Posted on 02/22/2005 12:46:48 PM PST by Clint N. Suhks
ROME (Reuters) - Homosexual marriages are part of "a new ideology of evil" that is insidiously threatening society, Pope John Paul says in a new book published Tuesday.
In "Memory and Identity," the Pope also calls abortion a "legal extermination" comparable to attempts to wipe out Jews and other groups in the 20th century.
He also reveals that he is convinced the Turkish gunman who shot him in 1981 did not act alone and suggests that the former Communist Bloc may have been behind the plot to kill him.
The 84-year-old Pontiff's book, a highly philosophical and intricate work on the nature of good and evil, is based on conversations with philosopher friends in 1993 and later with some of his aides.
In one section about the role of lawmakers, the Pope takes another swipe at gay marriages when he refers to "pressures" on the European Parliament to allow them.
"It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man," he writes.
The Pope's fifth book for mass circulation, issued by Italian publisher Rizzoli, sparked controversy in Germany and elsewhere after Jewish groups protested against leaked excerpts comparing the Holocaust to abortion.
In at least two sections of the book, the Pope talks about the Nazi attempt to exterminate Jews and the wholesale slaughter of political opponents by Communist regimes after World War II.
"LEGAL EXTERMINATION"
In following paragraphs he says that legally elected parliaments in formerly totalitarian countries were today allowing what he called new forms of evil and new exterminations.
"There is still, however a legal extermination of human beings who have been conceived but not yet born," he writes.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.myway.com ...
This question is not aimed at any one person here (not quite sure how to post to "all") but:
If the Pope decided tomorrow that homosexuality and abortion was fine, would Catholics accept it as truth from God?
I know, I know, you will say that's not possible. Maybe not (I believe anything is possible), but what if he did? Would Catholics accept it? If not - how would Catholics dispute it? Would they use scripture? Because we all know God's Word condemns homosexuality and murder (among other things). If the Catholic Church is the only entity that can interpret scripture properly (not saying I believe this by the way) - how would it's members dispute what the Church says about scriptural issues?
If the Pope is God Himself and the Vicar of Christ, he has the right to rule however he wants. He is infallible and therefore, if he says something is true - it must be true - right?
So, if the Pope decided tomorrow that abortion and homosexuality were not sinful - would Catholics accept it as truth and go on with life?
Just wondering.
But he is Pope. Would you accept it at truth?
Your question is unbelieveable, the Pope represents the bible which was written thousands of years ago, he would be called a heretic to denounce his own teachings. Like I said, are you all there ? Maybe you need to start facing reality a little more. Homosexuality is an abomination.
The Gospel IS indeed true. You believe they have taught no errors?
The Pope is bound by the Magisterium of the Church. The defined body of pronouncements regarding the Deposit of Faith.
Basically he can't put a new spin on something that contradicts previous teaching. It has to be understood in the same sense always, everywhere.
He can't revoke any of the Ten Commandments. He can't amend the Bible, He can't "give" his power to another bishop of another city.
He is there as a guardian more than anything. When someone comes up with a "new" way of looking at an theological issue. He's the ultimate authority that says whether it is in line with the previous teaching. If not, it's condemned formally as a heresy.
See Leo X's papal bull, Exurge Domine (I think. That's off the top of my head) He goes through the 40 errors that Luther made and explains how they are deviations from the true teaching of Christ. (anyone who reads them and reads Luther's book of Concord would agree that Luther had a very brutal and sincere hatred for Man, very negative man )
"Homosexuality is an abomination" - this I know. I know this because the Bible teaches it.
It's an abomination because it exposes the weak minds of people who lie to themselves. You want company but you are afraid of the opposite sex ? Buy a dog, you will be much healthier in the long run for it.
So, if he is the guardian of the truth, why does he allow the Catholic Church to practice things that scripture contradicts?
Please know I'm not trying to raise hairs here - I try to seek the truth in all things and I'm just trying to get a clearer understanding.
I'm sorry. Which encyclical is he refering to?
If I tell someone homosexuality is an abomination simply because it exposes the weak minds of people who lie to themselves - I believe that has no merit - and is not spoken in love. We all have to have a foundation for why we believe homosexuality is an abomination. There is only one foundation - the Bible. God is the Creator and the only author of morality. We get what we know from Him. If we give any other reason for why we condemn homosexuality (or any other sin for that matter) we are just picking ideas from the air - essentially, our own ideas. Yes, we have free will to say and think as we please - but God and His Word is the only guide to morality.
We can only use God's Word to condemn any form of sin - it wouldn't be sin if God hadn't said it.
God didn't say it, the wise men did. It's like overcoming an addiction, it just takes willpower, mind over matter, a weak mind. It's a form of mental illness with a lot of gays. When you start taking on characteristics of the opposite sex it's obviously a mental condition.
Have you tried to interpret the Bible on your own? If we rely on others to tell us what it says, how do we know they are right? How do we know if they are wrong? Do we take a chance with our salvation based on another person's interpretation of what they believe the scripture is saying. I'm not.
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" Philippians 2:12 (NKJV)
"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:11 (NKJV)
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