Why even atheists should be praying for Pope Francis

[cali]

<snip>

All this would warm the heart of even the most fervent atheist, except Francis has gone much further. It seems he wants to do more than simply stroke the brow of the weak. He is taking on the system that has made them weak and keeps them that way.

"My thoughts turn to all who are unemployed, often as a result of a self-centred mindset bent on profit at any cost," he tweeted in May. A day earlier he denounced as "slave labour" the conditions endured by Bangladeshi workers killed in a building collapse. In September he said that God wanted men and women to be at the heart of the world and yet we live in a global economic order that worships "an idol called money".

There is no denying the radicalism of this message, a frontal and sustained attack on what he calls "unbridled capitalism", with its "throwaway" attitude to everything from unwanted food to unwanted old people. His enemies have certainly not missed it. If a man is to be judged by his opponents, note that this week Sarah Palin denounced him as "kind of liberal" while the free-market Institute of Economic Affairs has lamented that this pope lacks the "sophisticated" approach to such matters of his predecessors. Meanwhile, an Italian prosecutor has warned that Francis's campaign against corruption could put him in the crosshairs of that country's second most powerful institution: the mafia.

As if this weren't enough to have Francis's 76-year-old face on the walls of the world's student bedrooms, he also seems set to lead a church campaign on the environment. He was photographed this week with anti-fracking activists, while his biographer, Paul Vallely, has revealed that the pope has made contact with Leonardo Boff, an eco-theologian previously shunned by Rome and sentenced to "obsequious silence" by the office formerly known as the "Inquisition". An encyclical on care for the planet is said to be on the way.

<snip>

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/15/atheists-pope-francis-obama-liberal-voice-change

[JimDandy]

1. No prayers... But I wish him well and to be successful

in his efforts to improve and equalize conditions for everyone around the world.

[Scootaloo]

2. Don't do prayer. But as far as high priests in bad hats go, he's not doing too awful

[Tien1985]

3. +1

That's about his I feel, too.

[Lizzie Poppet]

4. I certainly wish him well, but...

>atheists
>praying

Pick one.

[frogmarch]

5. Someone once

had this to say about a dinner I’d cooked: “Held up against your other meals, this shit don’t taste too shabby.”

It’s kind of how I feel about the new pope.

[progressoid]

6. hehehe

[Aerows]

7. He is a tremendous breath of fresh air

Compared to Benedict. Benedict was so dirty I can't imagine taking communion from his hand. I'm glad he retired. If he was the hand of the Lord, it was covered in blood, money and dripping with corruption.

Comparison:



vs

[NYC Liberal]

8. Francis has the same positions on social issues and rights as

Benedict did.

[Aerows]

11. No, he doesn't

Benedict didn't mingle with "the poor", he didn't mingle with "the sick", he covered for the Church as a money-making enterprise. So far, from what I have seen of Francis, he isn't an arrogant entitled leader. He's a person.

Do I agree with him? On most issues, hell no, but I respect his attitude towards helping the poor. His predecessor chastised nuns for being too interested in helping the poor and the sick instead of bashing everyone over the head with doctrine.

[NYC Liberal]

27. So Francis has better PR and does photo-ops.

What church teachings has he changed or contradicted regarding gays. Or women. Or anything else?

[Aerows]

34. The Church was so corrupt under Benedict

that deciding that raping children was no longer acceptable is a step forward.

I hate to be blunt, but that is the truth.

[arely staircase]

48. I know. nt

[MH1]

87. Well, the article in the OP says he is about to issue an encyclical on "care for the planet"

As far as I could tell from previous popes, they just didn't care about the planet.

Some of the "better PR" messages he has sent by his actions are important in setting an example for the flock, for example the attitude of simplicity and shutting down the "bishop of bling" and so forth.

Frankly, anything that moves the meter from "atrocious" to "setting an example for good in a few areas" is good news in our world, particularly when coming from such a powerful and highly visible person.

[FarCenter]

20. Benedict was better, on a "truth in advertising" basis.

Benedict more truthfully portrays the nature of the one true church.

[Aerows]

22. I'd like to believe that the nuns that help the poor and the sick

portray the true nature of the Church. Perhaps I'm an idealist and look for the good in everything, but I think Pope Francis is a step in the right direction.

[Heather MC]

9. Pray to What/ Who

I hope he does well.

