Yes, I am entitled to my opinion, and you are also. However, neither of us are entitled to manipulate words to result in an outcome that suits our purpose, aka lots of Freepers that seem to manipulate the Pope’s words (much like they do during the primaries when they support candidate a/b/c).
I’m perfectly fine with your practicing Christianity without “Religion”, I believe just like you that the differences between many are simple as small t traditions (in your vernacular “rituals”). I believe your challenge is with your experience directly impacted by humans, whom you have assigned as ‘know-it-alls’ - Yep, I’ve experienced those too, however I accepted that all have failed in some way and the only way to change them is through us imparting the Holy Spirit, through contact. You’ve chosen to become a “hermit”, that’s fine. But don’t assuage all of us who prefer other evangelistic means.
“However, neither of us are entitled to manipulate words to result in an outcome that suits our purpose, aka lots of Freepers that seem to manipulate the Pope’s words (much like they do during the primaries when they support candidate a/b/c).”
Well I don’t manipulate his words, I take them literally at face value. And I can’t see how what he says comports with what I understand about Catholic dogma. I don’t have your problem, because he’s not more “holy” in my eyes than the guy across the street. Just because a bunch of his buddies in the College of Cardinals dedcide that he should be given “The Red Phone to God” doesn’t mean anytine to me. But then I hold the same view of the leaders of all churches including those of my former. I do not say this in any way to offend you, just to say that I don’t believe the way that you have chosen. They other bit with which I take issue and it is particularly associated with the Catholic Church, although it is by no means alone, is the purposful flauting of our country’s immigration laws. The Archbishop of Los Angeles openly announces periodically that he will break our nation’s immigration laws to “serve humanity.” So he’s complicit in packing in as many Mexicans and other Hispanic groups despite the fact that it is unlawful to do so.