You know what. . .I don't even care whether this man, Francis, is the pope or not. He is a GOOD man with a CLEAR VIEW of what today's reality is in the world, and a very clear understanding of what Jesus Christ' message truly was and that hold whether Jesus was "God," or a great prophet. . .I DON"T CARE. You seem to believe that EVERY POPE is exactly the same and that, if one is a Catholic, one must have the same reverent and all trusting sentiments toward the man who holds this title. .. THAT IS A FALSE premise. Each pope is first of all a MAN. Some popes in history were cruel, promiscuous, greedy, and were "Christians" only in name. . .for the rest they were dictators who abused their power by taking advantage of the lack of education and gullibility of the masses! Now that I think of it. . .not unlike some of the tea party leaders! This pope is different. . .and his effect across the world, in a few short months has been very significant. I hope he has a long life, so that he has the time to put ALL Christians (and some atheists, and deists and Muslims, and Jews) back on the right track. . .maybe even start to unify many under not a "Christian" God, but an "UNIVERSAL" God. Yes. . .that is a far reaching hope. . .and I won't see it in my life time. But I believe, if the world must survive, it will happen.
Does everyone notice that the "progressives" reply in their usual manner - picking what they like and throwing out the rest. Standard prog politics - no moral absolutes, the ends justify the means. A living Constitution that flexes as much as needed to allow progs to do what they want - but when conservatives want to do something suddenly that Constitution gets very rigid. And a living Bible that allows progs to feel morally righteous until it conflicts with their politics.
AKA exercising intelligence and informed judgment rather than blindly following everything an authority says? Standard right-wing position - you're either absolutely for or absolutely against, so no judgment required. I guess that sums it up. The "conservative constitution" is rigid and unambiguously supportive of everything conservatives wish to do. No doubts, no gray areas, no overlaps, just absolute support for conservative political preferences. Anything else is situational ethics. That's the great thing about being a conservative - you're always absolutely right, even after you change your mind. Great gig.
I can as easily say that you support slavery of women- since you would force a woman to go through a dangerous and life altering experience. I am fine with the terms "Pro-Choice" and "Pro-Life". Pro-Choice describes my stance- because I support a woman's right to choose. If you insist on calling my stance pro-abortion- even though I would never tell any woman she should get an abortion, then I must insist on calling you pro-slavery, instead of "Pro-Life".
They like him when he says stuff that they feel is against republicans , hate him when he questions the decisions of pro abortion people.
So that excuses the practice? If you're going to be anti-Catholics, anti-Christian and anti-Pope... then at least be consistent. Actually, there are two definitions to "abortionist." One is a person who performs them... another is one who supports them. I love how Liberals always play the grammar/definition game, but it never applies to them. If you're pro-choice, you're pro-abortion, which makes you an abortionist. Kind of like how you support Socialist political/economic theories and policies, which makes you a Socialist.
I'm not catholic but will still like a Pope that speaks God's word. I was devestated by what he has been translated to say (the stuff non-Christians love) but now I am beginning to hear that he has been grossly mistranslated. The word "consumerism" mistranslated into "Capitalism" for instance. Too bad I can't trust the media to really understand what the guy is saying.
Yeah whenever I hear the Pope has something that sparks controversy I find I need to go to places like CNS and find out what he actually said and what the context of the statement is. But it is what it is, people will find outrage no matter what. Many seem to fail completely to realize there are other nations and groups of Catholics besides the US, and not every comment he makes is aimed as a stab in the heart for Americans.
He's very much on topic. The topic is about Lefty hypocrisy in regards to the Pope. His latest comments were about Life - including where it begins (in the womb). Leftists berate the Pope and people of Christian/Catholic faith, many times just for believing in a God, and other times based on specific Social policies, such as abortion. All of a sudden they held the Pope in such high regard, because he said something ignorant about Capitalism, and your eyes all lightened up and you immediately hit the forums with new proof of justification for your views on Capitalism. Suddenly, the Pope was seen as an arbiter of truth, while at most times he's just another fanatic who thinks there's a God sitting on a cloud somewhere, who supports pedophilia and is anti-women's rights/choice.
Yes I still love the Pope because I have views that some would consider liberal and some views that people would consider conservative. It's one of the amazing wonders of thinking for yourself and not having your ideas dictated by one team/side. So far the Pope has been nothing short of being great. Continue on with the fighting though folks. Never take time to stop that and look at what can really be done to make a better world.
