GOP Tells Pope Francis To Stay Out Of Climate Change Debate

[Tennesseer]

Angry US republicans tell Pope Francis to ‘stick with his job and we’ll stick with ours’

Leading figures on the American right are launching a series of pre-emptive attacks on the pope before this week’s encyclical, hoping to prevent a mass conversion of the climate change deniers who have powered the corps of the conservative movement for more than a decade.

The prospect that the pope, from his perch at the pinnacle of the Catholic church, will exhort humanity to act on climate change as a moral imperative is a direct threat to a core belief of US conservatives. And conservatives – anxious to hang on to their flock – are lashing out.

“The pope ought to stay with his job, and we’ll stay with ours,” James Inhofe, the granddaddy of climate change deniers in the US Congress and chairman of the Senate environment and public works committee, said last week, after picking up an award at a climate sceptics’ conference.

Rick Santorum, a devout Catholic and a long-shot contender for the Republican nomination, told a Philadelphia radio station: “The church has gotten it wrong a few times on science, and I think we probably are better off leaving science to the scientists and focusing on what we’re good at, which is theology and morality.”

A majority of Republicans in Congress deny the existence of climate change and oppose regulations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Among the ultra-conservative Tea Party set, climate change scepticism reaches epidemic proportions, about 80% of those on the far right, according to the Pew research centre. Only one of the nearly 20 Republicans running for president will acknowledge the danger of climate change, another long-shot contender, Lindsey Graham.

Full article here:

Angry US republicans tell Pope Francis to ‘stick with his job and we’ll stick with ours’

Laughable GOP position. When the GOP stops infusing their public political beliefs and their proposed and passed legislation is backed by God and the Bible, only then will they have the moral authority to tell the Pope to stay away of political issues. Until then, the Pope is free to express his opinions.

[deziloooooo]

and you wonder why the party has such a hard time at times  in the States...{ I know, both the houses and many of the States have swung that way recently...but until they win the big bananna I'll stay with my thoughts on the matter..}

[zibazinski]

I think the pope is entitled to his opinion. Everyone is. Hopefully he isn't holding himself out as an expert as even even experts can be wrong. I don't believe in it but that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. A bunch of lying politicians are no more to be believed as experts than a religious leader.

[Deleted]

The pope, who actually does have a Master's in Chemistry and thus isn't unfamiliar with science processes, is much like a president in that he is surrounded by experts that help to inform his 'opinions'.

His aim is to give moral authority to the issue.

I think the GOP is screwed  

[zibazinski]

Moral authority? Okay, now that's a good one. Do I think he's trying to fix some problems? I'll give him that but when he walks a good walk instead of just talking it, I'll give him more credence. He needs to stick to religion and clean up his own house first.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2015 14:23:41 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Moral authority? Okay, now that's a good one. Do I think he's trying to fix some problems? I'll give him that but when he walks a good walk instead of just talking it, I'll give him more credence. He needs to stick to religion and clean up his own house first.

I believe he is trying to do that though to be honest..and not knowing all the politics of the Catholic Church..and don't think for a minute that there are not political pressured here , even on the Supreme head of the Church itself...I have a  hard time understanding why he can't come  down harder on those who have transgressed...abused kids in their care actually..priests..and as difficult to understand..their  superiors..the Bishops and  even Cardinals..no excuse to hold back  on harsh actions on all guilty  parties..especially if for no other reason the hugh financial costs  that have cost the Church in settlements of the abuses....

With that being said, to also speak out on other concerns..say Global warming for one ...one can do more then one thing at a time..and that the GOP seems to have a mind set stuck in the ground as far as this topic is concerned...just can't understand their reasoning..Is it all economics based?..Time and money spent trying to aleviat,  if not solve this problem , takes away profits from every day current business..as far as fall out for inaction..that doesn't concern the current generation..it's down the road ..we won't be around...a problem for the Grand Kids and damn the Grandkids...Is this their reasoning...? Anyone..?

