Pope Benedict: Modern Culture Is Destroying Faith

[ravdin]

Some positive news from the Vatican.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081005/ts_afp/vaticanpopesynod

 

[SimonD]

He makes it sound like a bad thing

 

[devnull]

Good.

 

[ImaginalDisc]

Another 41 experts including six women and 37 observers are to take part in the gathering in which three former Italian presidents and Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni have also agreed to read from the Bible.

Please tell me Begnini's going to read the saucy bits from the Book of Ruth. That's what I'd do if the potato invited me to some synod.

 

[jimtron]

"There are those that, having decided that 'God is dead,' declare themselves 'god,' believing themselves to be the only creator of their own fate, the absolute owner of the world," the German-born pope said.

OK, other than me, who in the world believes this? How can an atheist call him/herself god? It's nonsensical. But seriously, I do own the world.

"Is it not more likely -- as demonstrated by news headlines every day -- that the arbitrary rule of power, selfish interests, injustice and exploitation, and violence in all its forms, will extend their grip?"

Let's see--news headlines. Has anyone who believes in god done anything horrible and violent in recent memory? No, I guess not.

 

[slingblade]

But seriously, I do own the world.

And then you just had to take out a sub-prime mortgage on it. But it will be okay: in lieu of reposession, you get an oyster.

 

[Mashuna]

Pope Benedict: Modern Culture Is Destroying Faith

But remember, Modern Culture has its bad points too.

 

[Lord Emsworth]

"There are those that, having decided that 'God is dead,' declare themselves 'god,' believing themselves to be the only creator of their own fate, the absolute owner of the world," the German-born pope said.

Oh my, I should have that kind of chutzpe. If, absent actual self-declarations as 'god', people still declare themselves 'god' then just what is he doing?

 

[quarky]

The pope is infallible.
That should be enough.

 

[Dragoonster]

He makes it sound like a bad thing

Just what I was thinking.

John Paul II seemed pretty progressive late in his...papacy? Term? Maybe Benedict is more conservative, haven't really paid any attention to him.

OK, other than me, who in the world believes this? How can an atheist call him/herself god? It's nonsensical. But seriously, I do own the world.

I don't know his reasonsing but I have a lot of solipsistic tendencies. Perhaps to the point, I do think each person should create their own unique morality (or arive at it objectively and independent of any single philosophy or religion or dogma). Or they could just be amoral, which isn't bad either at least for the individual. Maybe that's what he was getting at?

 

[millwallfan]

The pope is infallible.
That should be enough.

the pope used to be a nazi

 

[Correa Neto]

Go modern culture, go!

OK, now a question-
"Modern culture" (whatever it really is) is actually destroying faith or (some) religion(s)?

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

OK, other than me, who in the world believes this? How can an atheist call him/herself god? It's nonsensical. But seriously, I do own the world.

I think what Herr Ratzenbeger is saying is that if you rely on something other than the Invisible Sky Fascist to make decisions in life, you are "declaring yourself god."
​

Remember, religion is all about dependence on their particular god, or rather dependence on the Church that claims to be speak for it.

 

[drkitten]

First they came for the soothsayers, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a soothsayer
Then they came for the alchemists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an alchemist
Then they came for the televangelists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a televangelist
Then they came for the Doctors of the Church and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Doctor of the Church
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to help me celebrate.

 

[quixotecoyote]

Bit of poor taste given what "they came for" implies in the context that reference came from, no?

 

[drkitten]

Bit of poor taste given what "they came for" implies in the context that reference came from, no?

Given that the current pope and the one complaining is an ex-Nazi -- I don't think so, not at all.

 

[fuelair]

Dibs on the big throne thing!!!

 

[quixotecoyote]

Given that the current pope and the one complaining is an ex-Nazi -- I don't think so, not at all.

As I understand it, virtually every German male of his age apart from jews and other declared enemies would have the same associations. Ex-Nazi seems misleading.

http://bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/texts/cjrelations/topics/new_pope_defied_nazis.htm

 

[ImaginalDisc]

As I understand it, virtually every German male of his age apart from jews and other declared enemies would have the same associations. Ex-Nazi seems misleading.

http://bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/texts/cjrelations/topics/new_pope_defied_nazis.htm

It's more telling that we wasn't a White Rose, but given his age at the time, and the pass we've given HJ in general, it's not that big a deal.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Quoting Mr Pope from the url on the OP:

""If we look at history we are forced to notice the frequent coldness and rebellion of incoherent Christians. Because of this, God, while never shirking in his promise of salvation, often had to turn towards punishment," he said."

Well thank the IPU that I, like the majority of the people on this planet, am not a Christian then since God seems very confused on how to deal with the rest of us and thus tends to leave us alone.

Idiot! Christians never have a World view and never seem to realize that thousands of societies have existed and thrived for hundreds, if not thousands of years, without benefit of the Christian God and his whiny Son?