After all, he's just a man. What makes anyone think that he has any more spiritual insight than anyone else?
2006-10-26 03:03:43 · 17 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What makes anyone think that he knows any more about religion and spirituality than, say, the friendly priest at the local Catholic Church? People have to know that the Church is largely about politics, and high-ranking clergy get to where they are not just because of what they know, but WHOM they know.
2006-10-26 03:16:10 · update #1
I don't have an axe to grind. I just wonder why so many people unquestioningly accept the authority of another.
2006-10-26 03:23:17 · update #2
No, I don't put a lot of stock in what Bush says. I didn't vote for him.
2006-10-26 03:42:26 · update #3
The pope, according to their doctrines, is infallible when speaking ex cathedra. But many, including me, challenge this doctrine. The Bible said that no man is perfect, not even one. And when It says that "NO MAN" is perfect, it does not mean when speaking in ex cathedra is an exemption. When the Bible says no, it meant no... And this applies to all conditions and cases. Because the Bible is clear. It is meant for rebuking and doctrine. It is complete and with no contradictions.
2006-10-26 03:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by iustus 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pope, the bishop of Rome, is the successor to Peter. Peter, the first "Pope," was given the keys to the kingdom; the authority to bind and loose in heaven. Therefore, his authority is such that he may decry and it will be done so in heaven. Since nothing is in heaven except perfection, his decry is guaranteed perfect by the Holy Spirit. This is Christ's insurance that the gates of hades will not prevail against the Church. Even in the NT, when questions would arise on matters of Faith or Morals, when Peter spoke, there was no further discussion. Peter's authority is passed on to his successor through the laying on of hand (ordination of Priests) and by filling the office that is vacant (as was Peter's first action as Pope to fill Judas' office).
For more info to read, see:
vatican.va/archive
or for free audio references, see:
biblechristiansociety.com or
http://salvationhistory.com/bookstore/audioRsrcs.cfm
Peace,
MoP
2006-10-26 10:32:37 · answer #2 · answered by ManOfPhysics 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, and the President of the United States is also just a man. But people respect h... okay, bad example.
But the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church. You are SUPPOSED to listen to him! He also has put a LOT of thought into matters of morality and religion. It's his career, after all. If anyone knows what's up, surely it would be him!
2006-10-26 10:13:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Shouldn't the leader of the world's biggest spiritual organization have more spiritual insight than most (if not all) other people?
It's the same thing as saying "Why answer Michael Jordan about basketball? He's just a man".
That said, putting stock into what the Pope says is all fine and good but blindly obeying him is not. God gave us a mind and I believe He wanted us to use it. Blind faith is not only stupid; it's dangerous.
I'm not just speaking about Catholicism... but all religions, faiths, beliefs, cults, etc.
2006-10-26 10:10:31 · answer #4 · answered by sirtitus 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus and the pope, boy how they get hammered by anyone with an axe to grind.
plenty of people listenened to hitler, stalin and the like, and they get more admiration than men of love and peace, they certaintly dont get attacked as often.
the pope is the vicar of christ who has spent his life in prayer and the service of mankind, his spirituality and insight are born of a wisdom you wouldn`t understand, listen I bet you would not venture into the jungle alone with no guide, well the pope is our guide in spiritual matters, we trust him to do the best for our guidance and he does, so whats your problem?
why does it annoy you so much there has to be a reason, examine that reason and perhaps you will discover something about yourself that needs fixed.
2006-10-26 10:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe because he has dedicated his life to studying the Word of God and putting it into practical use. I cannot dedicate my entire day to studying my Bible and spending hours in prayer. I do as best as I can throughout the day. I would say that the Pope is far more an expert in the field than I am. Just like your Chemistry teacher in high school. He spent years studying Chemistry--would you say that you are more of an expert in the field than him?
2006-10-26 10:11:59 · answer #6 · answered by Godsgirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12260a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility
Statements by a pope that exercise papal infallibility are referred to as solemn papal definitions or ex cathedra teachings. These should not be confused with teachings that are infallible because of a solemn definition by an ecumenical council, or with teachings that are infallible in virtue of being taught by the ordinary and universal magisterium. For details on these other kinds of infallible teachings, see Infallibility of the Church.
2006-10-26 10:26:57 · answer #7 · answered by sister steph 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because supposedly he is Peter's successor and Peter was considered the "leader" of the christians after Jesus. Although that is complete trash. According to the new testament records James was Jesus' successor not Peter. Peter was considered the leader by xtians based on a misunderstanding of Matt 16 which states:
"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Most christians believe that he was "building his church" on Peter, who is considered the first Pope by catholics, but that is incorrect. If you read it in context he was building his church on Peter's answer that he was "the christ, the son of the living God" not on Peter himself which makes much more sense.
2006-10-26 10:34:01 · answer #8 · answered by james.parker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People have trusted him enough to become a pope, and now that he is a pope everyone is looking up to him and trusting him further. If people didn't trust him he wouldn't of become a pope in the first place.
2006-10-26 10:09:54 · answer #9 · answered by Aaron 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
im catholic and the pope lol i know nothing about sorry man...is that a sin??? :-p
i believe in god i believe everyone on earth is at fault for the way the world is no one ever listened to the commandments its everyones fault so stop ruining earth and make a difference for the best, and STOP polluting.
2006-10-26 10:08:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