Religion
Related: About this forumPope suggests it's better to be an atheist than a greedy Christian
"And so many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others. How many times have we heard -- all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere -- 'but to be a Catholic like that, it's better to be an atheist.' It is that, scandal. You destroy. You beat down," Francis said, according to Vatican Radio.
Examples of such scandals abound, the Pope said, adding that they erode the church and the guilty Christian from within, by causing others to sin and lose faith.
Francis' sermon, as is customary, was an extended riff on Thursday's Mass readings, which include a passage from the Gospel on Mark in which Jesus says it is better to be drowned than to cause others to sin.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/world/pope-atheists-again/index.html
I'm not sure if I'm to take that as an insult, or as a compliment.
But just in case: "Thank you, Your Holiness."


sammythecat
(3,579 posts)He talked about scandal and Christian hypocrisy and acknowledged the Church's own guilt.
I'm what' called a "strong" atheist and he is the Pope of the Catholic Church, so we'd obviously have some serious disagreements. I haven't made a study of the man, I don't know everything he's ever done or said, but from what I do know, he seems to be a very compassionate person and I very much like that about him. I think that might be the best quality a human can have. Sometimes it's like he's a judge forced to impose mandatory sentencing that, personally, he finds detestable. Although to the person sentenced to 30 years for stealing a bike it doesn't much matter whether the judge is compassionate or not, it's still better to have compassionate judges than the alternative.
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)Great. We're moving up in the world.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)pokerfan
(27,677 posts)
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)LAGC
(5,330 posts)
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts): )
trotsky
(49,533 posts)The head of the largest and richest church in the world is telling certain members of it that they are so pathetic, they'd be better off being atheists.
Though there's a certain Catholic I don't encounter much anymore who certainly loves to destroy and beat down others. Maybe he'll take these words to heart and become a better person. Doubt it, though.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)The condemnation of "greed" is probably a reference to Trump. Elements of the Church have always condemned "capitalism." Particularly liberal Church ntellectuals have. Notably Jesuits from South America. Which is the pope's background.
If the Pope confesses his pederastical and other sins? I think we should allow him to blog here. Maybe we can help him. And make a better atheist out of him.
Sometimes even Rug seems mildly neutral on atheism. And if even Rug can do it? Then maybe the Pope too?
rug
(82,333 posts)Your efforts are better spent on counseling your colleagues who can no longer blog here.
When you boil it down, there is no other rational response to atheism than neutrality. It's certainly nothing to rest a world view on, let alone make a career of.
Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Many define atheism as a-theism. Not as having a belief. But as not having a belief.
rug
(82,333 posts)Bretton Garcia
(970 posts)Finding that something is 1) false, or 2) cannot be proved to be true, allows us to move on. It frees us up for more materially productive work.
Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)At least if he posted his stance on LGBTQ, choice, women's rights, etc.
rug
(82,333 posts)Heddi
(18,312 posts)What did Chinchilla ever do to you???
rug
(82,333 posts)Tsk.
Heddi
(18,312 posts)it's a busy world out there
rug
(82,333 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)I thought he was over you and had you on ignore.
I think he still has me on ignore as well.
rug
(82,333 posts)
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Well it is what it is. I kind of miss a few that are flagged for review.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)but for the wrong reasons.