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Subscribe to RSSAs Pope Benedict XVI prepares to step down from his position in a matter of days, Italian newspapers are reporting rumors of blackmail and conspiracy. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Pope Benedict has changed Catholic Church rules to allow the conclave that will choose his successor to be held earlier if cardinals are ready, the Vatican said Monday.
In a motu proprio – in effect, a personal decree – he introduced modifications to the laws governing the timing of the secret election, which had been due to begin on March 15 or later.
Pope Benedict XVI officially stands down from his role on Feb 28, having resigned earlier this month citing his own failing health.
A conclave – the behind-closed-doors ballot of cardinals – cannot begin within 15 days of the papacy becoming vacant; in this case, March 15.
But the amendment to that rule, announced on Monday and reported by Vatican Radio, means the process could begin earlier if all the eligible cardinals arrive in Rome sooner.
Javier Barbancho / AFP - Getty Images
Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Look back at his life from childhood through his papacy.
The date of the conclave's start is important, The Associated Press reported, because Holy Week begins March 24, with Easter Sunday March 31. In order to have a new pope in place for the church's most solemn liturgical period, he would need to be installed by Sunday, March 17 — a tight timeframe if a conclave were to start March 15.
The number of cardinals eligible to take part reduced by one, from 117 to 116, on Monday after the sudden departure of Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who is facing allegations from priests of “inappropriate behavior.”
The Observer newspaper reported Sunday that the Vatican had been notified of the allegations, which stretch back 30 years.
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Vatican history of 'cover-ups and disarray' will challenge new pope
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New boy toys
He is resigning due to failing health...and he's going into a monastery, rather than a hospital or nursing home? That seems very strange to me.
Why?
I always thought that Catholic/Vatican law was "carved in stone".
I thought that was the reason the pope was, always, supposed to be such a radically conservative Catholic.
I thought that the popes "job" was to PREVENT any such changes, and to keep the church rooted only in the very outdated, and bygone, ways, of the times of Jesus Christ.
After all, when passages, such as "Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day, OR teach a man to fish, and feed him, for life" were quoted in the days when Earth was, MAYBE, 10% inhabited, and there was plenty for all.
Passages, such as this, are terribly outdated, on a planet, whose population is something like 125-150% of what the planet is capable of feeding.
Still, I would have thought that the popes job was to keep Catholics rooted in the distant past, not in the day-to-day, of modern day lives.
I just hope that the next pope is a modern pope, such as John Paul 2 was. A man, with ancient beliefes, yet rooted in this ever-changing world.
My opinion, anyway.
You really need to get educated about the Papacy. Your assumptions are wrong.
commander,
Your "thoughts" are incorrect. Who said the Pope was supposed to be radically conservative Catholic?
Jesus is outdated now? If you think that, you have never tried to know Him.
Rooted in the ever-changing world? What does that mean?
The planet is not overpopulated at all. There are spots that are, but, overall, the planet has a lot of open space, still.
What you do not like about the Catholic Church is what you THINK that you know. If you really want to know more about Catholicism, contact your local parish or diocesan office. They will be able to help you.
If you are just being nasty, then just forget about us.
WOAH, your own thoughts are wildly incorrect if you think the Earth isn't overpopulated. It boggles my mind that anyone can even consider that to be right... Corrupt humans are spoiling and destroying the very land GOD gave us to protect and respect.
I'm sorry, but you can't just take the parts of Christianity that you like and cling to them. The Earth is ours to take care of as told by GOD, not plunder and make uninhabitable.
SarahhL.
Nonsense. The Earth can and will hold many more people.
What parts of Christianity am I taking that I only like? Yes, we are the stewards of the Earth. And a huge portion of the Earth is still underpopulated and underdeveloped. It can hold many more.
Oh ok, so basically what you're saying is that every inch of the world should be developed and then after that, hey why not just go colonize space?
You know what this is called? Greed. Isn't that a sin in Catholicism?
No,
I did not say that, you did. Why must you exaggerate to try to prove your point?
Space. and also the oceans could be colonized...and probably will be.
How is that greedy?
You think God will save us when we've destroyed the land with the constant deforestation and oil drilling and fracking, etc etc? No, we reap what we've sown. That will be His punishment.
"...and the walls come a tumblin' down, all around, and the walls come a tumblin' down, and I don't care cause I'm already there, in a place that's no disgrace - and the walls come a tumblin' down."
What walls are tumbling down?
The cardinals elect the new Pope. Benedict does not pick his successor. Is this just your rant against the Catholic Church?
Tsk, such uninformed hate. Why?
Prophecy of St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226): “There will be an uncanonically elected Pope who will cause a great schism"
Could the ammendment to the rules be considered "uncannonical"?
Could the fact that only 116 Cardinals are taking part be considered "uncanonical"? (It's supposed to be 117)
No. The amendment is in the authority of the pope. The great schism already occurred from 1378 to 1417 and a uncannonically elected pope.
Learn some history.
Also there is no rule that there are suppose to be 117 cardinal-electors. Where do you get that? There is a limit of 120 cardinal-electors.
You don't seem to know anything.
Thanks for the lesson, teacher.
Jerk.
The resignation of the Cardinal from Great Britain leaves no one representing that nation at the conclave.
Although some people beleive that the schism already occured, there are some that beleive this prophesy applies to the last pope. Snoopy, just because you think you know everything doesn't mean I'm not allowed to pose questions.
Jerk.
Marigold,
St. Francis was not a prophet.
There has been more than one schism.
The Pope Makes the rules. Jesus gave him that authority.
There is not "right" number of cardinals. Any cardinal 80 and under can participate in the conclave and vote for the new pope.
There is way too much focus on the Pope and the men of the church than there is on GOD and JESUS, the two entities on which the religion was formed. The Pope should not have all this glory, as he is just a man. Such are the rules layed out by the teachings of this religion, and yet somehow that gets tossed to the side.
SarahhL,
That is YOUR opinion.
