John Paul II
m (→Saintly? John Paul) |
m (→Saintly? John Paul: switch to internal link) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
According to Roman Catholic teachings JP II is now enjoying perfect bliss in [[Heaven]] while many on Earth are still suffering horribly from the consequences of priestly sexual abuse done to them as children when the late pope failed to prevent it.<ref>Of course some [[Protestant]]s say the late pope is in [[Hell]] for varying reasons. He fornicated with [[nun]]s, loved money etc, [http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110318115216AAWkEZz] Someone says she died, ''yes really'', Jesus took her on a Dante-type, tour of hell with a highlight showing John Paul in being tormented there, then God brought her back to life and she told us about it all. It's scary even though it's typical of made up stuff. [http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5271:michael-jackson-is-in-hell-pope-john-paul-ii-is-not-in-heaven-either&catid=73:music&Itemid=299], John Paul was not [[Born again]] and was ''a minister of Satan, a false prophet...'' [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/pope_burning_in_hell.htm], he was [[Antichrist]] along with all previous popes [http://www.apuritansmind.com/the-christian-walk/the-pope-is-in-hell-by-dr-c-matthew-mcmahon/] [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/satanism_in_the_vatican.htm]. Will different Christians ever agree about everything? Now that would be a [[miracle]]. </ref> Doubts about a claim that JP II [[Miracle|miraculously]] ‘cured’ a lady surfaced even before the beatification, and she is now sick again.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/05/nun-cured-pope-parkinsons-ill Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again]</ref><ref>[http://voicelessvictim.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/john-paul-ii-aint-no-saint/ John Paul II Ain’t No Saint A survivor of clergy child sexual abuse speaks out for those who can't speak for themselves]</ref> | According to Roman Catholic teachings JP II is now enjoying perfect bliss in [[Heaven]] while many on Earth are still suffering horribly from the consequences of priestly sexual abuse done to them as children when the late pope failed to prevent it.<ref>Of course some [[Protestant]]s say the late pope is in [[Hell]] for varying reasons. He fornicated with [[nun]]s, loved money etc, [http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110318115216AAWkEZz] Someone says she died, ''yes really'', Jesus took her on a Dante-type, tour of hell with a highlight showing John Paul in being tormented there, then God brought her back to life and she told us about it all. It's scary even though it's typical of made up stuff. [http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5271:michael-jackson-is-in-hell-pope-john-paul-ii-is-not-in-heaven-either&catid=73:music&Itemid=299], John Paul was not [[Born again]] and was ''a minister of Satan, a false prophet...'' [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/pope_burning_in_hell.htm], he was [[Antichrist]] along with all previous popes [http://www.apuritansmind.com/the-christian-walk/the-pope-is-in-hell-by-dr-c-matthew-mcmahon/] [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/satanism_in_the_vatican.htm]. Will different Christians ever agree about everything? Now that would be a [[miracle]]. </ref> Doubts about a claim that JP II [[Miracle|miraculously]] ‘cured’ a lady surfaced even before the beatification, and she is now sick again.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/05/nun-cured-pope-parkinsons-ill Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again]</ref><ref>[http://voicelessvictim.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/john-paul-ii-aint-no-saint/ John Paul II Ain’t No Saint A survivor of clergy child sexual abuse speaks out for those who can't speak for themselves]</ref> | ||
{{cquote|This sprint to sainthood is to deflect examinations into JPII's unedifying record on clerical child abuse - and, with it, Benedict's own role," (Keith Porteous Wood of Britain's [[National Secular Society]])<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-europe-13251415 BBC News: John Paul II beatified in Vatican ceremony] May 1, 2011</ref>}} | {{cquote|This sprint to sainthood is to deflect examinations into JPII's unedifying record on clerical child abuse - and, with it, Benedict's own role," (Keith Porteous Wood of Britain's [[National Secular Society]])<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-europe-13251415 BBC News: John Paul II beatified in Vatican ceremony] May 1, 2011</ref>}} | ||
| − | In other words, Roman Catholics are supposed to believe the paedophile enabler John Paul II is in Heaven because the present pope, who may or may not have been in cahoots with him in a giant cover-up, has said so. And the [[bible]] says anyone who harms children is in big trouble. <ref> | + | In other words, Roman Catholics are supposed to believe the paedophile enabler John Paul II is in Heaven because the present pope, who may or may not have been in cahoots with him in a giant cover-up, has said so. And the [[bible]] says anyone who harms children is in big trouble. <ref>[[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/Matthew#Matthew 18:6|Matthew 18:6]]</ref> |
