Are IN SOME CASES catholic priests and popes the 'pharasees' of today?
this is not to say negatively of these ministers, many do a fantastic job. but Jesus came to correct those who were known as righteous and the religious leaders of the day. what are you thoughts here friends?
2007-09-18 14:34:11 · 15 answers · asked by Dr. Phil 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ok, i see i have worded this question with a negative undertone, i could have presented the question in a better light. forgive me if i caused anyone any offence.
thank you so much for your insightful responses, they all are helpeful.
peace to you
2007-09-18 18:42:58 · update #1
Whoa....! Wait a minute! Read your Scripture thoroughly!
Jesus certainly DID have issues with SOME of the Pharisees BUT he also insisted that his very followers submit to the teachings of the Pharisees: "1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you MUST OBEY them and DO EVERYTHING they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach" (MT 23:1-3).
Jesus very clearly told his followers to follow the teachings of legitimate human authority. In Jesus' day, this was the "Seat of Moses". Moses' teachings had been around for more than 1,000 years by the time of Jesus and was still VALID. In Catholicism today, the teaching authority of the Church is called the "Chair of Peter" and is now occupied by the 265th successor of Peter -- Pope Benedict XVI.
Again, Jesus had issues with what SOME of the Pharisees were DOING, but he also claimed that "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" (MT 5:20). This means, of course, that the Pharisees DID have righteousness. SOME Pharisees may have been more than a little hypocritical, but Jesus still insisted that his followers submit to their teachings.
2007-09-18 14:59:50 · answer #1 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All religious leaders, if not careful, can find themselves in too deep and not doing what they originally started out to do.
Also this can happen to all leaders of all careers. That's where the phrase "She's/He's out of touch with the people." came from.
That's why people look to the press, and media to watch dog the powerful for abuses. That's why people want more press/media not one or two large corporations investigating our systems.
When ever a human gains power corruption soon follows if one becomes blind/deaf to it's influence.
2007-09-18 14:51:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the Pharisees reduced the importance of the ancient Mosaic laws (Torah) and traditions (Haftorah) with their own made-up traditions (Talmudic) formed during the Babylonian captivity. This is why Jesus constanty harped on the importance of the Law (Torah) and the prophets (Haftorah).
Moreover, the pharisees were fond of putting requirements on the people that they themselves didn't comply with (i.e. hypocrites). I would be more likely to equate the Pharisees with televangelists and Hollywood posers.
2007-09-18 14:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by Robin Runesinger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts that you are intellectually dishonest and a prejudiced bigot to ask if priests and popes are the pharisees of today and then to say "this is not to say negatively of these ministers".
2007-09-18 16:12:49 · answer #4 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually I've been accused of being a Pharisee...by my FORMER priest.
The one I work for now likes that I know the rules and I like to follow them. He relies on it.
What makes one a pharisee is what is in the heart. If your motivation is bringing people to Christ, it isn't pharisical.
If your motivation is that others see how holy you are, yes- that is a modern pharisee.
2007-09-18 15:11:03 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think those who teach hate, spiritual arrogance, and contempt for those not of the particular path they are on, are the pharisees of today. They put stumbling blocks for other on the diverse paths the Divine distributes to each soul.
2007-09-18 14:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by SC 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, they are the St. Johns of the world. They are truly the younger brothers of Christ as is all Catholic men. The women are the younger sisters. This thing you said it--- is exactly to speak negatively of them---who do you think your kidding? You are not my friend.
2007-09-18 14:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any high-and-mighty overpaid religious "leader" can be a Pharisee. Even you or I could be a Pharisee if we have the corrupted heart of one.
2007-09-18 14:42:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and some Baptist ministers, non-denominational leaders, some of any religion's leaders are neopharisees.
2007-09-18 14:51:47 · answer #9 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"In some cases," a few religious leaders of any group are the Pharisees of today.
No one is perfect and we are all recovering sinners.
With love in Christ.
2007-09-18 17:02:54 · answer #10 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