Pope Resigns

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Someone's definitely blackmailing him to resign. I don't believe the generic health excuse at all.

It is the Illuminati.

[jeremy h]

My first thought was 'Hmmm, what does he know that we don't (yet)?'

[AhmedFaisal]

Two potential reasons:

1. A serious impending health challenge such as Alzheimers
2. He wants to control his succession to ensure we get another reactionary **** just like him instead of a reformer.

[iMikeT]

In his "retirement*" the pope will continue to do poppy things.


In all seriousness, I'm wondering how many child molesters this guy helped in getting away with such a crime.

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Originally Posted by iMikeT

In all seriousness, I'm wondering how many child molesters this guy helped in getting away with such a crime.

Which is the main reason why I never liked him fron the start.

[Renzatic]

Originally Posted by iMikeT

In all seriousness, I'm wondering how many child molesters this guy helped in getting away with such a crime.

That all happened during John Paul II's tenure, didn't it?

[iMikeT]

Originally Posted by Renzatic

That all happened during John Paul II's tenure, didn't it?

I'm not defending anyone but I think the abuse cases were buried locally during his tenure but it went international towards the end when he probably wasn't running the show. Then of course, the new guy dealt with the issue....

Of course, one could also argue that this has happened throughout the Catholic Church's history under numerous popes and only gained attention this time around thanks to technology and people being encouraged to speak out these days.

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Which is the main reason why I never liked him fron the start.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with the so-called schism and faith dilemmas this will have among Catholics.

I was raised Catholic and I'm so glad that I managed to think my way out of the religion.

[takao]

Originally Posted by chrono1081

I do feel bad for him for having aging take its toll but its good that he will be out of the position. I hope someone with better knowledge of the Bible and...

i agree with many, many criticism about him as a pope but "lack of knowledge of the bible" is absurd for 2 decades of teaching theology and being prefect of the congregation of faith for 25 years

if anything he was too much of a ivory-tower scholar, lacking the very important shepard-qualities for being a pope of the people

[vega07]

When I heard the story on NPR, I immediately thought he resigned partly due to the clerical sex abuse that's been plaguing the church recently, since he did have communication with ex-Cardinal Mahoney who was stripped of his duties beginning of Februrary.

[Moyank24]

Originally Posted by takao

i agree with many, many criticism about him as a pope but "lack of knowledge of the bible" is absurd for 2 decades of teaching theology and being prefect of the congregation of faith for 25 years

if anything he was too much of a ivory-tower scholar, lacking the very important shepard-qualities for being a pope of the people

When was the last time there was truly a "Pope of the people"? The 14th Century? Because, clearly they are stuck there while "the people" have moved forward.

[Huntn]

Anyone know how much the Vatican holds in funds? If it's billions, too bad they don't start giving some of it to help out their fellow human beings.

[Sydde]

Since he will go back to being "Cardinal Ratzinger", I guess we will have to call him "ex-Benedict".

[Grey Beard]

Originally Posted by Sydde

Since he will go back to being "Cardinal Ratzinger", I guess we will have to call him "ex-Benedict".

He's still Joe da Rat on my play list, with or without his red slippers.

KGB

[chrono1081]

Originally Posted by takao

i agree with many, many criticism about him as a pope but "lack of knowledge of the bible" is absurd for 2 decades of teaching theology and being prefect of the congregation of faith for 25 years

if anything he was too much of a ivory-tower scholar, lacking the very important shepard-qualities for being a pope of the people

I don't consider someone like the pope who thinks its ok to discriminate against others knowledgeable in the teachings of Christ.

[Technarchy]

If he is sick, he is wise to step down before he falls apart.

Pope John Paul II was in no condition to be Pope at the end of his life. No reason to replicate that situation.

[Heilage]

Originally Posted by Renzatic

That all happened during John Paul II's tenure, didn't it?

Ratzinger himself actually helped formulate the document that surfaced a few years ago which describes the whole conspiracy of hiding child abuse.

(Source: Documentary I saw a few weeks ago, I can see if I can find it again if someone is interested in watching it)

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally Posted by chrono1081

I don't consider someone like the pope who thinks its ok to discriminate against others knowledgeable in the teachings of Christ.

That's your opinion. I think the man knows the book well, it's just a crappy book.

[Happybunny]

This will not influence any thing here in Europe, the church is dying on it's feet here. Even in it's heartlands the numbers are falling.

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally Posted by Happybunny

This will not influence any thing here in Europe, the church is dying on it's feet here. Even in it's heartlands the numbers are falling.