== JP's Social and political views == | == JP's Social and political views == | ||
Revision as of 18:40, 28 February 2012
| Christ died so we could write articles on |
| Christianity |
| Random examples |
| Resources |
Contents |
Paedophilia
JP II's biggest failure was his inaction on the issue of priestly paedophilia. According to The Sunday Times, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) tried to investigate reports of sexual abuse when he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the office responsible for such matters. According to one Austrian cardinal, Ratzinger was "blocked by 'the Vatican', an apparent reference to John Paul."[1] and according to the British newspaper, The Guardian JP II prevented Ratzinger investigating hypocrite, Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado who abused children and young men and led a life without principles.[2]However, other reports suggest Ratzinger had no intention of investigating, and that the protection of the Church was everyone's goal. Facts have have since come to light showing that Ratzinger intentionally hid facts, moved priests to other dioceses, and blamed local officials and employees (not associated with the Church) instead of focusing on the priests.[3][4]
Pope John Paul's official response was to say raping little boys and girls was very very very bad.[5]
Saintly? John Paul
According to Roman Catholic teachings JP II is now enjoying perfect bliss in Heaven while many on Earth are still suffering horribly from the consequences of priestly sexual abuse done to them as children when the late pope failed to prevent it.[6] Doubts about a claim that JP II miraculously ‘cured’ a lady surfaced even before the beatification, and she is now sick again.[7][8]
“”This sprint to sainthood is to deflect examinations into JPII's unedifying record on clerical child abuse - and, with it, Benedict's own role," (Keith Porteous Wood of Britain's National Secular Society)[9]
|
In other words, Roman Catholics are supposed to believe the paedophile enabler John Paul II is in Heaven because the present pope, who may or may not have been in cahoots with him in a giant cover-up, has said so. And the bible says anyone who harms children is in big trouble. [10]
JP's Social and political views
Pope John Paul's roles in the Church had a significant effect on how the Catholic Church was seen in the world. Not only was he a strong figure in ending communism in Poland, he changed how the Catholic church officially and practically interacted with the Jewish community, the Muslim community, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Religious Superiority
From the perspective of modern politics, JPII's views of religion helped forge new relations with Judaism, Islam, Buddhists and even Baptists. His view was 1) that Hell was in the mind; it was not a physical place God used to punish those who loved God "in a different way" (no, not the gays. JPII still hated the Gays). He emphasized that Truth was open to all, and found in stages (so, we Catholics are still the BEST, but you all are on The Path so it's "ok"), and that God does not penalize you for believing what your Father's taught you. But we still win, cause we are still the best.
Women
Women are still nothing but walking wombs, and the pope, even in light of growing concerns about AIDS denounced the use of condoms and birth control. Catholic Women's groups approached him many times to discuss the ordination of women. But, being walking wombs, he apparently could not hear what they had to say.
Evolution
In a message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences during October, 1996, JP II officially endorsed evolution as both the best theory that modern science has about the diversity of life, and the way in which God populated the world.
The message
In his address, entitled "Magisterium Is Concerned with Question of Evolution," Pope John Paul II made it clear that evolution is the best explanation for understanding the diversity of life on earth.
“”Today, more than a half-century after the appearance of that encyclical, some new findings lead us toward the recognition of evolution as more than an hypothesis.* In fact it is remarkable that this theory has had progressively greater influence on the spirit of researchers, following a series of discoveries in different scholarly disciplines. The convergence in the results of these independent studies—which was neither planned nor sought—constitutes in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory.[11]
|
He also made it clear that science and religion stand side by side, each with a different role.
“”In order to mark out the limits of their own proper fields, theologians and those working on the exegesis of the Scripture need to be well informed regarding the results of the latest scientific research.
|
He also appears to actually get the scientific understanding of "theory", vs. the lay idea of "a theory is a guess".
