[marshmallow]

Do we see here elements of the Protestant approach to Scripture in the way this encyclical is being taken? Clearly the encyclical has to be read in toto and has to be consistent both with its various parts and with longstanding Catholic social teaching and doctrine as explained in the Catechism and other Papal documents.

Using this as a starting point, it's possible to understand the Pope's meaning and the overarching thrust of the encyclical. It is, in fact, a comprehensive analysis of most of our current social and economic ills and a real tour de force as far as constructive solutions based on Christian thinking are concerned.

It's precisely this "take it out of context" approach that leads to all sorts of misunderstandings with Scripture and old habits obviously die hard.

[Petronski]

It's precisely this "take it out of context" approach that leads to all sorts of misunderstandings with Scripture and old habits obviously die hard.

Ah yes, Scriptural Deal-a-Meal.

[Quix]

Essentially, it seems that you are saying . . .

that the abundance of other words . . .

and the enormously complex context of said abundance of other words

wholesale change the meaning of very serious words and phrases

= = = =

I don't buy it.

Word dancing
doesn't cut it.

Rationalized diplospeak
doesn't cut it.

Straddling the fence
doesn't cut it.

SCRIPTURE IS EXCEEDINGLY CLEAR about the END TIMES ERA GLOBAL GOVERNMENT.

It won't be a little evil.
It won't be evil in little pockets here and there.
It won't be kosher for self-exempting RELIGIOUS groups to opt out of the evil at will

It won't be evil on one side of the street and not on the other.
It won't be evil on one side of the mouth and not on the other.
It won't be evil on one side of the fence and not on the other.

It won't be evil on one side of the page and not on the other.
It won't be evil on one side of the smiling diploface and not on the other.

It won't be evil if you avoid carrying a rosary but not if you do.
It won't be evil outside the cathedral doors but not in.

Scripture is clear--it WILL BE EVIL THROUGH AND THROUGH and the world over . . . and more evil than has ever been before or ever will be after.

Disagree with Scripture at your own risk.