Pope Urges World Peace, End to Syrian Bloodshed in Christmas Message

Dec. 25, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" speech from the central loggia of St.

[RHill]

And people wonder why we even NEED a Pope these days! Thanks Pope! Now, go back to sleep.

[Ramafuchs]

"The Roman Catholic archbishop of Westminster had a more international focus in his sermon, offering prayers for Palestinians whom he said could lose their land to Israel.

During his midnight mass sermon, Vincent Nichols referred to the plight of 50 West Bank families: "At this moment the people of the parish of Beit Jala prepare for their legal battle to protect their land and homes from further expropriation by Israel. Over 50 families face losing their land and their homes as action is taken to complete the separation/security wall across the territory of the district of Bethlehem."

Nichols went on to speak of the importance of kindness and forgiveness, saying: "In the words of St Paul we are to be a people with 'no ambition except to do good.'"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/25/c...

[TheJazuma]

How does a statement made by a Pope actually get peace in Syria?

[RHill]

TheJazuma wrote:

How does a statement made by a Pope actually get peace in Syria?

Excellent question! I have a few more ...

Does Papal proclamations, prayers, statements, wishes or desires influence many outside of Catholicism? Nope. Are Catholics a big part of the problem in Syria? Nope. Does the Pope "have the ear" of the big guy upstairs? Apparently not. Is there a "big guy upstairs"? Extremely unlikely. What's the point then? I don't know.

Hey ... at least he's trying! Made it all the way to the "central loggia" and managed to read the entire speech. No small task! Well worth the investment!

[Listen To This]

There is a God in Heaven, and His Son Jesus Christ is real--and Jesus died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Jesus arose triumphant, and because He did, and went to be with God, the Father, so can we. All of this is as a result of what Jesus did on the Cross. Jesus loves all of you. Consider Jesus! Please! You will not regret it!

[RHill]

Listen To This wrote:

There is a God in Heaven, and His Son Jesus Christ is real--and Jesus died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Jesus arose triumphant, and because He did, and went to be with God, the Father, so can we. All of this is as a result of what Jesus did on the Cross. Jesus loves all of you. Consider Jesus! Please! You will not regret it!

Well, that's certainly the myth in a "nut" shell. Sort of a comic book version of the New Testament.

[TheJazuma]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
Excellent question! I have a few more ...
Does Papal proclamations, prayers, statements, wishes or desires influence many outside of Catholicism? Nope. Are Catholics a big part of the problem in Syria? Nope. Does the Pope "have the ear" of the big guy upstairs? Apparently not. Is there a "big guy upstairs"? Extremely unlikely. What's the point then? I don't know.
Hey ... at least he's trying! Made it all the way to the "central loggia" and managed to read the entire speech. No small task! Well worth the investment!

Actually there is a "Catholic" army, have you heard of the Knights of Malta? It is a military command, and apparently they are everywhere, sort of like mossad...

[Listen To This]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, that's certainly the myth in a "nut" shell. Sort of a comic book version of the New Testament.

I definitely don't see the New Testament nor the whole Bible as a comic book. I see it as life to all those who take hold of it.
I saw a plaque in a store this evening that had a picture of a bird on it. The words read, "His Eye is on the Sparrow." The Bible says that His eye is on the sparrow, and how much more is He mindful of us who loves Him and trusts in Him?

[Listen To This]

Sorry about the dbl post--it just seemed like it'd never go through.

[RHill]

TheJazuma wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually there is a "Catholic" army, have you heard of the Knights of Malta? It is a military command, and apparently they are everywhere, sort of like mossad...

Think I've heard "Knights of Malta" but absolutely nothing beyond that. Hope I haven't made their "hit list" with my disparaging remarks! The Mossad are not known for their forgiveness and I imagine a Catholic inspired "army" even less so.

[TheJazuma]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
Think I've heard "Knights of Malta" but absolutely nothing beyond that. Hope I haven't made their "hit list" with my disparaging remarks! The Mossad are not known for their forgiveness and I imagine a Catholic inspired "army" even less so.

They have a fraternity too. Their equivalent to freemasonry is the Knights of Columbus.

I don't think they see you as a threat. You're just an atheist...

[RHill]

Listen To This wrote:

<quoted text>I definitely don't see the New Testament nor the whole Bible as a comic book. I see it as life to all those who take hold of it.
I saw a plaque in a store this evening that had a picture of a bird on it. The words read, "His Eye is on the Sparrow." The Bible says that His eye is on the sparrow, and how much more is He mindful of us who loves Him and trusts in Him?

Perhaps you would prefer "Readers Digest Condensed Version". But, consider ... comics are full of villains (think Judas, Pilate, Lex Luther, the Scribes and Pharisees), colorful characters (think Apostles, Jimmy Olsen), super heroes (Jesus, Superman, Satin, God), love interests (think Lois Lane, Mary Magdalene) and simple morals (good triumphs over evil). Yep! Sounds like a comic book.

[RHill]

Oops ... Satan, of course ... hummmm, Freudian slip?

[RHill]

TheJazuma wrote:

<quoted text>
They have a fraternity too. Their equivalent to freemasonry is the Knights of Columbus.
I don't think they see you as a threat. You're just an atheist...

