Posted on 03/21/2024 7:26:46 AM PDT by ebb tide
Ideology is not the same thing as religion. Most religions, even though often wrong about many things, seek to better the person practicing it; they have similar moral codes, which typically include kindness to those less fortunate and decency toward others. Ideology, on the other hand, cares little for individual persons and focuses completely on the goals of The Cause. Things like kindness and decency are jettisoned in pursuit of those goals. Think of the difference between a Quaker and a Communist: which would you rather have as a neighbor?
I bring this up because of the recently released memoirs of Pope Francis. At one point in the included interviews, the subject of the Covid vaccines came up. I’m not here to re-litigate either the morality and effectiveness of the vaccines. We covered this topic in-depth here at Crisis, and to be honest, what we said back then has turned out to be completely true. In short, the vaccines were tainted with abortion and the morality of taking them was at the very least questionable. No one was morally required to receive the vaccines, as even the Vatican acknowledged. As to effectiveness, only the most hard-core ideologues still think the vaccines were able to stop or even substantially slow the spread of Covid. People of good will now recognize the vaccines at best simply lessened the symptoms in some people, and at worst caused more injuries than they prevented.
Sadly, Pope Francis appears to be one of those hard-core ideologues, not a person of good will. And like most ideologues, he is happy to deny reality and to demean and disparage any who might disagree with him. He stated that “being against the antidote [the Covid vaccines] is an almost suicidal act of denial.” Considering the fact that there is absolutely no evidence that the Covid vaccines prevented deaths on any significant scale (and likely caused deaths in some who took them), this statement is itself an “act of denial:” a denial of reality. But this is the way of the ideologue: reality and facts don’t matter; all that matters is The Cause.
But it gets worse. Francis then made a veiled—and disgraceful—comment about Cardinal Raymond Burke, who opposed the vaccines and almost died of Covid. The pope said, “There were even a few anti-vaxxers among the bishops: some came close to death.” This was the second time Francis made such a jab at Cardinal Burke. He describes Burke as an “anti-vaxxer” when he knows that neither the Cardinal nor most opponents of the Covid vaccines were against all vaccines, and he implies that Burke almost died because he didn’t get the vaccine when those who didn’t get vaccinated didn’t have higher death rates than those who did get vaxed.
To be honest, my first thought upon reading the pope’s comments was, “Is he really so petty?” Not only are his statements not very Christian, they are not even decent. I wouldn’t expect such a low remark from a good-natured atheist, much less a Catholic, much less the leader of the Catholic Church. Even if the pope were right about the effectiveness of the vaccine (but again, he isn’t), to treat someone’s serious illness as a means to promote one’s viewpoint is despicable.
Unfortunately, though, we’ve come to expect this from our current leader. Like the ideologue he is, Pope Francis treats his perceived enemies with contempt. It’s no secret the pope doesn’t like Cardinal Burke and so he is an obstacle to be overcome in Francis’s drive to achieve his goals. What’s amazing is how much both the mainstream and Catholic media still carry water for Francis, claiming he’s about “mercy.” Perhaps for those who don’t dare raise their voices against his Program, but not to any who put the Faith (or medical safety) before obeisance to the Pope’s Program.
While this behavior from the Supreme Pontiff is disappointing and discouraging, it’s no longer surprising. Just yesterday the Vatican News website featured an image created by the monster Fr. Marko Rupnick on the front page. This is a man who has done such horrific and blasphemous acts I don’t want to even list them here. Yet Pope Francis’s Vatican has such contempt for Rupnick’s victims that they still treat the disgraced priest with respect and even admiration. Why? Because Rupnick has been an ideological friend, and ideologues are as forgiving of their friends as they are ruthless to their enemies.
I realize bad news related to Pope Francis has, at this point, become wearying. We don’t cover every single uncharitable act or confusing statement made by Francis. Yet it is important to periodically note that, like some popes before him, this pope is not a good man, much less a good pope. As we near the end of Lent, let us offer prayers and penances for Holy Mother Church, and pray that she be blessed with a good and holy pope, or even a decent one, very soon.
It’s funny you bring up circular logic.
The fact is, circular logic may be the only logic available to Protestants since there is no truth for the Christian outside of the Holy Scriptures, according to Protestants.
Besides, the scriptures in fact testify that Protestants don’t believe in scripture as much as true Catholics do. For example, a few passages come to mind.
Paraphrasing, “whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” The papacy.
Paraphrasing, “Whose sins ye shall forgive they shall be forgiven them; whose sins ye shall retain they shall be retained.” The confessional.
Paraphrasing St. John, “And Jesus did many other things that if they were written down, the entire world could not contain them.” Authority that compliments Holy Writ.
