tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post3953667872815108870..comments2023-09-06T22:30:02.061+10:00Comments on The Knight & Drummer: Pope's Popularity PlungeAmfortashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-76783446743731969082015-07-27T00:42:38.778+10:002015-07-27T00:42:38.778+10:00And with you, m'dear.And with you, m'dear.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-55572004056259625072015-07-27T00:28:45.371+10:002015-07-27T00:28:45.371+10:00Yes, that's exactly what I mean, you put bette...Yes, that's exactly what I mean, you put better words to my thoughts - focusing on stewardship rather than picking a clear side to support politically, might've been more appropriate and better received. <br /><br />Not that I'm against the Pope supporting science, many people who are unaware that science and faith can coexist are also unaware the Catholic church used to be at the forefront of scientific discovery (Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon) - they actually helped perfect our scientific method - it's just supporting a hypothesis which others can find flaws in, isn't doing that :/<br /><br />I personally don't need studies to believe we are damaging our environment with what we put in it anyway - trash in, trash out is my common-sense hypothesis. <br /><br />I do fully agree with you about the gun issue, tho, and laughed - those bodyguards wouldn't get very far protecting the pope armed with crucifixes : D<br /><br />Have a good Sunday, Amfortas. I'm stuck working this weekend, but thank you for providing some stimulating breakroom/watercooler conversation :)<br /><br />Peace be with you,<br /><br />ChrysalisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-43050837131797457942015-07-26T15:17:03.931+10:002015-07-26T15:17:03.931+10:00Some good points there, m'dear. Most people o...Some good points there, m'dear. Most people overlook the Vatican Sovereignty issue.<br /><br />The climate issue is contentious and he could very easily placed the emphasis on the 'stewardship' obligation rather than dabbling in the pseudo-science, and he could have acknowledged that 'capitalist' societies have a far better track record of environmental care than any other economic system to date.<br /><br />As for the Palestinian issue, he could also have given recognition to the repeated attempts by nations of goodwill to establish a Palestinian State and even the Israeli efforts in that same regard, only to have, repeatedly, the Palestinian leadership simply refuse.<br /><br />If the Pope is to engage in secular matters he must, IMHO, acquaint himself with the truth of the situation rather than simply be pulled along by the ear by biased advisors. Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-6427969122274074582015-07-26T14:02:11.676+10:002015-07-26T14:02:11.676+10:00I find myself saying he's a little TOO politic...I find myself saying he's a little TOO political, for a pope, but I have to remind myself that The Vatican is it's own sovereign state and thereby recognized by international law, so I guess he does have that right and he certainly is working it to its fullest.<br /><br />Some things he says, I like (i.e., his condemnation of American organized crime as sin), other things, such as a few of the things you mentioned, I don't. <br /><br />Whatever the case, he certainly is a game-changer. When he formally recognized Palestinian nations, he drew criticism from both the left AND right here in the US - it caused them both to rethink their own platforms a bit (which isn't necessarily a bad thing sometimes)<br /><br />The right criticized him for not solely supporting Israel, and left/the White House asked him to butt out, as religion and politics should be separate. (Um, I'm pretty sure religion and government aren't separate in the sovereign state that is the vatican, perhaps they forgot to remind themselves as I do. Leave it to the US government to assume everyone else does/should do things as we do ;)<br /><br />ChrysalisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com