Benedict XVI

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Posted by Aga

agreed, do you hear any cries for other religions to change like islam or judaism?
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I just had to add, as a Jew, that there are movements toward changes in Judaism - they just aren't heard as loudly by the rest of society, as we are much smaller in number and don't have a main religious leader.

I remember sitting through a seminar in my high school youth group about whether the Torah should be dynamic or static..i.e., should it change with the times or not. There are proponents for both sides. An example of this is how on Shabbat, Jews are not supposed to do work. This includes turning on lights. When the Torah was given to the Jews, there was no electric light, so creating light was work. Now, it is hard to consider turning on a light switch 'work', but Orthodox Jews still adhere to this practice.

The calls for change within Judaism are what have led to all the different denominations and practices.

The Pope and the church are separate, although he is the leader of the Roman catholic Church i doubt he will be able to make any changes, it's not like he can sign new laws, or anything, the Catholic church has always been strict and conservative and I don't thunk that will EVER change. Just like the Cardinal from Africa not being elected, the Catholic church would NOT elect a black pope (although I had hoped he would be!!!). I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life, got dragged to church every Sunday, say the Rosary and Novenas with my family, blessings before dinner, and now my kids go to Catholic school! But guess what, we have homosexuals in our family, drug addicts, alchoholics, thiefs, successful women who don't stay home and just have kids and cook for their husbands, etc, and we are not RUN by the Catholic church, it s just our spiritual outlet and we accept with open arms those who the church despise.
Pope Benedict is suppose to be one of the most educated Popes we have seen and he will hopefully be as inspirational as John Paul. I love my religion and I find much peace in prayer and sitting in church.

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Posted by emilain

The Pope and the church are separate, although he is the leader of the Roman catholic Church i doubt he will be able to make any changes, it's not like he can sign new laws, or anything, the Catholic church has always been strict and conservative and I don't thunk that will EVER change. Just like the Cardinal from Africa not being elected, the Catholic church would NOT elect a black pope (although I had hoped he would be!!!). I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life, got dragged to church every Sunday, say the Rosary and Novenas with my family, blessings before dinner, and now my kids go to Catholic school! But guess what, we have homosexuals in our family, drug addicts, alchoholics, thiefs, successful women who don't stay home and just have kids and cook for their husbands, etc, and we are not RUN by the Catholic church, it s just our spiritual outlet and we accept with open arms those who the church despise.
Pope Benedict is suppose to be one of the most educated Popes we have seen and he will hopefully be as inspirational as John Paul. I love my religion and I find much peace in prayer and sitting in church.

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Well said.

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Posted by emilain

The Pope and the church are separate, although he is the leader of the Roman catholic Church i doubt he will be able to make any changes, it's not like he can sign new laws, or anything, the Catholic church has always been strict and conservative and I don't thunk that will EVER change. Just like the Cardinal from Africa not being elected, the Catholic church would NOT elect a black pope (although I had hoped he would be!!!). I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life, got dragged to church every Sunday, say the Rosary and Novenas with my family, blessings before dinner, and now my kids go to Catholic school! But guess what, we have homosexuals in our family, drug addicts, alchoholics, thiefs, successful women who don't stay home and just have kids and cook for their husbands, etc, and we are not RUN by the Catholic church, it s just our spiritual outlet and we accept with open arms those who the church despise.
Pope Benedict is suppose to be one of the most educated Popes we have seen and he will hopefully be as inspirational as John Paul. I love my religion and I find much peace in prayer and sitting in church.

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Well said!

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Posted by eogara

No one has an opinion on the newest leader of 1 billion Catholics around the world?

Ok, I'll start.

This scares the $hit out of me!!!! This man seems like he wants to bring the Church back to pre-Vatican I . He's written doctrines that decry FEMINISM! How could they elect someone like that a position that makes him infallible????

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I am always fearful of any one person who can be declared infallible. And this will throw back the women as priests arguement back abotu 50 years.

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Posted by heidla

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I was not raised in any religion either. Maybe that is why I feel the way I do. I do however have many Catholic friends who feel that the church is in need of a bit of a change.
Religion is not a popularity contest (although one could argue that an election is), but it is about reaching your followers. I am not talking about changing the basic beliefs of the religion. I am talking about issues that are now facing the church (sex scandels, priests being allowed to marry, women and their place in the church, birth control) these are all social issues as well as having to find a place within the religion. I think that the church should reflect in someways the change in society. I believe that this can be accomplished and still preserve the fundamentals of the religion.

