Pope Francis says it's the devil who divides Protestants and Catholics

[trotsky]

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.francis.says.its.the.who.divides.protestants.and.catholics/54765.htm

"Division is the work of the Father of Lies, the Father of Discord, who does everything possible to keep us divided," he said in a video message a 'Celebration of Christian Unity' event organised by the John 17 Movement in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. The movement is named after the biblical passage in which Jesus prays for his disciples "that they may be one as we are one".

The Pope said: "I feel like saying something that may sound controversial or even heretical, perhaps. But there is someone who 'knows' that, despite our differences, we are one...

"He knows that Christians are disciples of Christ, that they are one, that they are brothers! He doesn't care if they are Evangelicals or Orthodox, Lutherans, Catholics or Apostolic... he doesn't care! They are Christians."

He also said that the devil is responsible for the persecution of Christians around the world. "It is he who is persecuting Christians today, who is anointing us with (the blood of) martyrdom."

This is strange to me, since on this very board some insist that the vast majority of believers don't believe in things like a literal Satan. Yet here is the leader of the largest Christian church on the planet reinforcing the notion that Satan really exists. He also says Satan is behind the marriage equality - oh the horror!

[hrmjustin]

1. I never said i do not believe in the devil.

I said i don't believe in hell.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Pope claims the devil is behind the political push to legalize SSM.

Do you consider him a reliable authority on the activities of the devil?

[hrmjustin]

12. I don't look to the pope or any clergy for moral guidance.

You get disappointed too much.

[AtheistCrusader]

13. That isn't exactly what I asked.

At least, I don't view the two as the same thing. (Moral guidance versus knowledge of the activities of the devil)

You believe the devil is real, or might be real, yes?
Does the pope have, in your view, any authority to reveal or claim knowledge about what is on the Devils calendar/agenda that week?

(I suspect the answer is 'no' since you are not catholic, just clarifying)

[hrmjustin]

14. The pope has an opinion but i don't think God gives him or any other clergy special knowledge

on spiritual issues.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. Thanks. And that is consistent with Episcopalian faith, to my understanding

Was just verifying.

[hrmjustin]

17. my pleasure.

[skepticscott]

2. And according to immutable Catholic teaching

The Holy Roman Church is the one and only true Church, and the ONLY path to true salvation (whatever the fuck that actually is). Period. So the wonderpope's whole diatribe here is basically bullshit that he doesn't even believe.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. No, he believes it.

In his view, Satan made all of the rest of the Christians branch off from Catholicism. So they could all be reunited, and not divided... if they all returned to being Catholics.

[skepticscott]

5. What he doesn't believe is this

He knows that Christians are disciples of Christ, that they are one, that they are brothers! He doesn't care if they are Evangelicals or Orthodox, Lutherans, Catholics or Apostolic... he doesn't care! They are Christians."

It is in direct contradiction of Catholic teaching, which states that the RCC is the only True Church and the only way to get to heaven. The pope absolutely beleives that God cares what faith you practice, as opposed to what he says here. But yes, he'd be happy if they were all reunited...under the absolute control of his One True Church.

[rug]

7. You sound like Fr. Feeney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Feeney

Here's the actual doctrine:

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2013/06/03/pope-francis-is-under-attack-for-saying-that-outside-the-church-there-is-no-salvation-its-a-poke-in-the-eye-says-one-presbyterian-why-hes-wrong/

You're welcome.

[AtheistCrusader]

15. You just linked material that says what he said.

The only difference is, it exempts people unaware of the message of Christ, and of the claims of the RCC.

For people who are aware, that claim up thread is explicitly true.

[rug]

18. Lol, no, not hardly.

Did you read Feeney's position? That's scottie's.

[AtheistCrusader]

19. You should read your second link.

[rug]

20. I did. Thoroughly.

That's why I posted it.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. Um. Ok.

[Warren Stupidity]

25. never wrong is never wrong

haven't you learned by now?

[Lordquinton]

23. so the catholics are all falling over themselves to say it's not insulting

Where the non catholics are saying it is.

Think I know which side has more credibility here (hint:the side that isn't running a global pedophile ring)

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. It's all metaphor.

Except when it's not.

They want it both ways.

[rurallib]

6. "the Father of Lies, the Father of Discord"

sounds like Cheney to me.

Maybe the Pope could have Cheney in for a talk, but Cheney may get arrested at the airport.

[trotsky]

10. The RCC lies. It sows discord.

It teaches that homosexuality is "intrinsically disordered." Food for thought!

[Warren Stupidity]

8. I like the mythology of an active devil and a hands off deity.

[trotsky]

9. As an interesting spin on that, consider what the devil, were it real, would probably do.

Try and convince people that someone ELSE is the devil, perhaps? Things that make you go "Hmmm..."

[safeinOhio]

22. I really don't think any gods exist

That includes Devils, Angels, my dead relatives, saints or any other unseen powers. But I have no problem with anyone else doing so.

[trotsky]

24. If those others weren't so intent on forcing their religion's rules on the rest of us...

I'd be cool with it too.

But they are. So I'm not.

[xfundy]

26. Precisely.

Loud "christians" are doing the most to destroy xianity in America. I can do nothing to shut them up, nor would I desire to do so.

[bvf]

27. Give 'em enough rope... n/t.

[mr blur]

28. Blank Frank - marching boldly into the Twelfth Century!

What a hero.
What a clown.