Not that you’d expect him to say otherwise, but in an interview on CNBC President Obama said that he is “hugely impressed” with Pope Francis. What is more interesting is Obama’s response to the follow up question: what about the Pope’s remarks that the Catholic Church was too “obsessed” with homosexuality and abortion?
“He’s also somebody who is — I think first and foremost — thinking about how to embrace people as opposed to push them away; how to find what’s good in them as opposed to condemn them,” Obama responded. “And that spirit, that sense of love and unity, seems to manifest itself in not just what he says, but also what he does. And, you know, for any religious leader, that’s something — that’s a quality I admire. And –I would argue for any leader period — that’s a quality that I admire.”
Unity being in such short supply in DC this days, we can understand why the President would value it so much.
StephK
Before the Catholic bashers make an appearance here, I just want to say that as I have cautiously watched Pope Francis take the helm of the Church, I am becoming impressed by how he is trying to get its clergy & laity to hit the reset button by redirecting their attention on Christian values as charity and brotherly love.In short time his example will rreveal those fulminating worshipers as the uncharitable bigots that they are.Will the theology and dogma change?I don’t know, but at least the emphasis will be redirected where it should have been all these years..on the love of ourselves and our neighbors.
redspyder
Yes – he is clearly making changes.
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Just yesterday the Polish arm said they were sorry for the child sex abuse scandal, but refused any legal or fiscal responsibility for those cases because its not like they had any part in hiding the issue or contributing to the problem (like moving pedo-priests around, and not informing parishioners of their past predilections).
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Today he says the church should “rid itself of its worldliness” – while sitting amidst one of the world’s greatest art collections.
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How canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
2eo
@redspyder: The more things change the more things stay the same. The illusion of change is bought by the apologists and their believers, who at this point will just believe anything.
MK Ultra
While the Vatican sponsors ultra-violence in Eastern Europe and Africa against gays and other minorities, they turn to the West and with a wide crocodile grin, exclaim, “Look, we’re not hateful anymore! We’re friendly and loving. We even got a new mascot!”
Then useful idiots swallow this Big Lie and propagate it.
onyxsky
what a load of bulllshit. neither give a fuck about anyone but themselves and their cronies.
sam176752
@MK Ultra:
I totally agree. I favor a pope who preaches that gays and lesbians are sick and depraved and are damned to an eternal hell fire. Pope Francis is far too progressive for me. MK Ultra you rock!!!!!!!
sam176752
@onyxsky: So eloquent. Have you considered becoming a teacher?
MK Ultra
@sam176752: Why so hostile, bro?
Are you offended that I ruined your religious dissonance?
sam176752
@MK Ultra:
Not hostile at all dude! By the way, do you see how the Muslims treat gays? Ultra violence? Go to Iran or Saudi Arabia bro!
MK Ultra
@sam176752: “oh, uhh, hmmm…Muslims are bad!”
Is that really your answer, bro?
Are you really saying that because there is homophobia in the Middle East, that justifies the Vatican spreading the same homophobia here?
2eo
@MK Ultra: Don’t you see, because one stupid religion lead by a paedophile does it in the middle east then it’s okay for a European paedophile to do it.
DUH!!!!1+~@P{:
CeciliaRooney
my mother recently bought a twelve month old Hyundai Accent Hatchback just by parttime work from a computer… like this,,, korta.nu/lvx0w
Mikah
The Catholic church has been so homophobic for so long,that a modicum of tolerance is news worthy.Very sad.
sam176752
@MK Ultra: Bro!!!!!!!!! You were the one who said the “Vatican sponsors ultra-violence in Eastern Europe and Africa against gays and other minorities.” So when was the last time you witnessed Catholics beheading or hanging someone who was gay?
MK Ultra
@sam176752: Yeah bro, because Catholics prefer beating gays with their bare hands, baseball hats, guns, setting them on fire, attacking them in large groups…
Your only defense of all the harm the CC has caused gays – “Muslims are worse” deflection.
Your hostile advocacy for the CC is just as fake as the Pope’s recent revelation, dude.
If you’re taken in by corporate PR, good for you.
But bro, don’t lose your shit because some people aren’t as gullible as you.
sam176752
@MK Ultra:
Bro!!!!! Take it easy dude!!! Why so hostile? So why don’t you provide some citations where Catholics beat “gays with their bare hands, baseball hats, guns, setting them on fire, attacking them in large groups…” By the way, you rock!!!!!!
MK Ultra
@sam176752: Woah, calm down, bro, just calm down.
No need to lose your shit over a stranger disagreeing with you on the internet.
It’s cool, bro. We get it. You drank the CC kool-aid.
But why so hostile with those who haven’t? All your comments on here have been you attacking other commentators. Do you think your temper tantrum has convinced anyone to your point of view?
