Posted on 07/25/2013 7:58:19 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Pope Francis on Thursday issued the first social manifesto of his young pontificate, telling slum dwellers in Brazil that the world's rich must do much more to wipe out vast inequalities between the haves and the have-nots.
The pope also urged Brazil's youth, who have taken part in recent protests showing discontent with the status quo, to keep alive their "sensitivity towards injustice" and be a catalyst in the fight against corruption.
The first Latin American pope, who has rallied the Church on behalf of the poor and who lives more austerely than his predecessors, called for a "culture of solidarity" to replace the "selfishness and individualism" prevailing in modern society.
"No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world," he told residents of Manguinhos, a sprawling shantytown, or favela, of ramshackle brick dwellings that until recently was overrun by violence and controlled by drug lords.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Why would I not tell my wife?
Do you think that I would marry a non-Christian?
I'm very sorry you have a problem with Christ and His words.
Got to consider at least this Pope is a first, from the western hemisphere.
Yeah, the church isn’t rich is it?
Your opinion and your opinion only.
“In other words, a Commie Pope. I want Pope Benedict back. This Pope will be all for Barak Obama and his policies.”
There is no stronger opponent of communism than the Catholic Church. Popes have written encyclicals against socialism (seeing it as violating property rights and workers’ rights to their wages), while our governments have sold us out to Red China. While Jesus encouraged charity, He never mandated it.
“It would be nice if people even bothered with 10%. Most wouldn’t even do that.”
There is no reason to do that via religious groups anymore. I spend much more than 10% of my income clothing, feeding, and housing people who won’t do it for themselves. Religious groups in bed with the Dems are finding out that the Dems want the gubmint to take over the religious groups’ roles in such things. “Charity” is forced under threat of IRS audit...
Sadly, you are absolutely right. "With the shekels come shackles."
The way I read it, it's an individual responsibility to do what each of us is able to do. As necessary, to pool our resources, voluntarily, as needed.
For example, if a family in your church were the victims of a house fire...and lost everything...I would certainly hope that other members of the church would offer to help them out (spare bedroom...buy groceries...etc) until they got on their feet. If a town is nailed by a F-4 tornado, that Christians in neighboring towns would work together to help them out. And so on.
The only time, in my mind, that the state government, much less the federal government, would have need to be involved...if we acted as the above...is with a "Hurricane Agnes" type scenario that wiped out major areas of the country.
Sadly, as evidenced here, there are enough people who would say "to hell with you" that it will be impossible to make any kind of a case that private, community based charity could do the job.
Socialism gained popularity in the 19th century because the decidedly unchristian behavior of some made it possible for some very evil men to use that as an excuse to rile up the masses. The only thing that will finally relegate socialism to the dustbin of history is authentic Christian behavior on the part of the vast majority.
I have to say that in recent years our charitable giving has gotten much more personal. It’s easy in these times - there are lots of family people un and underemployed. And of course tragedy strikes where people need emergency assistance (fire, catastrophic illness). But the days of me giving to a Catholic run charitable organization (except for pro-life ones) are all but over. The bishops campaigned all those years for government handouts. My taxes are now over 50%, while half the country pays little or nothing. LEt the bishops make do with what they get from their beloved Uncle Sam. That’s my share.
” But the days of me giving to a Catholic run charitable organization (except for pro-life ones) are all but over.”
Sadly, I agree.
Well, there's an arrogance. The Church, that is, Jesus, says to ATTEND Mass on Sundays, as an obligation, not a suggestion. You take in on yourself to say, Nah, don't wanna. I hafta but I don't wanna, and I ain't gonna.
You aren't a Catholic. Face it, not lapsed, not NUTHIN'.
I've heard that "I don't need a building to pray..." routine for YEARS. It's all baloney.
You wanna do what YOU wanna do and no stinkin' Church is gonna tell YOU different. You're gonna keep holy the Sabbath the way YOU want to.
Wow, there's an arrogance.
Lot's of luck, o independent. You ain't a Catholic in any sense of the word. Get over it. Try ANY Protestant faith; they are into that--their own interpretation is the key. Fit's you to a "t."
“social justice” is commie code speak for confiscation and redistribution.
He’s sent off a series of signals that are prgrosssive indicating
Disappointing
So much for not judging him as you said in an earlier post. Tell us how you really feel.
Yeah, since I am not of the rc practice, I am under whelmed. The catholic church ,particularly in Latin America , has spent soooo much time in recent decades preaching the social gospel and social justice that I do not hear the spiritual message they supposedly contain.
The gospel of the Nazarene is very distinct. It calls us to follow him. It also shows us that one should render unto ceasar that which is ceasar’s and unto God what is God’s. I am so sick of this call for ‘redistribution’ of wealth and for social justice. I will believe the pope actually takes it to heart when the catholic church divests itself of ALL worldly property and gives the proceeds to the poor. Paul had no church nor did any of the apostles. The pope is just another power driven politician in church clothing
“Social justice” does not belong to the communists, it’s an idea the communists stole from Christianity. Just because we denounce Communism doesn’t mean we reject the original idea.
A sign of sloppy thinking.
ALL Justice is "social."
As Thomas Sowell has said, "A man living alone on a desert island has no need of Justice."
Then please, enlighten us heathens as to what the Christian idea of social justice is (as compared to simple left-wing politics).
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