I like anyone Sarah Palin Calls Librel

[Vashta Nerada]

10. I'm not even going to waste my time reading the article because of the ridiculous title alone.

[musical_soul]

90. It's not about atheists.

It's about all the good Francis has been doing and all the fire he's been under. Apparently, the mafia might go after him. I hope that's not the case. I do agree that the title was silly.

[Vashta Nerada]

91. It's an offensive title.

Like another poster said, the title is on par with something like "why vegans should eat bacon".

Why should I care about the content of the article when the title is offensive? It makes the rest of the article lack credibility.

[longship]

12. Of course a theist is going to plea that atheists pray.

Mainly because they see the whole universe through a theistic filter. But atheists see that prayer is a useless endeavor which is used more to convert to "my religious belief" than to make any kind of rational argument. All religious sects use similar techniques, and have done so for millennia, which is precisely why this same damnable (so to speak) argument comes up again and again and again.

I am a lifelong atheist. All I want is for people who believe in gods to leave me alone. That, and not use legislative fiat to impose their falsified beliefs on the rest of the world.

The extent to which you allow people to believe what their conscience says is the extent to which I can and will be your ally. You cross that line, I am going to be your enemy and try to utterly fuck you up.

It's a simple choice. Really!

I could care less about your beliefs. It is your actions which I object to.

Mull on that for a while.

[Morphia]

53. You summed it up nicely...thanks!

"All I want is for people who believe in gods to leave me alone. That, and not use legislative fiat to impose their falsified beliefs on the rest of the world.

I could care less about your beliefs. It is your actions which I object to."

2 simple things would make this country much better

1. Keep your theist nonsense to yourself
2. Mind your own f-ing business.

[giftedgirl77]

13. Uh no, for the same silly reason atheist don't belong in a church.

No matter what silly ass reason either one of them give it still doesn't make sense. Just because a new pope comes in & wants to play nice doesn't undo all of the EVIL deeds they have done & continue to do in the name of religion. Next?

[BlueJazz]

84. What giftedgirl77 said.

[wickerwoman]

14. Happy to praise, no need to pray.

[BOG PERSON]

15. what is this, some kind of trick??

atheists aren't allowed to pray!

[Scuba]

16. I'm not Catholic, or even religious, but I like this guy. He's moved the needle ...

... more in just a few months than his predecessors did in 15 centuries.

[sibelian]

18. Yeah... needle moved to "be nice to disabled people" and

"being poor isn't nice"

and...

[Aerows]

23. It's better than

"I wear Prada slippers", and "Those nuns that serve the poor are a blight upon our Ministry - they should be spending time proselytizing against homosexuality and abortion."

[sibelian]

50. Well if that isn't damning with faint praise I don't know what is...

I'm sorry, I just don't get it...

[sibelian]

17. How is ANY of this even vaguely interesting? What, he believes mildly sensible things?

FFS, cali. You're a VERY clued-up individual, surely you can see that the stuff this guy's coming out with is mostly insubstantial hot air? Yes, yes, he says nice things, they are substantially LESS interesting than the ideas of MANY advocates of liberal values. This guy has nice instincts and nice feelings, but thus far BILL HICKS has had more to say.

There is no denying the radicalism of this message - why do I keep seeing phrases like this about him?

[Aerows]

24. I'm going to go out on a limb

and ask did you grow up in a religious household and attend Parochial school?

[RebelOne]

47. No and no. Don't pray to any big daddy in the sky. n/t

[sibelian]

54. No. Well, sort of, if you count wibbly Scottish Episcopalianism as a religion.

As for parochial anything, well... where I come from that's a matter of perception... Is it the name of something official in America...?

[cleanhippie]

67. Just what would that have to do with anything?

Typical apologist tactic: ignore the question or the point and instead deflect to some unrelated, nonsensical "concern".

[Humanist_Activist]

76. I did, and what Pope Francis says is in line with traditional Catholic doctrine..

in all of its misogynistic and homophobic glory.

[Uncle Joe]

19. I hope he is successful

and lives a long, happy life.

Thanks for the thread, cali.

[PeaceNikki]

21. Fuck that. Obama is no Progressive giant, but he supports equality for women and LGBT.

This opinion piece is ridiculous.

[Vashta Nerada]

26. +1000

[PeaceNikki]

28. That whole piece linked in OP is nothing but fluffy bullshit.

ugh

[Vashta Nerada]

29. All the pope threads that have been posted in the last week have been nothing but fluffy bullshit.

[PeaceNikki]

31. Agreed. This one doesn't even have a single 'news' or current event twist to it.

Despite what the GD hosts seem to think. Oh right, it throws Obama's name it, so it must have a political twist.

