"Going to church does not make you a good person, says Pope Francis"
[christiantoday.com]
I agree with the premise, and dislike the application of the concept of sin to those who would believe their distain of others less fortunate than themselves could be overlooked because of their support for their religion. Rather than actually making a change within themselves, they may attempt to counter this new class of sin with a superficial show. I think such a condition could well lead to an internalized bitterness and resentment against the poor.
Oh FFS the shit that the Old Fart dribbles is coming forth in greater and greater volumes than ever before.
I guess attendances and tithes, etc, etc, are dropping these days and Pope Wanky Frankie is doing his best stem the tide before his and all those cushy little do nothing and like like Emperors and Kings jobs go swirling down sewers just like all the rest of the SHIT they've been selling for the 1,600 + years.
Hey, THERE is an Upside IF the Vatican EVER closes down for good, it would make a truly great Home for ALL the poor illegitimate children fathered by the Catholic Priests would it not?
And yet, the catholic church has holy days of obligation and insists people attend or they've committed a minor sin.
Just out of HS, one of the fellows with whom I partied would often set times to get together on Saturdays - any time after 6:30 pm. He needed to do mass to keep mom happy. And Saturday evening before getting drunk was better than Sunday morning after getting drunk.
Why not Saturday night while drunk ? After all the priest performing the rite, usually is.
I’m not sure it’s anything new.
It isn't and there are a number of examples that can be sited from the Gospels backing up the concept. However, rank and file Christians of all stripes can often have a different take. I recall sitting in a Sunday service and being told that Mormons should want to deal with other Mormons in business. The suggestion was that not only does a fellow Mormon (supposedly) share the same values, but the church can intervene if someone steps out of line. When push comes to shove, local Mormon leaders are generally reluctant to actually get involved (which they probably should be) but it makes the reassurances from the pulpit deceptive, and encourages the opposite of the pope's statement here.
It is one of several factors that led me away from Christianity. If Christians aren't actually better behaved than anyone else - and I don't believe they are - what is the point of being Christian? Ultimately it is a personal choice and decision that one makes how to conduct themselves regardless of their religious affiliation.
It that because, perhaps it was NOT written and posted in the 2 syllable words that are commonly used in Alabama ?
The church supports and fosters narcissism, My god, My prayers, My spirituality, My church, My congregation, My demons, My faith, and even My charity, it all starts with the big MY. Because narcissists are needy and will buy any fix to keep the delusion of their specialness alive, and the more they become narcissistic, the more help they need to support the delusion, it is even better than hooking them on drugs.
@TheMiddleWay Yes it is a stretch, but it is also based on long years, over sixty, of observing the effects that religion has on the human personality. The use of the pronoun was metaphorical and ironically light hearted of course, but it is not without grounding, even if only in personal experience.
And there are plainly two different usages, "MY" belief that, we will sell more oats if we put some in the shop window. Is clearly free from narcissism. While "MY" belief that I need more spiritual experience, to assuage my fear of death, is not.