Jesus is also God. So is the Holy Spirit. The Trinity, you know.
The Pope takes no glory. He is just a man with a very BIG job. Tell me the rules laid out by this religion but are thrown aside.
Your comments indicate that you have very little knowledge on God, the Catholic Church or much of anything else.
I am not being nasty. I am only telling the truth. Truth is neither good nor bad; it is merely the truth.
NC, Really? You're just telling the truth. Like the pope just makes the rules, Jesus gave him that authority. And here all this time I thought god made the rules, like the ten commandments. And who exactly was Pope during Jesus's time? It's kind of hard to give authority to someone who doesn't exist in your time.
Paul,
Yes, I am just telling the truth. Jesus told Simon Peter that what he bound on earth would also be bound in heaven and whatever He loosed on earth would be loosed in heaven.
That is not to say that the Pope's rules trump God's. Not now or ever.
The point was that Jesus gave Simon Peter, the first pope, the power to make rules or change rules on earth as the head of Jesus's Church. The Pope is the official and inspired interpreter of Scripture via intercession of the Holy Spirit. The birthday of the Church is Pentecost.
i do have a question. Do you just make this crap up as you go along or do you just selectively read the bible?Now Peter was the first pope, and here I thought he was a desciple. Hell of a promotion don't you think? Oh well, made up rules for a made up religion. When I was growing up and read the bible I never once heard Jesus mention Catholic anything. Maybe that's just in your Catholic bible.
The Pope takes no glory? So, what, all the people worshipping at his feet, that's not taking glory for himself? What about all the material stuff the Vatican accumulates? What about the fancy robes and hats and such? Why do they need all these material things if their main purpose is for God to speak through them?
The Vatican, the Pope, etc, they're just self-serving sinners like the rest of us.
Paul.
Bud, this is just history. Peter was the first Pope. The pope today and all of those before are his successors.
Peter, was a disciple and an Apostle. He was the leader. Jesus made him that when He changed his name to Peter (petros - latin for "rock") from Simon:
Matthew Ch 16: 15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Douay-Rheims Bible.
By the way, the Bible you use is a truncated version taken from that which the Catholic Church compiled by 405 AD. The difference is that Protestants decided to take out 6 books of the OT and change some wording in the NT to suit them over 1000 years after the Bible was compiled.
The word "catholic" is from the Greek word "katholikos" and means "universal". The Church was called Catholic as early as the second century by St. Ignatius of Antioch. The "Roman" part was added later to distinguish the Church from Anglicans who said that they were also "catholic".
Everything is not in the Bible.
Sarahh,
He does not make them do that. They do it out of respect.
The Vatican gives away more and helps more people than any entity in the world. That is what it does with its money.
God speaks to them and to us. God does guide the Church as Jesus said He would ensure is done via the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Maybe you should learn more about the Church before you demonize it.
All people sin, even the Pope.
The Church endures.
If you do not like us, then go on your way and be happy.
If the Church is to survive, Benedict must have an epiphany: he must proclaim the following, under Papal Infallibility: (1) women should be admitted both to the priesthood and the papacy; (2) all priests should be allowed to marry; (3) all persons should be declared gender-free and permitted to marry whomever they choose. If he does this before abdicating, he will qualify for sainthood. Let the College of Cardinals deal with his divine vision after he steps down.
Wrong. Infallible declarations must be something the church has always maintained.
You seem to be a leftist American. Many of you Americans are all the same. You think the entire world should only be like you. You think the only people who are people are the people who think and act like you. Your knowledge of the Catholic Church is incompetent.
You take American media values of the day (that don't even express the views of most Americans) and mandate them universally to an organization you neither understand nor are a part of.
God hates homosexuality and it is a mortal sin. It is a mistake -- a malfunction in the theory of evolution.
As a leftist American your goal in life is to legislate immorality and drive God out of America. So the Catholic Church really doesn't care about your Satanic verses.
The Catholic Church will endure forever without your fallible declarations.
You are sooo far from the truth!! God calls us all to be saints! Saints are those who are believers in christ and have separated themselves for the work of the Kingdom of God. For you to say oh this act makes u a saint or that act makes u a saint means that the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not enough. 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 makes that clear. In Romans 7 Paul says we are saints washed by the blood. I dunno what kind of false doctrine u are reading prof but God doesnt approve of adding things to the bible..
anselm,
Now THAT was funny!
You have no idea who is with God and is a saint.
A saint is anyone who is with God. The Church proclaims saints after it has been made clear via miracles related to the life of the person in question. The Church "makes" no saints; it simply makes it known who has been revealed to the world as being saintly so that we can look to them as examples.
The Church has survived much worse than these times.
The Church endures.
Yes it has survived much worse. The spanish inquisition comes to mind.And the butchery of the crusades maybe.
Oh, Paul,
What you do not like about the Church is what you think you know. You hear snippets and, becasue you like them, you keep them.
The Spanish Inquisiton ( there were others - did you know?) got way out of hand between the LOCAL Church and the king. The Pope was not involved in the day to day runnings of the Spanish mess. News nor people traveled fairly slow back then. Men sin and must be punished. The Church endures.
The Crusades were a call to free the Holy Land from the Saracens/Turks (they were Moslems) whno had been killing all peoples in the area who did not want to convert. Yes, war is bad and a lot of bad things were done. However, they were for the right reasons and in some cases, poorly carried out. The Arabs were with the Christians as they hated the Turks.
There you go...some education for you.
The Church does endure; the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago.