[SidDithers]

25. Oh good. It's been a couple of days since we've had a thread glorifying Pope Photo-Op...nt

Sid

[Aerows]

30. Pope Photo-Op?

Interesting. I'm an agnostic. Even I wouldn't be that condescending to a man that bathes the feet of the poor, drives an old car, and kisses the head of a man covered in boils.

When you do so, I'm eager to hear your good works. I like him simply because he supports the nuns that are Sisters of the Poor that Benedict chastised for focusing on the wrong thing. Apparently, feeding the hungry, tending to the sick and praying for those in prison is less holy than chastising women for getting abortions, shaming gays and embracing diversity - Francis has done the first three, and has shied away from the last three.

He isn't perfect, but I am profoundly grateful that he places emphasis on the first three values.

[Vashta Nerada]

33. Religious leaders should be doing the first three things anyway.

He's been doing what he's supposed to be doing.

[NYC Liberal]

35. It's quite disgusting to see a bigot praised here constantly.

If he were running for Congress, he would be roundly denounced here.

[SidDithers]

36. But he drives a Renault!!...

and washes feet!!

Call me when the Catholic Church reverses a thousand plus years of misogyny and homophobia.

Sid

[Warren DeMontague]

32. Any other totally pointless activities you'd like to advise me to do?

Why the fuck would an Atheist "Pray"? As performance art?

[Kaleva]

57. Warren's going to Hell!! Warren's going to Hell!!

[Warren DeMontague]

99. which explains the bucket.

[janlyn]

37. They say that the eyes are the windows of the soul.

And I thought that Pope Benedict had eyes like a reptile. Francis has kind eyes. I don't judge people as a group, but rather as individuals.
So while I am not a fan of organized religion and most especially not a fan of the Catholic church. I feel he is a kind man at heart.
And a humble one in my opinion.

[idwiyo]

38. My oppinion will change when he apologises for homophobic bigotry, anti-choice BS, paedophilia,

and officially changes church policy toward full acceptance of all people, adopts pro-choice policy, makes sure all paedophiles are exposed and prosecuted, and their victims paid compensation.

Even than last friggin think I would do is "pray" for anyone or anything.

Till that time he is just another bigot, and I hate bigots.

[bravenak]

39. Real atheists don't pray. Like how gangsters don't dance we boogie.

Who would we be praying to? Ourselves? Waste of time.

I kinda like the new pope, but I'm waiting for him to do something I can celebrate.

I'll fake pray after he:
1. Apologizes for the sexual abuse and quasi slavery conditions people were put under by order of the church.
2. Approves and pays full restitution to all victims of church practices/fires or prosecutes the offenders.
3. Allows women into the clergy with no barriers.
4. Sells all jewels and riches and uses them to feed,clothe, shelter the poor.
5. Allows for marriages within the priesthood.

Then I'll start some praising.

Forgot to say; accepts gays as normal human beings deserving of equality and the ability to marry the person of their choice.

[paleotn]

44. My feelings exactly.....

he's certainly an improvement from das panzer pope, but the church as a long, long, long way to go before I start praising this guy as a genuine reformer. I do appreciate many Catholic's efforts on social justice issues, but the bullshit still outweighs the good.

[bravenak]

46. Exactly.

I mean it's cool that he's not wearing ruby red prada slippers and drives a bucket, but I'm waiting for him to do something. I drive a bucket and wear nikes. I hug bums. I chit chat with prostitutes and yell at their pimps. I could be pope too.
I have more respect for the nuns. They get it done and don't take no bullshit. The church needs a woman pope.

[Thinkingabout]

40. Pope Francis is somewhat to the poor as Democrats should be. It is surprising to read

So many negative post here. On frequent occasions I point out to RW if they are claiming to be Christians they sure do not display actions I could relate to Christians. One can have religion or not but it should not result in negative responses. Come on, Democrats are much better than Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh.

[Vashta Nerada]

41. Democrats treat homosexuals as human beings.

The pope...not so much.

You're surprised?

Please.

[Thinkingabout]

43. i am not so sure you are right in this.

