According to the latest re-release from the Pontiff, other churches (such as mine) aren't real churches because salvation only comes through the Catholic church.
Now, I don't believe that this is true at all, but lets pretend for a second that it is.
Why not share? If you get to choose who gets to heaven, do us a favor and spread it around already! Jesus earned it, not you--so why hog it!? There's plenty to go around!
Drew's Journal
My Podcast Link
07/11/2007 22:33 #40064
Just one more pope thoughtCategory: religion
07/10/2007 22:08 #40045
look downThere's been some good discussion in the comments of the last post. So this is to ask those that don't check comments to look at them
07/09/2007 16:46 #40025
Catholic church closingsCategory: religion
Submitted this to "My View," and got rejected. Their loss is your gain!
"The body is one and has many members, . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together with it." 1 Corinthians 12:12;26
As a pastor of a Presbyterian church, I am suffering with my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters.
We've closed buildings, too. What sad occasions.
The diocese has made some hard choices. A shortage of priests, a population decline, and lower giving has put all churches in a difficult place. My hope is that, though we may close buildings, every church will grow in our love for God and neighbor.
I am the Pastor of the Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, a church that has (sadly) not yet shared in the Elmwood Village's re-vitalization. Hopefully, this will soon change, but sometimes I wonder if Lafayette's building will one day join the growing list of former-church buildings.
We have just over 50 people attend most Sundays. In a sanctuary that seats 1200, that means that we have about 1150 empty seats.
In addition to the common Christian value of following Jesus, Presbyterians also value stewardship.
Other Christians value stewardship, too, but we focus on it particularly.
This old-fashioned word reflects a timeless responsibility. God has given people resources to manage on God's behalf. We have a responsibility to care for creation, to be efficient, and to be generous.
Every day I ask myself if we are being good stewards of the God's resources. Honestly, I don't know. Some days it seems to be such a waste, heating and maintaining a giant structure when others have great need. Other days I see the glory of God reflected in the building's architecture and the ways it serves the neighborhood. I remember that our building represents the commitment of thousands of people, to God and to their neighborhood.
I share these thoughts because all churches must face the hard questions of stewardship. My Roman Catholic brothers and sisters are practicing this discipline now, and they have my prayers. Many have attacked them, but we owe a debt of gratitude. In addition to faithful worship, they provide quality, affordable education, services for immigrants and care for the disabled. Their ministry, like ours, is not perfect, but it deserves continued support.
Even so, I know that many Catholics are frustrated with their church. To you I say, please do not lose hope. We believe in a God who raises the dead, and this same God cannot be stopped by closed buildings, a priest shortage, or anything else. God can reconcile you and your church--and you ought to pursue that goal.
Again, If you have given up on the Roman Catholic Church, please re-consider. I suspect that you miss Christian community in worship and service, and you can find that in your Parish, even if it has merged. However, if you cannot achieve reconciliation with the Roman Catholic church, you may want to prayerfully consider a Christian community where you have a say in its stewardship. You are welcome in our community and in other churches--if only for a time--until we can all be reconciled.
Finally, I know that there are plenty of people who have given up on any sort of Christianity, in part because we have done such a bad job of stewardship. I confess: we fall far short of our ideal. We may not reach this ideal soon, but the church needs these prophetic voices of criticism to push us toward it. Would you consider working with us? Criticism is easy. Will you help us be faithful?
Stewardship is hard, but together, we can make best use of all that we've been given to love God and neighbor.
"The body is one and has many members, . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together with it." 1 Corinthians 12:12;26
As a pastor of a Presbyterian church, I am suffering with my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters.
We've closed buildings, too. What sad occasions.
The diocese has made some hard choices. A shortage of priests, a population decline, and lower giving has put all churches in a difficult place. My hope is that, though we may close buildings, every church will grow in our love for God and neighbor.
I am the Pastor of the Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, a church that has (sadly) not yet shared in the Elmwood Village's re-vitalization. Hopefully, this will soon change, but sometimes I wonder if Lafayette's building will one day join the growing list of former-church buildings.
We have just over 50 people attend most Sundays. In a sanctuary that seats 1200, that means that we have about 1150 empty seats.
In addition to the common Christian value of following Jesus, Presbyterians also value stewardship.
Other Christians value stewardship, too, but we focus on it particularly.
This old-fashioned word reflects a timeless responsibility. God has given people resources to manage on God's behalf. We have a responsibility to care for creation, to be efficient, and to be generous.