[zibazinski]

I suppose even the almighty pope has to work within "the system" but it's very hypocritical to comment on another's house when your own needs cleaning.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2015 14:34:58 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I suppose even the almighty pope has to work within "the system" but it's very hypocritical to comment on another's house when your own needs cleaning.

I hear you Zib but tried to answer  you above...one can do more then one thing at a time...work on more then one issue at a time...

[zibazinski]

Yes, I understand what you're saying. But I understand even though it could have just been ignored which is what I would have done, that some people think he should stay out of it. Responding to him makes them look more ridiculous than him. I'd have laughed and thought "consider the source" when you lower yourself, you look foolish as well. As my Daddy liked to say, "Only a fool argues with another one."

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2015 14:23:41 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Moral authority? Okay, now that's a good one. Do I think he's trying to fix some problems? I'll give him that but when he walks a good walk instead of just talking it, I'll give him more credence. He needs to stick to religion and clean up his own house first.

Actually I think this guy is the best I've seen in my lifetime for walking the walk...

[zibazinski]

True I suppose but that's not saying much . Every pope was supposed to be so much better than the last. Time will tell if this is just another song and dance.

[djAdvocate]

begging the pardon of the GOP, but what is the pope's job?

[zibazinski]

Spiritual leader of millions of Catholics, I was always told.

[djAdvocate]

Jun 13, 2015 18:58:25 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Spiritual leader of millions of Catholics, I was always told.

i am sure that Catholics can pray fine on their own.

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2015 15:10:26 GMT -5 oped said:

Jun 13, 2015 14:23:41 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Moral authority? Okay, now that's a good one. Do I think he's trying to fix some problems? I'll give him that but when he walks a good walk instead of just talking it, I'll give him more credence. He needs to stick to religion and clean up his own house first.

Actually I think this guy is the best I've seen in my lifetime for walking the walk...

Not being a Catholic but for those who can remember..John XXlll was one of my favorites...did a lot  in a short time...got the church to start on some reforms by calling for a  conclave I believe..made the first overture to those of other religions..especially the Jews if I remember correctly...up to his time, little had been done in that way..made a Saint by pope John Paul ...


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XXIII


In 1965, the Catholic Herald newspaper quoted Pope John XXIII as saying:

"We are conscious today that many, many centuries of blindness have cloaked our eyes so that we can no longer see the beauty of Thy chosen people nor recognise in their faces the features of our privileged brethren. We realize that the mark of Cain stands upon our foreheads. Across the centuries our brother Abel has lain in blood which we drew, or shed tears we caused by forgetting Thy love. Forgive us for the curse we falsely attached to their name as Jews. Forgive us for crucifying Thee a second time in their flesh. For we know not what we did.[37][38]"

[Deleted]

He was before my time dez  

[zibazinski]

Jun 13, 2015 19:51:09 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 13, 2015 18:58:25 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Spiritual leader of millions of Catholics, I was always told.

i am sure that Catholics can pray fine on their own.

I'm sure they can, too, but seem to want/need a pope

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2015 20:41:00 GMT -5 oped said:

He was before my time dez  

Understand Oped..time seems to move too quickly...but John XXlll was some one special...remember I am not a Catholic or a Christian yet took great interest in this little rolly polly man during his short reign..five years or so as Pope and felt very sad  when he passed...If you have a few minutes suggest skim the wicki I put up about him....it's a  quick read...someone even though before your time it is good to know about...his doings still a influence today..in fact was a great influence of  Pope  John Paul who was in office for so long and just recently passed...

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2015 20:42:08 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Jun 13, 2015 19:51:09 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

i am sure that Catholics can pray fine on their own.

I'm sure they can, too, but seem to want/need a pope

From what  I understand with out a Pope there  is a great void and emptyness...must be filled...Believe with out they are not spiritually   complete ...best explained by a Catholic .....

