Just reading this recent story on Pope Francis got me to thinking how mixed up Catholics are today.
I am a Catholic.
It seems that, and this is just criticism from Catholics that I know, either Pope Francis is not adhering to the bible enough or he is too biblical.
Both at the same time!
If he is quoting scripture to direct Catholics to be more kind and generous to the poor, then he is a communist? To which I say, "when Pope Francis decides to run for the U.S. Presidency, I'll take this into consideration" or "do you realize he's not an American Politician?"
The distinction is worth pointing out for a third time. American Catholics, you do realize that Pope Francis is not necessarily to be judged and interpreted through the American political prism? He's sounds like a leftist perhaps because Catholic Christianity is the original bleeding heart liberal movement.
Now that aside, if he doesn't quote the Bible, or heaven forbid, actually speaks of controversial American political positions (i.e. homosexuality) in a manner that is conciliatory or inclusive, he is criticized for not sticking to the bible!
To which I'd point out that Catholics aren't Baptist.
No, we aren't. We aren't Protestant Fundamentalist either.
Somewhere along the way, very recently in fact, thinking within many Catholics began to reflect Baptist teachings, or Fundamentalism.
Evolution, Big Bang Theory, and a slew of other modern scientific advances have been held as contrary to biblical teaching by Catholics despite either Papal opinion that states there is no conflict with Catholic teachings, as is in the case of Evolution; or with Catholic fingerprints on the development of the idea, as with the Big Bang Theory, which was put forth by a Catholic priest.
Don't take my word for it. Look it up.
Here is a great book, published just in 2014, "Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?" That elaborates on science and the church.
Google Papal opinion on evolution.
Fact is Fundamentalism, as in strict interpretation of the Bible is a relatively modern development, almost entirely American, and not at all Catholic.
Look it up.
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