[Aussie Dasher]

He was our Pope. He was EVERYONE'S Pope.

God rest his dear soul.

[Quixotical]

Ummmm...sorry, he was not my pope. I have never had one, nor do I intend to. No disrespect but simple fact. Priesthood of the believer!!!!!!

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

No, you are wrong.

I just spent the last two or three years explaining why no man is my hero to my 5 RC neighbors.

Their arguments were as follows:
1. John Paul II loves everyone.
2. Protestants have so little discipline they just went off and started their own religion.
3. He represents ALL Christians.
4. You are probably a RC by desire...
5. You need to return to the church that Jesus Christ started.
6. You are a Christian, just not an A list Christian.
7. It doesn't matter what you believe, just so long as you have faith.

It wasn't easy to be polite while explaining over and over and over again why I am a Protestant. When asked, my neighbors gave these answers as to why they are RC. They just don't understand. I must say, though, they are making some attempts to actually read the scriptures. Good for them!

1. RCC is the ONE true church.
2. Peter was the first Pope.
3. Jesus came to start the Catholic Church.

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but how about respecting my beliefs? People don't like to have religious preferences force-fed.

Only God is my Holy Father. His Son, Jesus Christ, is my Savior, and only hero. He saved me, and I owe all my praise and accolades to Him, and Him alone.

There is only one church that Jesus Christ is the founder of, and that church doesn't own property on earth.


OK...that's it for me.

[TexConfederate1861]

He wasn't MINE.....

[billbears]

I am sure I am reflecting the views of many Protestants

Not my views or many of the Protestant faiths. Sure he seemed like a good guy. But I'm not Catholic and I don't believe their theology.