Poor ppl think Catholics are Christians.. Do you know that Catholics are a mixture of the Pagan Babylonian Religion and Christianity.. Do some research ppl.. Kissing statues, crowning statues, prayers with beads, all these ppl bowing to another sinner and kissing their hands.. when did Jesus do that? He actually just healed ppl, cast out demons, and washed his desciples feet n told them to be the greatest u have to serve others.. when did the pope do any of that? Jesus never prayed the rosary.. Jesus never had statues... he said to even make a statue is Idolatry.. The Babylonian religion had the Queen of Heaven.. it was their God. now Mary is the Queen of Heaven.. Those crazy hats and clothes... all Pagan Clothing.. The supposed Holy Rosary is really called a "Mala".. used to the blank out the mind.. they thought hey lets just add a cross n now it's ok lol.. Nostrodamus had a vision where he named alllll of the popes and their names.. up to the one the catholics have now.. and that the next would be the False Prophet... hmmm I wonder why the rush to leave.. maybe the return of christ is closer than we think...
Catholics are Christians. Learn what Christianity is. The followers of Jesus Christ, the apostles and disciples, started the Christian-Catholic Church and St. Peter, one of the twelve, was the first pope.
Get some education.
Followers of Christ is the only correct thing u said. If Catholics are followers of Christ then why dont they do what christ did? Did Christ call Mary the Queen of heaven? NO. He actually called her 'Woman" not even mother. Did Jesus teach his desciples to pray with the Rosary? No again.. Did he ever tell them to have statues? No again.. Jesus just taught them that they were to Heal the Sick, Cast out demons, Preach the Kingdom of God, Speak in tongues.. When has the Catholic church done any of that?? I'll wait.. if u do ur research Babylonians were conquered and moved to Purgamon then when to rome. where Constantine had babylonians in his army and when they conquered rome because he believed christianity was the reason he won stated it would be the religion of rome. but with all the babylonians in his camp he reasoned and mixed the two religions. that's where we get the word pontis becase the babylonian priest were called that. that's where they get the queen of heaven because their diety was called that.. u arent doing anything but participating in a watered down, version of the truth. Stop listening to the nuns and read the bible yourself.
Oh and just for ur information. Peter was married.. So there goes all this celibacy nonsense that Catholics preach.. actually there is a verse in the bible that talks about a religion that causes ppl to be denied marriage and acts like christians but is a doctrine of demons.. why dont u look up that verse in the bible..
Snoopy,
Just as I agree with what you are saying, you really need to take the chip off your shoulder. You seem to be very knowledgeable and righteous, but yet you are a jerk. Makes no sense.
Even you will have to agree that our beloved church will someday fall to apostasy. Scripture states it is so. So when that day comes, will you defend the false church, or be counted as one in the remnant? You seem to me to be all conditioned and ready to defend the seven hills, and go down with the ship, rather than repent and tremble at the Lord. When the day comes, you won't recognize it, because you don't ask questions, you only berate those that do. Like the Spanish Inquisition. Admit it, if you were living in those days, you would have been an inquisitor!
I agree with what you said about prof. annselm morpurgo's comments. What will you do when the Church ever DOES follow his advice? Or takes some other less noticable direction. Like shared worship with pagan religions? (that has already been done) How will YOU recognize the apostasy through the rose colored glasses you wear, while you are so busy swinging your sword of righteousness?
How do you know that Christ didn't call Mary the Queen of Heaven? Where's your evidence? How do you know he didn't call her "Mother"? How do you know that Christ didn't teach the rosary? How do you know that Christ didn't tell them to have statues?
The Catholic Church has always healed the sick, cast out demons, preached the Kingdom of God, spoken in tongues. Always!
I have read the Bible.
Yes, Peter was married. I know that. And that doesn't mean celibacy goes.
You seem to read the Bible literally. You have comitted intellectual suicide.
The Bible doesn't mention a tractor. Does that mean using a tractor is a sin?
Get some education learn to reason.
About priest being married it was a few centuries into the church when they were not longer allowed to get married. The idea behind it was the same reason Peter and the others left their wives behind, they could not travel and preach and take the family along. You devoted your whole life to GOD then.
Priest celibacy became common around 1016 and the second Lateran council.
Catholics are the original Christians. All other Christian groups came from it.
d3zim, even the Bible says everything is not in it.
Marigold, Nonsense, People sin and fall away. The Church endures.
What you two do not like about the catholic Church is what you THINK that you know. You are incorrect and pretty much wrong in everything that you have said.
Snoop. Christ called mary Woman in the bible.. if I ever called my mother woman she would tell me who u calling woman.. im your mother! you better respect me.. So if Jesus called his mother Woman.. not even mother.. how ignorant can u be to think he would call a sinner the Queen of Heaven.. Mary was born a sinner just like u and me.. the reason is because mary's father was a sinner. The bible says because Adam Sinned allllllllll have sinned.. it doesnt say all but mary. Jesus wasnt born of a man. that's why he is not a sinner. Sin is passed down by the Man. The Rosary is a pagan tool. why dont u research what a mala is. also christ would never teach the rosary because he doesnt like repetitive prayers. u see, he looks at ur heart.. repetitive prayers blanks out ur mind, u say it so many times it doesnt come out genuine and is just spoken because u memorized it and it's just flowing out.. when the desciples asked Jesus to teach em to pray he gave them an outline in the prayer.. not said literally say this over and over and over.. I used to be a Catholic but have seen all the evil things they teach and had to seek the truth. In the 10 Commandments it says making a graven image of anything in heaven on earth or below is Idolatry. When moses came down from the mountain and they made the golden calf for God what did moses say.. u evil doers.. Idolatry is even making an image for God's glory.. He doesnt want it.. he is not a statue he is the creator of heaven and earth.. how can u even think he would be happy with u making an image of anything to represent him.. that's so demeaning.. like a ford focus representing a maseratti or bentley or rolls royce.. not even in the same class..
nc492358
Catholics are NOT the Original Christians. Jesus is the Original Christian. So follow what Jesus did. do what jesus did. and stop listening to what u think is the truth. If jesus didnt pray the rosary then dont do it.. God put what u neeeded to know in the bible.. what's important.. what's needed for salvation..
So you are saying that when Jesus returns, he will usher all of the upper class Catholics right up to heaven and all of the Baptists, Lutherans, and Jews will not make the cut?
