"in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith"

[rug]

Text and video of the Pope's speech today in Assisi.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2011/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20111027_assisi_en.html

[dmallind]

1. Not just in its name but by it and for it, but hey from the Pope it's a worthwhile start. nt

[trotsky]

2. More shit from the chief shitmeister.

Can't acknowledge any malfunction on the part of his religion without blaming atheism for worse.

"But the denial of God has led to much cruelty and to a degree of violence that knows no bounds, which only becomes possible when man no longer recognizes any criterion or any judge above himself, now having only himself to take as a criterion."

Funny, that. Key part of this quote: "when man no longer recognizes any criterion or any judge above himself." Kinda like what the pope is doing as the leader of his church. But oh, no, god is the true judge. Popey is just telling us what god wants. So it's different, see?

"The horrors of the concentration camps reveal with utter clarity the consequences of God’s absence."

Gott mit uns?

"The absence of God leads to the decline of man and of humanity."

And yet the happiest, most egalitarian, and most content populations live in increasingly godless countries. Go figure.

Just more anti-atheist bigotry from the pope. He and his putrid child-rapist-protecting organization have absolutely no moral authority.

[rug]

3. I take it you disagree with him?

[trotsky]

4. Not much gets past you, eh, rug? n/t

[rug]

5. I'd hate to make an assumption.

[Leontius]

6. off topic: what is your opinion of this Pope do you think

he is leading the Church in the right direction? He seems to be shutting down most discussion on ecumenism, am I reading things wrong as a non Catholic, looking from outside it seems that way to me. Have I missed some positive steps under his tenure?

[rug]

7. Mixed.

I'm glad he's starting to emphasize the Church's social teachings on poverty and exploitation. On the other hand, he's making a point of avoiding syncretism at this meeting in Assisi. But that's coming at the expense of ecumenism. He's been consistent in opposing the recent wars. But he's reemphasized a distorted view of sexuality.

So overall, it's mixed. I would prefer a Pope who speaks out loud and persistently against poverty, expolitatation and war. One that will emphasize the openness and inclusiveness of Christ's message. All of that is there in the teachings of the Church.

But he's only one of a couple of hundred Popes. There will be another one coming along soon. Maybe the next one will.