WHY did millions of Catholics pray that God keep the Pope ALIVE?!
[if you're a Catholic - perhaps you can explain it to me]
The Pope believes that when he dies - HE will be with God. Is it NOT an act of cruelity then - to ask God to keep the Pope alive? Should not each of those millions of Catholics prayed that the Pope DIES?!
I am truly baffled by this.
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!
"It takes FAR MORE COURAGE to be KIND than it does to be CRUEL!!"
i dont see whats so complicated about it. he is a world leader. as a world leader, people look up to him. when any world leader is sick, people will pray for him. it doesnt matter that he believes he will go to heaven and be with God. honestly, i believe that even the pope has judgement day. he doesnt just get a free pass to go to heaven just because he was a high ranking church offical. he gets judged just like you and I. and also, i dont really think the pope has ever said "i believe i will go to heaven when i die." even tho pope is getting old, he is still smart on what he says and how he words things.
Maybe they want him here a little bit longer to lead them more, and when they pray, they believe he will get better? I don't know, sometimes I guess if you have enough faith in something like that then it might be possible for it to get better, if that makes sence.
He'll conk out any day now. I know that the Polish are pretty upset because he'll be the only Polish pope to have ruled for a while now....but alas - oh well.
Maybe the next pope will be more accepting.
Cheers,
Jenna
xMOSHx xHELLA HARDCOREx xBREAKDOWNx
The tragedy is the ignorance behind the clean casket
On the outside, they look so good
They're walking to Wallstreet in a straightjacket...
Its rather simple the way I see it, as a Catholic I do believe in heaven etc, that doesn't mean I want to die, I mean as human instinct we fight to live, so the pope really isn't any different.
Its also kinda like asking why someone would not want their mother or father to die, I mean if one of my parent's where on their death bed, I would be praying for them, and many people of the Faith look up to the Pope as a "father figure", so honestly I don't see where you are all confused.....
and Jeff he is a world leader in my opinion so there is no need to make that clear, because it is not a fact, its opinoin, he is just as much a world leader as Bush or any other person in a position of great power and authority. Regardless of faith or lack of people world wide look up to the Pope as an important person, regardless lets stay on topic.....
I appreciate the responses AND understand what some of you are saying...
BUT....
Isn't the whole 'sales pitch' of the 'church' the 'promise' of a wonderful after-life with God when you DIE? An existance free of pain - free of sickness - free of death, etc.? Then why is it [so goes the Pope question] that the closer a 'believer' gets to death - the more fearful of the after-life he/she becomes? I'm all but certain that most Catholics believe that the Pope has a 'get into heaven free' card - so why pray that he STAYS and continues to SUFFER?! [he has Parkinson's Disease - among other problems] I'm not actually baffled by WHY people do it - because I realize that human being are selfish. But it's still somewhat amusing - don't you think? [not to mention - 'disappointing'] Here I am [let's say] trying to convince you to follow ME to some magical place - and the closer I get to it - the more terrified OF 'it' I become. Not very re-assuring is it?!
I may be unusual - but I don't ALWAYS pray that God keep someone ALIVE. Sometimes - death is the greatest blessing of all.
GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!
"It takes FAR MORE COURAGE to be KIND than it does to be CRUEL!!"
Hun, its in human nature to fear death. Most people aren't for sure there is a heaven or hell, or whats going to happen if they go to hell/ if they go to hell, ext. I don't think its being selfish, i mean. hes eventually going to die soon anyway.
Originally posted by ~*~AiM_uSeR~*~+Feb 6 2005, 12:19 AM--
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He is not nor ever was a world leader...
just thought i would make that clear............ (!)
~Jeff~
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so your saying the pope... the leader of over a billion people, leader of over four million priests, nuns, decons, ect - isnt a world leader?
just beause he isnt a leader to you, doesnt mean he isnt a leader. talk a bout being arrogant and selfish, jeeze. seriously jeff, who are you kidding. you seem to have forgotten by 3 step guide to posting again.
well i'm Polish and even though i barely practice my religion or go to church or anything like that i love the Pope, i just do he's this amazing fragile yet strong man who's done a world of good, i dont get jenna why would u say he's not accepting i dont agree with all his beliefs but he's the first Pope ever to visit with leaders of all religions unlike other popes who wouldnt think of that, idk i love him cause we both come from the same country and i see how much he misses Poland and it's incredibly touching to me how he sacrificed himself
