An Upsetting Contradiction –> Religion

/ Political Joint

pope benz

The Role of the Pope’s Duties: his priority lies in getting to know people, understanding how they live, listening to their interests and sharing their sufferings and their joys. The Pope is the unifier of the People of God, he is also the Prime Witness to Faith; This includes both preaching &teaching the word of God…

Basing my post off of this definition, I will now explain to you the anger, disgust, and contradictions I saw/experienced recently dealing with the current Pope (Francis) and his actions.

Now, I do not fully understand myself and why this image greatly upset me, I mean the Pope is no one to me… yet these actions he portrayed infused a spark of anger and vehement that was too impossible to subdue. I know we live in “America the Great” A.K.A. the leader of all Capitalistic societies.. but for the POPE to as well fall into the scheme of consumerism? Disappointment. I would like to hear from those who actually follow Pope Francis on a regulatory basis who would maybe be able to change my POV from negative to positive (although once my mind is made up it is concrete so your attempts might be worthless).

I do not know him nor claim to follow anything else he has ever done while being the Pope; But what I do know is the image of him parading around like a beauty queen on the top of Mercedes Benz… did not sit will with me to say the least.

Your thoughts & comments are always welcomed… my mind is constantly on a power trip.. thank you for taking the journey with me.

-Truth Seeker

Photo Credit to http://www.telegraph.co.uk

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32 thoughts on “An Upsetting Contradiction –> Religion”

  1. I started this once, and lost it. Trying again.
    The MB is actually a step down from the old armor-plated popemobile. And it may not even belong to the Vatican. It may have been rented or loaned to the Pope for a specific occasion. Unfortunately, the world we live in is not always safe for a man of peace to walk through a crowd of people. We are talking about a man who does not live in the Papal Palace like his predecessors did. Who prefers to walk or take a bus. And who took the palace a prince of the church build for himself, and turned it over for an orphanage/school.

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    • I see your POV here… Thanks for taking the time to read and comment my blog! Your thoughts are always welcomed! Please be sure to read my other posts..

      -Truth Seeker

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  2. I think exactly the same. However, I do not think that anyone could ever change my POV about this issue. Just the fact that he puts himself above everyone else, waving his hand through crowds, allows others to kiss his hand as if he is some majestic human being that no one will ever be on his level, and finally, the fact that he owns a lot because of religion disgusts me (even though you might think he sold the golden crosses, that’s just a cover up, it’s a fact that the pope owns the whole vatican). Putting himself on a different social class than most people is just a major issue to me that I can’t get over. I may not believe in God and everyone might think I’m being biased. But according to what Jesus is (at least what is written about him), Jesus was born between sheep and in the land of the farmers where he helped people. The pope who should be an example and a preacher of what Jesus did can’t actually be honest at the time he lives in a castle.

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    • Wow… Thank you for making me feel sane! I am intrigued to know there is someone out there that shares the same beliefs. He should DEFINITELY NOT put himself on a higher social status.. Major contradiction of what his “message” to the people is supposed to be (from what I know). It just so happened that this image was broadcasting on a news channel & when I saw it I could not help but laugh and feel disgust.
      Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my posts! Your thoughts are always appreciated and welcomed.

      -Truth Seeker

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    • I like this comment. And I think that this argument also applies to any celebrities (which usually are rich). The point being namely that the divine between a person that being followed and people who follow is so big and so aiding for the rise of further class division that is just stupid. Basically, the Pope or any other celebrity is treated like a super-human, where in fact, this is not the case. And additionally the worst about the Pope is that he’s and his friends are involved in politics, which makes the whole idea about religion so meaningless (where perhaps there is some hope for religion).

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      • Thank you for the comment!
        I am glad to hear you agree and your thoughts are always welcomed!
        I too agree with you when you state that once religion is tied into politics… There is no truth value anymore.
        There are no super humans.. And people need to stop acting like one..

