What do they even do. Shouln't they be proactive in a 'Sister Act' kinda way? They sit in mass which is so boring, just reading and repeating in a 'going through the motions' kinda way. I couldn't watch the midnight mass for more than five minutes. The pope seems unconnected and almost 'fake'. Is he the head figure that represents Christians?
2006-12-24 17:44:27 · 17 answers · asked by Lee Edward 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
not sure
2006-12-24 17:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by Jie 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am sorry that you are so filled with hate for something that you don't even understand.
The Vatican is far more proactive than you can imagine. They are responsible for the spiritual well being of nearly 2 billion Catholics. The Vatican is involved in innumerable Social Justice issues such as ALL PRO-LIFE events, feeding the poor, fair labor, housing, ethics, and is even known to back research for finding cures for some of the worlds biggest problems, such as AIDS and HIV.
They are invlolved in the translation of ancient manuscripts, making sure the wording used at the Mass is correct, education of children and adults.
They make sure that the world if fair for everyone, not just Catholics or Christians but for non-believers as well.
The mass is but a small part of the daily life at the Vatican, though it is a very important part. To bad that you couldn't watch the mass for more than 5 minutes, you would have found it to be one of the most interesting and exciting things you will see on TV this year. Imagine, 2 billion people hearing the same message, the same Word of God, in nearly EVERY language on the face of the earth. The fact that it is in Latin is a testement to the longevity of the Church, using a language that hasn't changed in nearly 2,000 years to make sure everyone knows exactly what is meant.
If the Holy Father looks a little disconnected please understand that his day starts at 5:30 AM and ends around 11:00 PM and he is busy every minute of the day.
2006-12-24 18:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The pope does not represent all Christians. He represents Catholics which is a kinda weird sect of Christians. Does the pope do anything? He travels a bit and gives the occasional speech. He's the grand poobah of his church and he can make religious doctrine. The Catholics have some pretty controversial beliefs. I suppose he's involved in administration and counting the money. He gets a lot of press because the Catholic church is so huge. Also, Vatican City is it's own mini country so the pope is a political head of state. But mostly popes are notable for wearing very cool pointy hats.
If you're not Catholic or a resident of Vatican City the pope is a big fat irrelevancy.
2006-12-24 18:09:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Funny that you should mention the Pope/Vatican.
Christians are far from united. The 2.1 Billion Christians are anything but sporadic.
In the West you have Catholics and the Protestants. In the East you the Coptics and Orthodox.
Not much in the way of uniformity, ritual or canon. The pope is only the sole authority of western Catholics. While the Coptic/Orthodox Churches have their own popes.
I don't know if the Eastern churches are civicly active, but the religious leaders in Islam are very active in the communities.
The Sunni Imams and Shia Mullahs and Ayatollahs (equivalent to Papals) are very active in the social consciousness of their nations.
2006-12-24 19:19:01 · answer #4 · answered by TLE_MGR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I little history lesson for you.
In 494 Pope St. Gelasius (a black African pope!) wrote a letter to the Eastern Roman Emperor Anastastius regarding the two powers. An English translation reads, "There are two powers, august Emperor, by which this world is chiefly ruled, namely, the sacred authority of the priests and the royal power."
Over the next 1000 friggin' years the Roman Catholic Church fought to keep the secular authority from enslaving the population of Europe--remember reading about serfdom and peasants in history class!!!
It wasn't until the so called Reformation, led by a well meaning Catholic priest but snatched away by the German and Swiss governments that the world became so ungrateful.
I bet you didn't know if it wasn't for a bunch of Benedictine monks western civilization would have been entirely lost. Who do you think made the 8th and 9th century copies of all those Greek and Roman books the Muslims translated in the 12th 13th and 14th centuries.
The next time you DON'T have to bow down before the State approved religion, the next time you walk past your greco-roman city state and national courthouse with all those Justinian Medieval inspired laws preserved by a bunch of little black robed monks...thank God...no wait...thank the Pope...no,no better yet THANK THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH for establishing the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE and creating your very way of life!
You're welcome...
