Christians : What does pope mean to you?

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   pisean282311posted 13 years ago

   I have come across few post in which pope has been often criticized..If i am not wrong , isn't pope head of largest chrisitan sect? and is he not considered to be authority?

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      ladyjane1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes you are correct the Pope is the head of the "Largest sect" and that is the Catholic Church. Although he isn't revered as much by protestants as by Catholics. Catholics believe that God appointed St. Peter as a successor of Christ and the papacy was born. The word pappas (pope) comes from latin and it is the affectionate term from the Italians for him meaning father. Even though the official title of Pope was not in existence back then the Catholics today still believe that the first Pope was actually Peter of whom God considered the "rock" that his church should be built on. The Pope is actually the head of Vatican City as well which is a soveriegn in itself and ages ago they had more authority about what happened amongst its people, nowadays the Pope doesn't  have as much authority and really only concerns himself with religous matters. And you are also correct in saying that the Pope has been criticized for many things in the past such as the views on infallibility, because if I am correct the Catholic Church considers the Pope to be infallible as well as the church itself. Other reasons for criticism or allegations against the Pope state that he isn't hard enough on some priests who have been found guilty of child molestations and that they sweep things like this under the rug by appointing priests to other sects instead of dealing with them.
      Also John Paul II actually gave a formal statement apologizing to the Jews for not particiapating or giving enough sympathy for their plight during WWII. I hope this answers your questions some. Cheers.

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         pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         @ladyjane ..thank you for ur answer..

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Echo what Sir Dent said.
      Plus, the "Pope" is just a position that keeps being "refilled" by the Catholic Church over and over, thereby giving the false impression that it's God's voice on earth.   Many of the Popes' writings and catechisms go directly against what the Bible says.

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   3. 63

      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The pope is a leader. Just like Obama is the leader. I admired Pope John Paul. He was a great religious leader. The one now, errmmm...couldn't be bothered.

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   SirDentposted 13 years ago

   He is just a man. Man put him into the position he holds. Christ is the head of the body and the pope cannot replace him no matter what anyone thinks or believes.

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      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      but isn't he considered to be learned authority?

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         SirDentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The Bible states, "Study to show yourself approved." This is for all believers. How learned the Pope is or not is a moot point. One must study for their own self.

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   ralwusposted 13 years ago

   i think pope means papa, father, but he ain't mine.

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   1. 61

      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      

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   Highvoltagewriterposted 13 years ago

   Peter was considered the rock that Jesus built the church on but he was not meant to be god on earth.This is a Pagan concept and is just another way man has tried to change what God has intended for the church.

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      SirDentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I disagree. Jesus indeed called Peter a stone, but the revelation of who Jesus is, is what He was speaking about. "Whom do you say that I am?"
      
      "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
      
      "Blessed art thou Simon BarJonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you but my Father in heaven hath revealed it."
      
      The rock is faith in the revelation of God.

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   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   Popes havent had a position of authority in my religion since the "Great Schism" in 1054 (which divided the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
   
   John Paul II was nice though

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      Disappearingheadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I bough my mum a Pope fridge magnet. She's not Catholic - I hoped she'd see the irony but it just went over her head.

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6. 61

   luvpassionposted 13 years ago

   Pope John Paul II Describes his role in the church as the vine and the various churches under him as the branchs.
   
   "The Sacred Scriptures use the image of the vine in various ways. In a particular case, the vine serves to express the Mystery of the People of God. From this perspective which emphasizes the Church's internal nature, the lay faithful are seen not simply as labourers who work in the vineyard, but as themselves being a part of the vineyard. Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches" (Jn 15:5).
   
   Popes are considered symbol, figures or an extension of that vine down through the ages,not only of the People of God, but of Jesus himself. He is the vine and we, his disciples, are the branches. He is the "true vine", to which the branches are engrafted to have life (cf. Jn 15:1 ff.)."

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      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yes they take the archetypal significance because a simple leader holds no metaphysical power.
      
      
      the truth is the pope has archetypal significance. but I'm sorry. they archetype is not the man. If the man embodies the archetype, i will naturally be drawn to him but this new one does not.

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7. 61

   TMMasonposted 13 years ago

   The pope means nothing to me. Only Catholics.

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   Jeramiposted 13 years ago

   The sacrid scriptures?? 
     I think that Jesus would say " There isn't anything on this earth that is sacrid. There is only one that is sacrid and that is the father in heaven.
   
      I think that the creation of the Religions establishment took the teachings of Jesus on a U turn.
   
     In many cases Religion took the place of God.
     Thank God that faith in him can survive under any conditions.

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9. 71

   ladyjane1posted 13 years ago

   Like I said protestants do not revere the Pope such as Catholics do and that goes the same with the virgin Mary. The Pope is a very important figure head in the Catholic church and no matter what anyone may think about him he is still a man that should be respected as any priest, pastor or reverend. I am Catholic and I do not think that the Pope is God on Earth that is a misconception that protestants like to spread around about Catholics such as the belief that Catholics are not Christians which isn't true.

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