APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has quickly won my heart and my respect (event though I am not a Roman Catholic) due to his actions and his intelligence in regards to matters of the faith.He recently published his official platform, Apostolic Exhortation which is a delightful read and a vigorous defense of what it means, at least in the Popes mind, to be a Christian. Some excerpts: As an aside to jar and Ringo, the Pope stresses works as an action that rekindles the heart of joy found within us. I was onced asked what it meant to walk in the Spirit. The Pope explains it magnificently. As I present this topic for promotion, I am still reading the 49 page Exhortation, and urge participants to do likewise. For the first time since John Paul II I can say that this man is truly saved---a born again Pope.I like his take on economics as well. Faith & Belief, please.

Thread copied here from the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION of Pope Francis thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

This pope may yet turn out to be a decent bloke, he's proposing some pretty big reforms in the Vatican and seems to actually want to do more for the poor rather than just make things worse for them like the last two.God knows he needs to sort it out, the catholic church is all but defunct in the Western world, its abuses are now in plain view. He can only sell his snake oil to people without TV now.He's a bloody Jesuit though, the worst of the worse, the catholic SAS.

Yea i like the new pope too, its about time the church stops picking on the gays, and hoarding wealth like they can take it with them.

Not that I would ever be argumentative about anything but your quote seems to say the opposite:

quote:

---

I can say that the most beautiful and natural expressions of joy which I have seen in my life were in poor people who had little to hold on to. I also think of the real joy shown by others who, even amid pressing professional obligations, were able to preserve, in detachment and simplicity, a heart full of faith.

---

Poor people are full of joy and "others" get joy from faith.So let's make more poor people and spread the joy.

I have nothing against being poor as long as I lived in a poor country. My problem is being poor while living in a wealthy country.Hence my anger against the Republican party.Look what the Pope says.

quote:

---

Just as the commandment Thou shalt not kill sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say thou shalt not to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills. How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion. Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving? This is a case of inequality. Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless.(...)In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the sacralized excluded are still waiting. To sustain a lifestyle which excludes others, or to sustain enthusiasm for that selfish ideal, a globalization of indifference has developed.

---

Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

How can anyone give any heed to the mutterings of some religious fanatic? The same self-serving articles of faith, as always, without contributing anything of value to the human condition.Let me just give one part that bothered me. Paragraph 34: To paraphrase: This Exhortation has nothing of value for the world.Now, if he really wanted to do something, like maybe, just for jollies, actually follow the teachings and requirements of his supposed lord and savior then maybe the world would be moved to listen. Announce that the church will sell off all of its treasures and distribute the proceeds to the poor and needy around the world. Donate the archives to a consortium of universities. Turn Vatican City into a museum to the benefit of all the children's hospitals in Europe. Travel the world as a pauper from town to town on the small charities of others giving his homilies in the parks and on the street corners.But he cannot do this. He cannot live by the words of his Jesus because he does not believe the words of his Jesus. Except for those that give him more money and power.Evangelize, evangelize! Bring us more people who will tithe into our treasuries. Amen.Edited by AZPaul3, : No reason given.Edited by AZPaul3, : more change

It's better to be poor in a rich country than to be poor in a poor country. The US has a long history of people with no slaves defending slavery and people with no capital defending capitalism. Evolution has produced social behaviour in many species but the insane espousal of "individualism" in some humans is counterproductive not only for the species as a whole but for many of the individuals themselves.

I know that its folly to desire to be rich. I dont ask for much. We had a union rally yesterday in front of the Wal Mart, where the employees work for close to minimum wage and who have to go on medicaid to get health insurance. Our signs read that we want the average employee to make $25,000 a year at full-time...which is assuredly NOT wealthy. The Pope mentions the insanity of the competitive nature of capitalism...I too get outraged when I have, in my lifetime, become part of the marginalized people.The challenge for me as to how the latter part of my life plays out is whether I can handle being poor. Im too tired to do the work required to earn the same wage that was once handed to me.

I think one year in my life I made $25,000 (Canadian). Maybe you should try being poor now so you know what to expect.

What, like, as a minimum?

ringo is not a wealthy man, but he seems to think that 25k is wealthy. Here in America, our average wage citywide is closer to 30K and...*for emphasis* this is NOT even close to wealthy.

Of course not; especially if you measure wealth in terms of people who earn receive income in the billions of dollars a year.But $30,000 is a comfortable enough amount of money. It's nothing to complain about.

How do you know? Maybe he's sitting on a pile of cash and just likes to live out in the middle of nowhere... and having to go to the library to use the internet. Doesn't seem that way to me... all he said was that one year he made 25k. No shit. 30k sucks. I made more than that right out of college.Most of your money would go to expenses, and there'd be hardly any left to have fun with.But you shouldn't measure wealth as "income". Wealth is owning land, real estate, assets, capital, etc.

Maximum, as in "the most I've ever made in a year"; it was around 1996. I honestly don't know how I'd spend 25K in a year. The year I did make 25K I gave about a third of it away and put another third in the bank.Right now I'm making about 300 a week.