2006-12-24 18:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by italiatom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What do you know about MASS? Why do you think the church celebrates MASS?
For you limited understanding, if any, MASS basically has two purposes: one to hear the word of GOD and give thanks. Many people say they do not get anything out of going to church.
In truth, we should be going to church to give thanks, daily, we get more and more blessings.
The second reason is because, for Christians, Christ commanded us to go when He instituted the Holy uqerist, saying DO This! Christ obligated Christians to celebrate Holy Communion, the Eating of His body and drinking of His blood.
Christ did not day this represents my body/blood; Christ said this IS my body/blood. The only place that we can receive Holy Communion is in Church where Christ, through the priest, changes bread and wine into His Body and Blood!
This is one of the pillars of Christian faith. The others being that Christ rose from the dead and that He is the son of GOD!
Those who chose to be Christians, accept this as truth! Others, with their beliefs or no beliefs accept something different.
What one chooses is personal, and each persona beliefs or no beliefs should be respected. No one has the right to judge!
You spoke negatively about the Pope, worse, what you wrote demonstrated very clearly that you have no idea about the faith that he represents! Millions upon millions of people, from all over the world disagree with you.
Right or wrong is not the issue here, the issue is respect for one another.
2006-12-24 18:22:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Roman Catholic religion is nothing but man-made ritual and pomp and show, so naturally, it's all boring. Nothing that church does is biblical at all - their communion, confession, confirmation (which just merely 'confirms' you as an RC), waving their wands, etc. - none of it is biblical - just merely ritual - all heresy and apostacy! Secondly, the pope does not represent Christians - only Roman Catholics. He is an antichrist, claiming to be God on earth or claims to be on the same level as God - he is nothing more than a mere sinner blaspheming God Almighty Himself! Jesus Christ is the TRUE head figure that represents true, born again Christians! He is our Savior! The only thing that the pope is good for is deceiving millions of people into believing their false teachings, not to mention taking in all their money and getting richer by the day! Can any RC tell me where their money goes once they've given it to their RC church? Of course not! They only place it does go is to the Vatican, though the Vatican will deceive people into believing that their money goes to help the poor and needy! That's a bunch of bunk! It goes to the Vatican and STAYS in the Vatican. Why do you think the pope, the cardinals, bishops, etc. are constantly asking people to give so much to their RC church? Answer - so the Vatican can keep raking in the bucks - gotta make sure the pope has a nice broad wardrobe of white, satiny robes and hats to wear and has a thick gold ring around his finger!! Heck, the Vatican has enough money to feed the millions of needy and poor people in the world ten fold!
2006-12-24 17:49:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
The Catholic Church has been around for a long time. Its full of apostasy and man made ideas and rules.
Most of the time the places are dead empty, but come Christmas and they are packed to the roof.
The Pope does nothing, the Catholic church is not growing, but rotting slowly as it has been over hundreds of years. Its a sad, but true fact.
Ive heard of 'only Sunday Christians' but Catholics are 'only December 25th Christians'.
You don't need to do anything to be in their church, just turn up once or twice a year. sad.
2006-12-24 17:53:00 · answer #8 · answered by twikfat 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I take over, I will lead a revolution. A great change will take place in ALL the vatican. Mass doesn't have to be boring. It can be relaxing. I shall not be 'fake'. All make way for THE POPE!!!
2006-12-24 17:47:09 · answer #9 · answered by The Pope 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You got it!
LOTSA TALK--no action.
Symbolic jazz- but NEVER EVER GIVE even a penny to starving countries etc..
TALK TALK TALK, Lotsa HOKUM!
When the poop visits any Country they are told The poop is coming. The Country PAYS!
Al Italia Airlines lays on a FREE TRIP to and from- costing the Italian Taxpayers thousands of Lira.
The Vatican pay s NOTHING.
ITS ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS !
2006-12-24 17:52:06 · answer #10 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes they do a lot. They are very busy people. Because you do not like their church ceremony is no reason to judge the Pope as a fake. or an almost fake. Absolutely amazing.
2006-12-24 17:50:48 · answer #11 · answered by swamp elf 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