The Church endures. Which Church? Where does it say that church affiliation trumps a personal relationship with God?
You know, whenever I stop thinking and just go to mass every Sunday, everything seems to smooth out just fine. But when I start thinking, and listening to "Catholic Experts", the more I wonder what the heck I am doing in that building. You turn Heaven into an exclusive club, not based on what Christ taught, but based purely on church affiliation.
Did you notice that the "new" mass removed the word "worship" from tip to toe? Why? Why did they do that? They say using "adore" in it's place is inclusive of the meaning of worship. I say, hogwash. Just because I adore Him doesn't mean that I worship him. "Worship" carries a "looking up to God" feel, whereas "adore" carries a "parent looking down at the baby jesus" sort of feel. Adore feels more like "treasure". Treasure is something that we posses. But we cannot posses God. We are not above Him. When we "worship" God, it is very clear that we proclaim ourselves beneath God.
And why did they change "I am not worthy, but only say the word and I shall be healed", to "only say the word and my soul shall be healed." ??? Did we suddenly lose faith in physical healing? Isn't that from the scripture ABOUT a physical healing?
I could go on. But the jist is simple. Create an exclusive club. Do not allow questions. Kick out the troublemakers. Change the language. Kick out the new trouble makers. Soon, the church has no dissention from within. Repeat every 2nd generation. Such a fine group of sheep we are!
I'm Catholic. But here I go again, down a "thinking" path that I haven't been down for 5 years now. But don't worry. I'm sure when I stop thinking, I'll be fine, and continue to go to mass every Sunday. Just like last time.
d3zim,
No, Jesus started Christianity. Jesus did not follow Himself. The first Christians were Jewish converts..and the first Catholics/Christians. All other Christian sects came from Catholicism.
I will follow His guidance rather than yours.
Everything is not in the Bible and it says so. Many things that follow and are noted by His Church only help us.
Scripture does not end as a dead book about life on Earth. It is the rule book FOR living life on Earth. FOLLOW THE BIBLE AND THE CHURCH JESUS STARTED!!!
Good enough for Jesus, good enough for me....and you.
Dominus et pax vobiscum.
Oh I didnt know that Jesus needed any fine tuning in his doctrine. I thought that the bible said we could not fit all the miracles jesus did into all the books on the earth.. seems like he helped alot of ppl.. seems like he was busy doing great things.. to say that Jesus teaching the desciples which were Jews are the 1st catholics is blasphemous.. In Revelations it says that there is a woman sitting on seven hills.. who says that they are THE MOTHER OF ALL... That church who says they are the originator.. and doesnt even know that God will destroy that church.. He even urges his ppl to come out of that religion.. that means he loves the ppl just not the religion his ppl are in. They clothe themselves in purple scarlet and fine linens and have a golden cup filled with the blood of the saints.. Now... God is not a Muslim so he cant be talking about the muslims.. they dont say they are the mother of all... Acutallly christians dont even say they are the mother of all....BUT, ...... CATHOLICS DO... Hmmmm, So if ur saying christianity and catholics are the same... then who is the bible referring to in Revelations?? Ever heard of the 7 hills of the Roman Catholic Church... ooops... hmmm seven hills in revelations... seven hills of the catholic church.. hmmm... mother of all.... golden cups.... yeah.. sounds like ya'll are the false religion.. I dunno... it's easy as 1=1
After the death of Belshazzar in 539 B.C., the Persian Emperor Cyrus conquered Babylon and forced the Babylonian princes to flee to Pergamum. They continued their reign there as priest-kings of Babylonian paganism. In 133 B.C., Attalus III, the last Babylonian King to rule in Pergamum, willed his dominions to the Roman Caesar, and the kingdom of Pergamum merged with the Roman Empire along with Satan-Nimrod’s throne and the title "Pontifex Maximus."
There was no fine tuning. Just additional things to note as time goes on.
Your history is still off.
So now YOU interpret Revelation? Nah, I will stay with Jesus's Church.
Pontifex maximus is Latin, not Babylonian.
d3zim, my name is not Snoop. Are you saying all there is to Christ is what is in the Bible? Weak argument. You are ignorant. He never called Mary a sinner in the Bible. Also you do not live in his culture. Stop making cultural assumptions. "If my mother ..." does not translate. You mother does not live in 1st Century Palestine. Christ NEVER calls Mary a sinner in the Bible.
How do you know that Mary was born a sinner. I understand you are a sinner, by your admission, but I am not a sinner and as a sinner you are not in the position to declare me a sinner.
Are you saying that sin in passed down from the father? Where do you get that? You've got some serious pyscho-sexual problems.
The Bible does not say that because Adam sinned we all have sinned, that would included Jesus because he is part of all. Logic!
The Rosary is not a pagan toolbox. You are realty ignorant. You seem to think that pagans are not the children of God.
Also, Christ taught repetitive prayers. You just make this up as you go, don't you? How do you know Jesus gave and outline of a prayer?
In the 10 commandments it says worshipping a graven image. Learn to read. You seem to be a fundamentalist.
For your information, there was no historical Moses. He is the personification of a culture's mythology.
Idolatry is not making a statue for God's glory. In proper terms concretizing ones own symbol system is idolatry, so you're worship of the literalism of the Bible is idolatry. And perhaps because of all the unconscious idolatry on your part, you keep seeing idolatry in others where it doesn't exist.
FYI, Catholics ARE original Christians, but they do not constitute all Christians. There is a difference between singular and plural. And Jesus was not an institutional Christian. He was dead before the Church came into being.
Jesus didn't speak English or write English, but you write English and perhaps speak English. Think about that?
Jesus didn't have a driver's license.
You argument is: If it's not in the Bible, don't do it. That's absurd!
d3zim, how do you know : God is not a Muslim so he cant be talking about the Muslims ?
