Actions speak louder than words.

Attila the Hun had no moral values whatsoever, was highly narcissistic, killed for pleasure and his own convenience, and ruled in a dictatorial manner.

He sounds very much like the left wingers of today, and so anywhere "right" of him sounds good to me. Thanks for the compliment!

Please explain. So far, I've seen no difference in their interpretation, positions and actions.

You are very welcome for the comment, spin doctor.

You may disagree with what I have presented. That is your choice. It is a pity that one finds it easier to take potshots at the author rather than to debate the matter at hand.

This board is titled "political talk," and the goal is to exchange points of view. It's really good when that happens. It's not as good when it gets snippy.

I've got a pretty thick skin, so fire away with your best. I'll still respond with facts - you can still take personal potshots.

Me thinks you doth protest too much. How is that for a fact?

Keep in mind that this is MY personal opinion.


I may not have agreed with everything that John Paul taught but his demeaner was much softer and much more loving. He taught more like I would have expected Jesus himself to teach...

Benedict does not show affection, emotion or seem to be a loving person. I am not in any way saying he is not these things...I am saying that I do not see it. (except he allowed his secretary to write a book about his life from the view point of a cat)

I agree that they have similar views and teachings. That is the duty of the Papal office. They continue teaching what the Catholic church has taught for decades on decades....they don't just switch the rules as each new Pope starts (like a President) whether it might be a good change or not. They teach the beliefs of the catholic church.

HOWEVER, John Paul taught in through love and peace. He showed his respect and love for all humans. Benedict seems to be a cold soul. It is hard to even read anything that is written from him.

So while they may be saying/teaching/preaching the same exact thing, it is all in how it is presented/taught/preached.

Again...this is my opinion.

We agree.

Both men are very different personalities. John Paul II had thespian training and experience, and used that skill wisely. Benedict XVI is a researchist and academic, and they can appear much less personal in their "stage presence."

John Paul II was indeed a very special person.

Ah...I love when we agree as it does not happen often. Thank you for the conversation.

We probably don't agree on the teachings of the church. My grandmother was on the committee that wrote Vatican II. My family has much history within the church including a 2nd cousin (my fathers cousin) who is a Cardinal in Rome. John Paul II was indeed a Blessed man. He truly touched many lives.

Now...shall we talk about your comparison of left wingers and Atilla the Hun....yikes!! One can be on the left side of the aisle and not be as you described Atilla. Now there certainly are some people that are similar to Atilla....but they come from the left and the right alike. Can we agree on this as well?


I also am interested in the fact that 16 out of 23 votes for this poll have said it should be changed! I am curious as to how many of those 16 people grew up Catholic and if they still are...

Oh My God!
 

Boys and girls,what is so hard to understand? If you want to be a Catholic, live by Catholic rules. It is that simple. There are a lot of protestant churches out there who would love your participation.

It's like moving to TV and expecting the rules to be changed soy your 6 yr old grand child can live with you and then complaining that the rule is unfair and arcane.

There is also the option of leaving your actions up to God to Judge. If you are of clear conscience, take the chance.

Yoda

I don't think it is that simple...there are many Catholic churches in this world and many of them do things differently. Each priest is different and presents the "rules", rather beliefs or doctrine, in his own interpretation. Even masses have different stagings or set up depending on the parish or the priest.

I think you can have many different people, all Catholic, who all have different interpretations or styles of Catholicism. This holds true for any main stream denomination or religion.

Your last statement is right on though! It is not mankind, in the end, who will be the Judge. We are not put on this earth to judge others...

Thank you! I'm not the only one who's noticed that!

Regarding Attila - that was meant as humor (albeit fact) just to show the perspective is subjective. What's usually the case is folk tend to see their viewpoint as the centerline, and others with different viewpoints must be way left or right - and does it really matter?

Regarding the "vote," the Catholic Church is not a democracy. So, it doesn't matter.

I think Yoda nailed it. Criticism of the Pope over dogmatic matters by non-Catholics is akin to non-Protestants complaining about Billy Graham's preachings, or non-Muslims complaining about Sheik Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh's stand on the marriage age for females, and so on, and so on.

Benedict XVI, Billy Graham, Sheik Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh and all other religious leaders can have personal political views. When they speak as a private citizen openly about those political views, they are fair game. However, criticism of their actions within their faith by those not of that faith (actual practitioners, not members of convenience) is nothing more than bigotry.

Steve -

What would you say a Catholic man should do in the following circumstance:

He meets a very compatible person who he falls in love with - the woman has HIV/AIDS - but they are both catholic and are at a crossroads.

Does he:

have sex with her (after marriage of course in this perfect world) and risk getting aids because he uses no barriers?

have sex with her with a condom to protect himself and say the heck with the catholic teachings?

decide not to be with her since he can't use a condom and doesn't want to risk AIDS?

live with her without sex? (yeah, like that would last).

Just wondering how you would approach this scenario? And "that scenario would never happen" is not an answer because non-HIV people meet HIV people every day somewhere in this world.

Russ,


This is a good question!! Hard one yes...but a good question.



Steve,

I have to disagree....there are MANY practicing Catholics that disagree with the Pope and the Vatican...this doesn't make them any less Catholic in my opinion. I think it is healthy to question (in this case, criticize) things you don't understand or agree with. This is how we all learn.