I am conservative here me roar Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Typical melodramatic exaggeration. The Pope did not say that all capitalism was evil, he did say there are ills to un-regulated capitalilsm, and there are. If you don't believe that, then you must consider the robber barron days of the 1800's with child sweatshops the pinnacle of humanity.
yes this specitifc Pope was a virtual Saint upon being elected by the Vatican Cardinals,even before any white smoke blew it's stack. However this Pope will face a very difficult period in the current World climate. With Morality and virtue being considered universally unimportant,even a distraction,it will be nothing short of an uphill battle 24/7 for this once pious and very simple-living Catholic.Vatican City is enormous in it's spendor and visuals.Those lucky enough { cardinals and certain clergy } certainly have a beautiful place to lead the contemplative life. However ... This Pope { Francis } decided he needed to be closer to his flock { daily contact with ordinary people } and declined { broke with Vatican tradition } and opted to remain in the Casa Santa Marta,a Vatican residence which accommodates visiting clergy and lay people.Where he stayed with his fellow Cardinals during the conclave. In this Pope Francis is establishing his already noted reputation for being a simple and virtuous human.Not an uppity cell in his body.Unlike many important figures today. " I didn't want to go and live in the apostolic palace.I go over there just for work and for audiences. "
A very real conundrum exists with this Pontiff { a Jesuit } and many U.S. politicans.or pundits { Chris Matthews }.Take Matthews,who is still a practicing Catholic as is Nancy Pelosi.Plus about *20 or so U.S. Senators. Matthews openly stated his near adoration of President Obama. Obama is arguablt THE biggest Abortion advocate in the country.As a State Senator he favored Infanticide over saving the life of a failed abortion.Yet Matthews is nery challenged about that.Same with Pelosi,who tried her best to have a tete-a-tete with the last Pope and was denied.She managed a photo op and acted like she personally met with Pope Benedict.It surely had everything to do with her Very radical politics and also being an outspoken supporter of Abortions. ALL Catholics especially those older,are rigidly taught and preached to about the evils of Abortion.Because Life IS Precious.ALL life.Especially the Unborn and the sick & dyin'. That's half of a Priests job.To tend to the poor,the sick & dyin'. To administer the sacrements and then maybe visit the local Irish Pub for a couple stiff scotch.Only after 7 pm ... though. Priests follow rules also. * the number was 25 in 2007-2008 and 24 when Dick Durbin's { a Catholic } staff put together a Catholic scorecard grading those Catholic Senators on areas of International,Domestic and pro-life issues. Get this ... Durbin's staff used the USCCB document { Call to Faithful Citizenship } as a guide. !
Pope Francis is attempting to restore the essential message of Christianity when he beseeches politicians to guarantee people's fundamental rights, including access to capital, services, educational resources, and health care. All advanced nations are already making significant efforts in that direction. If some choose, instead, atheist Ayn Rand's pulp fiction ideology, that is their prerogative. Hers is an airy-fairy confection for which there are no actual paradigms, of course. On the other hand, the Pontiff's appeal is already reflected in the moral commitment of all capitalist/social welfare systems, the most successful on earth. Whilst the Church, in recent years, has pushed the extreme position regarding a mindless, microscopic fertilized human egg being a bone fide person, an emphasis Francis is now correcting, it has not called upon elected officials to legislate predicated upon that opinion. Of course, the "Poof! Instant person at conception!" theory is at odds with the Church's traditional position in the matter. St Augustine's concept of "the quickening" is far more in line worth the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade compromise informed by a scientific understanding of the gestative process. If those who insist upon the intrusion of the State into the wombs of others to enforce their beliefs, and that that hobgoblin of little minds, a foolish consistency, be imposed, they would do well to look to their spiritual master Ayn Rand's attitude to such governmental transgression into private matters, especially as an expression of religious dogma. The Vatican pontificates, but Catholics' consciences are the ultimate arbiter, and that applies to birth control and abortion. People whose ethics are founded upon the Christian tradition will express themselves through the democratic process, because they thereby enjoy a government of, by, and for the People. To the extent that reflects the gospel, that's a good thing. .
Great contribution. It's no wonder you have so much reputation from the likes of your communal-minded comrades.
A certain columnist wrote about you earlier this week! Quibbling about a supposed distinction between pro-choice and pro-abortion is exactly so.
I think this pope is great. If he only spoke from a conservative standpoint, or a liberal one, he would be much less credible. MOST people agree with some of the left's ideas, and some of the right's. That is because neither of these political labels comes from a "perfect" paradigm.
He didn't say embrace socialism... he said watch out for capitalism. Who taught you to lace your reports with subjective judegementalistic adjectives like "ignorant" when that's what you're doing by misrepresenting what he said?
Right, but that requires honesty, both intellectual and otherwise and an IQ slightly larger than one's waist size.
I sure have NEVER put a pope on a pedestal. . . although I respected Pie XII and I believe I have even greatest respect for this pope Francis! Still, it is not his "title" that I respect, it is attitude about most issues. I hope he continues to demonstrate that much common sense and honesty, and he will (pope or not) be a GREAT leader.
Well, if you don't think it is worth "quibbling about the SUPPOSED distinction between pro-choice and pro-abortion," I guess you will not mind refraining from using the most flame baiting and intentionally insulting expression, will you?
What a foolish statement. "Does everyone notice that the "conservatives" reply in their usual manner - picking what they like and throwing out the rest."