        -Truth Seeker

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  3. Understanding is Power…If you do not understand why something is the way it is, you have to dig deep for information so you are not consumed by prejudice. If you are angry at these, which you said you saw on tv and was disgusted, errrr for no reason you were disgusted and made assumptions based on what you saw…why? Your mind is made up..but let me ask…if this upsets you, how would it upset you to hear the story of a preacher asking his followers to eat grass or one who flogs his church members?? My point being the same – seek information and knowledge to understand rather then presume. Some things are just insane at face value, while others are not!! You cant possibly tell me all you have said is all you know about Pope Francis, i mean, no positive news at all?

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  4. There is God, and there is fallen man. The pope is one of the fallen, and so are we. When Jesus lived among us, what happened to Him. The Jews and the Romans combined to put Him up on a cross. They really did not have a good reason. He was just a threat to what they wanted and their egos. We are not much different than those Jews or Romans. So you would be well advised to treat your anger, disgust, and those odd contradictions carefully.

    The pope has one advantage over Jesus. Because he is imperfect, we cannot be threatened by whatever pretense he may make of perfection. We know it is not real. So don’t worry about it. The pope is just another guy with a big title and a big budget.

    So what about the pope being chauffeured about? It is just part of his job description. With Jesus Christ at the head, there is suppose to be one universal Christian church. The people who accept the salvation offered by Jesus Christ belong to that church in spirit, but being what we are — human — in the flesh we are organized into different sects. The Catholic Church is perhaps the most hierarchical Christian sect. That pope leads it, and Catholics want to see him. That car provides the means.

    Any big named leader does something similar. Doesn’t the president ride around in Air Force 1?

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    • I do see your point here.. And thank you for the background on religion because I don’t really have one. Facts are always good to hear.. The upsetting point that I was trying to get across though was that I know he has to be chauffeured around… But does it necessarily have to be in a Mercedes Benz?! I guess I thought he would be a bit more humble? To me, that car signifies that he is placing himself above the “regular people” and I feel like he should be treating everyone as equals.
      Yes, the president does ride around in Air Force one… But he doesn’t have the same religious title that the pope does, so I don’t really blame him for that.
      Your thoughts & comments are always welcomed! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment my blog.
      You made some really valid points and I learned some interesting facts from you!

      -Truth Seeker

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  5. If your concern stems from a pure concern about hypocrisy and the need for sincerity then it’s okay. But if it comes from a heart that looks for controversy, contrary to my hope, then it may interest you to know that such you’re not different from the person you think the Pope is.

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    • Thanks for taking the time to read and comment my blog… And yes it does stem from concern with hypocrisy..
      And I am no hypocrite

      -Truth Seeker

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  6. As an antitheist who believes that all religion is made up by people and used by the states and religions for power I see the image of Pope Francis doing just that. In order to make religion plausible the public need convincing that there is something majestic and wonderful about it – hence the robes, costumes, ceremonies, rituals, cathedrals, mosques and temples. All the religions claim to be the holy word of god – full of contradictions and some nasty things. They can’t all be right. But that’s just my point of view – cheers Opher.

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    • I have to completely agree with you when you say that religion is made up by people and used by states for power. This is also traced back to the beginning of times when America was being colonized by English settlers, they were pretty much persecuting those who didn’t want to conform to their wants, religion, and beliefs. I’m sure you already know this though.
      I also like how you speak about all and every religion claiming to be the truth and the “right” one. I actually took a class on this in college and every religion was portrayed out on the board along with their God. My professor was pretty much stating that In ever religions own right… They claim to be the correct one. When in reality, who are we to judge on what is right and wrong? why can’t we all just agree on one worldly secular religion?!
      This really made me think and view religion much differently..
      Thanks for taking the time to comment and read my blog, it’s always appreciated.

      -Truth Seeker

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      • I cannot help but provide my perspective here. I do not believe that anything can be definite, and if it were, how could it possibly have any ‘substance.’ What gives any abstract truth its very substance are your personal memories, the generations of opinions/outlooks on it.

