It doesn't matter a damn bit to me. He spoke out against poverty? So what? What did he do about it?

You've filled this house with things of gold
While handing crumbs to the old and poor
And then you preach about being pure
And wonder why we're laughing. - Steppenwolf

All the popes have had a good racket going. "Infallible". What a crock. Who said, the first pope?

If there was one theme throughout all he did, it would be his undying belief in the dignity of every human.  In that, all his decisions flowed.

I am a catholic (sorry you smirked, but I can actually understand that), and I do disagree with many of his decisions.  But I do not question his intent on any of those decisions.

And icon, why dont you go kick a little puppy because he yipped at you!  Your ignorance on the subject is evident by every word you wrote.

"Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

I honestly think that Iconoclast (TM or not), should see a psychiatrist!

And icon, why dont you go kick a little puppy because he yipped at you! Your ignorance on the subject is evident by every word you wrote.

I honestly think that Iconoclast (TM or not), should see a psychiatrist!

Can't you people stick to the subject? Is insulting someone with an opinion you disagree with all you can do? Do you remember writing this, dr. guy? "I dont follow the troll around. I let it die where it started."

Get a grip.

"Your opinion of me weighs less than sunlight."

I think the death of any Great man or Woman lessens us as people.

He was accessible to many regardless of faith, and truly tried to leave the world a better place than when he found it. And that is all we can ask of anyone.

Very well said. As good an epitath as any...

Wow. When I was anti-Christian, I would have definitely responded just as Iconoclast did. In fact, what he's saying is similar to what I said of Mother Theresa (I feel so embarrassed for being such a bitter person back then, but that's the past).
I realized something though. Pope John Paul II has done more for the world than Iconoclast or I will ever do for it, and even though I'm not Catholic and disagree with Catholicism, I do acknowledge that Pope John Paul II is a great man and that he did much good in the world. The next pope has big shoes to fill.

Whilst I can't say I ever agreed really with the social and ethical direction he tried to take the church, I consider his efforts politically to be of enormous significance. He was the first pope to publically acknowledge the damage the Catholic Church has done throughout the world; has his health been better he may have been the first pope to tour the Muslim Middle East in the same way he toured the Orthodox areas.

So although the last few years have largely been simply passing the time, his loss is a blow to the Church. Hopefully though the next pope will continue his political campaigns and rethink some of his more outlandish social views (eg banning contraception? What's with that? I can't think of any other Catholic I know who pays any attention to that.)

Can't you people stick to the subject? Is insulting someone with an opinion you disagree with all you can do? Do you remember writing this, dr. guy? "I dont follow the troll around. I let it die where it started."

I dont remember following you around.  Just telling you that you dont know WTF you are talking about.  And that you disparaging a man who just died is akin to kicking a puppy.

Here is something for your education, altho with your bigotry I doubt you will learn it.

The Pope is only infallible when he speaks Ex-Cathedra.  In the entire history of the Church, Popes have only done that 3 times, the last time in the 16th century and then on the subject of the Imacculate Conception.

I know that contains a lot of big words for you, so you are excused if you dont understand them.

eg banning contraception? What's with that? I can't think of any other Catholic I know who pays any attention to that.)

Cacto,

I would respond here, but that would be off topic.  But thanks for a good blog topic. Check it out later today.

what are you talking about

what are you talking about

The Pope is only infallible when he speaks Ex-Cathedra

What does this mean Dr.Guy and when they did it what did they say?

preacherman