And good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Ever since it's made it's way to Europe, Christianity has only brought death, misery and destruction. From destroying the Roman Empire and the Pax Romana to the atrocities committed against pagan religions and so called heretics during the dark ages through the Crusades, the Witch Hunts and the religious wars, the history of the Christianity in Europe is one of murder and atrocity.

[chrono1081]

Originally Posted by AhmedFaisal

That's your opinion. I think the man knows the book well, it's just a crappy book.

It's not actually opinion. If you read and understand the Bible you'd know that someone who preaches hate doesn't know a thing about Christianity.

There's memorization and comprehension. He can have it memorized all he wants but he hasn't comprehended hardly any of it.

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally Posted by chrono1081

It's not actually opinion. If you read and understand the Bible you'd know that someone who preaches hate doesn't know a thing about Christianity.

There's memorization and comprehension. He can have it memorized all he wants but he hasn't comprehended hardly any of it.

The man is a former full tenure Theology Professor and VP of Regensburg University as well as the former President of the International Theological Commission, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and former President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

I am sorry, but the man knows what he is talking about and has the credentials to prove it. The problem is that the book you guys all worship is outdated as is your faith.

[chrono1081]

Originally Posted by AhmedFaisal

The man is a former full tenure Theology Professor and VP of Regensburg University as well as the former President of the International Theological Commission, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and former President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

I am sorry, but the man knows what he is talking about and has the credentials to prove it. The problem is that the book you guys all worship is outdated as is your faith.

Cut the faith bashing, I don't criticize you for lack of faith.

Again, there is memorization and comprehension. No where does Jesus tell people to hate and discriminate. The pope does this and thinks its right, hence he doesn't comprehend the Bible well.

Why is this hard for you to see?

[NutsNGum]

Originally Posted by iMikeT

I was raised Catholic and I'm so glad that I managed to think my way out of the religion.

Ditto.

----------

Originally Posted by Technarchy

Pope John Paul II was in no condition to be Pope at the end of his life. No reason to replicate that situation.

To be fair, they rarely are. But that's one of the stipulations of the job. Still, no doubt for an 80+ year old man, it's an absolutely hellish (no pun intended) endeavour.

[iMikeT]

Originally Posted by chrono1081

Cut the faith bashing, I don't criticize you for lack of faith.

Again, there is memorization and comprehension. No where does Jesus tell people to hate and discriminate. The pope does this and thinks its right, hence he doesn't comprehend the Bible well.

Why is this hard for you to see?

I'm in no way religious and thought my way out of Catholicism. Today, I consider myself an atheist-leaning agnostic. However, I think that the message and philosophy of the man the Christian bible refers to as Jesus is worth noting, especially when all the supernatural elements are taken out as Thomas Jefferson did. Love your neighbors and enemies and do good to others is some radical thinking, even today.

I think the crux of the matter is that the pope, Christianity, and religious zealotry get in the way of what someone believes in. Again, I hold no belief and I really don't care what others believe in but do think about the faith you hold onto and how it's dictated by people who wear robes and funny hats and does nothing but hound its followers for money.

Speaking of the pope, you have to keep in mind that this is also a person who bashed gay people and denied the spread of HIV/AIDS for the sake of doctrine. That's some interpretation of a book complied together by a 4th century emperor.

[iMikeT]

Originally Posted by Happybunny

This will not influence any thing here in Europe, the church is dying on it's feet here. Even in it's heartlands the numbers are falling.

Originally Posted by AhmedFaisal

And good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Ever since it's made it's way to Europe, Christianity has only brought death, misery and destruction. From destroying the Roman Empire and the Pax Romana to the atrocities committed against pagan religions and so called heretics during the dark ages through the Crusades, the Witch Hunts and the religious wars, the history of the Christianity in Europe is one of murder and atrocity.

When I was in Europe in 2010, I can clearly see the church having very little influence among the people there. I mean, I did see Catholic church buildings in the cities but they seemed like nothing more than relics of yesterday. I also felt that religion doesn't seem to be a driving force in people's everyday lives as it is in other parts of the world.

Now in the USA, that's a totally different story. We have our areas where Christianity is THE only religion and anything else is considered wrong, even other sects of what claims to be the same religion. So we're still working on it here....

Personally, I can't wait for the day where religion becomes a thing of the past and people decide what they believe in for themselves.

Originally Posted by NutsNGum

Ditto.

What did it for you?