Lounge of Tomorrow - View Single Post - Joseph Ratzinger named new pope-- Benedict XVI

Motorboat Cruiser · 04-19-2005, 08:52 PM

I've been hesitant to post to this thread all day. I guess I'm still sorting out how I feel about all of this. In a way, I feel indifferent and yet, the events obviously have some significance. I think I'll just hit on a few points.

As far as the nazi past, I don't feel I know enough to condemn him, nor exonerate him. I'm hesitant to judge him for his decisions as I don't know what it was like to live under those circumstances. Besides, I think there are others things more worthy of focus, such as statements that he has made as a representative of the church. Some of those have been interesting

I have to say, I had no expectations of the next pope being more progressive. I didn't expect someone to be elected that was going to change the church's stance on homosexuality, birth control, abortion, etc, and I don't hold that against him necessarily. I don't like those stances but my dissatisfaction on those issues is with the church as a whole, not with the guy that was just elected today.

I think that where he has the potential to hurt the church the most is whether his views are divisive to the church as a whole. Many fear that there could be a split in the church or that a lot of people may become dissatisfied with the church and leave completely. I think that is a real possibility, although I am somewhat indifferent as to what the fallout is, if any.

There are a few things I would like to see happen with the new pope but I'm not optimistic. I would like to see him voice his strong disapproval of the war in Iraq, as the last pope did. I just like to see consistency in the pro-life message, something I would like to see our own leader consider.

I would like to see more attention paid to Africa and the death and suffering that is occurring there. The position of the church is hurting Africa more than it is helping.

I would like to see a forceful admonishment of those involved in the pedophilia that has run rampant in the church. The last pope was a disappointment in this regard. I would especially like to see a smackdown of Cardinal Bernard Law, who sickens me.

We'll just have to see how it goes, I suppose.

04-19-2005, 08:52 PM	#13
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	I've been hesitant to post to this thread all day. I guess I'm still sorting out how I feel about all of this. In a way, I feel indifferent and yet, the events obviously have some significance. I think I'll just hit on a few points. As far as the nazi past, I don't feel I know enough to condemn him, nor exonerate him. I'm hesitant to judge him for his decisions as I don't know what it was like to live under those circumstances. Besides, I think there are others things more worthy of focus, such as statements that he has made as a representative of the church. Some of those have been interesting I have to say, I had no expectations of the next pope being more progressive. I didn't expect someone to be elected that was going to change the church's stance on homosexuality, birth control, abortion, etc, and I don't hold that against him necessarily. I don't like those stances but my dissatisfaction on those issues is with the church as a whole, not with the guy that was just elected today. I think that where he has the potential to hurt the church the most is whether his views are divisive to the church as a whole. Many fear that there could be a split in the church or that a lot of people may become dissatisfied with the church and leave completely. I think that is a real possibility, although I am somewhat indifferent as to what the fallout is, if any. There are a few things I would like to see happen with the new pope but I'm not optimistic. I would like to see him voice his strong disapproval of the war in Iraq, as the last pope did. I just like to see consistency in the pro-life message, something I would like to see our own leader consider. I would like to see more attention paid to Africa and the death and suffering that is occurring there. The position of the church is hurting Africa more than it is helping. I would like to see a forceful admonishment of those involved in the pedophilia that has run rampant in the church. The last pope was a disappointment in this regard. I would especially like to see a smackdown of Cardinal Bernard Law, who sickens me. We'll just have to see how it goes, I suppose.
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