In Romans 5:12 it explains that through One person sin entered the whole earth. In Romans 3:23 it says all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. God is not a muslim. Muslims were founded through Abrham having sex with his wife's maid. Through disobedience they had a baby.. that baby was the person that the muslims were born from. but the 2nd baby.. was the baby that the jewish ppl were born from.. No wonder why they hate eachother.. Come on man.. How much do u actually know about history?
Snoop Marky Mark wrote:-->"How do you know that Mary was born a sinner. I understand you are a sinner, by your admission, but I am not a sinner and as a sinner you are not in the position to declare me a sinner."
Oh my, snoppy, you really have some bad religion going on there. You are not a sinner? Really?
No, there is only one without sin. Jesus Christ. Remember, the one who you claim to follow through your church?
If your theology has taught you that you are not a sinner, then I will simply stop arguing with you. I thought you at least had SOME sense of Christianity. But now it is clear that your sword of righteousness has gone to your head. You elevate yourself to that of a god. The bible tells us no one is without sin. It is by this very realization that a savior is NEEDED for ANYONE's garments to be cleansed. You claim a white garment. But the bible says they are like filthy rags.
And where do you get the part about "as a sinner you can't judge me". Let he who has no sin cast the first stone? Is that your defense against your own sins? That no one is righteous enough to judge you? Ahh, yes there is one. Almighty God. And if you claim no sins, then you claim no forgiveness. If you claim no need for a savior, then the Savior's work is not for you. Enjoy your Church, my friend. Clutch onto that "last rights" certificate on your deathbed. Surely God will honor it, after all, your Church says that He will.
Religion is for the weak minded people in this world.I'm doing just fine believing in myself,wife,son,friends for the last 45 yrs. Married 21 yrs. son that 19 running my own business 15 yrs now. all this without a god. It's all up to you.
scott-1298720 is for the weak-minded. You just called Jesus Christ, the Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King and many Nobel prize winners weak-minded.
How weak-minded.
scott,
I pray you see the light before you die.
What can I say, except that scott is 100% correct. All religions were invented by man to explain the things that they, themselves, could not explain. With modern science as advanced as it is today, the magic sky wizard has become obsolete. And what do the churches have to say about that? Well, with their vast income at risk, they say that science is a tool of the devil. It's easier to say that dinosaur bones were put in the ground by Satan to decieve mankind than to admit that the world is 4.5 billion years old, not 6,000, because such statements require no proof and depend completely on the gulibility of their congregations who are frightened in to believing by threats of eternal hellfire. Accepted science, however, requires proof. Accepted science is peer reviewed, tested and verified.
I prefer to believe in Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka. There is no hierarchy to follow, no materialistic greed, and no worshipping a man who pretends to hold some power over the world (the Pope). Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka is the Earth, and everything in it and above it, and everything we do not know or understand.
Cvilleguy,
No thanks.
I will stay with Jesus's Church and not you.
SarahhL,
Is that why today, American Indians hunt out of season, over limits and gill net lakes until they are devoid of fish?
1) you're generalizing
2) you're exaggerating to a high degree
3) please take a look at whites before all else if you're going to lump everyone together under one race
SaraahL,
1) you're generalizing
2) you're exaggerating to a high degree
3) who lumped everyone together under one race?
What the Pope needs to change is the law disallowing priests to marry. God said "Be fruitful and multiply". He didn't include the addage "with the exception of priests and nuns". They deserve to be loved and loved by someone too.
Actually some priests do marry in the Catholic Church and that topic may be discussed in the conclave.
They (some priests) don't get married in the Catholic Church...some Catholic priests are married becuase they were once Aglican priests (who are allowed to be married) and then converted to Catholocism and became a Catholic priest...once the Anglican priest becomes a Catholic priest, they must adopt celibacy...
Wrong, some priest do get married in the Catholic Church. So please get educated and know what you are talking about. I know many married Catholic priest who married in the Catholic Church.
That celibacy rule is sooo anti-christ in nature.. even Adam the 1st man called to manifest heaven on earth and walked with God who had all the animals... no sin, nothing bad.. God saw he was lonely and Gave him a WIFE!!!!!! You can have everything like Adam... all the holiness all the love of God but a Man needs a Woman. For u to make up rules that they should be single forever is the reason they are having sex with all these lil boys..
Anti-Christ in nature. Christ was celibate. Now celibacy you can argue is not natural (Theory of Evolution), but don't say it's anti-Christ in nature.
Do you evne know who Jesus Christ was and is?
How do we know Christ was celibate????
Jay,
So far, the Popes disagree with you. I will go with them.
Lmbooooo wow.. Snoop you are sooooo lost my friend.. Jesus was celibate because he was GOD as a HUMAN.. Duuuuhhhhhhhh he was without sin.. do u think he will have sex with a sinner?? come on man.. how silly can ur responses get..
Jesus lived and ate with sinners. Jesus did lot of things that humans do but He did not need to. He lived as we do to be an example. Do you think that He needed to be baptized?
nc-492358
having sex with a sinner is totally different than eating with sinners. having sex causes u and that person to be one in spirit.. that's why jesus couldnt have sex with a human.. he would have allowed all the sin in that persons spirit to join into his spirit.. Eating dinner with ppl or hanging out with them dooesnt cause the same outcome.. dang.. can ya'll come up with some good rebuttals.. this is too easy.. and with that.. shows the REAL understanding of who Jesus is and for that matter anything that has to do with Christianity.. Had to be Catholics....
Having sex outside of marriage would be bad, yes. You make sex sound bad. But not wanting to have kids is a good reason NOT to get married.
Nonsense, the sin of the person infecting Jesus.....ridiculous. Where did you make this up? You did not learn it.
Your reasoning is not reasonable. You may be ill. Seek help. Run.....
