How Can You Have Any Belief A Divine Connection to the Vatican?

[sojourner]

Agreed and so should the pope and everyone else who covered up the kiddy diddling. They are just as bad if not worse than the offenders.

Absopositively-iddly!

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

I know a lot of bankers, merchants, lawyers and doctors who live in the same way, mostly paid for out of the pockets of people who can barely scrape by. I'd be willing to bet that the ratio of rich clergy to rich doctors (who profit from humanity's suffering) is pretty darn low.

My point is that these clergymen are no better than a doctor, banker, lawyer, etc. They all have the same corrupt agenda, which is profit. The only god they really answer to is the Almighty Dollar.

 

[sojourner]

My point is that these clergymen are no better than a doctor, banker, lawyer, etc. They all have the same corrupt agenda, which is profit. The only god they really answer to is the Almighty Dollar.

First of all, why do you think they should be "any better" than a doctor, lawyer, banker, etc? Second, your accusation has no basis in fact. I guess that profit is the watchword for all those mendicant orders, supported by the church, who refuse worldly possessions...

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

For people that refuse worldly possessions, they sure do have a lot of them. I'm not talking about your regular, small-time sheep of a priest that took a vow of poverty. I'm talking about the people stuffing their pockets with the money that sheep unwittingly raises for their profit. Some clergymen are actually fooled into believing that their work is making a difference in the world while the people above them in the hierarchy laugh and spend all the money they've made.

 

[sojourner]

For people that refuse worldly possessions, they sure do have a lot of them. I'm not talking about your regular, small-time sheep of a priest that took a vow of poverty. I'm talking about the people stuffing their pockets with the money that sheep unwittingly raises for their profit. Some clergymen are actually fooled into believing that their work is making a difference in the world while the people above them in the hierarchy laugh and spend all the money they've made.

Yes, that happens. But just because the body has a blemish -- or even lots of scars -- does not warrant the conviction that the body is completely trash.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Yes, that happens. But just because the body has a blemish -- or even lots of scars -- does not warrant the conviction that the body is completely trash.

If the only clean part of the body is the feet, I think it's fair to call the whole thing trash...

 

[Scott1]

The reason I bring up petitionary prayers is that it sets the stage for showing that people believe god has the power to intervene in the world.

Not sure what you mean by "power to intervene", but that means something different to many people.

Right, I know that. I was raised catholic. I never understood how the point of clergy at all. If they're as fallible as anyone else, then why have them?

Ummm.... I'd be happy to explain it in full, but the short answer is that we believe that Christ set up the Sacrament of Holy Orders and we're not the type to question the boss.

The pope is believed once a year to sit in a tower and literally be the conduit of the words of god. Why would god do it once a year, but most of the time let the pope sin just as everyone else does. That's what makes it utterly unteneble IMO.

Once a year?

Huh?

Not sure where you learned about the Catholic faith, but your teachers should be fired.... this whole last rant is not based in fact (not even CLOSE!) so I won't respond.

Peace,
S

 

[dust1n]

God allowed a sinner to bear the human race. God allowed a murderer to lead God's people out of bondage. God used a prostitute to save the Hebrew soldiers. God allowed a liar, a thief and a trickster to be the foundation for the Hebrew nation. God made an adulterer the greatest leader Israel ever had. All according to the Bible. Why should the Pope be any different.

The real question is.. what will God use the child molesters for?


...and will he ignore the children?

 

[Thief]

Before this digresses....and it will....
I'm taking Sojourners side on this one.

I was raised catholic...and considered becoming a priest.
There were two positions at the seminary, and twelve applicants.
Someone else must have smiled better.

Then as the years went by, I continued to read King James.
Learned to stand to my beliefs, as I do believe we all will. (later on)

In the meantime...most people want to be lead about.
Most people don't have the time, or the inclination to examine all they are told.
So, each weekend (as in most faiths) the congregation gathers.
They are told what they need to hear, and contribute to the cause.

That God has only sinners to work with, is not a reflection of Him.

Perhaps this topic is more to humanity's short comings...generally speaking.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't understand this line of thinking. Catholics make petitionary prayers all of the time.

"We salute the rank, not the man."