Pope urges young to spurn the 'spiritual desert'

You missed the point, and missed the problem. The money flow is controlled by those in power. Right now spending is controlled by the DEMOCRATS. It could be controlled by REPUBLICANS....
You should get this resource for your personal library: The Clipper Ship Stratagy by Richard Mayberry (Uncle Eric) He explains how the money flow REALLY works. Think you know economics? Richard M. says most Economists don't know!
Chosing sides is unimportant. Knowing where the money will flow is. It does not matter who has the money- you need to position yourself where it will FLOW.
Blaming Republicans is just plain ignorant- but you can educate yourself. Once I educate myself I am never in danger of letting whomever is in office determine my happiness......
Good Luck!

Let us not forget the Pope only wears Prada shoes.

But, oh wait, GOD wants him to have those things because it's for the glory of God.

It's just when other people do it that it's wrong.

Just like sex. When his priests are molesting kids, that' okay, but when consenting adults do it, that's wrong.

He complains about the environment, but then tells people to have more kids, no birth control allowed.

He preaches for civil rights but condemns women to second class status in his church.

What a liar. Another wealthy, pompous liar.

steve-385157: "His Holiness is flying around the world in jets and helicopters. Dozens of servants waiting on his every want and need. Dressing in robes and gowns costing thousands of dollars. Sitting on a huge fortune while people around the world starve and die from lack of medicine."

How true, but my one peeve is that he is asking the many who do support Catholicism to over look all the transgressions that his clergy has done, and probably continue to do without any punishment from the Vatican, and to continue to give to the church that has harbored and supported these pedophiles. He has apologized for all the crap the church has done to everyone other than the people they have wrongly used and abused...maybe it's time to do away with the catholic church.

The Pope will not take all these things with him. What matters, is how many people he touches, and how many great ideas that he lives in the world! I agree with you that I would prefer a Pope like Christ in all things. But it is not going to happen.

He tries to get people to believe in a fairytale (i.e. there is no god)

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tells the world that unless they are Catholic like him, they will all burn in hell.

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There is no God is a fairytale...doesn't make sense.

Where in the Catholic catechism does it say that only Catholics go to heaven? Source please.
I think maybe you are confusing catholics with fundamentalists on that one.
Catholics believe that many people make it to heaven, after a stay in Purgatory. Whether it's silly or not, it's what they believe.

As a gnostic, to me belief in a Creator/Higher Power/God is a matter of faith. To try and prove for or against is an exercise in futility.

There is undoubtedly plenty to criticize the Catholic church for, from the far past to the present. After all, the central part of the mass, the Body and Blood of Christ, has its roots in early pagan rituals. But except for abortion, sexual abstinence, etc., I think the Pope brings a rather positive message.

"I.e." means "that is" so the statement reads "He tries to get people to believe in a fairytale, that is there is no god. Ok ... poorly worded. I should have used a semi-colon and left the i.e. out.

I got my many fairy tales mixed up, it is very difficult to keep straight who believes in what. Condemning non-believers to a different fate from believers is one tool religions of the world use to say 'we are better' and create an 'us v/s them' situation. Like forbidding marriage outside of the church to prevent dilution of flock. They try to elevate their followers above everyone else to make them feel good about being lied to. It's a lot easier to believe in a lie if you get something out of it and are made to feel superior to the non-believers of the lie.

I probably shouldn't say lie either. Lie is a strong word signifying an untruth someone purposefully tells when the truth is known. These people are not lying, they are deluded. It is more like a mental illness.

So ... do we really want someone suffering from a delusion, such as the pope, helping to forge world policy based on his delusion?? I don't. There are plenty of valid reasons to reduce materialism that have nothing to do with religious beliefs. The 'spiritual desert' comment means nothing, I've been an atheist most of my life and have a full, rich life surrounded by many great friends, help those less fortunate by donating my time and money, and have a purpose.

Why anyone needs religion to do the same thing is beyond me.

'As a gnostic, to me belief in a Creator/Higher Power/God is a matter of faith. To try and prove for or against is an exercise in futility.'

I think you may have it backwards. We don't have to disprove god's existence, you have to prove it.

There is no greater isolation and angst than being atheist! You wake up each morning knowing that you have spurned your Heavenly Father who still waits ... He makes your heart beat each moment, hoping that you realize that ... He suffered for you and died for you a terrible death, so that you return to Him!

Oh get a grip honey. Too late for what?

You religious freaks live in fear your whole lives and expect everyone else to do the same.