I didnt say anything aobut having sex outside of marriage.. Even if u are married when u have sex with that person it's what CONSUMATES THE MARRIAGE.. Do u know what that means... Even in Our Times.. If u get married and DO NOT HAVE SEX.... you can get ur marrieage anulled... meaning u were NEVER MARRIED.. because u didnt seal the deal as we say.. So how can our government understand the spiritual connection between sex but u mr or ms catholic do not? and ur totally correct.. jesus would never allow himself to be infected by a mere human by getttin married to a woman and having sex.. that is the best thing u have said all day..
After the death of Belshazzar in 539 B.C., the Persian Emperor Cyrus conquered Babylon and forced the Babylonian princes to flee to Pergamum. They continued their reign there as priest-kings of Babylonian paganism. In 133 B.C., Attalus III, the last Babylonian King to rule in Pergamum, willed his dominions to the Roman Caesar, and the kingdom of Pergamum merged with the Roman Empire along with Satan-Nimrod’s throne and the title "Pontifex Maximus."
d3zim,
It is the Church that says if no consummation, then the marriage is not yet valid. Not the government.
What is wrong with you?
Are you institutionalized? I am not being mean. Are you in an insititution?
Lol @ it being 2013 and people are still Catholic.. hahahahahahahahaha
You're statement is really stupid. What's really funny is people like you who aren't catholic and it being 2013. Maybe you can grow up and live a moral life.
Or do you worship Satan?
Ras,
Yep. Still the largest single religion in the world.
If you follow these discussion pages a few days, especially the ones of any religious matter, you will notice atheists making comments. For some reason, it seems they cannot resist. They will accuse you of trying to force religion on them. If you say you should have a right to pray at a highschool sporting event, they will say you are forcing your religion on them, even though no one tells them they have to pray. I guess it is sort of like this kind of reasoning: Ten people in front of me at a hamburger place order hamburgers with mustard. I want mine with mayonaise. I should make the place stop serving mustard, and no one should be allowed to have mustard, because by thier actions they are forcing me to have mustard. Right? Of course not. What bothers me a lot is that the issue of religion is a much more serious issue, so if we would not allow someone to tell us how we can have our hamburger, why do we let someone tell us whether or not we can have prayer in school or at public events?
The term "athiest" is so overused in our society. People feel the need to group other people together, nobody is allowed to be of their own mind. Most people that you would call athiests aren't leading some fight against religion, they're just trying to live their own lives, provide for their families. They don't want some pretend magic sky wizard to influence the laws of their states and country, and they have every right to that. I'm sure you'll take exception to my calling god a pretend magic sky wizard, but until there's evidence to the contrary, that's exactly what god is. And please don't say something stupid like "the proof of god can be found in a child's laughter." We don't accept any scientific theories as scientific law until they are proven, and so the same should be true with religion and government. Nobody tells you you cannot pray in a school, it's when that government sponsored entity endorses the practice that it just becomes silly. Nobody tells you not to pray at a high school sporting event, all we ask is that you do it on your own, rather than having the school lead the prayer.
Yes, because this is the law that needed to be changed the most! oofft
Which law?
which law should be changed? how about time for a Vatican III revival.. it's long overdue..25 years..along with a revival every generation to keep with the psychological/spiritual needs of the followers.
Such as? what?
First when Pope Benedict was up for this position, there was a Hispanic cardinal that should have lead the congregation. That was the largest ethnicity that was still believing in this archiac religious practice. It was a mistake, and look at the Third Reich connection. Goodness B.. Now the Church Doors are open, and let's air it out. We know mental health/well-being has not been the Churches strong suit.. Time to role out the professionals. Actually this is already being a trend now in communities. Also, keeping fundamental needs in check when deciding who will be our resources. Primary needs of human beings are food, drink and sex in moderation. The church has deprived a healthy sexual identity. Maybe they want only gifted asexual to lead the church, but asexual come in both genders. Truth had the answers all this time. Point being is it's time to address what crusted over from overstatements 15 - 20 years ago..with new age information, embracing the mission of psychological well-being of all who follow, will prosper renovated organization.
Should have led? Who says? You? It is not a raciallly minded group.
Who says that Hispanics are the largest group of cardinals? They are not. The Italians are.
Yes, Ratzinger was a kid during the Third Reich and was in the Hitler Youth. He later left and deserted. Not bad for a kid. Not bad at all.
Proof on your mental health charges, please.
I cannot understand the rest of your gobbledy gook.
This rant is all in your mind from falsehoods told to you by others who hate Catholics.
The "laws" and "rules" of the Church are up to the Pope as long as they do not conflict with God's laws.
You do not know enough to be critical of us. what you do not like is what you THINK that you know. You are incorrect.
PAUL I thought JESUS converted you!
He changed the law this one time so they could elect a POPE before EASTER
I agree with SnoopMarkyMark. I have been impregnated no less than four times in the past ten years by the current pope. Each times he has tried to cooerce me to abort and each time I have refused.
I am not here to complain, just stating the facts.
So who is the hipocrite now?
What are you taking about. Get some education and stop worshipping Satan.
God give to you what you give to God. Give God your hate you will have God's hate; Give God your love, you will have God's love.
That's a good point.
gullible,
Wow. You would probably be a saint if you were not so nasty.
NC, that's a good point too.
What should be changed in the Catholic church is that Priests should be allowed to be married. To many child molesters. Sorry but it's a breeding ground for them.
Some Priests are allowed to marry in the Catholic Church. And celibacy has nothing to do with child molestation. 4% of priests molest. Too many. It should be zero. But 5% of school teachers molest and 10% of the general public.
Molestation should be driven to not only 0% but zero instances, but celibacy has nothing to do with it.
Marrried priests may be discussed at the conclave.
You are wrong about some priests being married in the RCC. Widowed, yes, but not married.
rocky,
How would having married priests stop child molestation?
gullible,
Nope. Anglican priests who are married but convert to Catholicism are, of course, allowed to stay married. We have one in the diocese of Kansas City(Missouri) - St. Joseph at the church of St. Theresa, the Little Flower.
NC,
Thanks for the info. Is he expected to be celibate now that he's a priest?
