All of the news coverage and general commotion over the pope visiting in the US got me thinking......
As a Christian the attention and or perhaps more specifically the "form" of attention being given is troublesome to me. Treating a Christian in a leadership position with respect is to be expected (and appreciated), but it seems to me that in the case of the pope it has become something altogether different in many instances.
Listening to some of the interviews with priests, bishops, cardinals, political figures, and of course "regular" people it sounds like they are entering a form of minor worship. For example, calling seeing him in person or hearing him speak a "religious experience" seems to be going to far. It certainly apperas to me that many people are elevating the pope to something beyond basic human status.
WWJD? somehow I don't think that He would be particularly impressed
Discuss (please keep things civil)
__________________
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
Well I can't speak for 66 million Catholics but I would not say worship, maybe great respect for the leader of the Church.
He brings great hope and love to all men including other Religions. We all need to look up to a spiritual leader of men.
Billy Graham to me is another great spiritual leader who brings great inspiration to me.
If you have no spiritual belief then ignore him as he brings no harm to you.
All of the news coverage and general commotion over the pope visiting in the US got me thinking......
As a Christian the attention and or perhaps more specifically the "form" of attention being given is troublesome to me. Treating a Christian in a leadership position with respect is to be expected (and appreciated), but it seems to me that in the case of the pope it has become something altogether different in many instances.
Listening to some of the interviews with priests, bishops, cardinals, political figures, and of course "regular" people it sounds like they are entering a form of minor worship. For example, calling seeing him in person or hearing him speak a "religious experience" seems to be going to far. It certainly apperas to me that many people are elevating the pope to something beyond basic human status.
WWJD? somehow I don't think that He would be particularly impressed
Discuss (please keep things civil)
Yeah it's pretty ridiculous. They're acting as though he's Jesus
I am troubled by the statements pertaining to his visit being a "religious experience" or "a chance to draw near to God"........ these sorts of remarks seem spiritual dangerous to me.......
I am troubled by the statements pertaining to his visit being a "religious experience" or "a chance to draw near to God"........ these sorts of remarks seem spiritual dangerous to me.......
I guess we think differently, I get a religious experience by sliding my CD of Gospel Music.
He is the Vicar of Christ on Earth to a billion people but can sin like you or me and is just a man like you or me.
I'm been told people faint when they met Obama but I don't see faint from seeing the Pope.
I guess we think differently, I get a religious experience by sliding my CD of Gospel Music.
He is the Vicar of Christ on Earth to a billion people but can sin like you or me and is just a man like you or me.
I'm been told people faint when they met Obama but I don't see faint from seeing the Pope.
Again I agree in measure.... I think we may be stuck in semantics....
Yes, a good Christian song can be a "religious experience" but as you point out "fainting at Obama" demonstrates someone putting him on to high of a pedestal too. It is the heart of what I am getting at..... some (arguably many) people are elevating the pope to a status that the shouldn't.
Additionally, I see a danger in calling him a "Vicar" of Christ on earth. He is no more of vicar than any other saint, not "the vicar"
This is going to become a catholic bash fest soon, that and it's been beaten to death in other threads. You do not agree with the church of romes theology, we know that allready!! At least americans are showing some type of respect to a christian leader. I thought that bashing another religion was against OT rules.
Discussions on organized religion should be between members who share those beliefs and those wishing to learn more about that religion. No bashing someone based on their religious beliefs
__________________
I'd vote for a fuc King Penguin before voting Democrat!
of course you should strive to be just like Ratzinger. perfect man to want to be like and worship. its not like he was apart of the hitler youth and served in the nazi party or anything.
seriously though, he is a wise man, and a man who has spent most of his life studying philosophy and theology. but to recognize him as any more, well thats plain absurd.
every catholic should know that a pope is not infallible, their scriptures tell them that as plain as day. however, he is still a recognized leader of the church, someone to maintain structure and order and unity.
__________________
How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech.
This is going to become a catholic bash fest soon, that and it's been beaten to death in other threads. You do not agree with the church of romes theology, we know that allready!! At least americans are showing some type of respect to a christian leader. I thought that bashing another religion was against OT rules.
Discussions on organized religion should be between members who share those beliefs and those wishing to learn more about that religion. No bashing someone based on their religious beliefs
Probably will happen.
No matter if you are Catholic or not, Christian or not, the Pope is here to spread his message of love, peace, and the message of Jesus and the Gospel. He is here to pray for us. I've never met a Catholic who "worshipped" the Pope. There are SEVERAL Christian faiths who have VERY CHARISMATIC and famous leaders that they don't worship as well, but their speech and presence can lead others to have very religious experiences.
He is also meeting with Christian leaders who are non-Catholic. You don't have to believe in anything that he represents, but he is a man of Love and Peace.
This is going to become a catholic bash fest soon, that and it's been beaten to death in other threads. You do not agree with the church of romes theology, we know that allready!! At least americans are showing some type of respect to a christian leader. I thought that bashing another religion was against OT rules.
Discussions on organized religion should be between members who share those beliefs and those wishing to learn more about that religion. No bashing someone based on their religious beliefs
First:
You are out of line......
I am not even remotely bashing anyones religion
Second: Please re-read (or better yet just read) what has actually been posted and then go away
No I am not out of line you are violating the rules and this thread is criticising another faith! The pope is refferred to as the vicar of christ by 1 billion catholics just because you do not agree with it does not make it wrong!
No matter if you are Catholic or not, Christian or not, the Pope is here to spread his message of love, peace, and the message of Jesus and the Gospel. He is here to pray for us. I've never met a Catholic who "worshipped" the Pope. There are SEVERAL Christian faiths who have VERY CHARISMATIC and famous leaders that they don't worship as well, but their speech and presence can lead others to have very religious experiences.
He is also meeting with Christian leaders who are non-Catholic. You don't have to believe in anything that he represents, but he is a man of Love and Peace.
his message?
Thanks for illustrating this far better than I can....... apart from Christ he has no message to "spread"
And so your negativity has only begun...instead of uniting people, what are you doing?
I think your posts illustrate the type of Christianity you wish to spread.
Sad that the Pope's visitation has caused you so much trouble.
Very, very sad.
Last edited by friend088 : 04-16-2008 at 07:46 PM.
No I am not out of line you are violating the rules and this thread is criticising another faith! The pope is refferred to as the vicar of christ by 1 billion catholics just because you do not agree with it does not make it wrong!
Wrong (again) I am not criticizing a faith at all....... I am being critical of individual people (of whatever persuasion) and their behavior toward a man called the pope.
Please slow down and gain a modicum of comprehension K
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Putting the Pope on a pedestal... WWJD?
Linear Mode