Think about it, bro.
sam176752
@MK Ultra:
Okay, I will drop the act. Apparently my attempt at sarcasm to make a point was totally lost on you. While I am not Catholic, I do recognize the historical significance of the recent statements by Pope Francis. The Catholic Church is one of the largest political (yes, political) and religious institutions in the world. And in matters of doctrine, the organization moves slower than a lobotomized snail. The fact that Francis–in the wake of John Paul II and Benedict–made these statements is significant and should be encouraged. What is annoying, although not entirely surprising on sites like this, are those who would rebuff any attempt at change and who make outlandish statements about a religious organization that have no basis in fact. You want to criticize the Church for its handling of child sexual abuse? Fine. But to say that the “Vatican sponsors ultra-violence in Eastern Europe and Africa against gays and other minorities” is so ludicrous that it does not deserve a response. Given the recent DOMA decision, LBGT rights will be fought at the ballot box on a state by state basis, which is why the LGBT community should welcome, with cautious optimism, any positive statement from the Church that could influence the behavior of intransigent members.
2eo
@sam176752: You naivety does you no credit, MK is spot on, catholic money funds death squads in Uganda, christian money supports Russia’s pogrom against us.
We don’t welcome them because of centuries of hate and genocide, they need to do more than give a statement once a new pope is elected, nothing has actually happened yet.
When they want to hand over the 250,000 child r@pists they protect then maybe we can talk about morality and protection and tolerance.
sam176752
@2eo:
Really? How about some citations to support your fallacious statements? The fact is that you can produce no evidence that the Christian faith has engaged in a campaign of genocide against the LBGT community. In fact, if you want to look at recent history, the evidence shows the opposite. Have you ever attended a Pride event? In some cities, more than half the parade consists of Christian churches that are doing everything possible to remove discriminatory laws. As far as being naive, you apparently have never worked on an equality campaign where the ability to build coalitions is critical. I’ve run into your kind before. Do us all a favor–please don’t volunteer to do community outreach.
2eo
@sam176752: Owing to the stupid censor settings on this site follow the link to a screenshot of my blocked post. I’m sure you won’t look at it, but the links are numerous.
http://s22.postimg.org/4fim3p4gx/Links.jpg
sam176752
@2eo: Here is the problem: today, especially with the Internet, most people, including you, are incapable of distinguishing between what is fact and what is an opinion. Nor can people recognize logical fallacies.
Let’s get a few things straight. There is no question that the Church has had a serious issue with child sexual abuse. But the fact that some priests committed criminal acts does not make all priests criminal. Neither does it suggest that the majority of priests engaged in such behavior. As for your research, I appreciate you sending clips of articles and blog posts. And I did review them. The presence of news reports or blog posts does not corroborate your supposition that 250,000 priests are rapists. Nothing you sent me corroborates your figure. Most importantly, evidence of priest misconduct has nothing to do with the original discussion, which is whether there is any merit to the Pope’s recent statements about homosexuality. According to Pew, there are over 75 million Catholics, and, of that figure, roughly 41% attend services once a week. (This figure is in line with other studies such as the one conducted by Georgetown.) So here is why this is relevant: Catholics tend to vote in elections, and, to some degree, are influenced by the statements of the Pope. Any statement that can possibly drive Catholics from what has been a hardline approach about homosexuality should be welcomed. (In fact, conservative sects within the Church are furious over his recent statements.)
The other articles you referenced are laughable. None of them support your claim about Catholic sponsored “death squads” in Uganda. From the articles you provided, you are referencing the Uganda law that allows for the death penalty for certain homosexual conduct. You cite an article that mentioned Scott Lively and an article about Frank Schaeffer to support your claim. Did you read the articles you sent me? I did. Lively is not a Catholic. Neither is Schaeffer!! But here is what you failed to provide. In a brave move, considering where he lives, Uganda’s Catholic Archbishop of Kampala came out in opposition to the law. The other nonsensical articles you provided have nothing to do with purported acts of genocide committed by the Catholic Church in Africa or anywhere else.
I am feeling very charitable today, so I am going to offer you some advice. First, please stay out of politics, especially when it comes to advocating LGBT causes. People like you make my work to end LGBT discrimination more difficult. Second, consider taking a course in logic or reasoning. If you had done this before posting, then maybe you would not have inundated me with nonsensical articles that (1) don’t support the statements you made and (2) have nothing to do with the issue at hand.
2eo
@sam176752: All I see is apologist drivel. Why don’t you tell us how Evolution is a lie and we have to be nice to creationists and respect them.
sam176752
@2eo: Okay, I’m done wasting my time on you. You failed to corroborate any of your factual statements. And when you tried, I demonstrated that the citations you provided do not support what you claim. In fact, some were articles about fringe, non-Catholic right wing zealots. In short, everything you said is false. Have a good life.