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.

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:

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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.

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Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

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.

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.

Faith seems to think Pope Francis is a potential antichrist and so do some of my conservative church friends.Allow me to investigate:Ah Ha! Maybe this is why Faith does not trust him: Pope says evolution, Big Bang are realPlus he is liberal.Somehow, conservative vs liberal has turned into good vs evil.

I'm curious what would happen if a Pope did try and sell off Vatican assets! Would the church have him declared mentally ill?The Protestant Pastors have assets too! One prominent megachurch Pastor actually did walk away from his church. The Crazy Mission of Francis ChanOf course, critics will call it a simple publicity stunt. It is hard for Christians to convince any of the secular world of their sincerity.

Keep that Zoroastrian crap out of my thread!

I suppose anything to do with the RCC is ok...but I didn't really think that pre-christian era history was needed. Pope Francis should be our main focus, but since he represents the RCC I suppose it is all connected.I have a different belief, personally, than what scholars usually dig for.An event may predate Christianity, but in my belief nothing predates Christ.Critics would say I was swayed by the author of John....which is true.

Probably. Start a topic on it...or...let me find an old one to continue this line of thought.
OK...found it. We had a lively discussion going!Lets continue this discussion over there. Gospel Of JohnEdited by Phat, : tidied things up a bit.