[zibazinski]

Yup. I wasn't indoctrinated that way but another so I just don't understand it. But then again, I don't have to. If it makes catholic happy it certainly doesn't hurt me.

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2015 9:22:10 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Angry US republicans tell Pope Francis to ‘stick with his job and we’ll stick with ours’

Leading figures on the American right are launching a series of pre-emptive attacks on the pope before this week’s encyclical, hoping to prevent a mass conversion of the climate change deniers who have powered the corps of the conservative movement for more than a decade.

The prospect that the pope, from his perch at the pinnacle of the Catholic church, will exhort humanity to act on climate change as a moral imperative is a direct threat to a core belief of US conservatives. And conservatives – anxious to hang on to their flock – are lashing out.

“The pope ought to stay with his job, and we’ll stay with ours,” James Inhofe, the granddaddy of climate change deniers in the US Congress and chairman of the Senate environment and public works committee, said last week, after picking up an award at a climate sceptics’ conference.

Rick Santorum, a devout Catholic and a long-shot contender for the Republican nomination, told a Philadelphia radio station: “The church has gotten it wrong a few times on science, and I think we probably are better off leaving science to the scientists and focusing on what we’re good at, which is theology and morality.”

A majority of Republicans in Congress deny the existence of climate change and oppose regulations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Among the ultra-conservative Tea Party set, climate change scepticism reaches epidemic proportions, about 80% of those on the far right, according to the Pew research centre. Only one of the nearly 20 Republicans running for president will acknowledge the danger of climate change, another long-shot contender, Lindsey Graham.

Full article here:

Angry US republicans tell Pope Francis to ‘stick with his job and we’ll stick with ours’

Laughable GOP position. When the GOP stops infusing their public political beliefs and their proposed and passed legislation is backed by God and the Bible, only then will they have the moral authority to tell the Pope to stay away of political issues. Until then, the Pope is free to express his opinions.

The GOP applies law making efforts along the lines of their faith based religions.  All the global warming alarmists' try to pass laws or enable regulation along the lines of their faith in unproven theories.  Doesn't seem any different to me.  Round and round the clash of faith goes on.  All bullshit aside, I'm still waiting for a global warming alarmist to show me one epoch when the climate didn't continually change. I see the climate denier term applied "liberally" around here, but yet to see one post from a person who believes the climate doesn't vary.    

[happyhoix]

I guess I don't understand why the GOP is bothering to speak out against the pope? I would think that would do nothing but possibly alienate some potential voters, and frankly, American Catholics don't seem to completely toe the line when it comes to compliance with Papal edicts.

I think I saw a statistic that at least 90% of American Catholics practice birth control, which I think is still against Catholic teachings. So I don't think American Catholics are going to rush out to vote for candidates who believe global climate change is happening just because the Pope says we need to fight global warming. I doubt the Pope will influence a single Catholic to change his mind about that particular issue.

Besides, who is a good Catholic supposed to vote for, the politician who is convinced global climate change is happening and we need to take drastic measures against it, or the politician who says abortion is wrong and we need to take drastic measures against it? Because I think it will be hard to find a politician who advocates BOTH of those positions.

[The Captain]

Jun 13, 2015 20:57:43 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Jun 13, 2015 20:42:08 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I'm sure they can, too, but seem to want/need a pope

From what  I understand with out a Pope there  is a great void and emptyness...must be filled...Believe with out they are not spiritually   complete ...best explained by a Catholic .....

My spirituality does quite fine without a Pope, thank you very much.

The original Pope(s) were tasked by Jesus to be shepards of, and lead the church.  In rare instances they are supposed to be the final word on interpreting the teachings of God and doctrine (and I think this is only when spoken from the throne of St. Peter - where Papal infallibility comes from).

As a cradle Catholic I've never hard of not being complete without a Pope, but that doesn't mean it's not taught somewhere.

