Do you think that the Pope approves of your theology?

Post #215,104 by ben_tilly 7/16/05 1:18:17 AM Reply	Do you think that the Pope approves of your theology? I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #215,127 by bionerd 7/16/05 9:26:46 AM Reply	The Pope just issued a warning about Harry Potter What do you think?
Post #215,128 by Another Scott 7/16/05 9:46:56 AM Reply	He may soon issue a letter of support. He seems to be a bit muddled in some of his opinions and doesn't seem to mind contradicting himself. [link\|http://clevershark.com/index.php?entry=987\|E.g.]: The problem with Ratzinger comes mostly from what he has said. His pronouncements on Islam have been all over the place and often contradictory. Similarly, the many positions he appears to have taken on secularism lead one to be confused as to where the new Pope stands on the issue -- if he criticizes Islam for mixing religion and politics, why does he then turn around and demand that Christianity be declared the cornerstone of European civilization? In the "Dominus Jesus" of 2000 he asserts that Christianity (and of course Catholicism) is the one true faith, but [link\|http://www.cathnews.com/news/203/19.php\|shortly thereafter he denies it]. One may well wonder where the new Pope will lead the Church's dialogue with Islam, and even whether that dialogue will continue at all. However, it is Ratzinger's less ambivalent opinions that make him bad news for the Church. He has already condemned homosexuality as "an intrinsic moral evil", and has backed up that opinion with action that speaks of callousness and mean-spiritedness, going as far as to [link\|http://www.soulforce.org/main/catholics.shtml\|prohibit an American priest and nun from ministering to gays and lesbians]. He is also on the record as honestly claiming that [link\|http://www.rainbownation.it/gayworld/gayworld_en.asp?Section=both&tipo=culture&subsect=homophobia&Id=8\|homosexuality is a threat to Christian peoples, seeing homosexuality as a "disease" that needs an ecumenical cure (!), and that getting "converted" away from "gayness" is just like any other "conversion from evil"]. Not exactly a progressive mind at work there. Ratzinger quotes Leviticus liberally in support of those opinions. One may be left to wonder whether the new Pope will also quote liberally from Leviticus as he upholds [link\|http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/Leviticus1.html\|the traditions of sacrificing oxen for the Lord, selling one's daughter into slavery, purchasing slaves, not eating shellfish, murdering those who opt to work on the Sabbath, etc. because all these subjects are also covered in Leviticus]. Most interesting is the prohibited behaviour of cutting one's hair around the temples, and shaving. Most photos of Mr. Ratzinger seem to indicate that he fails to follow the teachings of Leviticus in at least that one aspect. Also of interest is his insistence that [link\|http://www.tldm.org/news6/Ratzinger.htm\|those who deviate from the Church's doctrine should be denied communion]. This was done in a secret letter to US cardinals in 2004, and would seem to have been engineered expressly in order to provide a secret boot to Republican party candiates in the election that took place at that time. It seems that while Islam should be condemned for mixing politics with religion, there is no problem when this is done by a Catholic Cardinal. At least we now know that Benedict XVI is no less of a hypocrite than his predecessors. [...] FWIW. Cheers, Scott.
Post #215,134 by imqwerky 7/16/05 12:37:43 PM Reply	Oh Brother! That's funny. The Council of US Bishops gave a thumbs up to the last Harry Potter Movie! With the blessing of dear, sweet ol' JPII. I have some fundamentalist friends who gently warn me of what their child may and may not view whilst in our home. Of course, HP comes up. So we get into some lovely theological discussions regarding same. I feel that it is merely the same old good v. evil. They feel that ______ ooooooh_____ good witchcraft v. bad witchcraft.... it's all from the debbil! Peace, Amy "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Heilige Sheisse, what a ride!'" .
Post #215,133 by imqwerky 7/16/05 12:26:59 PM Reply	I don't care if the pope approves I can choose to believe what I want. I happen to believe that organized religions are merely languages through with we express our faith. I am a cradle Catholic and I am most comfortable with Catholicism, hence, I gravitate towards the Catholic Church. However, I am not all caught up in the Church's dogma. In the last 3 years, I feel I have become enlightened and am more of a Unitarian. I happen to like the idea of "cream-skimming" the best of all religions to create a new one. I believe that one should treat others with kindness and respect. And I should pray for my enemies, because they are in pain. That is why they are lashing out at the world. If people would stop and actually read the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Encyclicals and Papal Bulls, they would have a better understanding of the Church and know exactly how foolish a lot of people act in the name of Catholicism. (Especially the NFP'ers Puhhhhleeeezzzzzzz!!!!!) I guess I made my point. :) Et in terra pax, Amy "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Heilige Sheisse, what a ride!'" .
Post #215,182 by ben_tilly 7/16/05 11:09:18 PM Reply	About what I guessed. :-) I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #215,187 by imqwerky 7/17/05 12:26:19 AM 7/17/05 12:27:55 AM Reply	OT do you have AIM or yahoo messenger? email imquirky at comcast dot net tired of static messages. peace, a. "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Heilige Sheisse, what a ride!'" . Edited by imqwerky July 17, 2005, 12:27:55 AM EDT Expand All History
Post #215,192 by ben_tilly 7/17/05 2:54:41 AM Reply	Replied I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #215,341 by jb4 7/18/05 11:48:39 AM 7/18/05 11:48:56 AM Reply	Do you think she cares what the Pope thinks If she does, she just renounced everything in her post! I'm betting on "no".... jb4 shrub\ufffdbish (Am., from shrub* + rubbish, after the derisive name for America's 43 president; 2003) n. 1. a form of nonsensical political doubletalk wherein the speaker attempts to defend the indefensible by lying, obfuscation, or otherwise misstating the facts; GIBBERISH. 2. any of a collection of utterances from America's putative 43rd president. cf.* BULLSHIT Edited by jb4 July 18, 2005, 11:48:56 AM EDT Expand All History
Post #215,403 by ben_tilly 7/18/05 3:14:57 PM Reply	Theoretically she should - she's Catholic I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

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