This is why the Pope has so much money. Fools like you give it to him in order to bribe your god.

You think you can get a better seat in heaven if you do what these cult leaders tell you.

Grow up.

Not only is Christianity a fairy tale, the entire contents of both the old and new testaments are a collection of fairy tales, old tribal legends and early science fiction. That clap trap is fed to children too young and inexperienced to defended themselves with logic. That is an inexcusable crime. And when someone asks how the hell anybody could build a boat big enough to hold not only two of every form of animal life on earth BUT enough food to feed both the herbivores and the carnivores for 40 days, the answer is God could do it. Religions all sprang from superstition and the practice of sympathetic and imitative magic. That led to the belief in the shaman, the man who could work miracles, and finally to the ultimate shaman, the one related to God. The priestly cloak of clericism has rustled down over the flesh of the naive for ten thousand years, like the leathery pinions of a vampire bat. Jesus wasn't the first crock of religious crap to be sold to the naive and, if mankind lasts another ten thousand years, he won't be the last. There is too much power and money involved in selling Gods an earth to give it up for reason and logic.

His Holiness flies around the world to announce the Good News of Christ. He is not like the "material girl," who flies to have fun and make money - all for herself. Millions of people have benefited spiritually thanks to people like John Paul II and Benedict XVI! Millions of people were mislead spiritually by the "material girl"!

The Pope does not wear Prada, and Obama is not a Muslim! Get over it!!!! You are not looking very creditable.

By the way ...........I got my information from the Vatican.

So you support the philosophy that causes this insanity, and then wonder why it continues.

Whoa, jacquep08, your are a Roman catholic and you didn't know about the doctrine of "mort main"? The catholic church has had ONE cardinal rule during all it's existence. The church acquires property but NEVER sells or relinquishes property. That's how the church got ungodly, filthy rich and powerful. It also got all their churches and convents closed down in Mexico for a time when the church decided it was a government apart from Mexico City. You need to study your religion out side the church.

Jaquep- Why don't you discuss this with your priest? Why would you look for answers from these haters?

I agree that not all is well in the Church. This is why we have synods and conferences, to refocus our minds and hearts on the right thinking. Some minimal means of subsistence are necessary in this world, and pastors are not exempt. I myself could use some extra cash. Christ had a "purse" Himself. But He probably never looked inside. What was there, was enough for the Church, and He knew it. Many pastors, unfortunately, have gotten away from the simple living that Christ's imitation commands! But we should criticize gently, without losing faith!

Uh you need to do your research. Mother Theresa has millions and millions of dollars tucked away in several bank accounts.

Like most Christians, Mother Theresa was a fraud, a hypocrite and a scam.

The Pope is more of the same.

You Got it ! Many are down sizing homes. I saw that one coming a mile away......

Now People are looking seriously at the REAL teachings of Jesus. They were not materialism.

Mother Theresa was able to bring her cash with her? Darn, maybe Catholicism ain't so bad!

queerplanet 1 --- Mother Theresa and all her millions hanging out having a good time in all the Leper communes!!!

Unbelievable!!!

You can't actually believe what you just wrote - no one's that's clueless!

Oh I see. If the Pope buys expensive things and invests in companies run by violent dictaors, that's okay.

Jesus wants that.

But if let's say, a homoesexual does it, then that's bad because the Pope doesn't like openly gay men.

He prefers men to have sex with children behind closed doors, then say, "oops sorry' after it happens.

I always find it amazing that some people think they know what God intends, and then use that to prop up evil religions and cults like the Catholic church.

touche, queerplanet. Well said!

#19 Sorry, the Pope is just a man no more no less. He does NOT represent Christ on earth. I don't need anyone to interpret what God wants or doesn't want. I can think for myself. The Pope carries no weight with me!

If ever there were a rock star then surely this Pope.

What a diva! Running around in Prada shoes and expensive dresses talking about spiritual deserts. He might as well pick up the electric guitar and sing it because he's totally show biz.

When will they be opening Vaticanland Casino in Las Vegas? The Pope would be perfect there.

What you say is an illusion. You have "spiritually awaken and developed relationship, it may be true. But you now you are awake to and relate to a false "god." You spurned Christ and the suffering that being Christian brings. Thus, you ceased to be a true Christian, or to put it more succinctly, you are now a Christian without a cross. Furthermore, since Christians without crosses do not exist, you are now a pseudo-Christian! You are stranded in a "spiritual desert" - call it limbo if you like! The Pope was addressing you! He was calling upon you to return!

