Does the world need a pope?

[short-Timer]

Do we actually need a pope in today’s world? With so many urgent global issues like poverty, wars, disease, natural

disasters, and climate change, it seems strange to focus so much attention on spiritual hierarchy. Maybe it’s time to ask whether all that energy and influence could be better spent on solving problems that affect the whole planet. Plus, centralizing spiritual authority in one person opens the door to corruption, power struggles, and a lack of accountability. The whole thing seems like such a waste of time and energy, maybe more people should start living in the real world.

[KhunLA]

NO ... or any organized religious tax free multi billion dollars business.

[blaze master]

No. 

[save the frogs]

I am not aware of anything they have accomplished ... I'll try googling it

 

 

[save the frogs]

John Paul II influenced the collapse of communism in Poland ?

My history is rusty ... maybe we shouldn't be too judgmental of these guys. 

 

 

[blaze master]

Just now, save the frogs said:

John Paul II influenced the collapse of communism in Poland ?

My history is rusty ... maybe we shouldn't be too judgmental of these guys. 

 

 

 

My history is rusty too. But if I remember correctly he was also influential in the relocation of priests after they were caught molesting boys. 

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

My history is rusty too. But if I remember correctly he was also influential in the relocation of priests after they were caught molesting boys. 

 

Yeah. well nobody's perfect ?

 

[dinsdale]

Does the world need religion? IMHO religion is the biggest crime ever against humanity. Covid-19 comes in second.

[blaze master]

Just now, save the frogs said:

 

Yeah. well nobody's perfect ?

 

 

Really? So covering up dozens if not hundreds of cases where children were sexually abused. ....well he did other things too you know. 

 

Unreal.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Really? So covering up dozens if not hundreds of cases where children were sexually abused. ....well he did other things too you know. 

 

Unreal.

 

Happened here too with a buddhist monk. Was on AN.

 

A lot of teachers, including female teachers, in the US are sexually abusing students. 

 

Don't trust your kids with any adults ... 

 

[blaze master]

Just now, save the frogs said:

 

Happened here too with a buddhist monk. Was on AN.

 

A lot of teachers, including female teachers, in the US are sexually abusing students. 

 

Don't trust your kids with any adults ... 

 

 

Good points. I don't have kids so I'm safe. 

[FolkGuitar]

If they want a Pope, let 'em have a Pope. People need a leader, regardless of how well or poorly he leads.

Religion =  "My imaginary friend is more powerful than your imaginary friend."

[Harrisfan]

Dont need politicians either. Use AI

[Yagoda]

No idea, Im not Catholic

[TorquayFan]

Good luck to Pope Leo but what a lot of hoo-hah ! Of course, its better that the Roman Catholic Church has a leader that is a decent chappie, but what a massive drama is always made of this occasion. Whether Leo can make any difference at all to anything at all, remains to be seen.

 

Listening to Sky News - they just described him as 'one of the most powerful People in the World' - dream on !!!!

 

I'm not a Catholic but I regard the RC Church with ongoing horror after exposures of the historic institutionalised child abuse detailed so clearly in the film 'Spotlight' years ago.

 

Pope Leo will almost certainly disappear into irrelevance now, until he makes a Papal visit somewhere, giving the excuse for more media drama. Yawn.

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Only Roman Catholics 'need' a pope.  Why would the rest of the non-Catholic world?

[HappyExpat57]

[KannikaP]

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I am not aware of anything they have accomplished ... I'll try googling it

 

 

Ask Henry VIII.

[rwill]

Every business has someone in charge.

[bkk6060]

Does the UK need a monarchy?

[wombat]

the world needs a pope like a fish needs a bicycle 

[wombat]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Does the world need religion? IMHO religion is the biggest crime ever against humanity. Covid-19 comes in second.

 

[bunnydrops]

My first thought was that we don't need people deciding on what others need. But that is the whole point of politics.

[brewsterbudgen]

21 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Does the UK need a monarchy?

No, but why is that relevant to this thread?

[jayboy]

3 hours ago, short-Timer said:

Do we actually need a pope in today’s world? With so many urgent global issues like poverty, wars, disease, natural

disasters, and climate change, it seems strange to focus so much attention on spiritual hierarchy. Maybe it’s time to ask whether all that energy and influence could be better spent on solving problems that affect the whole planet. Plus, centralizing spiritual authority in one person opens the door to corruption, power struggles, and a lack of accountability. The whole thing seems like such a waste of time and energy, maybe more people should start living in the real world.

 

A spectacularly muddled and I would argue a rather stupid question.The Pope certainly provides leadership but it's not about spiritual hierarchy. In any case the Papacy at its best does face up to the global issues you refer to.I don't see moral leadership coming from any other quarter.I speak as an agnostic with no  ties to Catholicism.

[nauseus]

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 

They should be allowed to celebrate a bit. But would Bob still have been proclaimed Pope it if he'd burnt the burgers?

[Quentin Zen]

As a member of the Vatican and SVP of getting cash, there are millions of people in the country that surrounds us that needs to give us money.  a pope helps us get that money.   a  lot.   think of the Bulls....did they really need MJ?  yes, yes they did.  sold more jerseys as well.

 

please, no PM's for the FREE Heaven pass, but I do accept Bitcoin

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, short-Timer said:

...Plus, centralizing spiritual authority in one person opens the door to corruption, power struggles, and a lack of accountability. The whole thing seems like such a waste of time and energy, maybe more people should start living in the real world.

 

A question that's being asked more and more lately........

 

 

[Negita43]

5 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I am not aware of anything they have accomplished ... I'll try googling

Not necessarily "the Pope" but the man made institution they head - self enrichment

[fredwiggy]

5 hours ago, short-Timer said:

Do we actually need a pope in today’s world? With so many urgent global issues like poverty, wars, disease, natural

disasters, and climate change, it seems strange to focus so much attention on spiritual hierarchy. Maybe it’s time to ask whether all that energy and influence could be better spent on solving problems that affect the whole planet. Plus, centralizing spiritual authority in one person opens the door to corruption, power struggles, and a lack of accountability. The whole thing seems like such a waste of time and energy, maybe more people should start living in the real world.

To the believers, this real world will end and we are looking forward to a better place afterwards. This is one reason we need a spiritual leader. Without as many believers in God, can you imagine how the world would be, everyone thinking they could do whatever they want with no consequences besides those we get here?