Paraphrasing, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man you will have no life within you.” Holy Communion.
Disclaimer: The so-called popes from 1958 to the present could not possibly be popes because they each left the Catholic faith and publicly taught false doctrines. True Catholics thus live according to what the Church has taught consistently since the time of Jesus Christ. The papacy is protected from promulgating erroneous doctrines, and the abovementioned have all done so or at least been members of Freemasonry, which by membership one disavows membership in the Catholic church and thus the office of the pope as well.
Because they are sending billions of people to hell.
If you support this Pope in word or deed or even acquiescence there can be little doubt where you are heading.
Ah, you said you wouldn’t pray for this Pope. I’m glad you reconsidered.
I'll take time to focus on just one of your examples. Paraphrasing, “whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” The papacy.
I suggest we do more than just "paraphrase" the Bible if it's something you're going to hang your religion on (the papacy). Go to https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/matthew/16-19.html, which shows Matthew 16:19. Click on the Settings gear and turn on the Strong's Numbers. This will turn some of the words into links so we can research the underlying Greek words. The words that aren't links are English words added in to make the translation readable in English. Here's what it looks like with the English words added:
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Here's what it looks like without the English words added (just the words translated directly from Greek):
whatsoever thou bind on earth be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou loose on earth be loosed in heaven.
Note the absence of the words "shall" and "shalt". In other words, the original Greek doesn't imply that whatever Peter says is right and wrong will change Heaven's mind on what is right and wrong. Going by just this alone, it could just as literally be saying that Peter, as one who professes faith in Christ, has the responsibility to get it correct on what he says is right and wrong. Whatever Peter binds better be what Heaven has bound, and whatever Peter loosens better be what Heaven loosened.
And if you don't believe me, look at the Amplified translation, which err's on the side of accuracy more than ease of reading.
whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth [a]will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth [b]will have [already] been loosed in heaven.
Footnotes
Matthew 16:19 Gr estai dedemenon, future perfect passive referring to a state of having already been bound.
Matthew 16:19 Gr estai lelumenon, future perfect passive.
Two notes about reading the AMP translation: 1) anything in square brackets [] is the translators' way of saying that they're not sure exactly how best to translate it, for people who like to dig into the weeds. Also, 2) the footnote marks for a and b back up what the definition of the Greek word esomai means.
Lastly, let's use some sense here. Are we really supposed to believe that Jesus told Simon, "Hey, Simon. I'm giving you the new name Little Rocky and I'm letting you call the shots on what's right and wrong. Heaven is sitting around waiting for you to write the rules cuz we can't do it." ?
I mean, really?
I challenge you to find one thread where Catholics are telling others they are wrong in their religion.
Take your silly judgement elsewhere you’re wasting it on me
“the original Greek doesn’t imply that whatever Peter says is right and wrong will change Heaven’s mind on what is right and wrong”
The fact is, that Peter’s judgments will be consistent with Heaven’s; not that his judgments will change Heaven’s mind.
What predicated such false witness, oystir?
Prove that statement or apologize for slandering me.
What makes you think I support Jorge’s attacks on the Catholic Church, cgbg?
Looky-here: A prot going outside the Bible to defend “sola scriptura”; the epitomy of hyprocrisy!
So how is that different from other Christians? Aren't we all supposed to educate others on what's right and wrong? For example (I know, it's that pesky Bible again LOL):
Galatians 6:1 -- Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
How can we fulfil that teaching from Paul unless we all speak at least some level of judgement? When we do it, we must get it right (speak Heaven's rules, not our own).
Maybe it's time you looked at my tagline. Here it is in context:
1st Thessalonians 5:19-22 -- 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
I've tested the teaching of "papal supremacy" and "apostolic succession" and find it horribly audacious and blasphemous to Christ and His Word. Papa Frank is Exhibit A on how dangerous it is to put into man's hands too much control over God's church.
'Splain, Lucy. The post #25 you're replying to was use of nothing but the Bible, and it wasn't about solar scriptura but about Repent and Believe's post #18 paraphrase of the Bible to define the papacy.
Where is that in your "bible"?
Using your own terrible logic you would conclude that the office of apostle is reprehensible “because, well, Judas”.
It must be true! It’s in a Jack Chick tract!
For sila scriptura folk y’all sure don’t read much.
I once suggested you pray for Francis, that it would be in keeping with tradition, you replied, “never.” I have since seen a change where you have suggested that you pray for the pope to change his ways/ thinking. I actually don’t know your present practice. I hope you pray for the Pope.
Why do you continue to bear false witness?
I never said such a thing. I said I never pray for his evil intentions; but I do pray, daily, for his soul.
There's a difference???
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