Francisco Pope Of The Poor??? Aparecida Brazil

[GS_Dirtboy]

His comments about not judging specifically referred to clergy with some sort of same sex attraction. Benedict had been firm that no-one with any sort of homosexual inclination whatsoever would be accepted into the priesthood. As Archbishop of Buenos AIres Bergoglio is said to have urged his fellow bishops to accept civil unions so as to avert same sex marriage, i.e. he viewed civil unions as the lesser of evils. Bishop Aguer, a conservative bishop from La Plata, led the opposition and the bishops conference refused to back Bergoglio. To change teachings on sexuality, fundamental dogma has to be changed, specifically the teaching on natural law. This would be a radical undertaking. To clarify Catholic theology, all sex outisde of marriage is viewed as mortal sin. The Protestant view is essentially the same with the excluision of a few small liberal denominations and even they are divided amongst themselves. Of course Islam is even stricter as well as Orthodox Judaism. I agree that some of Francis's comments suggest that he is far more liberal than his predecessors.

Well said, sergio. The Christian view is that all sin is mortal, not just sex outside of marriage or homosexual sex. Which is the basis of my disagreement with many of my fellow Christians who think it is ok to denounce, judge, and attack anyone else for what those people do. I came really close last year to making a trip to Florida and nailing Christ's Sermon on the Mount on the front door of Terry Jones' church. He's the guy who wanted to burn the Quran.

We spend lots of energy pointing the finger at other people. We should know better. I think this is to make us feel better about ourselves and more righteous - completely against what Christ taught. Pope Francis is very much on the right track.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Ajoknoblauch, your insightful comments are so remarkable that I have seen the light and will now become an atheist. Why hadn't I seen it before? Thank you for your remarkable contribution to this thread.

I only go where the evidence takes me.

 

[internationalguy]

I only go where the evidence takes me.

You keep saying that, yet you have yet to provide a solid argument based on it. All I've seen (including previous threads) is sarcasm and berating.

 

[internationalguy]

You keep saying that, yet you haven't provided a single argument based on it. All I've seen (including previous threads) is sarcasm and berating.

 

[Jaredberryman]

I only go where the evidence takes me.

What you are implying when you say that is that I am an idiot because I can't follow logic and common sense evidence. I believe what I believe because I have followed the evidence, too. Obviously, we have very different conclusions. If you want anyone to take you seriously in threads like this, then maybe you should refrain from insulting their intelligence without even knowing them.

 

[camberiu]

Desmond Tutu is the bishop that makes Pope Francisco look like Cardinal Richelieu.

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

That definitely made my day, probably made my month, and might very well have made my year.

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

I only go where the evidence takes me.

My friend, the evidence is all around you. You just need to open your eyes to see it.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

You keep saying that, yet you have yet to provide a solid argument based on it. All I've seen (including previous threads) is sarcasm and berating.

If you can provide me supposed evidence for an invisible ethereal being, I'll be happy to review it for you.

 

[internationalguy]

If you can provide me supposed evidence for an invisible ethereal being, I'll be happy to review it for you.

lol. Exactly my point. You dismiss anything I claim, even when I'm not claiming it. Pointing out the lack of evidence of others isn't evidence of your own claim. I'm just saying.