Is the pope God?
By wertzburg1
@wertzburg1 (200)
United States
May 9, 2007 5:38pm CST
He sure does act like it and everyone makes him out to be pretty close. But every pope is just a man. They have sin, they make mistakes, they make bad decisions. Hey, they're just like us!!!
The pope has always been put on a pedestal right up there with God. They seem to claim to be God's right hand man. Funny, I thought that was Jesus.
There is nowhere in the bible where a pope is mentioned. "But Matthew 16:18 says Jesus built his church upon Peter, so he must be the first pope." No. Jesus is giving Peter a chance of a lifetime here. He is giving him the oppurtunity to start the church, and the priveledge to preach the sermon on the day of pentacost. This is a compliment, yes, but appointing him pope, no.
Also, popes are not allowed to marry. Well, guess what, Peter was married. "When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever." Matthew 8:14. If Peter was the first pope but was allowed to be married, then where does the idea of not being allowed to marry come into play? Who decided to make that a rule? The point I'm trying to make here is the catholic church is inconsistent.
Plus, the pope says abortion is wrong. The pope says gay marriage is wrong. The pope says limbo doesn't exist. Well, since the pope said it, it must be true. BUT, where did he get these ideas? From God through the bible! "Well the bible says that's wrong, but I'll wait until the pope says it just in case."
The pope has no authority and never did. He's just an old man, well several old men, who wear shiny robes and swing a sceptor around. The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me." The pope is becoming a god, if not already.
He doesn't have all the answers nor does God speak to him. I prefer to go to a more reliable source when my eternal condemnation is in play. Like God and the bible only.
4 people like this
8 responses
@Schnorrawaggle (688)
• Austria
9 May 07
to me the pope is just a geezer in a fancy dress. someone who's ideas are out of date and not not realistic at all.
I just read that the pope said that Europeans are practicing "dangerous individualism" because they choose to have few kids.
Dangerous individualism! Hello old man, the planet is already over populated. How do you expect to feed all those people? Oh or do you want Europeans to have more children so that there be more Catholics than Muslims?
We don't really need the pope anymore. There days people can read the bible themselves they don't need an old man to interpret what is written in it.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
17 May 07
The problem is that Catholics are not encouraged to read the bible. If they did they would soon start to see how many Catholic doctrines are man made and contradict the bible.
@babykay (2131)
• Ireland
10 May 07
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the light. No man cometh unto the father except through me".
In other words, there is no mediator between God and man except Jesus. Not only is the pope supposed to be man's way to God, but they also have Mary as join mediatrix with Jesus. The Catholic church just says things that suit them at that particular time - such as saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God...priests can't marry.
No, I put no faith in the pope and no weight on what he says.
1 person likes this
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
10 May 07
True, in Christian Theology the only way to heaven is through Christ. HOwever, mankind being what it is, ends up using Christ to become a tool for certain groups of people to get more power. I mean, the Popes did grow corrupt, which is why we had the Refformation in the first place.
Definately, its important to understand that the position of Pope is as political as it is religious. For those of us who are not good Catholics, its something we should bear in mind.
Having said all of that, there have been some good Popes who have done pretty good work. And the same rule about not putting weight into what the Pope says should also be applied to other so called CHristian Leaders like Falwell, Hagee and Robertson - God does not need them as money making agents.
@jessemt35 (294)
• Qatar
10 May 07
If Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life not light then why read the bible why not go directly to the source of truth, the only way and the only life? Isn't Jesus alive and in heaven so then go directly to him not to a book about him. God bless
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
11 May 07
Please substantiate your comments with facts, not quotes from a single unreliable and doctored source, such as the Bible.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
16 May 07
The pope is NOT God. He may think he is. He may be treated as though he is. He may be looked upon as God. BUT NO he is not God.
I don't know why a man is given so much power. Makes no sense. To top that off they believe he is infallible!! Only God is infallible!
The pope should go by the bible. Their wouldn't be all this changing of doctrine if he did. Their was no limbo in the bible. Limbo should not have been taught. They wouldn't have had to change it if they followed the bible.
The whole upon this rock - Peter - thing; where in ANY of that does it use the words pope or father or any of the other names given to the pope?
Ok I am going to step down off my soap box now......
@Adrenochrome (1653)
•
19 May 07
I'll be very glad to read your other items, and give them consideration, and where I feel I can benefit the discussions, pleased to give input. I welcome any open discussion, especially well informed and well written debate, like that which I seen under yoyr name already.
All the best, and look out for my responses over the nest few days, hopefully they'll be informative and interesting.
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
17 May 07
The Popemobile LOL a bullet proof contraption to protect the pope. Sheesh Jesus didn't have protection nor did Peter the supposed first pope. Jesus and his followers primarily walked where they went. Jesus worked. The disciples worked. They were not spoiled people who have everything handed to them.