Good for you! If only more people woke up to the delusion that there exists some supreme being that the churches of the world force upon children for what they are -- fairy tales no more based on reality than Santa Claus. Only our parents will admit Santa Claus is a lie and help us out of that delusion. The few good things the churches do far outweigh the misery they lay on the doorstep of the world.

All gods are false gods, since there are no gods. I do not know of anyone that has suffered for not being Christian. Rather, I have seen many people who have gone on to live full, moral, purposeful lives that they can truly believe in because they are free to question what to do, rather than having to have faith or follow the random ramblings of a bunch of old men locked up in the Vatican. No more conflicts about what part of the poorly written bible to believe in, or trying to interpret what someone wrote hundreds of years ago really meant or how it applies to today's world. Conversations with friends and people one respects are much more relevant and valuable than men who have very little contact with today's world.

Since god does not exist, and Christ was just another fanatic (although a bit saner than many), you should feel good about not being a true Christian. Maybe one day you can finally put your fears to rest and set your delusions aside and truly remove any need to believe in a god.

Let's hear what the previous Pope has to say: Suffering of the innocent is one of the most difficult questions humanity has ever encountered. John Paul II confronted this issue head-on during a visit to a Roman Children's Hospital. Here is what he said (my translation): "Painful, heart-rending crying of a suffering child may somehow appear to be entire humanity's protest in face of the unfathomable silence of a God, who allows the existence of such pain. Where human mind appears to encounter a wall of darkness, and feels itself entitled to assume a posture of rebellion, the Word of God introduces us into the "mystery" of human suffering, presenting to our experience and mind Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the incarnation of the extolled by prophets figure of the "suffering servant" - a "man of sorrow" (Is 53, 3). [...] Thus, in Christian way of seeing, the cries and laments of those who suffer, children in particular, are no longer a sharp protest, but instead are an extraordinary, pure, touching prayer of supplication, raising from earth to the throne of God - imploring that all people become liberated and cleansed from evil, so that they conform their lives to the expectations of Divine revelation, and show themselves the true "children of God." [...] In this perspective, Jesus called blessed "those who weep and are sorrowful, for they shall be consoled" (Mt 4, 5). The Polish version reads: „Bolesny, rozdzierający płacz cierpiącego dziecka może wydać się niejako protestem całej ludzkości wobec niezgłębionego milczenia Boga, który dopuszcza istnienie takiego bólu. Tam, gdzie umysł ludzki zdaje się natykać na mur ciemności i czuje się uprawniony do przyjmowania postawy buntu, słowo Boże wprowadza nas w „tajemnicę" ludzkiego cierpienia przedstawiając naszemu myśleniu i naszemu doświadczeniu Jezusa Chrystusa, Syna Bożego, jako wcielenie opiewanej przez proroka postaci „cierpiącego sługi" i „męża boleści" (Is 53, 3). W tym chrześcijańskim widzeniu lament i płacz tych, którzy cierpią, szczególnie zaś dzieci, nie są więc ostrym protestem, ale nadzwyczajną, czystą, wzruszająca modlitwą błagalną, wznoszącą się z ziemi do tronu Bożego, modlitwą o to, żeby wszyscy ludzie zostali wyzwoleni i oczyszczeni od zła, żeby układali swe życie zgodnie z wymogami Bożego objawienia i okazywali się prawdziwymi „dziećmi Bożymi'. W tej perspektywie, Jezus błogosławionymi nazwał tych, którzy smucą się i płaczą, albowiem będą oni pocieszeni" (por. Mt 5, 4). (Jan Paweł II, Przemówienie w Szpitalu „Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy, 8. VI, 1982). I find this text uniquely inspired since it links the suffering of the innocent children with the blessings of the Beatitudes.

The Catholic church is one of this biggest owners of private land and capital in the world.

You sound jealous!

Christian religion is a "scam" to save you. All the remaining scams intend to pilfer your savings!

It doesn't matter where we dwell. What matters who dwells inside us! Christians are dwellings of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! The spiritual desert, properly speaking, is the world filled with the evil spirit!

The "holy trinity." An offshoot of the superstition surrounding the number 3. Three little bears. Three billy goats gruff. Three wishes. Three little pigs. The cock crew thrice. "Will deny me three times." Three days in the tomb. Three wise men. Three this, three that. Get away from that collection of fairy tales and old tribal legends and early science fiction and read about the HISTORY of the origin and evolution of Christianity. At least you will be exposed to some facts.