Seems like a fair and reasonable topic for discussion, to me.

Is the Pope and/or Catholic Church above "our" right to question them?

Best,

Kurt

Nice kicks

http://ant.sillydog.org/blog/pic/pop...ct%20prada.jpg

Angels wanna wear my red shoes?

Best,

Kurt

Nice! I'm going to assume they're not Pradas.

Never ass-u-me! :D

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/22/AR2005122201914.html

Best,

Kurt

I understand the atheists sitting in judgement, but I though that believers were supposed to leave that to the guy upstairs...

This actually is an interesting subject if you want to engage it rather than just make fun of the garb. Referring to it as performance is pretty close to accurate - high mass is certainly performance art of the highest (pun intended) order. There is a lot of symbolism involved that seems ridiculous to an outsider. You can say this about any organized religion, or even any organized group with rituals.

As to why the ostentatious gear and mindblowing cathedrals...well, another complicated topic. To be sure there is hubris and ego abouding. But there also is a genuine sense of people creating in service to and in honor of the Grace of God. All of the trappings are meant to be pointers to God. The saints, the chapels, the ritual...not end states but roadsigns pointing towards the "Ultimate Glory." How better to celebrate that than with amazing works of art? They are meant to inspire others.

I'm not saying I agree with all this (and I'm no longer a practicing Catholic), but the thing to consider is that we're talking about humans and religion. And history. Fashion mistakes are going to be made. But I doubt that Jesus would care one whit about the hat or the shoes, but rather what is in the heart. There is no "right" attire...it is the attitude and sentiment behind it. Every religion has an aesthetic that has evolved over time. And all of them have created great buildings and works. It is part of the desire to have a legacy so that there can be some continuity. A society invariably is often remembered only for its works of art (broadly construed). That is what survives. And throughout history much of the art has been fueled by religion. Isn't right or wrong...just is.

Todd, you make good points and I hear what you are saying, but Benedict is getting a reputation for being a "fashion Pope" above and beyond the traditional garb.

I think it's cool.

Best,

Kurt

Did Jesus tell his apostles to go barefoot and without a staff?

He told them to go barefoot, without a staff.

Matthew 10:10
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purse, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves.

Luke 9:3
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.


or He told them to wear sandals and carry a staff.
Mark 6:8-9
And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals.

but I bet the pope has a lot of shoes and coats
but you think he has sandals??

Sandals are so B.C.

I didn't say ANYTHING about how you dress. You're the one who decided to post a thread judging how someone dresses. You're the one who said you didn't intend to offend any Catholics.

The thread then goes on to make fun of the Pope; who whether you like it, understand it, or agree with it is the spiritual leader of millons of Catholics worldwide.

Having an opinion is one thing, disagreeing, objecting, fine. Casting him as some sort of joke is offensive to some people.

Kind of like publishing pictures of Mohamed. You just never know what's going to offend religious people. And heaven forbid (pun intended) somebody's feelings get hurt because their particular mythology is questioned. :rolleyes:

LMAO

I'm still protesting. I guess that's one reason why I celebrate Guy Fawkes day.

Nice post Todd, perfectly stated. The clothes don't make the man. Those who focus on the outfit just don't get it.

When somebody starts a sentence with "no offense" they're going to offend someone. When somebody starts a sentence with "bless her heart" they're going to offend someone. When somebody starts a sentence with "I'm not trying to offend any Catholics"..........well, you figure out the rest. It doesn't bother me, but let's at least be honest here.

Not that anyone cares, but in my varied experiences with religion, I've found the Catholic church to come the closest to the "humble servant of God". Others I've been to tend to be far more self-serving and material. My wife was the accountant at a Methodist church, they had 3 pastors for their 3 masses per weekend. The lowest made $60k, the highest made six figures, with the church providing a $300k house and nice SUV. My uncle's church's pastor drives a new Boxster. They also agressively urge their members to tithe 15% of their income, ostracize members that do not, and preach that their members will be blessed with material riches if they give to the church.:rolleyes: I've only been a Catholic for 3 years, and been to a LOT of different churches prior.

Some of you guys are so touchy.

It's not the clothes, it's the sotierology, transubstantiation, middle intercessors, immaculate conception, assumption of Mary, perpetual virginity, modern miracles for sainthood, synergism, and relics.

Babbling the mystical mumbo jumbo again, Doug? I thought this was about clothing. :confused:

Middle intercessors?

I think I had those pulled when I was in high school. I did get to eat a lot of ice cream. :)

Best,

Kurt

There is nothing wrong or innapropriate about discussing whether or not a pope dressing in lavish clothes and ornamentation is consistent with the teachings of Jesus.

making fun of the pope or his religion or ridiculing them just because you do not agree with or like the catholic church is childish, offensive and serves no purpose except to give athiests a small shred of comfort against their own insecurity.
I have very little respect for people who have to act that way.
I do not agree with many of the things the catholic church teaches, but as least I'm mature enough to be respectful of those who do.

The Mother of Harlots
 

Amen to that! They are going to pay a big price for their transgressions.Of course this is clear in the Bible, but they don't bother reading that!:eek: BTW, nothing against Catholic people at all, they just need to read God's word and quit relying on the priests to tell them what it says!