[Bluenorthwest]

71. The Pope built his reputation in Argentina as a fire breathing activist opposing marriage equality

there. He said such horrible things that the President of Argentina said his language was 'medieval and suggestive of the Inquisition.'
This jag folks are on claiming Francis is pro gay is deeply insulting and not based on any reality at all.

[Thinkingabout]

74. Just as you have opinions Pope Francis gives opinions and statements, things change over time

and unless you would prefer to be judges forever by any of your actions in your life it would be wrong for you to do so with Pope Francis. Pope Francis has extended his arms to the poor and ill, we should follow this lead.

http://www.sconews.co.uk/news/30212/pope-francis-has-no-issue-with-inclination-to-homosexuality/

[Humanist_Activist]

77. Uhm, his opinions are those that were put in the Catechism of the Catholic Church...

he has no problem with same sex attracted(warning homophobic buzzwords there!) individuals, but if they are "practicing the lifestyle", then all bets are off.

[Thinkingabout]

79. So, are you saying if a person says or does one thing you do not agree with then the person is

all bad? Are you saying because one issue the person is all bad? I would hope not, I can't for the life of me understand why if a person is homosexual and is kind and gentle and does well in the world you would want that person to be declared a terrible person because they are homosexual.

[Humanist_Activist]

83. You are comparing a bigoted opinion to an innate trait?

What. The. Fuck.

[Thinkingabout]

86. Here you go, now you are graded by your opinion, you might be a bad person who is bigoted.

[Humanist_Activist]

88. Is there something wrong with judging people by the beliefs they hold, particularly...

bigoted beliefs that they also act on?

[Thinkingabout]

97. Exactly, this was my point, you expressed your opinion, sounded bigoted and one should

Not be judged on this, you acted on your beliefs. Democrats have tried to extend a hand to those who are poor and down, we must not loose focus. Hatred is in the platform of the GOP, we are better than the GOP.

[Humanist_Activist]

98. What bigotry did I express? n/t

[Thinkingabout]

101. You listed several issues of your dislike of Pope Francis, I did not see your appreciation of his

Compassion. I got the feeling you did not like his positions but your bigot reaction was noted.

[Bluenorthwest]

103. What a horrific thing for you to say.

Unreal.

[Thinkingabout]

106. I thought the same about several post about Pope Francis.

[Bluenorthwest]

102. What Francis says about gay people being an 'attack on God' is hate speech. He is free to apolgize

and make amends and do penance at any time. If he comes to me and asks forgiveness, he will get it but thus far all he does is attack my family and friends without apology and without any wrong having been done to him by us.
I do not need to follow the lead of Francis to help the poor and the ill. I already do that, why don't you? That is and was the principle message of the teachings attributed to Jesus, teachings which Francis merely repeats as did every Pope before him.

[Thinkingabout]

104. Your knee jerk reaction speaks for itself. You dont like attack on your family members and you want

An apology. You attack Pope Francis and are you giving an apology? You can't pull a double standard. Then you go on to attack me for not helping with the ill and poor, you are sadly mistaken but I will not be deterred from continuing to help others because of your misjudgement of my deeds.

[Humanist_Activist]

112. Why the fuck should a LGBT person apologize for attacking a homophobe?

I think you are on the wrong message board.

[Thinkingabout]

115. If you like attacking others and helps you then by all means make yourself happy, if you don't

Like the attacks then you could be the first one to stop the attacking. Attacking me on my generosity does not help your cause. I do not understand why activist need to attack others unless you enjoy being attacked. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

[G_j]

56. while they compromise on food stamp cuts, etc.

please...

[Bluenorthwest]

65. What actual help has he offered to the poor? Words and words alone?

What of his verbal attacks on poor people who are gay? Do they not matter to you? Francis, Palin and Limbaugh all share the same bigotry toward gay people. Claiming that Francis is not a raging bigot is fucked up. Lying to sell anti gay and anti choice political activist Francis to those who would reject his dogma without the exploitation of the poor as props for the Francis show.
Got any proof that Francis has done anything real for the poor? Do they eat his word salads?

[Courtesy Flush]

42. So sorry that he isn't perfect

I just posted this link on my Facebook page, and I said "Perfection is an illusion. A holy man is a bundle of imperfections, working his way through the world."

I think we've let movies and mythology define holiness for us. Holy people are not perfect. I think there is a holiness spectrum, and we're all on it. This pope is farther up the spectrum than the last one was.