Every day I ask myself if we are being good stewards of the God's resources. Honestly, I don't know. Some days it seems to be such a waste, heating and maintaining a giant structure when others have great need. Other days I see the glory of God reflected in the building's architecture and the ways it serves the neighborhood. I remember that our building represents the commitment of thousands of people, to God and to their neighborhood.
I share these thoughts because all churches must face the hard questions of stewardship. My Roman Catholic brothers and sisters are practicing this discipline now, and they have my prayers. Many have attacked them, but we owe a debt of gratitude. In addition to faithful worship, they provide quality, affordable education, services for immigrants and care for the disabled. Their ministry, like ours, is not perfect, but it deserves continued support.
Even so, I know that many Catholics are frustrated with their church. To you I say, please do not lose hope. We believe in a God who raises the dead, and this same God cannot be stopped by closed buildings, a priest shortage, or anything else. God can reconcile you and your church--and you ought to pursue that goal.
Again, If you have given up on the Roman Catholic Church, please re-consider. I suspect that you miss Christian community in worship and service, and you can find that in your Parish, even if it has merged. However, if you cannot achieve reconciliation with the Roman Catholic church, you may want to prayerfully consider a Christian community where you have a say in its stewardship. You are welcome in our community and in other churches--if only for a time--until we can all be reconciled.
Finally, I know that there are plenty of people who have given up on any sort of Christianity, in part because we have done such a bad job of stewardship. I confess: we fall far short of our ideal. We may not reach this ideal soon, but the church needs these prophetic voices of criticism to push us toward it. Would you consider working with us? Criticism is easy. Will you help us be faithful?
Stewardship is hard, but together, we can make best use of all that we've been given to love God and neighbor.
jim - 07/10/07 23:12
I would write more, now about this stuff, but the church closing set my mind off on a tangent to write about the Cathedral.
Night :)
I would write more, now about this stuff, but the church closing set my mind off on a tangent to write about the Cathedral.
Night :)
jim - 07/10/07 23:00
Drew thanks for the dialogue!
Drew thanks for the dialogue!
james - 07/10/07 22:45
A partial solution to the church closings in Buffalo might be... are you ready for this? Sell that giant mansion the bishop lives in.
I know you are new to the area, but have you seen this structure? It puts the Knox mansion to shame (Knox of Albright-Knox fame. Knox of 'I built this city while you were just in diapers' Knox)
OK, they don't have to sell it, just rent it out. Wall up the Bishop like a good ol' fashioned anchorite and we are on our way to a viable diocese.
He is at 77 Oakland Pl. Buffalo, NY 14222
A partial solution to the church closings in Buffalo might be... are you ready for this? Sell that giant mansion the bishop lives in.
I know you are new to the area, but have you seen this structure? It puts the Knox mansion to shame (Knox of Albright-Knox fame. Knox of 'I built this city while you were just in diapers' Knox)
OK, they don't have to sell it, just rent it out. Wall up the Bishop like a good ol' fashioned anchorite and we are on our way to a viable diocese.
He is at 77 Oakland Pl. Buffalo, NY 14222
drew - 07/10/07 22:07
I hear you, Jim. And there are good reasons that I am no longer Catholic, despite being raised as one. And yes, it did hurt when they reminded us again that they don't think I am part of the Christian Church.
Here's my problem. I think that they are Christians. Stubborn, mislead Christians, yes--and often wrong, but brothers and sisters of mine nonetheless. So I'll criticize them, but I am bonded to them--even when they deny me.
The Catholic church is messed up, but so is the Presbyterian church, to which I belong. Why haven't I given up on the church altogether? Because as messed up as it is, I need it. I find a seed of what God intended the church to be still inside the churches that do so much to hide it.
I need community, and I while I agree that community is shared humanity, I think that our humanity comes from God. I need Christian community, because it is Jesus that I best understand not only who God is, but what humanity really is.
I don't really need a priest or anything like that, but I do need community.
Which brings me to my job: I don't see myself as an "intermediary" between God and people. I can't do it. Instead, I see myself as a faciliator of a Jesus-formed community. I help a group of people practice spiritual disciplines together--wrestling with scripture, giving of our time and money, praying, confessing, all of which is is done in community and by community.
Which brings me to the reason that I post. Our community is incomplete. Now I know that this is a touchy area, because nobody wants to be "converted," but the Christian community has limited itself by pushing other voices out.