In reality (and I'm damned to hell so many ways so, whatever) the Pope spends more time trying to protect the church from the political climate than truly leading the flock.  The whole necessary evil thing I guess.  Centuries of political maneuvering even into the 20th century demonstrates this.

It's interesting you bring up Pope John XXIII - I wrote a very lengthy paper on him in HS. He was EXTREMELY controversial for the times - I mean imagine switching the mass to a language the congregation would actually be able to understand instead of being subject to the mysticism and control of the priesthood!!!

I am convinced (as are many others) that he was assassinated because some of the additional changes he wanted to make were unacceptable to the status quo. There are some who believe he would have had women ordained and made birth control acceptable and may even have considered allowing priests to marry.

Wish I still had that paper and research notes. 

And for anyone out there who thinks that catholic teachers don't encourage independent thought - I got an A from a Sister of Charity.   

[steff]

The GOP attacking a religious figure.  does anyone else smell the irony? 

[Wisconsin Beth]

On Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush—a self-proclaimed devout Catholic—delivered some harsh words to an unexpected ideological opponent: the pope. In response to Pope Francis’ forthcoming encyclical on climate change, which frames environmentalism as a Catholic issue, Bush declared that:

I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope. … I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting in the political realm.

Intriguingly, Bush hasn’t actually read the encyclical—but because it may contradict his own views, he feels entitled to dismiss it out of hand. As the American Conservative’s brilliant and irascible Rod Dreher points out, the statement reveals Bush to be a “cafeteria Catholic,” one who refuses to take the church’s view seriously “if it conflicts with what he already believes”:

Jeb Bush, as a Catholic, is not free to discard the social teaching of the Catholic Church … because it doesn’t suit his personal beliefs. Note well that Bush doesn’t even know what Francis is going to say in the encyclical, but rejects out of hand that the Church has anything binding to say to him about economics. …

www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/17/jeb_bush_rejects_the_pope_s_climate_change_teachings_why_not_marriage_equality.html

[ArchietheDragon]

Jun 13, 2015 18:17:17 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

begging the pardon of the GOP, but what is the pope's job?

Leader of the wealthiest organization in the world. 

[swamp]

Jun 19, 2015 13:52:09 GMT -5 steff said:

The GOP attacking a religious figure.  does anyone else smell the irony? 

No, because them rosary rattlers aren't real Christians!

[swamp]

Jun 19, 2015 13:54:07 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

On Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush—a self-proclaimed devout Catholic—delivered some harsh words to an unexpected ideological opponent: the pope. In response to Pope Francis’ forthcoming encyclical on climate change, which frames environmentalism as a Catholic issue, Bush declared that:

I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope. … I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting in the political realm.

Intriguingly, Bush hasn’t actually read the encyclical—but because it may contradict his own views, he feels entitled to dismiss it out of hand. As the American Conservative’s brilliant and irascible Rod Dreher points out, the statement reveals Bush to be a “cafeteria Catholic,” one who refuses to take the church’s view seriously “if it conflicts with what he already believes”:

Jeb Bush, as a Catholic, is not free to discard the social teaching of the Catholic Church … because it doesn’t suit his personal beliefs. Note well that Bush doesn’t even know what Francis is going to say in the encyclical, but rejects out of hand that the Church has anything binding to say to him about economics. …

www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/06/17/jeb_bush_rejects_the_pope_s_climate_change_teachings_why_not_marriage_equality.html

So that whole "feed the poor" thing in religion is a bunch of crap?

[steff]

Jun 19, 2015 14:04:28 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jun 19, 2015 13:52:09 GMT -5 steff said:

The GOP attacking a religious figure.  does anyone else smell the irony? 

No, because them rosary rattlers aren't real Christians!

that's right, I forgot.  Only Southern Baptists are the "real" Christians.  Silly me!

[The Captain]

Yannow, just once it would be nice, shocking even, to have a thread where the Catholic church/Christians aren't ridiculed.

Because we are all such a group of understanding, tolerable, inclusive folks - right?