So, the Pope is very ill

[SixFive]

I'm sorry for him, but I think he's realistic. He knows he's old and sick, and I'm sure it's painfully obvious to him as well.

My question is this. Why is this so newsworthy? What percent of Americans really care more than to think, gee, that's sad?? The Catholics I know don't seem to care, and I know I and my friends of Christian faith really don't care. I'm much more concerned with elderly people in my own community that I know and work with than I am with this fellow. imho, the Pope is very out of touch with Catholics (especially American Catholics), and he and the whole Vatican are extremely out of touch with people of other Christian faiths.

One poster suggested that CBS might pre-empt NCAA coverage if he passes. Surely not????

Comments? dawgball, I know you'll have a thought on this.

 

[RAYMOND]

GOD BLESS THE POPE

 

[gardenweasel]

i think he carries much more oomph internationally....particularly in the more underdeveloped countries than he does here in "europe west"....

he was supposedly a real scholar....spoke 16 languages....

he`s no "princess di",but he`s fairly important...

 

[THE KOD]

Six

Got to agree with you. I just can't see them propping him up in the window with a feeding tube to wave to the masses.

They seemed to forget the man is 80 something. They actually reported that he would not have to be hospitalized and could continue with his duties.

Man let someone else step in and let him die in peace.

The pope is a very strong religious figure world wide and I have a deep respect for him in actuality. I said a prayer for him last night not that he needed me to.

I do remember when he was photographed shaking hands with a person that later tried to assasinate him.

Its a crazy world we live in.

 

[StevieD]

He was a great man.

 

[danmurphy jr]

Why was:
Scott Peterson newsworthy
Lady in FL newsworthy
Amy whoever in AZ newsworthy
Any Cable News story newsworthy
Answer:
too much television for people who have no lives
if you have holes in your socks, let me show you someone who has no feet who wishes he had a Honda, took Levitra, didn't have bad breath, drank Miller lite or did business with Century 21 or ad nauseum

 

[dawgball]

This is a surprising post, no doubt.

Out of all of the news stories that would spark this reaction, a world leader who has done much for this world dying is not one that I would expect. I'm not surprised that it wouldn't rank up there at the top with many people, but what else is competing for your time? Oh I forgot Michael Jackson is still on trial. We should flip back to that to see the reenactment each night.

Really, I don't have anything to say to the fact that this is an unimportant news story to some because it doesn't really matter to me. But this is a person who has had influence on many world leaders and people that have shaped our world as we know it.

I do not feel that Pope JP II was out of touch with me, but moreso I think many Catholics are out of touch with their faith (not excluding me from this bunch). This is a major reason that the Catholic Church is declining in popularity, but I think there is something to be said for them standing steadfast on certain issues that are centuries old.

It will be interesting who the next Pope will be. I personally don't think that he will be caucasian which will be interesting to see how some of the Church accepts him.

To get back to the original post, 6-5, I don't see why this news story is any less important than the items that clog our news stations already. But I guess more people care about the size of the anklet that Martha Stewart was fitted with than a peaceful world leader passing.

 

[SixFive]

fair enough, dawgball.

Honestly, I think I'm so rebellious against any kind of church heirarchy that it's hard for me to see all the good he did do.

I still am very uncomfortable with how deified he is becoming. He was not God. He was not Jesus. I pray to God through Jesus. I don't see where I need a pope to intercede for me, nor do I see that he is any better a man than many I know personally.

As far as the new pope, don't you think he almost has to be African or South American since this is where the bulk of the Catholics are? Seems like to come from anywhere else would be hypocritical. Thanks.

 

[moe777]

they didnt show the mls soccer game (opening game),i had some $$$on dc united ,i was pretty pissed.but ill live.just annoyes me when its on every freakin channel and you wanted to watch something on it.thats what 24hrs news channels are for.religously i could care less for the man,but was a model citizen of the world.rip

 

[MrChristo]

I still am very uncomfortable with how deified he is becoming. He was not God. He was not Jesus. I pray to God through Jesus. I don't see where I need a pope to intercede for me, nor do I see that he is any better a man than many I know personally.