This Sunday, I am going to preach on the Good Samaritan. It's a familiar story, but too often it gets to a message of "just be nice." When you understand its context, however, it is a story that really kicks the church in the butt. The religious leaders are the example of what not to do, the Samaritan is the hero, and the example to follow. And Samaritans were the "outsiders." From the perspective of Jesus' audience, they were religiously, ethnically, morally, wrong. They were the worst kind of people, but Jesus said, they--because they show mercy--are the ones we should be imitating.
This community is filled with a whole lot of non-religious people that show mercy, and do it in a way that is much better than most of the pew-sitters out there. We need you. We don't need to judge you, and we don't need your money. We need your example. (That "you" isn't anybody in particular, but all of you that are merciful and outside the church)
My summary: Catholics are like Protestants. There's good and bad mixed together. I'm trying to be good, but I can't pretend that I'm not part of some bad stuff, either. Community is important, but closed community (which has happened with Catholics and Protestants both) can lead to a demonization of "the outsider." Scripture tells us that God really likes "the outsider," so I am doing my best to open up Religious communities.
thanks for listening.
I hear you, Jim. And there are good reasons that I am no longer Catholic, despite being raised as one. And yes, it did hurt when they reminded us again that they don't think I am part of the Christian Church.
Here's my problem. I think that they are Christians. Stubborn, mislead Christians, yes--and often wrong, but brothers and sisters of mine nonetheless. So I'll criticize them, but I am bonded to them--even when they deny me.
The Catholic church is messed up, but so is the Presbyterian church, to which I belong. Why haven't I given up on the church altogether? Because as messed up as it is, I need it. I find a seed of what God intended the church to be still inside the churches that do so much to hide it.
I need community, and I while I agree that community is shared humanity, I think that our humanity comes from God. I need Christian community, because it is Jesus that I best understand not only who God is, but what humanity really is.
I don't really need a priest or anything like that, but I do need community.
Which brings me to my job: I don't see myself as an "intermediary" between God and people. I can't do it. Instead, I see myself as a faciliator of a Jesus-formed community. I help a group of people practice spiritual disciplines together--wrestling with scripture, giving of our time and money, praying, confessing, all of which is is done in community and by community.
Which brings me to the reason that I post. Our community is incomplete. Now I know that this is a touchy area, because nobody wants to be "converted," but the Christian community has limited itself by pushing other voices out.
This Sunday, I am going to preach on the Good Samaritan. It's a familiar story, but too often it gets to a message of "just be nice." When you understand its context, however, it is a story that really kicks the church in the butt. The religious leaders are the example of what not to do, the Samaritan is the hero, and the example to follow. And Samaritans were the "outsiders." From the perspective of Jesus' audience, they were religiously, ethnically, morally, wrong. They were the worst kind of people, but Jesus said, they--because they show mercy--are the ones we should be imitating.
This community is filled with a whole lot of non-religious people that show mercy, and do it in a way that is much better than most of the pew-sitters out there. We need you. We don't need to judge you, and we don't need your money. We need your example. (That "you" isn't anybody in particular, but all of you that are merciful and outside the church)
My summary: Catholics are like Protestants. There's good and bad mixed together. I'm trying to be good, but I can't pretend that I'm not part of some bad stuff, either. Community is important, but closed community (which has happened with Catholics and Protestants both) can lead to a demonization of "the outsider." Scripture tells us that God really likes "the outsider," so I am doing my best to open up Religious communities.
thanks for listening.
jim - 07/10/07 20:10
Drew, I feel bad disagreeing with you. You are a caring and motivated person, and apparently a force for good in this world. You also don't hesitate to share your thoughts, to I hope you don't mind if I do the same.
The Catholic Church to this day is deranged, just this month declaring all other Christian faiths to be false, and itself as the only path to salvation. It is a malignant entity from the dark ages, thrashing around in search of a relevancy that allows it to claim earthly dominion. The pews are empty because the Church can't explain anything, but nevertheless claims to speak for God, a sure sign of personal and institutional madness. The inertia of tradition is its strongest suit and biggest claim to authority, a revealing fact.
Community is about shared humanity, not about God. Good people are good people, they reflect on what they've done wrong, learn from the examples of others, and can use the sense that they were born with to find a path in this world. Essentially: the human condition includes awareness of the human condition, and the ability to adapt. You don't need a priest sitting there intermediating, ever.
Drew, I feel bad disagreeing with you. You are a caring and motivated person, and apparently a force for good in this world. You also don't hesitate to share your thoughts, to I hope you don't mind if I do the same.
