General Chat

I was just wondering.... have a few questions to ask, and I do not mean to cause offence. Why is the pope (not just John Paul II) so holy? Why, when it against one of the Ten Commandments, is he 'worshipped'? I don't understand why so much awe is placed on an individual in ANY religion, when shouldn't it really be God that you are worshipping? HAVE CHANGED TITLE. THIS THREAD IS FOCUSSED ON ALL RELIGIONS. IT'S FOR DISCUSSION NOT ARGUMENTS. PLEASE DO NOT ARGUE ON THIS THREAD.

i thought alll men were born equal..ladies also..:) soooooooooooo???:)

I am catholic and to be honest don`t really have answers to your questions! I suppose as the pope is the leader of the Catholic church, alot of people regard him as holy!!! I believe he is a truly inspring and amazing man although I would never forces my views on anyone! He prayed with the man who shot him, how many people could do that? I just wish the news wouldn`t keep talking about him like he IS dead. I know he`s dying but they just seem like they are waiting for him to die!!! May he find peace!!

well technically i am even though i am Church of England, we are all part of the Catholic church. ;))

That's more or less my point, Terence. The pope (not just John Paul II, but all popes) are just human..... isn't it idolistic to worship them, or even top put them up on a pedestal. I had this debate with my mum last night is is just about as closed minded to other beliefs as you can get. It's so frustrating. Judaism (therefore Christianity) and Islam route from Abraham/Ibrahim. This person worshipped one god only, therefore meaning that God and Allah are the same being. Why is there such diversion that people follow God's son/Allah's prophet when shouldn't they focus on on the one god? My mum was saying that all those who believe in anything but her God (e.g. if they believed in Allah) would go to hell.... but God and Allah are the same thing!! She admitted that she didn't know anything about Islam theology, and I asked her 'how can you make an assumption that what they believe is wrong if you don't know exactly what they believe?' She said she didn't want to know. Gaaaaah! Slightly off topic but still very annoying.

Chloe I am Catholic and I dont worship the Pope but to me he is Gods representative on earth and is a truly great man The Pope in catholic religion is Infallible i.e incable of making mistakes or doing wrong, this Pope is a great man Davex

He is remarkable in some ways, although I don't agree with most of his views. He has lived a life of luxury (since becoming pope 27 years ago).... whereas Mother Theresa for example - she wasn't 'as close' to God as the Pope but she (in my opinion) did so much more than the pope has done.

Dave - I don't mean to cause offence. I was having this debate with my mum about Jesus. The pope is human, and humans make mistakes. How can he be inbapable of making a mistake when he's human?

im just a christian..i dont know enough about things to say much... but its really my belief and i was taught alllll men are born equal... maybe some are more special.. but we do all come here with nothing..and for sure leave with nothing i think

I agree D.B, I think it makes peoples faith a more believable concept to have a 'Tangable' presence. Although God is omnipotent, he is not within our conscious grasp.. the Pope is as his representative is.

I went to a catholic school - a convent - which effectively put me off religion, especially catholicism, for life! I have never understood the workings of the catholic church - with its pope, the bizarre rules and regulations, and (given their blanket refusal to answer questions on the subject) neither did my (nun) school teachers! Bev

Thanks guys. I'm glad I didn't offend anyone.

Chloe, i wnated to ask a similar question, just didn't have the guts. Who ever he is , he's a human being and it seems his time on earth is coming to an end. I'd hope he will not be 'kept alive' for the sake of it, just because of who he is. jess

Chloe of course you have not offended anybody you are perfectly entitled to your views thank you. Dx

Ah jess - I just always manage to strick my foot in it!! LOL. My debate with my mum really got me annoyed. She's so close-minded. I wish she wasn't. I'm not saying she can't believe what she believes, but have an open mind to other people's beliefs. Anyway..... Chris you married in 1884??? ;-) Until 1996, that's a long marriage!! tee hee.

I am an adoptee the product of a Roman Catholic Irish mother and a Jewish father boy am I confused! Now as a non practising Catholic may I say that I am saddened by the news.

sorry to butt in - but - no matter what our beliefs are can we not just let this man - who is highly respected by many of all faiths for humanity - just let him pass to his God in peace - and save any debates like this til AFTER the event. sorry - just a personal opinion -

As I have said on other thread this man John Paul has done more for world peace than any political leader has,He more than anybody broke down the walls of the iron curtain he has done so much for his countrymen in Poland to drive out Communism and give his country back to the people.Of course not everybody will respect his views but can we deny that he is a man of the people and a true christian. Davex

Dave - my feelings exactly - he is a good man - and I, like millions of others will pray that he has a peaceful death. And no - I am NOT catholic but my mother was and my children were brought up in that faith and I have the deepest respect for anyone of any religion who believes.

Sheila - I'm not attacking John Paul II at all. It is sad that he is dying, very sad. However, people die everyday, young and old. It's a part of life.... I'm sure you understand that. I was asking questions about religion, about Catholicism...... there's probably never a good time. Whenever I say things, it's always the wrong time.