideas of 'morality'. Come on, admit it, you would have me burnt at the stake if you got the chance.

 

[DaveFagan]

When you have the left, who hate any kind of organized religion and are mostly atheistic, all supporting and liking the Pope, while conservatives dislike him, it's time to sit up and take notice that maybe there is something wrong with this Pope.[/QUOTE]

That, or there is something seriously wrong with the CONSERVATIVES.

 

[Cryptic]

that doesn't bother me, I like that he just says exactly what is on his mind, and in his heart, later clarification is okay at least we know he is genuine and cares and lives what he speaks

I can respect this quality that you pointed out (though I still prefer a "think before speaking" type leader.

 

[_Sal]

I can respect this quality that you pointed out (though I still prefer a "think before speaking" type leader.

well a filter can definitely be seen as a positive, it certainly presents as more polished...the thing is, as I age I question the value of polished unless that is a natural part of the person's personality

in today's polished shiny world, I am beginning to highly appreciate tarnished. :lol:

 

[Cryptic]

well a filter can definitely be seen as a positive, it certainly presents as more polished...the thing is, as I age I question the value of polished unless that is a natural part of the person's personality
in today's polished shiny world, I am beginning to highly appreciate tarnished. :lol:

I think Pope John Paul II balanced polished genuine emotion very well. I do see your point though that too much smoothness in a leader can un genuine. Hillary verse Sanders maybe an example of that. So might Hillary verse Trump (very tarnished, but also comes across as very genuine to many).

I think the biggest problem is that he's trying to speak for himself and not as an authority for the RCC. The RCC doesn't want to change. He has views that clearly do not agree with the RCC leadership. He'll say something, they'll overrule him because they don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. I think he's probably a nice enough guy, but as the leader of the Catholic Church, he's really not that great.

I think you have a very good observation about his desire to present a personal opinion that is apart from "the Pope". President Obama seemed to have had the same desire early in his presidency. In the end, however, Pope Francis and President Obama had diminished personal opinions when they became a Cardinal or a Senator. As Pope and President, they have no personal opinions. Everything they say is official and is "as Pope" or "as President". Obama seems to have realized that. Pope Francis has not.

The "clarifications" by others in Rome should not come as a surprise. No human institution so large is going to be an entirely one man show, not even the one led by an absolute monarch. In addition, the clarifications might be in line with Catholic practice as the Pope does not have authority to change fundamental aspects of the magisterium. He can, however, order a "different emphasis". I think the more that "different emphasis" becomes "a change", the more nervous the other VIPs in the Church get.

 

[_Sal]

I think Pope John Paul II balanced polished genuine emotion very well. I do see your point though that too much smoothness in a leader can un genuine. Hillary verse Sanders maybe an example of that. So might Hillary verse Trump (very tarnished, but also comes across as very genuine to many).

I agree

 

[laska]

Personally I have distrust of all religious leaders other than ones who where white "magical" undergarments and sing Hie to Kolob. But he seems like a decent fellow other than claiming divine authority that his position entails. I'm not a big fan of the wall either and am with Bush on the act of love thing. I guess I'm a wussy and weak on immigration also in Trump's book.

 

[Arjay81]

What do you think of the current Pope?

What he says or does has no effect on my life. Just another pretender.

 

[akrunner88]

Personally I have distrust of all religious leaders other than ones who where white "magical" undergarments and sing Hie to Kolob. But he seems like a decent fellow other than claiming divine authority that his position entails. I'm not a big fan of the wall either and am with Bush on the act of love thing. I guess I'm a wussy and weak on immigration also in Trump's book.

So you're a Mormon but distrust other religious leaders?

Irony alert. Your "religion" was built on lies by liars.

 

[laska]

So you're a Mormon but distrust other religious leaders?

Irony alert. Your "religion" was built on lies by liars.

Well Joseph's enemies over 40 times tried to make the case he was a liar or a man of bad character by taking him to legal trial and not once was he convicted. Consistent with a man whose enemies constantly tried to dishonestly character assassinate him and thus destroy Mormonism. And he gave his life for his testimony, as well as his brother Hyrum. Now that would be irony.

The name Hyrum means "My brother is exalted". The Book of Mormon states it was written in a reformed Egyptian. The word Mormon in Egyptian means Mor-"love" and mon- "established forever". All would be irony if Joseph was a liar but consistent if he was telling the truth.