I believe that he is setting a standard that the next pope will have to maintain. You can't go back to pomp and glitter after Francis, without looking like a total douchenozzle. It could be a hundred years before people are willing to accept another Benedict.

[arely staircase]

45. This Episcopalian has included the Bishop of Rome in my prayers at mass for several weeks now

and will tomorrow. I am very impressed. He is changing the tone of an ossified institution. Those who want him to or think he can just change centuries of doing things in a certain way just don't get it. All the right people have the butt hurt over this guy (Pat Buchannan comes to mind).

[scheming daemons]

49. Offensive headline

Atheists don't "pray" to anything.

Praying is the act of a deluded mind. It is talking to oneself.

Saying atheists should "pray" is like telling vegetarians to have some Bacon.

[PeaceNikki]

55. Agreed. The whole piece is offensive and not political, despite hosts' opinions.

Big, stupid fluff piece.

[SidDithers]

61. GD Hosting is a joke...

This thread gets locked:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024009872

but a dozen pro-Pope "fluff pieces" get left.

Apparently, criticism of the Pope belongs in religion, but papal PR is OK for GD.



Sid

[Bluenorthwest]

64. GD hosting is and always has been a joke. But currently I think the 'hosts' are intentionally

pro religion and anti gay. These threads are acts of organized aggression.

[Arugula Latte]

92. That was a disgusting lock.

Blatant double standard.

[SidDithers]

111. Yup...

Here's another:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024025304

Sid

[giftedgirl77]

107. Wow talk about a disgusting double standard

I guess it is all about who you know at this point.

[SidDithers]

109. Then there's this one...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024025304

Again, a thread critical of Pope Photo-Op gets locked by GD Hosts, while thread after thread fawning all over him is allowed to stand.

Curious, eh?

Sid

[giftedgirl77]

113. Ugh, what the hell?

[SidDithers]

60. "Praying is the act of a deluded mind. It is talking to oneself."...

Nailed it.

Sid

[Riftaxe]

51. I quite like the guy

And I am not even Catholic or a member any religion.

I will say this, he has a lot more class so far then a lot of his rabid solipstic detractors here on DU, sure it might only be PR...yet he is more believable then they.

[Bluenorthwest]

63. He says gay families are 'an attack on God' and that gay parenting should not be legal because

it discriminates against children. Do you agree with him? Do you actually feel that those he attacks should not respond in kind? Do you feel those statements have 'more class' than those who say all humans are equal?
I have to assume you are opposed to equal rights for LGBT people since you see those who attack us on the global stage in such a positive light.

[cali]

85. Pope Francis asks bishops: How can the Church help same-sex couples?

The Vatican on Tuesday launched an unprecedented worldwide consultation on the new realities of family life including gay marriage as part of Pope Francis’s efforts to reform the Catholic Church.

A questionnaire has been sent to bishops around the world asking them for detailed information about the “many new situations requiring the Church’s attention and pastoral care”.

“Concerns which were unheard of until a few years ago have arisen today as a result of different situations, from the widespread practice of cohabitation… to same-sex unions,” it said.

The 39 questions are unusual because of their non-judgemental, practical nature in what could be a signal of greater openness and increased pastoral care regardless of a believer’s background.

<snip>

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/05/pope-francis-asks-bishops-how-can-the-church-help-same-sex-couples/

He seems to be moving away from his anti-gay positions.

"Who am I to judge gay people?" is a move forward for the Church.

[Bluenorthwest]

100. He should then instantly fire those Bishops who have been attacking gay people in the press

including those in Illinois doing an exorcism over marriage equality. That would be a start. He has not even criticized those Bishops working with NOM who quote Francis and use his image in their anti gay tracts. Why is that if he is out to instruct them and to 'move away from anti gay positions'? '
Keep trying to get the lipstick on that pig, cali!

[musical_soul]

94. Things are not black and white.

That same Pope has also been criticized for saying that if a gay person wants to come and worship, then nobody should stop him or her.

He have beliefs that homosexuality is a sin based on the bible and Vatican teaching.

To me, adoption is more about the welfare of children. I think children are better off with parents who love and care for them than being raised by the state. I also believe a lot of gay parents are better parents than a lot of heterosexuals I've seen. People are beating their kids, neglecting them, and yet people are worried about gays? Get real. However, in a perfect world, I do think a child is better off with one male parent and one female parent. First, the combined incomes bring more financial stability. Also, the child has a male and female role model. They're both important.