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OK...but aside from the sex scandals (which obviously need to be addressed) the church's teachings on several 'social' issues stem from the fundamentals from which the church is based. The RC church thinks that sex should always be open to life. That is why they oppose birth control and homosexuality. Priests are not allowed to marry b/c they should be completely devoted to the priesthood. I can't remember the justification for all male priesthood but I think it has something to do with Peter being the first Pope. I'm not saying I agree with these stances but I am saying that the issues stem from the fundamental values of the church. Of course, I am just an outside observer and this all comes from the comparative religion course that I took in undergrad. But my point is that a religion's core beliefs....any religion....merely because they are unpopular and some find their tenets dated.

I am really concered about a few things. He is agaisnt 'religious relativism, which is the believe that any religion is as good as any other. He is all about saying Catholicsim is 100% right, everyone selse is wrong.

Also, he sees Islam and Catholicism as being in competition. He sees Islam as an adversary and has wielded political power to that end, in trying to blokc Turkey, a primarily muslim nation from joining the European Union. He is also the person who wrote to encourage american bshops to deny communin to politicians who supported abortion rights.

I don't think this is the kind of person the world needs right now. john Paul II was conservativ,e but he also held out open arms to all people and looked upon other religions with great respect, he did not, to my iknowledge call them 'inadequate' or 'a lesser search fro truth' i'm frankly pretty scared

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Posted by Aga

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Posted by RedHead
i see your point but:
1. wasn't he like John Paul's right hand man? And John Paul is now considered the 'great'

2. i really do not think ANY pope is going to make any radical changes. I really do not see the church EVER moving into any present century...and to be honest i don't think it should entirely. Although i do not agree with certain things...i don't think that a institution should change because of the 'times'. I really do not think the 'times' and the world we live in is that great or better

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agreed, do you hear any cries for other religions to change like islam or judaism?
I dont agree with some of the teachings but I dont necessarily feel that they should be changed, I have my opinion they have theirs... that doesnt stop me from going to church, beliving in god etc.

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Agree and Agree.

there are many things that i dont agree with from the catholic church, but i take it for what its worth. There are many people that i dont agree with in life, but i have more respect for the person that stands by their morals and beliefs than those that faulter to public opinion. Also, we come from a VERY open minded generation (which is one thing i love about us) BUT, we are not the voice of the world. There are many people who still feel that the old school church is such a strong part of their identity. Does that mean that Those people should sacrifice their 'church' and their beliefs to Ours? (just playing devils advocate here )

i really dont know much about the new Pope, but he definately has a tough (and Amazing!) act to follow. 26 years of expereince in itself its hard enough, nevermind the High regard that PJP II had. Its going to take time to prove himself, and really, only time will tell. But, and i think someone else said it as well.... Eventhough theres One Pope, that doesnt mean that every Church is the same (or that that pope is the dictator in every way). My church is sooo open minded, and i think that's what draws me more to it. They dont discard their beliefs, yet they accept those who dont 'follow their beliefs'... the Priest that married us... he spoke in mass one week about how his nephew is Gay. he said 'Just because you dont like the sin, doesnt mean you shun the sinner', and i think that offered alot of clarity. They can have their beliefs, but as long as theyre not banging down you door and forcing you to repent, you just accept it as a difference of opinions. I dont think that a new Pope is going to change individual churches on a personal level that would affect us... i just hope that he can do as much good as PJP II did for those in need. jmo

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Posted by Kim51103

Im also kind of worried that they picked in less then 24 hours

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I think he is really just going to be interim anyway..

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Posted by beautyq115

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Posted by Kim51103

Im also kind of worried that they picked in less then 24 hours

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I think he is really just going to be interim anyway..

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i was going to say-- i was more concerned about his age Than how long it took to vote for him

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Posted by chichila15

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Posted by emilain

The Pope and the church are separate, although he is the leader of the Roman catholic Church i doubt he will be able to make any changes, it's not like he can sign new laws, or anything, the Catholic church has always been strict and conservative and I don't thunk that will EVER change. Just like the Cardinal from Africa not being elected, the Catholic church would NOT elect a black pope (although I had hoped he would be!!!). I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life, got dragged to church every Sunday, say the Rosary and Novenas with my family, blessings before dinner, and now my kids go to Catholic school! But guess what, we have homosexuals in our family, drug addicts, alchoholics, thiefs, successful women who don't stay home and just have kids and cook for their husbands, etc, and we are not RUN by the Catholic church, it s just our spiritual outlet and we accept with open arms those who the church despise.
Pope Benedict is suppose to be one of the most educated Popes we have seen and he will hopefully be as inspirational as John Paul. I love my religion and I find much peace in prayer and sitting in church.

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Well said.

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I agree- You said it better than I would have !