“” A theory is a meta-scientific elaboration, which is distinct from, but in harmony with, the results of observation. With the help of such a theory a group of data and independent facts can be related to one another and interpreted in one comprehensive explanation. The theory proves its validity by the measure to which it can be verified. It is constantly being tested against the facts; when it can no longer explain these facts, it shows its limits and its lack of usefulness, and it must be revised.
|
And he explains that science has multiple working theories about evolution and the nature of life, as well as a variety of hypothesis to explain the theories.
“”And to tell the truth, rather than speaking about the theory of evolution, it is more accurate to speak of the theories of evolution. The use of the plural is required here—in part because of the diversity of explanations regarding the mechanism of evolution, and in part because of the diversity of philosophies involved. There are materialist and reductionist theories, as well as spiritualist theories. Here the final judgment is within the competence of philosophy and, beyond that, of theology.
|
The "mistranslation"
Predictably conservative Christian creationists went nuts. The Vatican's press release misprinted the Pope's speech, quoting him as saying "la theorie de l'evolution, plus qu'une hypothese,..." At issue was a comma, which makes the line 'plus qu'une' potentially ambiguous -- assuming you had not bothered to read the entire rest of the speech. The line was then translated[12] by the English Vatican Paper, "The Observer" as "the theory of evolution, more than one hypothesis,..." The creationists had their answer; the Pope was merely listing the various theories out there.[13]
What the creationists did not address, nor do they to this day[14], is the fact that the Vatican issued a clarification of the Pope's speech to explain that the most correct English translation would be that Evolution is more than "just" a hypothesis[15].
Anti-creationist responses to the claim
Scientific authority
- The Pope's beliefs about evolution will not make the principles of natural selection any more or less true.
- The Pope is not a scientist and thus, while he may influence the views of many people, he is not an authority on scientific theories.
Religious authority and context
- The claim that the Pope's statement was mistranslated is not supported by the Catholic Church itself. The translation supported by the Church: "Today, almost half a century after the publication of the encyclical, new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis."[16] This is not to say the Pope or the Catholic Church is saying evolution is true. It is only to say that the Catholic Church has determined that evolution is not incompatible with Catholic doctrine. See the Catholic Information Service link below for a nice discussion. If the Catholic Church thought that the Pope's statement was mistranslated, Vatican officials, and the Pope would have said so by now.
- In context, regardless of the translation of one small line, Pope John Paul clearly accepts and endorses Evolution as the best explanation of the diversity of life on earth, the facts and evidence found, and a theologically relevant way God acted, to produce His results. John Paul II has never made any endorsement, direct or otherwise, of creationism, or Intelligent Design in this speech or in any other. Although endorsing a literal Adam and Eve sounds rather creationist.
Contradictions with other positions of the Church
John Paul II's comments on Adam and Eve
Although the Pope's words are an endorsement of evolution, it's not clear how well they fit with the idea of a literal Adam and Eve and original sin. His ideas on Adam and Eve include the following from 1 Jan 1990:
“”Adam and Eve's call to share in the unfolding of God's plan of creation brought into play those abilities and gifts which distinguish the human being from all other creatures. At the same time, their call established a fixed relationship between mankind and the rest of creation. Made in the image and likeness of God, Adam and Eve were to have exercised their dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28) with wisdom and love. Instead, they destroyed the existing harmony by deliberately going against the Creator's plan, that is, by choosing to sin.[17]
|
Non-materialistic soul
In the very same speech, John Paul II stated emphatically that no theory of Evolution that suggests a material creation of the soul should be validated[18]. That is problematic, since the theory of Evolution would mandate that if there is such a thing as a soul, it arose like noses, and the sense of sight, and the use of language - by the very material, "natural selection".
“”Pius XII underlined the essential point: if the origin of the human body comes through living matter which existed previously, the spiritual soul is created directly by God ("animas enim a Deo immediate creari catholica fides non retimere iubet"). (Humani Generis)
As a result, the theories of evolution which, because of the philosophies which inspire them, regard the spirit either as emerging from the forces of living matter, or as a simple epiphenomenon of that matter, are incompatible with the truth about man. They are therefore unable to serve as the basis for the dignity of the human person.
|
Pope Benedict's position for the church
Unlike John Paul II, Pope Benedict has avoided any direct support or challenge of science, preferring, it seems, to hide out. Apparently, one of his science [sic] advisers, Cardinal Schönborn, has indicated that the proper view for Catholics is Intelligent Design which is not directly incompatible with Pope John Paul's statement.