[LostOne4Ever]

52. He is much better than his predecssor

But that is not saying much

But who am I supposed to pray to? Joe Pesci?

The new pope is a great PR guy but till he changes official policy on women, homosexuals, contraception, etc. rather than token gestures I remain a skeptic.

[p class=post-sig style=margin-top:0px;text-align:center;]

[div style='color: #B20000;font-size: 2.000em'] [center] Not all those who wander are LOST!!! [/center]

[dionysus]

95. no silly. you pray to steve buscemi!

[Bluenorthwest]

58. For those of you comforatbale with the Alec Baldwin Lexicon and anti gay attitude, Francis is great!

He can kiss my gay ass as can those who want to pretend he is not a raving conservative bigot.

[NYC Liberal]

75. Agreed. But the defense of Francis is no surprise.

Remember, there were people here defending Tracy Morgan after he said that he'd stab his son to death if he came out as gay. "It's just a JOKE! Lighten up!" we were told.

[Kaleva]

59. Not a big deal. If people want to pray for him, that's fine. If not, that's fine too.

[Bluenorthwest]

62. The SOP of General Discussion says no threads about religion, why are the current hosts not

replaced with those who will enforce the rules? This OP is not only against those rules, but it is insulting to many DUers. Telling atheists to pray is like telling Muslims to eat some pork, rude, ego laced aggression.
I am sick of these threads about an anti choice, anti gay conservative who has been described as using language suggestive of the Inquisition.
I hope the Francis fans understand that they are making many people sad and uncomfortable with their ritual praise of this old gas bag of bigotry. The hate they feel for gay people is palpable.
I wish the religious folks here would simply follow the rules and post about their religious leaders in their own 'anti choice/anti gay' groups.

[PeaceNikki]

66. I concur.

[Vashta Nerada]

70. If the Pope was a politician, and people here still supported him,

They'd get PPRed because of his views on homesexuals and women. But, since he's a religious leader, he gets a free pass.

[Bluenorthwest]

72. It's more than a free pass, they allow promotion of him in GD where religious subjects are

specifically forbidden. He is given special treatment not allowed to other subjects on the forbidden list, such as Palestine and Israel. Such as showbiz. Sports.
They lock OPs critical of the Pope for being a bigot, but allow OPs that praise the Pope. What does that say about those making these decisions?

[Vashta Nerada]

80. Touche.

As an LGBT man, it makes me feel like a piece of garbage when so-called liberals and Democrats are praising a man who abhors the LGBT community.

[Demo_Chris]

68. Defender of child rapists, persecutor of women and homosexuals, sounds like a great guy. nt

[Wounded Bear]

69. Says the leader of the proto-typical multi-national corporation...

Hey, I love all of the sound bites, and how he actually sounds like a real "Christian" and all, but hey, he's still the head of the first and one of the largest trans-national for-profit organizations in history.

Is any of this actually being done? When I see some of that, I'll applaud. Meanwhile, I hope he has good food tasters on his staff.

[MineralMan]

73. In the first place, atheists don't pray.

So you're starting off on the wrong foot already. Secondly, the Pope and his Roman Catholic Church remain bastions of intolerance for many people, including women and LGBT people, along with everyone who believes in reproductive choice. There is no sign of change in those areas by this current Pope, so I can see nothing about him worth celebrating at all.

Despite his gestures toward some downtrodden minorities, he continues to support intolerance for many others, including those atheists you call on to "pray" for him. Here in the Minneapolis St. Paul area, the RCC, led by its Archbishop, has been covering up child abuse by priests for decades and the extent of that abuse is just now beginning to be understood. Children are another group that has been treated with far less than proper consideration by this Pope's church. Where is he with regard to those problems? How is an Archbishop who has been complicit in covering up sexual abuse of children still in office. What will this pope you praise do about that situation.

I am an atheist. I do not pray for anyone. Instead, I demand of people like this Pope that they support the rights of all people, not just the ones who are convenient for him to support.

Feh!

[Vashta Nerada]

81. Well, as a leader to one of the world's largest religions, one would think that he would have

to support the downtrodden. So when he's doing what he's supposed to be doing, I don't understand why a thread has to be created to show that he's doing his job.

[MineralMan]

82. True enough.

I'm more interested in areas where he and the church interfere with equality. That's the area that interests me. The RCC has long helped the impoverished and ill. It's time for it to step up for human equality issues.