No, he is married. Why would he be celibate?
I thought all priests were required to be celibate. Good for him, that lucky stiff. Good for his wife, too. Too bad it's so rare.
Just the way it works. If married, you are not celibate.
It is up to the Pope to determine what do do on this issue. He makes the rules.
gulliblegoober, there are some married priests in the Catholic Church, not all are celibate.
Absolutely ludicrous! In an era when science is exploring the outer reaches of our universe and the inner reaches of the atom, there are still so many humans clinging to these obviously antiquated religions.
Organized religion, Catholicism and celibacy are all irrational. Can over 1.5 billion Catholics really believe that priests, bishops, cardinals and the Pope should be celibate. Celibacy flies in the face of nature and human sexuality. What can Catholics expect from this situation other than what they get?
Anyway, God is just pretend!
infidel,
Ah, can't control yourself, I see.
As you grow older and mature, I am sure that you will see the light.
Age and maturity? While it is mainly the older generations that still ascribe to and perpetuate these post-Pagan religions, religiosity is rapidly changing throughout the world.
The number of atheists (and other non-believers) worldwide is growing, while religiosity is declining. According to most of the recent worldwide polls, the proportion of the world's people who are secular, non-religious, agnostic or atheist is now around fifteen percent and increasing. In the U.S. (one of the most religious nations), fifty-five percent of all atheists are under age thirty-five. Why atheist? Because they are young and immature? No, because they are better educated, particularly in the sciences, and they have learned to think for themselves.
What light? The fictitious light from "In the beginning..." or the real light from the Big Bang?
I see very clearly by the brilliant light of science!
infidel,
There is nothing new. People come and go but the majority still believe.
Fifteen percent are now as you describe, eh? So, how about the 85%?
I will gladly compare education and relevant life experience with you any time. Yours is a life of no discipline and no anchor.
Light? Lumen Christi - the light of Christ. The Church is hand in hand with science, How do you think that the Big Bang started?
As you grow older and mature, you will see the light.
"There are none so blind as those that will not see." - Jonathan Swift
You don't know anything about my life, discipline or anchoring.
I'll not stoop to a pissing contest.
Grow up!
I'm not catholic, but if Obama can change laws or to suit himself why shouldn't the Pope be able to do the same?
MK,
And the Pope has the authority to do that. Obama does not; only Congress can make laws.
If the Vatican wants to follow the teachings of Christ, why not take vows of poverty and give the billions of dollars to feed the starving etc. Stop wearing dresses and taking them off with one another, or just be gay if you are and stop preaching against it. As a matter of fact, why don't all churches start paying taxes and stop hoarding money and always asking for donations. Just another big business these days and of course we all know that big business brings big ass scandals and corruption....look at the freaking Congress of Liars, Theives, and Parasites! Hypocrites all the way around!!!!! Money talks huh???
T-man,
The Church gives billions of dollars ever year to feed the poor.
The robes are what they decided to wear. There is nothing in the Bible that says they should not.
The majority of the hierarchy is not gay. Nor does the Church preach hate towards gays; just the acts are vile. ALL sin is vile.
Most churches stay just solvent enough to continue. Donations is how they continue.
You need to calm down and stop the hate. It will destroy you.
Actually the Robes are not what they decided to wear. That is what the Babylonians used to wear. That is why they wear it. The babylonian priest called pontifs had their wardrobe to show on the Outside they were better than the others.. High hats showed their level above others. when Constantine wanted to make christianity the religion of rome the babylonians didnt want to lose their religion so they weeved a bunch of their practices into christianity.. that's how the catholic church started.. just for ur information.. if u didnt know.. now u know..
Jesus wore robes also.
Pontiff is a Latin word; not Babylonian.
Your history of the Church...isn't.
You may be ill. Seek some help. Run and get it. Now......
Pontifex Maximus is the leader of the Babylonian Empire religion u silly goose.. If u are correct then the babylonians were latin then????
here is a little page to help ur ignorance.
After the death of Belshazzar in 539 B.C., the Persian Emperor Cyrus conquered Babylon and forced the Babylonian princes to flee to Pergamum. They continued their reign there as priest-kings of Babylonian paganism. In 133 B.C., Attalus III, the last Babylonian King to rule in Pergamum, willed his dominions to the Roman Caesar, and the kingdom of Pergamum merged with the Roman Empire along with Satan-Nimrod’s throne and the title "Pontifex Maximus."
d3zim,
Pontifex Maximus is Latin, not Babylonian. Maybe you should read a book that YOU did not write. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_Maximus
The Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: "greatest pontiff")
"Less than 99%" You said it, I say you come in more around 7%. Slightly ahead of a leaf of lettuce.
I believe there is more at stake than just the Pope's health and that would be his legacy. Very sensitive and secretive information has been let out via the butler. It is only a matter of time before this stuff is leaked out and brought out into the mainstream. With all the inappropriate behavior coming out and lewd acts coming forward, there is something much bigger waiting at the bay and with a man that is 85 and in alleged bad health, I woudn't want the responsibility of having to handle it either, just the embarrasement and stress alone could prove to be a major blow to his health. One thing for sure, they need to let the church employees marry and lead a life as prescribed in marriage per the bible. It's very discerning to hear about these abuse cases along with more recently a priest call 911 from the church handcuffed, hanging from the ceiling in a gimp suit, gagged.
fellow,
Well, so you suspect...and hope...that a lot more bad stuff will come out.
Church employees can marry. Only priests in the western or Latin rite cannot marry. The Pope can make the rules; Jesus gave him that authority.
The Pope needs to step it up if the church is going to survive this fiasco, i truly don't wish any bad on anyone and hope the Catholic Church pulls through with the help of God and Jesus. The western and latin rite need to have that option given to them.
Why?
