.....And where in the Bible does it mention the necessity of having a Pope ? I know that Catholics believe that St Peter was the first Pope and that all subsequent Popes are descended - Oooops, sorry - I meant elected by the vulnerable, old, sin-ridden Cardinals of the Vatican Council. Odd though, because St Peter wasn't a Catholic was he ? Hmmm.... sounds amazingly like Politics to me...!!
2007-10-01 22:27:45 · 15 answers · asked by slowsmile 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
...the word "pope" is an ancient "pagan" title... The Roman Church has established so may doctrines, dogmas and traditions that "they" have skewed Gods Word so badly that you might as well be following "Pee Wee Herman"... The first 9 "popes" were Jews and after that..."they" were upset that the "believing Jews" were not establishing a "new church"...(Jesus never established a new Church)...He clearly said "He" was the way and upon this "Rock" (Petra)...not Kefa... that was "Peters" real name, "He" would build "His" Church... The Roman Church has kept it's followers in "religious" bondage by creating "religious" gymnastics that accomplish nothing and dilute the Deity of Christ with idol worship and trinkets, smoke, bells and "special" water; all that are completely un-Scriptural........
2007-10-01 22:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the pope is a plain, old, vulnerable sin-ridden Human Being like you and me who happens to be a leader.
He is a leader in his own right, just as politicians are, judges are and other people in authority. People in authority have to keep their conduct in check more than your average Joe Bloggs because the higher you climb, the harder you fall.
So there you go, the pope, the vatican council and the rest of the world (including yourself) are vulnerable, old and sin ridden.
2007-10-01 22:39:33 · answer #2 · answered by Lochie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pope Benedict would very much admit to you he very much an old, vulnerable sin-ridden human like all the rest of us!
What he would also say, is that it is only through Jesus Christ that he is made whole...that he is able to even do his ministry as the pope.
The bible doesn't use the word "pope" specifically...all it really means is "Papa"...but the bible does mention Bishops...the Pope is esentially the Bishop of Rome...but as you mentioned, he is the successor of Peter..who is the first among the apostles....thus the primacy of Peter...
If you take a look in Matthew 16, you'll find an interesting set of verses....i'll quote it for you here:
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:15-19
Wow, looks like Peter was given a lot of authority...the keys to the kingdom....the rock which the Church is built on....and you know what, even after two thousand years...which included LOTS of persecution...the gates of hell have not yet prevailed against the Church!
2007-10-01 22:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by dood 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Pope is just not anything special, just a human being like the rest of us. Since the Bible and religion is man made. The Pope will not be afforded any special privallages in the afterlife.
2007-10-01 22:34:50 · answer #4 · answered by xanadu88 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
human. In simple term, I believe that the first christian church, established by the apostles, was Orthodox. It is run by a council of Bishops. Rome was a main christian location. The roman Bishop decided that Rome was more important than the others and wanted to be in charge over the other Bishops. When the others disagreed the religion splintered and Roman Catholic was born.
2007-10-02 00:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no where in the bible does it say that we should have a pope.. the first pope i believe was a man named Constantine who wanted everyone to listen to him. catholics made up the pope.. the pope is nothing but a wrinkly old man with who thinks he's God yet sins just like the rest of us! he's no saint!
2007-10-01 22:33:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All popes are just plain; old, and vulnerable sin-ridden Human beings like any other human being. They aren't sin-proof.
2007-10-01 22:39:00 · answer #7 · answered by Green Phantom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pope is human being like us. He has the same organs as we have. No wonder the catholics worship him as |God. Not biblical b elief but pagan belief.
2007-10-01 22:41:10 · answer #8 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a plain, old, vulnerable sin-ridden "Human Being" like you and me, as were previous popes and priests, etc.
2007-10-01 22:30:40 · answer #9 · answered by Dolphin 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Pope is just a plain, old, vulnerable, recovering sinner like you and me.
+ Scripture +
John 21:15-17 states:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Matthew 16:17-19 states:
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.
The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.
The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880
+ The Papal Conclave +
A Papal Conclave works like this:
+ A pope dies and is buried
+ The cardinals come to Rome for the conclave that will elect the new pope. The word conclave (Latin, *** + clavis, literally, "locked with the key") designates:
. • The place in a locked section of the Vatican where the cardinals elect a new pope.
. • The actual gathering of the cardinals.
+ The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death.
+ The cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during a Mass
+ The cardinals, sealed in the Sistine Chapel, vote every morning and afternoon.
+ A two-thirds majority plus one is required for election for the first 30 ballots. After that, a simple majority is required.
+ After each vote, they burn the ballots and add special chemicals to make the smoke white or black.
. • Black smoke means no new pope yet.
. • White smoke announces the election of a new pope.
+ The cardinals may elect any baptized male they wish. There have been occasions in the past where they have elected a layman. After their election, the layman has to be ordained priest and bishop.
+ They ask the one elected if he accepts. The moment he accepts, he is pope.
+ The pope chooses his “Papal” name.
+ Then the new pope is announced to the world.
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/johnpaulii/transition/PapalConclaveCU.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/JohnPaulII/transition/CNS.asp
+ With love in Christ.
2007-10-02 17:43:37 · answer #10 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