The Catholic Church to this day is deranged, just this month declaring all other Christian faiths to be false, and itself as the only path to salvation. It is a malignant entity from the dark ages, thrashing around in search of a relevancy that allows it to claim earthly dominion. The pews are empty because the Church can't explain anything, but nevertheless claims to speak for God, a sure sign of personal and institutional madness. The inertia of tradition is its strongest suit and biggest claim to authority, a revealing fact.
Community is about shared humanity, not about God. Good people are good people, they reflect on what they've done wrong, learn from the examples of others, and can use the sense that they were born with to find a path in this world. Essentially: the human condition includes awareness of the human condition, and the ability to adapt. You don't need a priest sitting there intermediating, ever.
mrmike - 07/10/07 15:07
More diverse populaces too. A lot of those closed churches are done because their neighborhoods have decreased. The catholic population has withered along with the general neighborhood population. I think the Bishop is being prudent in addressing the changing landscape.
Only trick now is to watch those buildings now.
More diverse populaces too. A lot of those closed churches are done because their neighborhoods have decreased. The catholic population has withered along with the general neighborhood population. I think the Bishop is being prudent in addressing the changing landscape.
Only trick now is to watch those buildings now.
drew - 07/10/07 09:26
I think that you are right. Not a lot of "Churchy" people anymore, but a whole lot of "spiritual" people.
You're right about going to church being worthless if it doesn't change your behavior, too.
I think that you are right. Not a lot of "Churchy" people anymore, but a whole lot of "spiritual" people.
You're right about going to church being worthless if it doesn't change your behavior, too.
bridgette - 07/10/07 05:12
i guess i have a view...too. Yes on the surface it may seem as though people are turning away from religion, and in a sense they may truly be. But by no means does that mean that people are turning away from faith, or turning away from GOD. If you look around you, I think you may see that people are turning more towards spirituality, or humanity, or whatever you'd like to call it. They may not be the traditional means of worship: go to church on Sundays, read the bible, preach to others about God. These people may not consider themselves Christians at all. For example, I know this woman who says she doesn't believe in God at all, yet she dedicates her life to helping others. She's a foster parent, she volunteers at so many different places like crisis services and soup kitchens...shes not married and she has no children, and she's 46.She does it because she truly cares about people, not because religion says its the right thing to do. My theory has always been something like, what does it matter if you go to church on Sundays if you're a litterbug-destroying what is obviously evidence that God exists? thats at the minimal level. The shift in consciousness about the state of the planet, that in itself is an example proof that people are caring more. The building itself is nothing but a representation of something... maybe the need for that representation is diminishing. maybe we're collectively doing away with things tht represent what God is and turning more towards what God really, really is... if that makes sense. Sorry this is so long..its 5 am and it took me a few words to get my view out. GOD BLESS!!!!
i guess i have a view...too. Yes on the surface it may seem as though people are turning away from religion, and in a sense they may truly be. But by no means does that mean that people are turning away from faith, or turning away from GOD. If you look around you, I think you may see that people are turning more towards spirituality, or humanity, or whatever you'd like to call it. They may not be the traditional means of worship: go to church on Sundays, read the bible, preach to others about God. These people may not consider themselves Christians at all. For example, I know this woman who says she doesn't believe in God at all, yet she dedicates her life to helping others. She's a foster parent, she volunteers at so many different places like crisis services and soup kitchens...shes not married and she has no children, and she's 46.She does it because she truly cares about people, not because religion says its the right thing to do. My theory has always been something like, what does it matter if you go to church on Sundays if you're a litterbug-destroying what is obviously evidence that God exists? thats at the minimal level. The shift in consciousness about the state of the planet, that in itself is an example proof that people are caring more. The building itself is nothing but a representation of something... maybe the need for that representation is diminishing. maybe we're collectively doing away with things tht represent what God is and turning more towards what God really, really is... if that makes sense. Sorry this is so long..its 5 am and it took me a few words to get my view out. GOD BLESS!!!!
lilho - 07/09/07 23:19
i read an article in the buffalo news about that. my grandmother's sister in law had sent it to her, and she has trouble seeing, so i read it to her. i can't believe so many churches are closing! people don't go to church anymore??? you sinful bastards!
i read an article in the buffalo news about that. my grandmother's sister in law had sent it to her, and she has trouble seeing, so i read it to her. i can't believe so many churches are closing! people don't go to church anymore??? you sinful bastards!
drew - 07/09/07 17:43
Sorry. It's a reader submitted column in the Buffalo News.
