13 THINGS I WANT TO TELL POPE BENEDICT XVI WHEN HE VISITS AMERICA
1. America is a wonderfully diverse country that allows all people to practice their particular religion. But we expect that there be absolute separation between church and state.
2. That all faith are true faiths. They are true because the people who practice them believe them to be true.
3.Other religions have invited women to participate in the religion as rabbis, priests and ministers. If Jesus were alive today, judging from the way he treated Mary Magdalene, he'd be happy to have women celebrate Mass and hear confessions.
4. America is very tolerant of gay relationships. Though we have only one state (Massachusetts) that allows gay marriage, it is only a matter of time that other states will allow it also.
5. Abortion is permitted in the United States.
6. Jews celebrate Passover starting April 19. It would be nice if you noted that at some point in some speech you make during your time here.
7. No one wants to hear you condemn things you don't like. Remain above the fray please!
8. When you speak to the United Nations please emphasize the important of human rights. You might even quote the UDHR:
9. Don't bother talking about JUST WARS. There are no such things as just wars. And Iraq isn't one of them.
10. Don't worry about the move of this country or any country in the world away from Christian values. We've embraced HUMAN values, values that don't belong to any particular religion but to all peoples.
11. Reconsider opening a dialogue with the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches.
12. You might want to say something to Muslims while you're here, apologizing for the things you said in 2006:
2. That all faith are true faiths. They are true because the people who practice them believe them to be true.
3.Other religions have invited women to participate in the religion as rabbis, priests and ministers. If Jesus were alive today, judging from the way he treated Mary Magdalene, he'd be happy to have women celebrate Mass and hear confessions.
4. America is very tolerant of gay relationships. Though we have only one state (Massachusetts) that allows gay marriage, it is only a matter of time that other states will allow it also.
5. Abortion is permitted in the United States.
6. Jews celebrate Passover starting April 19. It would be nice if you noted that at some point in some speech you make during your time here.
7. No one wants to hear you condemn things you don't like. Remain above the fray please!
8. When you speak to the United Nations please emphasize the important of human rights. You might even quote the UDHR:
| “ | All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. | ” |
| —Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights | ||
9. Don't bother talking about JUST WARS. There are no such things as just wars. And Iraq isn't one of them.
10. Don't worry about the move of this country or any country in the world away from Christian values. We've embraced HUMAN values, values that don't belong to any particular religion but to all peoples.
11. Reconsider opening a dialogue with the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches.
12. You might want to say something to Muslims while you're here, apologizing for the things you said in 2006:
"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
13. How about letting "pro-choice" politicians receive communion if that is what they want. What could it hurt?
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21 comments:
How about #14: Anyone who goes shoe shopping with their hot Swiss Guard "assistant" for clogs worth more than most country's Gross National Product should NOT be dissin' on the gays!
Well said, Mo. And it would be nice if His Holiness took any of your suggestions to heart, Teach - but I'm afraid he's definitely more into his groovy hats than making a real impact in the world.
You go girl! Says the woman who was raised roman catholic but chose to raise my children protestant.
Amen, sister. I'm a practicing Catholic who embraces all of the "ideals" - not just tolerance, but true Christian acceptance, I say.
I am a practicing Catholic also...I applaud you on this post. You have made some very good points here.
Smiles,
Kimmie
I am a little surprised that you say America has absolute separation between church and state because even the presidents are always talking about God which a European would never do.
Belgium, where I live is a catholic country, but only 17 % of the population is practizising. And even most of them are against the Pope. He is just too old fashioned. The fact that women still have no rights in the catholic church is one of the reasons. Confessions by priests is an invention of humans and has nothing to do with what was written in the bible ! Most of the European countries allow abortion, marriage between homosexuals and euthanasia. Even in the very catholic Italy.
I agree with you 100 % ! He just should retire and leave the place to a modern pope ! If you think that all these guys are over 80 !!!
u have to add ur blog name by yourself into the tag.take care!
Wonderful, Mary! Mo's on it, too.
Our lovely Episcopalian church has priests who remind us every week, "The Table belongs to the Lord, not to the church; all are welcome to receive." And they mean it. Such humility is everything.
You go girl!
I have never once regretted that my family did not become devote Catholics, because I cannot tolerate the stands one is supposed to make if they are.
Awesome TT. I had fun visiting your TT.
Mine is at The Cafe.
Hope you'll drop by.
Gosh it's such a question. I've heard from so many people that the US should split from Rome. There's a real struggle to recruit priests and brothers here and on and on. I hope he comes to listen rather than yank the church back into the 1200s.
Interesting though....
Very enlightened of you I agree with most. Go you!
Your most interesting Thursday 13 ever!
Excellent 13 Teach.... Perfect
So succinctly put.
Puhleeze, don't get me started on Catholicism. I was raised in a Roman Catholic home. (Really, Barb? Yeah, 8 kids. You never would've guessed, right?) My parents moved in with me 2 years ago, so now there's more religious statues in my yard than in an average church! A saint for this and a saint for that... Did you know there's a saint that you're supposed to bury upside down in your yard if you want to sell your house? Oh, you betcha! MotherDear has put him to work several times.
P.S. Teach, the house in the photo is my neighbor's, taken from my back yard. Our sub-division was built in an old Pecan Orchard. I have 6 mature Pecan Trees on my property. It is quite beautiful!
Hmmm---heavy stuff. I'm not Catholic, but I join you in support for inclusiveness, tolerance, and recognition for women. My church does a great job with that.
We see evidence across the world everyday of intolerance and religious fanaticism--we need no more!
Well said.
Brilliant!
Peace - D
As a Roman Catholic I'm supposed to tell you that you may burn in hell...as a human being I applaud your audacity and rebellious spirit, and as a child of God I say Amen and Amen.
oh and David sent me...
Sandi
You go girl!
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