I am less than nothing. Their real enemy is knowledge which is quite immune to armies or mysterious fraternities. I wonder ... what would be the equivalent of 'book burning' in our cyber-age?

[TheJazuma]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
I am less than nothing. Their real enemy is knowledge which is quite immune to armies or mysterious fraternities. I wonder ... what would be the equivalent of 'book burning' in our cyber-age?

There is no book burning today, lol.
However, there is always hard drive burning.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[RHill]

TheJazuma wrote:

<quoted text>
There is no book burning today, lol.
However, there is always hard drive burning.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Cool!

[G_O_D]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
I am less than nothing. Their real enemy is knowledge which is quite immune to armies or mysterious fraternities. I wonder ... what would be the equivalent of 'book burning' in our cyber-age?

Internet censorship and control.

[RHill]

G_O_D wrote:

<quoted text>
Internet censorship and control.

I'm afraid that is inevitable. No government can allow a medium like this to exist uncontrolled. We are only here now because the lumbering (slumbering) bureaucrats are too self assured and self involved (dare I add dim-witted) to realize what we have. It can not last.

[Listen To This]

RHill wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps you would prefer "Readers Digest Condensed Version". But, consider ... comics are full of villains (think Judas, Pilate, Lex Luther, the Scribes and Pharisees), colorful characters (think Apostles, Jimmy Olsen), super heroes (Jesus, Superman, Satin, God), love interests (think Lois Lane, Mary Magdalene) and simple morals (good triumphs over evil). Yep! Sounds like a comic book.

Well, Mr. Hill, each thing to its own catergory. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. If we hide its words in our hearts, it may be that we might not sin against God. After all, God will write His word in the hearts of those who love Him. Jesus died so that villians to live--even those not so villianous. He arose so that we could, too. His word gives us just the right color, so that we won't be "off-color." The only true superhero is the Lord, Himself. There is no one like Him. He alone is worthy to be praised. We might give credit to whom credit is due--but the Lord is the only One worthy to be praised. Love interests? Yes, and how to achieve and live in love. Morals? Yes! Our own righteousness, though, is as filthy rags in His sight. We can not attain unto salvation except through and by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, and what He did on the Cross for us.
God is truly good to us! He's good to you! I hope you'll consider God, and check Him out further. If you do, I know you'll find that the way of salvation is nothing funny (as in laughing at it in a comical way). Now, you might find it funny, or strange, that the Son of God would care enough to come down and die for you so that you can live, and raise from the dead, so that you can, too--but remember--that He is the Lord--and with the Lord all things are possible. Even loving the least one of us, whom we would consider to be unlovable, is lovable in the eyes and heart of the Lord. Happy New Year, Mr. Hill!

[RHill]

Listen To This wrote:

<quoted text>Well, Mr. Hill, each thing to its own catergory. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. If we hide its words in our hearts, it may be that we might not sin against God. After all, God will write His word in the hearts of those who love Him. Jesus died so that villians to live--even those not so villianous. He arose so that we could, too. His word gives us just the right color, so that we won't be "off-color." The only true superhero is the Lord, Himself. There is no one like Him. He alone is worthy to be praised. We might give credit to whom credit is due--but the Lord is the only One worthy to be praised. Love interests? Yes, and how to achieve and live in love. Morals? Yes! Our own righteousness, though, is as filthy rags in His sight. We can not attain unto salvation except through and by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, and what He did on the Cross for us.
God is truly good to us! He's good to you! I hope you'll consider God, and check Him out further. If you do, I know you'll find that the way of salvation is nothing funny (as in laughing at it in a comical way). Now, you might find it funny, or strange, that the Son of God would care enough to come down and die for you so that you can live, and raise from the dead, so that you can, too--but remember--that He is the Lord--and with the Lord all things are possible. Even loving the least one of us, whom we would consider to be unlovable, is lovable in the eyes and heart of the Lord. Happy New Year, Mr. Hill!

Happier New Year to you Mister or Mrs "Listen to This"!!

We can pretend that there was a fellow named Jesus if you like, the evidence is sketchy at best. Everything the world knows about Jesus comes from the bible, itself an ancient document of dubious origins. We are asked to accept the bible's accounts of Jesus' miracles as evidence of his divinity and his messy death as evidence of his humanity. He promised his return would be within the life times of those in his audience. He never showed up. The story should have ended there and probably would have if not for the hallucinations, wanderings and writing skills of your "Saint Paul". Paul set about building a church and a new religion and in this, he was wildly successful. The church grew, gaining wealth and political power. In fact, it gained so much power that for two thousand years the church and politics were deeply intertwined and sometimes indistinguishable. In those two thousands years, horrors were committed, wars, bloodshed, pogroms and cleansings ... sometimes because of the church, sometimes in spite of the church. Finally, humankind developed the technology to cross a vast ocean. A "New World" was discovered, brave colonists populated the New World, anxious to breath free air for the first time in millenia. In this New World, a country was founded, based upon the concept of "separation" between church and state. A true "miracle" of thought and freedom. The new nation flourished. Let's try to keep it that way.