The Pope...

by Abaddon 16 Replies latest jw friends

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  Joseph Joachim

  Abaddon said: or become so decrepit that he is no longer capable

  In my opinion he already is decrepit and incapable. It's been like that for at least a decade. He's just a figurehead, the real power behind the curtains being the Vatican curia, specially Cardinal Ratzinger when it comes to "traditional family values". The sad thing is that this Pope has outlived most of the cardinals that were around when he was elected, so that the present College of Cardinals was almost entirely apointed by him, and are as conservative as he is. So I don't think the next Pope will be much better. And I don't agree that he is better than his predecessors; certainly not than John XXIII.

  Anyways, Catholics couldn't care less, they just do what they feel like doing. They are not "book-oriented" like Protestants; their religiosity is more "adaptive", so to speak. That's why I think Catholicism has "The Truth" about Christianity (which is not to say that it is the true religion).

  Joseph Joachim,
  an overly-enthusiastic pundit of borderline reality
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  Joseph Joachim

  I thought the dead Popes were more interesting as they are preserved and presented in glass caskets inside St. Peters.

  Dang, I didn't take a picture of John XXIII's mummy because I thought it was a replica. I was there for Christmas too (not for the Mass, though). The church in Rome that I liked most was not San Pietro but San Paolo fuori le Muri, where the aposle Paul is buried. I bought a cross there, that I wear every day. Heck, I think I've definitely turned into an apostate.
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  openminded

  I too thought he looked wax but I asked an UNofficial stander-bye and he said it was the real deal. So I guess I am not 100% certain.
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  68storm

  Uto and others,

  It becomes obvious whenever I hear someone slam the Cathlic Church that they are/were part of this group, ie: jw, ex-jw or fundie. No matter how long they have been out or what their beliefs are at present, they always get their jollies badmouthing the Catholic religion. I usually find that the majority of this group don't know squat about Catholisism. They appear to be in shock when told that three bible scriptures are read at every mass. I guess this goes against what they have been told about the Vatican locking up the bible in some secret cave in Vatican City and no-one is allowed a glimpse of the Holy Scriptures.

  I am curious to know what in the Hell did the Pope and clergy do to you for you to be so callous.

  Respectfully,

  68storm
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  Satanus

  I have a freind who went through a bad split w his wife. There was a kid involved. He didn't eat or sleep for a few days at one point. I guess he was old fashioned. Anyway, later on he went for some kind of therapy that was sponsored by the catholic church. He said the old nun running it, and giving him advise was amazing. She really knew how to help. My freind is a moslem from iran.

  SS
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  Julie

  68storm you need to relax. Keep in mind many of these folks grew up in a religion that puts massive efforts into demonizing the Catholic Church. They aren't really ripping it too bad in this thread actually. I was right in my comments about the church trying to influence the secular world (it is wrong) and that this Pope, compared to many others is practically an "angel".

  I was Catholic (pretty devout too) for 37 years and have no gripe against the Church. I am well familiar with it's teachings and history (good and bad). I can see painful truths about it though so I guess that's something you and I differ on.

  Quit taking things so personally, you will live longer.

  Julie
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  sunscapes

  After this Pope it is said there'll be only one more...working with the Antichrist with "olive" in his name...

  By the way, what the heck is the Vatican doing buying an observatory in the high desert???