Assessing the Papacy

[Beau Geste (imported)]

I recently read the observation, that the Roman Catholic hierarchy, headed by the pope, is the only institution which has survived from classical antiquity as a continually functioning organization. I suspect that some church organizations in the Eastern Orthodox and Coptic churches might be able to make the same claim. But, in any case, the catholic church and its hierarchy are among the longest lasting institutions in history.

So, what has the net effect of the papacy been on history, taking the papacy as separate from other catholic organizations? The pope, after all, has his own little country, and popes prior to the nineteenth century ruled considerably larger territories. The pope probably never had all that much influence as head of state, but he has had considerable influence as head of the catholic church.

For myself, I think you have to begin by noting that the main purpose of the papacy is to promulgate a theology which is questionable, to say the least--even many Christians don't support most of what the pope has preached and presented as infallible, at least since the middle of the eleventh century. There is also considerable evidence that, in many cases, the pope has done things that would increase his power and influence, regardless of the moral effects of his actions. At the same time, catholic organizations (not necessarily dependent on the pope) have carried out a lot of good humanitarian work.

All in all, I have a somewhat neutral view of the papacy. It wouldn't bother me if it ceased to exist, but it doesn't seem particularly harmful at this stage of history. Perhaps the papacy has a kind of virtue conferred on it by its longevity, in that it represents stability which isn't normally found elsewhere.

[A-1 (imported)]

...I think that it has ome all of the harm that it can do...

...but I wouldn't bet on it...

[Kortpeel (imported)]

The one good thing about Roman Catholicism is that it has survived and is a rare link between now and classical times. It probably has a magnificent collection of documents and relics from antiquity too which would be invaluable for scholarship if they were to be made available.

The bad thing about the church in this modern age, is its terrible conservatism. It fails to reinterpret its doctrines and dogma in the light of modern scientific knowledge. It preaches a series of fairy tales with unhappy endings. It expects us still to believe in magic. It demands that we believe what it tells us to believe.

I suspect that the church helps a lot of people at parish priest level, although not all parish priests are saints, but where it could really do some good in this modern world is to use its moral authority to condemn bad goverance and high level corruption.

Most of the world’s poverty is caused by corruption and corrupt goverments are an anchor dragging on human progress. This is an area where the Pope could really do some good.

[augman7518 (imported)]

Being a recovering catholic I wonder why anyone would want it to exist.Priests donot marry because the church does not want anyone to get what they had.Females were not allowed to sing in the Church choir so to get high voives they castrated boys with good voices.According to what I have read the last Castreto died in 1937.Then we look at the most recent problems that were a big cover up.Child sexual abuse.Holy hiprocrite the catholic church needs to bury its ugly head in the ground and pull it in around them.

The only thing I will say now is--They have a pope with the proper name BENIDICK.Seeing must of the priests are gay and the pope is first a priest andthen a pope,one can ask Has there benedick in his mouth or has there benedick in his ass.

One also cannot forget the church ordains gays but will not marry them.

[Riverwind (imported)]

: laugh:

and

GENUFLECT, GENUFLECT, GENUFLECT.

River

[moi621 (imported)]

Heaven Is Not A Democracy.

[A-1 (imported)]

SO IF YOU INSULT THE POPE WITH A LIE IS THAT CALLED A... A... A...

Papacy Smear?

...inquiring minds want to know...

[Taylor (imported)]

A-1 - Snicker, snicker, snicker. That was a good one!

T

[Riverwind (imported)]

A-1, your fired, move to Detroit.

River

[devi (imported)]

Pope Greggory gave us our calendar (the greggorian calendar). And I really do like the music too whenever I accompany one of my aunts to church.