It just drives me nuts!!! Jesus told his followers to give up their belongings and follow him. How is the pope in control of all that money if he took a vow of poverty. Oh wait that's right they stopped making priests take that vow - only the nuns have to do that now.
Thank you. You may want to look thru other things I have started and replied to - you may enjoy more of my posts!
@jessemt35 (294)
• Qatar
10 May 07
Hello wertsburg. First you are right when you say that the pope is just like us humans with his own mistakes and sinfulness but if you read through the verses in Matthew 16:18-19, in verses 19 Jesus said to Peter I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you unbound on earth shall be unbound in heaven." How would understand that word of Christ to Peter? It is obvious in these passage that Christ gives Peter the authority and keys in old testament times are symbols of authority. The pope my dear is not considered a God by Catholics he is just what he is a servant of the servants of God. And lastly you said that your reliable source is only God and the Bible support your position; where exactly in the Bible did it mentioned that "we must only trust God and the Bible". Please quote chapter or verses anywhere in the Bible if you found one.
1 person likes this
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
10 May 07
2 Peter 1:3 says, "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." This is saying that through the word of God, we already have everything we need so we don't need to wait on another revelation.
Also, 2 Peter 1:20,21 "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"
From all of these verses, I have concluded that I am able to trust what the bible says and will use it as my only backup. If I put my trust in man, who has flaws, then that's when things start drifting from the truth.
1 person likes this
@jessemt35 (294)
• Qatar
10 May 07
Hi werztburg! When you mention 2Peter 1:20,21 that no prophecy in the scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation it is indeed correct that's why we need an interpreter of the truth of the scripture due for the reason Peter stated therefore you are not authorized to interpret scripture at your own risk am I right? The Catholic faithful never interprets scripture to there own liking because it is obviously stated in what you have quoted. In 2 Timothy 3:16 also it did not mention that it is the bible alone that should be the source of truth it only says that it is useful for teaching, rebuking and equipping the faithful in righteousness. And in your conclusion that you only trust the bible and use it as a back-up how can you be so sure that what you are reading in the bible is inspired by God where in fact it is man who wrote them and you mentioned that you can not trust man because we as human made flaws and the Scripture is written by men therefore based on your assertion it is also flawed am I right. And lastly read 1Timothy 3:15 where it says: "If I delay, you will know how you ought to conduct yourself in household of God, which the pillar and foundation of the truth." How do you understand this passage by Paul written to Timothy. God bless.
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
10 May 07
Well then, what other source out their is equal to or better than the bible?
If you will reread 2 Peter 1:20,21 you will see that the Holy Spirit was guiding the men in writing what they wrote. And also if you reread 2 Timothy 3:16 you will notice that it says ALL Scripture is God-breathed. Therefore, it was physically written by man yes, but the words and thoughts are from God. Therefore, there is no error and that is why I put my faith in what it says.
As for that last part, I don't understand what you're getting at. Please elaborate.
@renmiciano (122)
• Philippines
10 May 07
The pope is definitely not God, more like God's representative or conduit to the human race. I do agree with you though, that some of the doctrines of the Catholic Church impose on believers in terms of faith. Popes have made mistake, but we rely heavily on their teachings. That's a bit troubling.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
25 Dec 07
The pope is not God's representative or God's spokesman on Earth. He is the head bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. I do not know what time it was, but in a certain century, the Roman Catholic Church decided that their next Pope would represent and speak for God, but the only one who could do it was Jesus and HE is the Son of God and has a right to.
Peter was not the first Pope. the Rock in Matthew 16:18 refers to that Jesus will build HIS church was that Jesus was the Son of God. Peter was the name HE save Simon to emphasize this prophecy. People do not need to wait until the Pope says anything, if God says something is wrong, it is wrong.
Do you know what it is like to not believe something until someone who looks important says it is so, well you should have believed God and read HIS word, so the Pope is not God.
@Bigshow19 (35)
• Netherlands
17 May 07
Well, as you said already they do indeed act like "god"
however, they are just another form of promoted bishops.
I personally think that the pope is an unnecssary person, especially the current one, but it is going too far with this whole damn pope bussiness.nowadays the first thing people think of in italy is the pope (its just not right).In short, i think the position of pope is bullshit and so is the church (mind you it is my OPINION). questions like this are exactly what happens when people try to think too much when its not needed.
and for those people that do have faith ( i do not, as i said earlier i think its bullshit) what good does it do to appoint a german pope (of all country s in the world) of whom they found evidence of being involved with the Hitler-jugend (kind of like a jew extermination squad except for the age limit of 16).he was in the damn hitle-jugend,why do they appoint people like that for a pope? its all beyond me.... but anyway i do hope you find your own answers for this, but try not to count on it,then it doesnt feel so crappy when you find out you cannot find the actual answer.
