Fasincating interview by the pope...could religion be turning the corner on open-minded thinking? (Page 2)

near50ohoh: lip service huh? i could get into that when does it begin?

near50ohoh: answer to your posted question though dave seems to be no.

Zanjan: A fake man is a human, a mere mortal who follows instinct. He cannot rise above that nature.

davesdatahut: For the next round of classes on how to behave yourself in the eyes of the big G, dial 1-800-ZIPTHATTHINGUP

near50ohoh: that's the man's version the girls get 1-800-urthe1whogetsknockedup

davesdatahut: You heard it hear first, folks - the theorem of the world, according to Zanjanian theory: If fake, then human. Would it then hold true that 'if not fake, then not human'?
I love this game.

Zanjan: The Pope has said the church is a home for everyone – does that include terrorists, rapists, pedophiles, thieves…etc……..? I think not.

Actually, God is man’s true home. We came from Him and, eventually, we’ll return to Him.
My scriptures say ALL will return. Somehow, I don’t think we have forever on this planet to do it.

Zanjan: “Would it then hold true that 'if not fake, then not human'?”

Yes.

(Has nothing to do with the physical body) This is about the nature of the spirit.
If one chains their lower nature in the dungeon, that doesn’t mean they can’t hear its roars. Instinct serves a limited purpose. The Man has a strong chain on that creature and teaches it when to be quiet.

davesdatahut: I declare myself, here and now and forever more, FAKEMAN!!! I will get an F for my shirt and defend all the frauds of the earth!! And mr god man, if yer out there...come join me for this fun. I might need some help.
I do love this game.

near50ohoh: the church is supposed to take all in zanjan. be a hospital for the sick of mind body and spirit. believe me those characters you mentioned are already there, and the church knows it. they may dress as saints and preach the holy book to others but they are there. tithing so they won't get kicked out even if they never attempt amends or redemptive work on themselves. and boot out those of genuine love and self recognized human nature. because they have nothing as a body to gain from them

Zanjan: Thankfully, the insincere aren't attracted to my Faith - God has commanded us to study! You know how painful that is for some people, eh.

If anyone breaks the laws in my faith, they're lovingly counseled to ensure they know the laws; if they continue to ignore, and don't rectify their wrongs, they're administratively disciplined. A religion without justice is dead in the water.

In the history of our Faith, it's very uncommon to see a wrong-doer stick around for sanction; they usually just wander off, giving up the faith, saving us the trouble of a meeting - it's almost self-resolving.

Then again, my religion is a bit of an exception since it has no sects - really, it's not fair to compare it to the Catholic church.

I'm not concerned about the administrative workings inside other religions. I pay more attention to what good they're doing, if any. There must be a safe, secure, and peaceful environment for those who love those things. Sincere people WILL preserve that.

near50ohoh: we had that kind of thing too. but sometimes it requires more evidence than can be gathered by the elders. for example till the children have grown and left their parents care. stuff happens in the home that no one ever sees. you may think you know all that your members do? but i bet their children could surprise you with tales.still.

Zanjan: What happens in the home isn't our business, even if the police are involved. Our concern is how they represent the Faith out in the world.

You can't really hide what kind of person you are for very long - it will be known.

In my community, misplaced people stand out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of the rest: they don't last long, especially those with questionable motives because they can't manipulate us.

I should think it's the same for the Catholic church - it's all about where you fit.

People in a church congregation will only tolerate so much before they say - ugh, snake pit, I'm leaving! They'll find another church or religion - religion doesn't own people, although some think that.

No one would deny the Catholic church has a bad reputation - well earned. Everyone clearly understands what a phenomenal job this pope has to fix that so who would want the job? Seriously, it takes more than one person to clean up a public relations disaster.

near50ohoh: i think it's everyone's business if mom or dad spends the night in the bar and goes home to rape or beat the kids. i think that's a bigger issue to deal with than two ppl who love and respect each other wanting to get married. for example.

Zanjan: I'm not sure why you've related child-beating to engagement to be married.....I mean, that you had to calculate the difference in urgency

If someone is doing something illegal under civilian law, the police will handle it - that's their job. Likewise, if one is breaking the laws of their religion, the religious institution will handle it.

It stands to reason if the person is doing the former, he's also doing the latter....so, police first, religious court after. Double whammy.

And if anyone breaks my house rules **I'LL** handle it - beware! Usually, I head them off at the pass.

near50ohoh: i'm sorry you don't get what i'm saying. too bad. maybe it's cuzz the church i grew up in was mostly relatives of my mum or dad. as extended family there was a higher likelihood they would know before the police ever would. i grew up in a town where most of my neighbours were relatives too.
i take this issue more seriously than who an adult loves and marries. or an adult woman's right to determine her own body issues for herself.
that's where my rises

Zanjan: To my knowledge, the Catholic church still grades wickedness as more or less bad/offensive and disciplines those in grades of more or less as well.

Personally, I hate that because it mirrors civilian mentality.

The Religion of God is based on a reward system; it's not a punitive agency. Believers have no right to decide how many lashes, so to speak, one gets. There's no support for that in any scriptures - that's my opinion, based on my knowledge of all the world's scriptures together with my spiritual sense of the divine.

If one has to be disciplined, it should be the one kind only - being sent to their room for a time out. Why? Because there is only ONE offense in the community of the **religion** of God - that's to break its law.

God decides how to deal with that person's soul.

near50ohoh: :

Zanjan: What? Do you not feel change is in the air? You don't see that the eyes of the world stage are on everyone? Do you not think this is the day of calling all to account, and that call leads to the better side?

I think it's interesting there's a new kind of pope at exactly the same time there's a new kind of Iranian president. One has to be utterly blind and completely insensitive not to realize the world needs BIG change, and fast. Sometimes, one thinks those who will be the last to see that, aren't.

near50ohoh: all thru history there have been liberal and conservative trends or eras. big whoop!! in the end we will be led by human idiots no matter what so oh yeah we NEED change will we get it though? probably not. :

Zanjan: That's up to us. Change comes whether we like it or not - we all have the chance make it work on our own, or wait until disaster gives us no choice. Which one is the victory?