Tag Archives: Pope

You Judge

Posted on December 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

 

If I am pro-widget, and I listen to only those commentators who are pro-widget; if I only read pro-widget articles, I am not being intellectually honest.

On the other hand, if I am willing to hear those who are anti-widget, those who are pro-widget-substitute, alter-widget, pre-widget, post-widget as well as pro-widget, I am forced to use my intellect to discern a rational resolution.

Today I found out several significant things.

First, Pope Francis worked as a bouncer at a night club. He also ran tests in a chemical laboratory and swept floors. In addition, after he became a Jesuit, he was the “laundry guy” for his monestary.

Second, Rush Limbaugh has described Pope Francis as teaching Marxism.

Limbaugh’s position on many issues strikes a chord. Personal responsibility? Agreed, we don’t have enough of that. Does competition encourage innovation? Yes. It encourages people to come up with a better product.

But it can also encourages people to “cook the books” to make things look more attractive than they are.

My perspective?

Before I got established I did various jobs that weren’t career focused. Fast food worker? Yep. Library clerk? Done that. Retail sales at the mall? Three different jobs. Bouncer? Sorry, too short, and after working in the Emergency Room, not willing to take on big hostile drunks.

So the Pope didn’t start at the top. Wow. I’m s-o-o-o-o surprised.

There are many entertainment figures who I never want to meet because I am afraid that I would be completely put off by them. I may like their music or movies or whatever, but know that a real life encounter would burst the bubble.

There are a few who I would be willing to meet in person – just to find out what they’re really like. G. Gordon Liddy is one, as is Rush Limbaugh.

Don’t ask me why.

It might be interesting.

On the other hand, I would be both thrilled and terrified to meet Pope Francis.

Thrilled to be encouraged and inspired.

Terrified with what he’d expect me to do.

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Posted in Communications, Culture, Media, People, Philosophy, Religion

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Pope Francis

Posted on July 23, 2013 | Leave a comment

 

 

 

Pope Francis created mayhem in Brazil when the driver of the Fiat he was in made a wrong turn, and his car was mobbed. To the chagrin of security officials, he had traveled simply in a charter flight without the bulletproof popemobile.

Word is he carried his own luggage.

He still refuses the Papal residence, staying in a modest guesthouse.

He dispenses with the fleet of Mercedes Benz (and apparently chauffer), and instead drives a 2008 Ford Focus.

At first I had a problem with that.

I drive a 2007 Ford Focus.

But then I figured – hey, he’s the Pope. It’s okay if his car is newer than mine.

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Posted in Business, Celebrity, Communications, Culture, History, Humor, Leadership, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Religion

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The Church, Science and Mistakes

Posted on April 11, 2013 | Leave a comment
Pope Francis graduated as a chemical technician before moving on to study philosophy, psychology and theology. CNN (Link below)

Pope Francis graduated as a chemical technician before moving on to study philosophy, psychology and theology. CNN (Link below)

It seems as if many are watching the Vatican to see what Pope Francis is going to do. Lord knows there are mistakes to be cleaned up.

Being human, and being an expert at making mistakes, I accept the fact that churches and their leaders do the same.

My family is not particularly fond of my mistakes, and I’m not fond of the church’s mistakes.

The relationship between science and theology, for example. The church decided that the sun went around the earth, and when Galileo took a “responsible opposing view” the gloves came off.

The problem was that Galileo was right and the church was wrong.

CNN quoted Monsignor Tomasz Trafny, the Director of the Vatican’s Science and Faith Foundation as saying, “There was a time when theologians thought they understood everything… If you look at what is going on today you will see that theologians are very careful about what they are thinking or speaking about related to scientific issues.” [Click for CNN article]

This is good.

As much as I like the pastor at our church, he can’t seem to tell me why my car makes that funny noise, how to get my lawn to look better and we won’t even talk about how bad his advice was on my golf game.

Nevertheless, on spiritual matters he’s good to have around.

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Posted in Business, Celebrity, Communications, Culture, Family, Friends, Future, Government, Leadership, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Science, Solving Global Warming, Technology

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BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

Posted on March 5, 2013 | 1 comment
chimney

Reporters seen here sniffing around the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, anxiously awaiting the first sign of smoke.

This just in. Cable News Headlines has just been informed that the Catholic Church still has no Pope! Reliable sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity have reported that the College of Cardinals has not even voted once!

Our reporter, Felix Paparazzi is live at the Vatican.

Felix: “It’s looking pretty grim here as the Catholic Church wanders aimlessly, leaderless, without direction. Catholics around the globe are distressed and in despair with the Church’s hierarchy refusing to act. It’s rumored that the cardinals’ paralysis is a direct result of global warming!

Earlier today I was able to interview Monsignor Nino Fabreze and here’s what he had to say.”

[Pre-recorded video]

Felix: “Why do the cardinals refuse to act? What are they waiting for?”

Monsignor Fabreze: “Well, this is a process steeped in hundreds of years of tradition. The first thing they are waiting for is for all of the cardinals to arrive here in Rome. Once everybody is here, then they can start the process.”

Felix: “Well, there you have it, the Catholic Church in crisis! Back to you in the studio.”

[Cut to commercial]

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Posted in Celebrity, Communications, Culture, Friends, Future, History, Leadership, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Television

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Pope Brouhaha

Posted on February 24, 2013 | 2 comments
Coat of ArmsPope Benedict XVI

Coat of Arms
Pope Benedict XVI

The news media has carried on in their usual way with regard to the retirement of the Pope. Headlines talked about it being “Shocking” and “Unbelievable.”

Say what?

First, when I’m 85, I hope I’m well experienced at being retired. Serving until death is a leftover from the days when the Monarch was expected to actively participate in combat and dodge assassination attempts. Life expectancy was much shorter.

The Catholic Church is like any large organization. Leaders come and leaders go. They tend to come from the same pool of candidates. I suspect that Fortune 500 CEOs reflect a lot of individuals with Harvard MBAs and who grew up thinking country clubs were a normal part of life.

I drive a Ford. I have no idea as to who is the current president of Ford, or who’s on their board of directors. It doesn’t affect me. To a large degree, the same is true of the Pope.

Large powerful organizations do both good and ill. With a two thousand year history, the Catholic Church has had more opportunities to experience errors, suffer from bad leadership, as well as do some good things. The bad stuff is more interesting to talk about.

Look at Catholics, as opposed to the Catholic Church organization and hierarchy. Like most other Christians we get up each morning, pray to do a good job, do some things right, screw up on others, ask forgiveness, and keep on going. Like other Christians we place our faith in Christ, along with our hope and love.

If the news media reported a month from now that the Catholic hierarchy had been unable to elect a Pope, it would not affect most Catholics. We’d still attend Mass Sunday mornings and try to live our faith on a daily basis.

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Posted in Business, Celebrity, Communications, Culture, Future, Government, History, Leadership, Management, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Religion

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Pope Benedict XVI

Posted on February 11, 2013 | 2 comments

pope

Today the Pope shocked the world with the announcement that he will vacate his position at the end of the month. Opinions and commentary abound.

My thought is that all things fit God’s will. I have no idea where this will end, but I am confident that the outcome will be subservient to His will.

That’s a comforting thought.

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Posted in Celebrity, Communications, Culture, Future, History, Leadership, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Religion

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