Pope Francis issues top 10 tips for happiness – including don’t try to convert other people

[Brettongarcia]

95. Rug? 1) This is the "RELIGION SECTION" of DU. 2) The OP topic is the POPE.

Last edited Sun Aug 3, 2014, 04:09 AM - Edit history (1)

3) The topic is the Pope, in effect confessing past sins in the Catholic Church. Telling Catholics not to try to convert people any more.

Talking about religion and the pope therefore, even in a critical way, seems appropriate here, particularly.

Then too, religion was once often named in polls as the most important influence in people's live, in general. So it is an important topic to hit. One that furthermore, is almost always neglected in public schools; because of its controversial nature. Religion is not covered well in religious settings either; there it is presented far too partially, by advocates. So in effect, the larger and more accurate view of the subject of Religion is therefore almost impossible to find in American public life. Multiplying the need for commentary on Religion in forums like this one.

Normally by the way, I do not focus exclusively on criticizing any particular belief; but more on religion in general. Of course though, if there are problems with religion in general, there will also be problems with particular religions, individually. Some of the excesses of individual religions moreover, are well known. So we need to add known criticisms of individual faiths, into the present mix; to get the final, overall picture of religion in general.

Much of the rhetoric directed at specific religions - by rival religions, note - is excessive to be sure. As I noted with The Native American Party, I do not fully approve of its actions and rhetoric. However, if we are going to look at the Pope, it's worth noting that Protestant tradition has a vast array of negative comments to bring to bear. Some of which might after all, be sustained. (Or if you don't like what the Protestant church said? Then after all you yourself are finding errors in part of religion: in Protestants).

As for my "obsession" with religion? Is that Rug speaking? How many posts do you have in the Religion section?

Your use of the term "obsession" however is fortunate; Pope Francis recently used the term himself. To refer to the "obsession" among Catholics with opposing abortion; with opposing birth control. Here for once, a Pope did something right. With luck, we may see the Pope start to correct this earlier Vatican II over-focus on preventing contraception. The current special session and "debate" called by the pope for later this year, 2014, might (or might not) help correct the Church on this crucial issue.

Already in fact, the Pope himself has suggested, as one of his very first words, that Catholics should now turn away from emphasizing the "obsession" on abortion. Pope Francis suggesting that we turn to "other issues"; like helping the poor. So ironically, and fortunately, the Pope himself seems to agree, surprisingly, with parts of what I have said here. In fact, the Pope's call here for Catholics to cease their more aggressive efforts to "convert" (read: criticize, control, kill) other religions, was motivated in part by awareness of the very abuses I am trying to raise here. (Trying to raise here, even in the face of extreme levels of verbal abuse from kind and loving DU religion defenders.)

In fact, all I'm really doing here, in a sense, is just adding the background information to what the Pope is saying.

But in any case of course, the huge dangers of overpopulation specifically, its Malthusian consequences, have long been known to the educated elite. But I'm showing that the solution urgently requires general action, now. So now it is timely to bring what has long been known to scholars, to the unwashed and rude public; in forums like this one.

Today, everyone needs to be aware of the link between 1) religion, and overpopulation. Then, between 2) overpopulation, and excessive consumption of fossil and other fuels. And 3) their causal relation finally, to Global Warming.

When it comes to creating pollution, population is the key - and most controllable - multiplying factor. And right in the middle of that, is the Roman Catholic Church. Particularly, today.