[Tikki]

78. I don't pray…the pope has control of many people's minds and hearts…he would do well to..

to continue to show he cares about all of the World's population.

There are people he needs to learn more about..that might help him along the way.


Tikki

[musical_soul]

89. Why do I have a horrible feeling for Pope Francis's safety?

I think that's what I'll pray for. I'll also pray that more Catholics follow some of his examples because that's what Jesus wants. A lot of things that put people in so much awe about Catholicism was stuff I already knew.

I don't expect atheists to "pray" for anybody, but well wishes and good thoughts are always nice.

[Arugula Latte]

93. Instead of praying, I think I'll hop on one foot and snap my fingers.

That will have the same effect as a prayer.

[RedCappedBandit]

96. No.

[KoKo]

105. I'm not Catholic but an Episcopalian. Fallen Away when we Invaded Iraq

and I could not understand the World's Christian Community "NOT" coming out against that outrage that killed Millions of Iraqis and our Troops (many older National Guard and so Many Young who signed up misguided in their belief that Saddam/Iraq was responsible for "9/11.&quot

So...for Pope Francis this Protestant Defector gives him:



Because we need all the humanitarian reasons we can find and for so long the Catholic Church has been a force for Evil in this world instead of a voice for Peace and Caring for the Poor (which is why I'm no longer a churchgoer) Our Protestants have turned to being not much better. At least our Episcopal Church welcomes those of different Gender...but we fall down on speaking out about Invading Countries/Killing and destroying their environment for WAR POWER.

But, there must be some NON-Political Force who works against the RW Fundie Christians who revere the "Old Testament" and not the Voice for Peace and Care for the Poor that the New Testament Christians turned to as THEIR DOCTRINE. BTW: Chris Hedges speaks for us Spiritual better than most. I think he's a welcome NEW VOICE for where the Christian Community needs to be focused. His father was a Minister...so he knows...

and...

I love his voice....and it's needed in this time when all we hear is POLITICS and not some SPIRTUAL direction.

Whatever..

[stopbush]

108. Yep. I pray to Zeus every night for the Pope.

It's just as effective as praying to any other god.

As far as this Pope being a change from the previous Pope, I'll believe that the day he turns over to authorities the child rapists and enablers he's harboring throughout the church and in the Vatican itself.

Until then, he's a smiley face sticker on a pile of dog shit.

[sabrina 1]

110. The more I hear about him, the more I like him.

Imagine, not blaming the poor for being poor!

[WCGreen]

114. This centuries old practice of melding the church and the Establishment needs to be shaken up...

The teaching of Jesus have always been radical but defused by the ultimate weapon, killing the savior.

If the followers of Jesus would walk in his shoes and walk away from political power then the religions of the world could serve as a model for reworking the strained relationship between the haves and the have nots and get down to social justice...

[TorchTheWitch]

116. says they dude at the head of the single wealthiest organization in the world

Francis can start first by liberating the billions upon billions of dollars the church hoards in it's bank and distributes it to the poor and needy, when he gives up his castle and turns it into a children's hospital or other worthwhile endeavor, when he strips out all the priceless artwork and historical documents the church hoards and gives them back to the public they stole them from and so much of which they refuse to acknowledge they even have, when he finally gets a clue that women and homosexuals are people, too, when he stops covering up the sexual assault of children by those in his own house, and quits with the lip service the Catholic church has made a fine art of for its entire existence while hypocritically doing the opposite of all the sweetness and light and finger wagging at everyone else but their own selves they've been selling since its inception. And how about allowing your followers to read and interpret their own holy book that the church balked for centuries of allowing it to be translated into a language they could read for the fear that they actually would and quit pretending even now that all the non-priestly people are so stupid they need to be told what it says and what it means lest they actually have the audacity to do that themselves and discover what a stinking bunch of hypocrites and liars the church is founded on for its own gain and at the expense of the people.

[defacto7]

117. Just have to stick my nose into and old thread.

Believe it or not, the Mormon Church (LDS) is the wealthiest religion on the planet. They run more corporations than any of us can possibly miss on a daily basis. I've written on it before here I won't repeat, but they are vastly wealthy. They owned the entire Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem for quite a while. Sold in a couple of years ago for a sum never published but the estimated value is beyond any guess. The rest is a very long list. That's not to undermine your point. The Catholic Church is also very wealthy... but more by glitz than cash. I think the cash holdings at the Vatican are about $500 million.