However, Benedict's real position seems somewhat obscure. At times, he seems to be a theistic evolutionist;[19] at others, a believer in intelligent design;[20] yet sometimes, he seems to reject both[21][22].
World Youth Day
Get 'em while they are young!
JPII established World Youth Day, when tons of adoring adolescent fans worshipful youth converge into one city in the world and pray, cry, sing and whatever else is necessary to Praise God and the Pope. Few outside observers can tell a difference between "World Youth Day" and Woodstock, except perhaps that the Catholic youth are better groomed. Sadly, this move re-popularized and re-energized an aging religion that was seen as ineffective in many parts of the world, including the US. the UK, Australia and Canada, all of which saw a rise in church participation after World Youth Days' were initiated.[23] More recently the paedophile scandal explained above has caused a decline in church attendance and in the authority of the church in many places.
Writings
For what it's worth to those who care, JPII did seem to be a highly spiritual man, and as Pope, wrote over 15 lengthy treatises specifically addressing the individual and his/her spirituality. In contrast, most Popes (including Ratzinger) have historically focused their writings on larger "rule based" issues of the religion and of the Church's role in social and political matters.
"Holy" See also
External links
- Mark Isaak's page for the claim that the Pope's message on evolution was mistranslated
- James Akin, 1996. Evolution: What the Pope Said
- Thomas, Cal, 1997 (Jan. 25). We're all fallible: The pope, evolution, and the importance of good translation World on the Web 11(33)
- Response to the rebuttal of the claim at CreationWiki
Footnotes
- ↑ John Paul "ignored abuse of 2,000 boys"
- ↑ An unseemly, unwise haste to canonise John Paul II
- ↑ CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH - LETTER - sent from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to Bishops of the entire Catholic Church and other Ordinaries and Hierarchs having an interest - REGARDING THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Unofficial English translation of original Latin.
- ↑ The Guardian: Pope 'obstructed' sex abuse inquiry April 24, 2005
- ↑ JP used the term Delictum gravius or "Mortal Sin".
- ↑ Of course some Protestants say the late pope is in Hell for varying reasons. He fornicated with nuns, loved money etc, [1] Someone says she died, yes really, Jesus took her on a Dante-type, tour of hell with a highlight showing John Paul in being tormented there, then God brought her back to life and she told us about it all. It's scary even though it's typical of made up stuff. [2], John Paul was not Born again and was a minister of Satan, a false prophet... [3], he was Antichrist along with all previous popes [4] [5]. Will different Christians ever agree about everything? Now that would be a miracle.
- ↑ Pope's sainthood setback after 'miracle cure' nun reported to be ill again
- ↑ John Paul II Ain’t No Saint A survivor of clergy child sexual abuse speaks out for those who can't speak for themselves
- ↑ BBC News: John Paul II beatified in Vatican ceremony May 1, 2011
- ↑ Matthew 18:6
- ↑ All quotes come from his [http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP961022.HTM MESSAGE TO THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: ON EVOLUTION]
- ↑ Translation is always a tricky issue, especially when you are working from a French text, translated into Italian, then translated into French. Due to the lack of a copula, one way the words could be correctly and grammatically translated, is that there are 'more than one hypothesis'. However, the single most common use of "plus qu'un(e)" is as in the statement "Je suis plus qu'un homme" (I am more than just a man)". Also, the most common way to express "more than one" (as a numerical value) is with "plus d'un(e)" or an "avoir" construction.
- ↑ the entire speech in context,
- ↑ Once the creationists have a quote then it is locked in perpetuity
- ↑ National Center for Science Education: Creationists and the Pope's Statement December 21, 2003
- ↑ Evolution: What the Pope Said
- ↑ Pope seems to refer to a literal Adam and Eve
- ↑ Message to the Pontiffs: On Evoulution
- ↑ Benedict the theistic evolutionist
- ↑ Benedict the Intelligent designer
- ↑ Benedict the scientist
- ↑ Benedict renounces ID
- ↑ [dlibrary.acu.edu.au/research/wyd/UPDATES/SSSR2009/091020_AS_SSSR_2009.pdf Paper]