        As for absolute, I am not yet sure where I stand.

        What do you define as ‘proof otherwise’? I’d love to hear your perspective.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Interesting comment – I didn’t see the make of the car at all when I first saw the image, although now you’ve drawn my eye to it I can’t stop seeing it. What struck me was the interplay between two different forces: the craning of the crowds towards the Pope (the lines of their outstretched hands drawing your eye to the centre) and the imposed space forced on the mass projecting out from the car itself (the black-clad retainers providing a margin to the white-clad Pope and white car). This sums up the great contradiction between the humble intentions of the Pope and the farcical institution which projects him to power. Developing this point further, how can we respect even the most perfect person if their authority is not accountable? How can they provide justice when they can’t even reach people?

    Great provocative picture and post.

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    • Thank you for your comment and taking the time to read my blog!
      Glad I can shed some light and insight on the situation, as well as have others who see things the same as I…
      I like the points you state about the distance/boundary that’s placed between the pope and the people.. Too true.
      Your thoughts are always welcomed here!

      -Truth Seeker

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  9. I am no apologist for the Christian religion, and have always been particularly critical of Catholicism having attended a convent as child.
    However, this Pope is actually different to his predecessors. Before becoming Pope he lived in a tiny house as archbishop, caught buses and was notorious amongst the high and mighty of the church for his work with the poor and outcasts… as Pope he is gradually abolishing the pomp and worldliness of the office, doing away with many privileges and autocratic customs.
    He has attempted to stop the putting down of women, he talks of love, not rules, and has shown compassion for homosexuality rather than condemning it. He is the first man since Pope John back in the sixties who seems to walk the talk.
    However, regardless of his words and deeds which speak for themselves if you investigate them ( Google???) I feel it’s important to refrain from judging anyone, George Bush, Putin, Isis… whenever we judge we add to the hostility in the world.
    When we accept every person and their lives, and refrain from judging we are actually helping the world to become a happier, more peaceful place… wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all accept each other and refrain from judging or criticising…. as they say you have to walk a mile in another man’s shoes to understand where he’s coming from !!! If we all gave up being right there would be no more wars, anger, aggro, broken relationships etc…….
    Maybe seeking truth is less important for the world than simply being kind to each other… I think then, the truth starts to become apparent if we are open to it…

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  10. Your conclusion does not follow from your premise of hid riding in a MB. Unfortunately he has to be concerned about security n large crowds, and this vehicle, I am sure, is built to provide some security.

    As a Christian of the Protestant (Presbyterian) persuasion, I have the utmost respect for Francis and what he is doing for the Roman Catholic Church and Christianity. He emphasizes humility.

    I look forward to what he has to say in Cuba and the U.S. I expect he will say challenging things to both societies.

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    • A Mercedes Benz does not offer security… Especially when he is riding on top of it waving. If He was concerned about security… he should then travel in a tank.
      Thanks for the comment but I do not agree..

      -Truth Seeker

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  12. He is an instrument in false religion. The road leading to everlasting life is narrow not broad and all encompassing. The true God requires exclusive devotion and has limits to his tolerance. A true minister does not conform to meet man’s requirements but follows the Bible and teaches only the truth of the Bible.
    Jesus said love would be the identifying mark.

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  13. When religion becomes a tradition passed on by ancestors, its preacher becomes a businessman and people scared followers due to fear of facing a loss if they don’t abide by. Religion is lost somewhere in between them.

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  14. He’s the CEO of Catholic Inc. and Catholic Bank Inc. It is perhaps fitting that he rides in a Mercedes and is lauded by his sheeple while canonizing those who prolonged pain in the poor. It annoys me more that he directly affected me when Philly had to be shut down for a couple of days, including the university my daughter attends, simply because he popped over here to proselytize his hypocrisy to a mindless mass..

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