The most liberal pope since Jesus?

[Harmonica]

I'm Catholic and Mary is to be revered not worshipped. But as you said it definitely goes towards worshipping. Or at least is very gray in many cases.

I like being Catholic again. Francis finally made it not shameful.
I tried being Protestant but I found many to be wildly left or right. To the point where I felt uncomfortable

Have you tried being neither and simply be yourself ?

 

[SakuMemories]

I like being Catholic again. Francis finally made it not shameful.
I tried being Protestant but I found many to be wildly left or right. To the point where I felt uncomfortable

you are aware that they all are a bunch of heretics, right?

I was born into the Russian Orthodox denomination and most people who are religious tend to pray and worship a lot of saints. Icons of saints, from what I recall, are even more prevalent than Jesus himself. That does seem a bit contrary to the scripture.

If you were raised Orthodox then you probably skipped a couple of classes. Can't say I blame you.

People pray to the saints out of love and admiration, in order to honour them. They don't worship them. There is this distinction to be made between those two modes of prayer. Besides, saints are closer to the throne of god, therefore they can intercede. I believe all of this is scripturally sound.

 

[squeezewax]

he is a complete prick like all popes are.
he has the power to give relief to the millions of people living in the poorest countries of the world yet he chooses not to.

 

[Harmonica]

Could you give me some other teachings besides the worship of Mary that you disagree with?

I was born into the Russian Orthodox denomination and most people who are religious tend to pray and worship a lot of saints. Icons of saints, from what I recall, are even more prevalent than Jesus himself. That does seem a bit contrary to the scripture.

Same here in Serbian Orthodox community. People here were pretty reluctant to accept Christianity back when Byzantine empire sought to convert them. They did accept it in the end but a lot of the old traditions remained untouched, esentially. What was celebrating a God's day in Pagan religion became celebrating a Saint's day after the conversion. Each and every household has it's Saint protector who watches over them and drives the evil spirits away.

Very few people are familiar with Jesus' teachings here yet they declare themselves as Christians. There is this trend of crossing yourself when passing a church and when I recite Matthew 6:5 to them - they take me for a religious fanatic.

 

[AVX]

Can't wait for the heel turn. If you think babyface Pope is over, just wait.

 

[Harmonica]

BTW, how does one become an end times expert? I want to add that to my card.

You have to dedicate your life to crazy rants in local churches and knocking on people's doors asking if they wish to be saved. You might be a bit late to ever become one since it requires at least two decades of practice.

 

[dontsnitch]

Nobody knows. But the Vatican and this Pope seem to be softening their stance on many things that the Bible is against.

I've heard he alluded to or said that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. I haven't read the prayer, but people are saying that.

The Pope has also said that he would baptize aliens.

This Pope really is saying some concerning things .

Anyway, back to your point, some end times experts say the last Pope will unite with Islam to form the one world religion which helps form the New World Order.

I really don't see Islam joining forces with Christianity, but it's a wild theory I've never heard. I understand the Vatican has signifiant power, but the way the world is going, the religion that will survive and thrive is definitely Islam.

I also think people are egocentric, every generation claiming to be the last one. I've always thought it more poetic for Christ to come back sometime in the third millennium, given that a day is like a thousand years, and Christ rose again on the third day, but obviously no one knows what's what.

 

[dontsnitch]

I'm Catholic and Mary is to be revered not worshipped. But as you said it definitely goes towards worshipping. Or at least is very gray in many cases.

I like being Catholic again. Francis finally made it not shameful.
I tried being Protestant but I found many to be wildly left or right. To the point where I felt uncomfortable

I hear you on the revere thing, because a lot of Protestants likewise revere the apostle Paul. Just some take it too far with Mary, although I guess some take it too far with Paul as well.

I think denominations are like political parties. You're never going to fully agree with all of their views. I stay away from labelling myself a certain denomination, I've attended just about every denominational church there is at one point or another, and they all have weaknesses and strengths. Right now I go to a non-denominational, but even they become a sort of denomination.

 

[Ruprecht]

You have to dedicate your life to crazy rants in local churches and knocking on people's doors asking if they wish to be saved. You might be a bit late to ever become one since it requires at least two decades of practice.

You can fast track the process.
Ever been to a small, fundamentalist pentecostal church?

 

[dontsnitch]

What is all this talk about eschatology? You can get a degree and specialize in it, I've met several eschatology scholars.

 

[Ruprecht]

What is all this talk about eschatology? You can get a degree and specialize in it, I've met several eschatology scholars.

I don't think that's the sort of "Expert" Ripskater was referring to...

 

[Harmonica]

You can fast track the process.
Ever been to a small, fundamentalist pentecostal church?

I know but that's just cheating. No true fanatic believes in instant status achieving, you've gotta put hard work in to get credibility and also work on your image aka physical appearance. I am not gonna believe a clean, well-dressed and shaved man when he talks about end times. Oh yeah, crazy glint in the eyes is also a nice feature.

 

[dontsnitch]

I don't think that's the sort of "Expert" Ripskater was referring to...

You gotta love a giant wall of multi coloured text. This reminds me of the Time Cube guy.

 

[LionExMachina]

Nobody knows. But the Vatican and this Pope seem to be softening their stance on many things that the Bible is against.

I've heard he alluded to or said that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. I haven't read the prayer, but people are saying that.

The Pope has also said that he would baptize aliens.

This Pope really is saying some concerning things .

Anyway, back to your point, some end times experts say the last Pope will unite with Islam to form the one world religion which helps form the New World Order.

Whats your problem with baptizing aliens?

 

[ripskater]

Whats your problem with baptizing aliens?

If you believe aliens are demonic in origin, then inviting them to take the sacraments and join your church will not end well for your church.

 

[glennrod]

If you believe aliens are demonic in origin, then inviting them to take the sacraments and join your church will not end well for your church.

Some believe them to be angels

 

[ripskater]

Some believe them to be angels

Yeah and that's pretty scary.

The History channel is suggesting that these "aliens" are our creators.

 

[LionExMachina]

If you believe aliens are demonic in origin, then inviting them to take the sacraments and join your church will not end well for your church.

Aren't demons just really disaffected, union angels?

 

[ElKarlo]

Have you tried being neither and simply be yourself ?

That is not a real option for a myriad of reasons.
Anyhow I did try a lot. Even went to a mosque. Didn't like them. Even went to a Presbyterian Church for afew years. Just ddidn't jive with it.

I like eastern Orthodox but there isn't a church near by me at all.

 

[kpt018]

It's really refreshing to see. One of my biggest critiques with the church is that they have been focused on telling followers what is wrong and what you shouldn't do (homosexuality is bad, abortions are bad, etc). This guy is telling people to help each other and make the world a better place. He wants people to take action against climate change and poverty. Good man! It's the kind of message even atheists can get behind.