@Snoop You talk so much $hit about Homosexuality being a sin, yet most of your priest and cardinals touch little boys. by the way I am a hetero-sexual man. Women have no rights to become priestess, but they are good enough to bare children and raise them. Grow up and open your eyes, The church is a way to lead the weak minded masses, or in other words, simple minded people like you who are scared of fairy tales about a magical, all seeing power who resides in a magical kingdom in the sky. The Bible is man-made, the church is man-made, the whole damn religion is man-made, it is a fabrication of lies to make people believers. I was raised Catholic, I went to 2 masses a day, everyday, and yet i stand before you an atheist. The bibles say not to worship false idols, yet everyday people cram into churches to worship a false idol, a statue of Jesus Christ. Churches used to murder people who they considered Heretics, by use of temple knights, who are they to pass judgement on anyone or to take the life of another. The proof of Sodom being destroyed by an asteroid has already been proved, and was recorded by an astrologer during biblical times. The cross was chosen as the symbol of the church by a sick and twisted maniac, not by a God. the modern Bible was man made and only certain scriptures where allowed into the bible while others were destroyed, yet you still proclaim your faith. I not only laugh at you, but I pity you and your simple-mindedness. A blind Shepard cannot lead his flock. Keep following your church who covers up the rape and molestation of thousands of children. I will follow my heart and my mind, and live each day knowing that I am in control of my destiny, that I carve out my own road, and when I die, my body will return to the Earth which gave birth to us all.
Havok,
"Most"? How many is "most"? It is not as many as the Protestants are having trouble with.
What are you ranting about concerning women priests and women having children?
You are not a Catholic today because you never learned about Catholicism.
Do you have a picture of your parents or others in your house? Are they the people or just pictures of the people? Same with statues and crosses. They are symbols of what we worship and pray to: God; not the objects themselves.
Most of everything else you said is either just wrong or delusional or ridiculous.
You need help badly.
Obviously you are as stupid as your screen-name, and I know more about religion than most of you on here combined. I actually have researched many religions, and calling my info bs makes me laugh. Go watch the discovery channel you dumb@$$. You people kill me, you talk so much about faith and love for your God, yet most wars are caused in the name of said GOD. And to put the blame on other religions is laughable, because in the end you all believe in a lie. I don't hide who i am, I use my real picture and my real email name. The house of worship should have no false idols, any representation of a statue or picture is a false idol. Plenty of people pray to images of crosses and saints. You are so blind that you wouldn't believe the truth is it bit you on the @$$. Science has proved time and time again about the origins of man, and the fate of Sodom. Talking to you believers is tiresome, its like if you cut your arm and the blood is red, yet you keep claiming that its green, even if the proof is right there in front of you.
How is my screen name stupid? Those are my initials.
Discovery channel is your source? Now I know you are invincibly ignorant.
If I started a war in YOUR name, would it be your fault?
Are the pictures in your house yo9ur parents? Or are they simply images? No, an idol is an idol only if you worship it; make it the most important thing in your life. You are incorrect.
The Church is hand in hand with science. What started the Big Bang?
Let us compare education and life experience and we will see how that looks.
Your religious research about Catholics is simply bad. I love how you folks out there tell us what we believe.
Good luck to you but if you want to talk more, we can do that.
A Weird Journey
By Wei Zhou
I entered the Department
of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science of Marquette University to
pursue a Ph.D in 2001. I was required to pass Analysis, Algebra and Semigroup
in two (2) years to continue my study in the program, in which Algebra is
prerequisite of Semigroup.
In 2003, after taking the examinations of
Algebra and Semigroup respectively, I was informed that I did not pass Algebra
but I believed that I should have passed, so I went to see Dr. Jones (Peter
Jones), the Department Chair, to argue it and ask for a solution. But, he never
gave me any solution and insisted that I did not pass Semigroup. As a result, I
was terminated from the Ph. D program.
After proving my passing Semigroup, I asked Dr. Isaacs of UW-Madison to give me
a solution, but he repeatedly said that he did not know a way in general to
solve the problem and he got an answer by asking computer, some software. Later
in March of 2010, Dr. Isaacs said that he had known how to do the problem and
gave me a "solution" by using a theorem of the Algebra book written
by himself.
Although never knowing the theorem before, I wrote a proof to Dr. Isaacs after
reading his Algebra book by myself. Dr. Isaacs believes that my proof is a
solution which also shows that he has given me a "solution", a wrong
proof.
What happened is so weird that I conclude that Dr. Jones did not know how to do
the Algebra problem which forced him to say that I did not pass Semigroup.
Of course, I have objected and protested the decision of Dr. Jones, and so kept
asking Marquette University to have the mistake corrected. However, Marquette
University, including the courts, has not only refused to do so but also
persecuted and tortured me for almost ten (10) years since 2003, including
having me put in jail and mental hospital for two hundred and sixty four (264) days.
Furthermore, this persecution is being continued with no ending.
I hope the justice may be returned to me as soon
as possible
The Catholic church is just a money making enterprise anyway, the only differerences between them and any other major corporations are that parishoners don't actually get a usable product for the money they pay to the church and the church doesn't pay taxes (although, that's a lot like most US corporations, who mostly pay no taxes.) The Pope is just the CEO of the oldest corporation on Earth. They bank on foolish, gullible people that will believe anything they're told as long as it means they don't have to think for themselves. Why put any effort in to discovery of the universe if you could just say a magic sky wizard made it all for is own ammusement?
And we do love it so. :)
NC,
Of course, hince the phrase "Ignorance is bliss."
Cville,
And another for you, "There is none so blind as those who will not see."
NC,
Perhaps you should read your phrase "There is none so blind as those who will not see" while you look into the mirror.
Paul,
You could not do that, could you? You would see.....nothing...
For those of you still protecting the Catholic Church with regard to the child sex abuse issue ... I suggest you see the documentary "Mea Maxima Culpa". No matter who they elect to be Pope, he will be the leader of one of the most corrupt religious organizations in history.
Cindy,
Saw it. LOL HBO.....