I know this is a touchy subject, so not trying to offend anyone at all by commenting....
I'm not into religion at all, but what 6-5 just said is the same thing I have always wondered about.
I don't understand the whole religious hierachy thing (in any religion, not just Catholics with the Pope)...In religious minds there is a God and a bunch of people on Earth to do his work, so yeah, why should one man be elevated so much higher than anyone else...and why should people be so upset when he passed?

Also, given that historically it has been one of the most corrupt 'positions' there is, just seems a little strange to me....but then a lot of things do!

 

[dr. freeze]

for a good movie on the reformation, rent "Luther"...a couple movies about Martin Luther have been made, the latest is very good

 

[ocelot]

I am a fallen Catholic and the thing that amazes me about the whole story is that so many people care enough to go to Rome and stand in these lines. Man, it just seems so Crusades-era-like.

Here we are in this technological age and we still have this old traditional ceremonial stuff that utterly captivates millions of people. It is kind of cool but also a bit troubling to me personally that so many care so much because frankly I think organized religion more dangerous than helpful for the future of mankind.

The most intriguing thing to me about the Vatican story is the secret history that it has. How it operates and how new popes are chosen. Even though I am not into the whole organized religion thing I would still love to read a history on the inner workings of the Vatican.

 

[selkirk]

Ocelot there was a very good documentary series on the history of the catholic church focussing on the pope done about 3 years ago (forgot the name/british)

taped it for my brother and sister in law who are catholics. was very good.

organized religion can do and has done both good and bad in this world.
he did accomplish quite a bit, there was some things more he could have done but it is a huge organization.

actually in many areas organized religion is growing. the catholic church is growing in South America, Asia and Africa (growing the fastest). Also religion is still important in the US.

also believe some people should be looked up to, the nuns (sisters of mercy) who work with the poor in India, read about a Toronto women who tried what they do for a month, she came back to Canada with a great deal of respect for people who help the poorest of the poor, without thought to their own well being. they are all saints in my view.

thanks
selkirk

 

[Blitz]

imho, the Pope is very out of touch with Catholics (especially American Catholics),.

Disclosure: I am Catholic, but I am not what you would call a very good practicing Catholic...

imho, I think the above quote should be turned around and rearranged a little. I think it should read, "American Catholics are out of touch with the Catholic teachings." They pick and choose what to follow( I am guilty of this), this has been called "Cafeteria Catholic" or "Ala carte Catholic".

I don't know how worried the Vatican is about American Catholics, because the vast majority of Catholics live outside this country...

 

[dawgball]

Blitz reiterated one of the things I attempted to say but probably didn't in a clear manner.

For me, this Pope (since he has been the Pope since a few years after I was born) has served as an excellent role model as a person, Chrisitan, and Catholic.

I, for one, am happy about the media coverage because this is the first media coverage that we have received in a positive light for some time.

As far as the religious heirarchy, the Catholic Church is a very large and very old organization. Any organization that is going to stand the test of time has to have set rules and a heirarchy in place, IMO. Or if people really start testing them, they can start crusades.

RIP

On another note, it is a symbolic time for me as well because my wife's grandmother passed away Friday (funeral today) who was probably the best Catholic in practice who I have ever known. Her faith was THE most important thing to her and she passed that on to the people she came in contact with. This is very similar in nature to how Pope John Paul II lived his life (on a much grander scale, of course).

 

[pirate fan]

Just as a note, I will be ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church this May.

I think this Pope has done a excellent job over the last 27 years. While we in America believe the Church is not "keeping up with the times" the Church spans the whole world and has to meet the needs of many different cultures, not just american. I do think there is some needed changes but you can't just go changing things to suit what americans feel. I'm sorry for those of you that have fallen from the church or whose beliefs have changed because you don't see the church meeting your faith beliefs. What is more important is you maintain your relationship with God, not what religion you use. God loves all of us, regardless what religion you are or aren't. For me, my religion is more important than anything in this world so I do want to see the various coverages, maybe not over and over, but I am very interseted.

 

[Blitz]

Just as a note, I will be ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church this May.

What is the church's position on gambling? Besides Bingo of course...

 

[pirate fan]

Some people, religions, believe that it is wrong because of the soldiers castings lots (rolling dice) for Jesus' garments as He hung on the cross. The catholic church is not really opposed to gambling unless it takes over your life and becomes destructive.