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Post by Randalla on Feb 16, 2013 11:51:08 GMT -8
Serious Max, Rand is right -- you sound like a teenage girl waiting for the next episode of American Idol. LMAO That's not quite what I meant to convey--I mean, it's good to be excited over something, I just wanted to know what exactly the hub-bub was about.  Now let's stop teasing him and pass him some napkins already.  |
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Post by Maximillian Thorton on Feb 16, 2013 11:59:30 GMT -8
Seriously? I've been lied to for a long time and had totally forgotten that Anglicans used Arch-Bishop-y titles. Haha! Catholics and Anglicans both like to joke that Anglicans are Catholic-lite. They use the title of "Your Grace" for some positions. We have Excellency for Bishops/Archbishops, Eminence for Cardinals, and Holiness for the pope. I assume you say this because it's his stated reason, and as an adherent to the faith, your role is to accept his word as being that of God on Earth. Correct? Again, the way the church treats the role of inquiry and science in the world could really use an update -- I agree with Rand that no man is infallible, even one with an illustrious record (such as Teddy Roosevelt, who kinda massacred some Mexicans with Gatling guns). Listen, the stated reason *sounds* nice -- but if humility is what they were trying to teach us, Benedict wouldn't have been chosen as Pope in the first place. No, actually. He abdicated because he didn't believe he could fulfill the Petrine ministry. That was his reason. What I have given you is an examination on the behalf of a nun. Popes don't have to say things for people to take wisdom from their actions. (And because I don't want to go off on a tangent, I'm going to ignore your incorrect statement on the Church's position on science, considering the Vatican has an observatory full of excellent scientists, priests who helped develop genetics, physics, scientific method, and the Church doesn't oppose evolution, etc. ) Benedict never wanted to assume the papacy. Under John Paul when he was cardinal he tried to retire three different times. JP wouldn't let him because he felt that Ratzinger (Benedict's real name) still had more purpose. Benedict was rather devastated when elected, but took the position out of obedience. Indeed, we know the Romans will control the papacy, as they always have. The church grows most quickly in Africa and Asia, but their power base is now South America (today) -- seems to me that it would be kinda weird to choose a pope from a growing region rather than the region that has supported you since the Spaniards first started converting "heathens" back in the 1500's. The CIA believes a lot of stupid things btw. They also thought there was no potential risk to the U.S. when we left the Mujahadeen in charge of Afghanistan back in the 80's. Good call there, eh? There is a difference between largest and most influential. Many Latin American/Mexican Catholics are sometimes nominal. There was a study showing some don't attend weekly Mass. Latin American has some problems. I'm not going to try and speculate because again, it's a crap-shoot. I laughed at the CIA comment, by the way. Ehhhhh, I'd almost become a tea partier before becoming a moderate. Moderates these days are so weak and toothless that they contribute to the progress of this country even less so than the extremists. #thiscountryissoeffed You continue to surprise me. Serious Max, Rand is right -- you sound like a teenage girl waiting for the next episode of American Idol. It's so much better!!!!! |
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Post by Maximillian Thorton on Feb 16, 2013 12:01:48 GMT -8
LMAO That's not quite what I meant to convey--I mean, it's good to be excited over something, I just wanted to know what exactly the hub-bub was about. Now let's stop teasing him and pass him some napkins already.  And thanks for the clarification on ex cathedra. I was sure it was Latin, but I though I had heard somewhere it might have some Greek root. |
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Post by phaedron on Feb 16, 2013 12:17:38 GMT -8
I try to be helpful right after I berate a person's core beliefs and values It takes the edge off... |
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Post by phaedron on Feb 16, 2013 12:23:50 GMT -8
Also, not to completely derail but: 1) Yes, I know the church is MUCH better on science today than say when the ex-communicated Galileo. JPII was a good pope that way. I still say your faith has a ways to come, but I appreciate some progress rather than no progress. 2) RE: Moderates. Since MLK day wasn't so long ago, I present you with this dissertation on moderates: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham County Jail. Excerpt:3) And you wonder why neither Democrats or Republicans will work with me Max... ? |
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Post by Maximillian Thorton on Feb 16, 2013 13:24:15 GMT -8
Interesting. I agree with MLK: in matters of freedom and many other issues, it is the responsibility of an activist to press for everything. (That there is the interesting correlation between the pro-life movement and the pro-gay marriage movement. Both claim to the spirit of civil and human rights.)
But when it comes to other things (taxes, military expenditure, f**king simple budget bills) there should be compromise and moderate politics. Immigration is another.
On another note, Time's issue this week is on the pope. STOKED.
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Post by Cerridwyn on Feb 16, 2013 13:52:29 GMT -8
If I was a cougar, I'd go for Phae! In comparison to the rest of the known universe, we have no left. In comparison to the rest of the world, the Democrats are moderates. A friend of mine once said something about why 2 political parties is better than many, i.e., the Parliamentarian form of govt. But that's another thread. I know there was a lot of speculation when Benedict was elected it was purely because he was old and they thought he wouldn't live long and it was a compromise. True or not, doesn't matter to my Pagan bones. Europe and the US are steadily becoming less religious. It's not a movement, it's a flood. That doesn't mean they are not spiritual, that doesn't mean they don't believe in a god. It means they no longer believe in religion. Much of modern organized religion (and Catholicism falls right in there) have lost total touch with the world we live in and with the people who have grown up seeing things with different eyes. NPR did a great set of shows on the topic: www.npr.org/series/169065270/losing-our-religion |
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Post by Randalla on Feb 16, 2013 14:07:03 GMT -8
I'm among the flood. Imagine that. |
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Post by Maximillian Thorton on Feb 16, 2013 14:26:46 GMT -8
Actually, Cerd, you bring up a very good point. Pope Benedict said once (not in so many words) that the Church needs to be prepared for a dramatic decrease in numbers. He says it will be painful and full of trying times, but in the end, the Church will be better and stronger. In essence, he says the vineyard of the Lord will be pruned for a better harvest.
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Post by Randalla on Feb 16, 2013 14:28:15 GMT -8
I oughta use that line on App. |
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Post by Maximillian Thorton on Feb 16, 2013 14:38:33 GMT -8
HA! I may have unknowlingly spawned sacrilege here.
Prune the gears of the Machine for a better operation???
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Post by Randalla on Feb 16, 2013 15:39:52 GMT -8
LMAO next ghost busting operation. ;D
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Post by Cerridwyn on Feb 16, 2013 16:27:58 GMT -8
Just send them to me, I will nurture and care for them like the Mother Goddess for whom I am named. They will grow and prosper in peace and contentment. |
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And thanks for the clarification on ex cathedra. I was sure it was Latin, but I though I had heard somewhere it might have some Greek root. 