Sorry. It's a reader submitted column in the Buffalo News.
paul - 07/09/07 17:23
What is the view?
What is the view?
07/07/2007 20:10 #39993
Review: India gate lunch buffetCategory: food
Service: Good
Food quality: Good enough. I didn't write down the proper names of the dishes, but there dishes with peas, chick-peas, and eggplant. There were also chicken dishes.
Food Variety (it is a buffet, after all): Not good enough. There weren't any cheese-based dishes, which I particularly love.
My wife just interrupted me to tell me that this review should be funny. "People won't read it if it isn't funny," she says.
"They will," I think to myself, "if they like to eat Indian food."
I like to eat Indian food.
So, based on this fact, I like India Gate.
I guess I am not a very professional restaurant reviewer. Basically, if I don't get sick, I like the place. India Gate not only didn't make me get sick, but I liked the food enough to get more and more food. Too much, in fact.
Dessert was rings of honey that had been solidified and fried. (They have a name, but I didn't take notes. Remember, my first mission was to eat. I can't hold a pencil in my left hand, and I sure wasn't going to take the fork out of my right!)
I depended on (e:Jenks) for the above description of the honey-things. I also saw that she ate them with rice-pudding. I like rice pudding as long as I think it is something else. Why don't they just call it pudding and keep us all happy? Everybody likes pudding. I pretended that I didn't see the label and ate the stuff mixed together. Very sweet, very rich, very good. (hmmm, fried honey, sweet and rich? Go figure)
Anyway, I like eating and I like reviewing, but I work for a church and I am not made of money. What's that? I am getting a word from above! Somebody out there needs healing. If you send money to me today, healing will come into your life.
Just kidding. I could've made a better appeal, but I really didn't want to go to far with blasphemy.
Coming up next will be my review of University Hots. It will also be a good review, because (as I mentioned before) I like to eat.
This is an opportunity for all of you who own restaurants. The only thing that I like more than food is free food. Give me free food and you will get a good review.
Again, I never said I was professional.
Food quality: Good enough. I didn't write down the proper names of the dishes, but there dishes with peas, chick-peas, and eggplant. There were also chicken dishes.
Food Variety (it is a buffet, after all): Not good enough. There weren't any cheese-based dishes, which I particularly love.
My wife just interrupted me to tell me that this review should be funny. "People won't read it if it isn't funny," she says.
"They will," I think to myself, "if they like to eat Indian food."
I like to eat Indian food.
So, based on this fact, I like India Gate.
I guess I am not a very professional restaurant reviewer. Basically, if I don't get sick, I like the place. India Gate not only didn't make me get sick, but I liked the food enough to get more and more food. Too much, in fact.
Dessert was rings of honey that had been solidified and fried. (They have a name, but I didn't take notes. Remember, my first mission was to eat. I can't hold a pencil in my left hand, and I sure wasn't going to take the fork out of my right!)
I depended on (e:Jenks) for the above description of the honey-things. I also saw that she ate them with rice-pudding. I like rice pudding as long as I think it is something else. Why don't they just call it pudding and keep us all happy? Everybody likes pudding. I pretended that I didn't see the label and ate the stuff mixed together. Very sweet, very rich, very good. (hmmm, fried honey, sweet and rich? Go figure)
Anyway, I like eating and I like reviewing, but I work for a church and I am not made of money. What's that? I am getting a word from above! Somebody out there needs healing. If you send money to me today, healing will come into your life.
Just kidding. I could've made a better appeal, but I really didn't want to go to far with blasphemy.
Coming up next will be my review of University Hots. It will also be a good review, because (as I mentioned before) I like to eat.
This is an opportunity for all of you who own restaurants. The only thing that I like more than food is free food. Give me free food and you will get a good review.
Again, I never said I was professional.
james - 07/10/07 20:04
Correction, it is Star of India.
Without correction, it is, in fact, freakin' delicious.
Correction, it is Star of India.
Without correction, it is, in fact, freakin' delicious.
james - 07/07/07 23:59
If you wander further up Delaware in Kenmoore Taste of India is pretty good too and worth a shot. Their buffet is pretty small, but the woman who makes all the food also serves you. And she looks pleased as punch to see people enjoying her food. She just glows with maternal warmth the food tastes 11X better.
If you wander further up Delaware in Kenmoore Taste of India is pretty good too and worth a shot. Their buffet is pretty small, but the woman who makes all the food also serves you. And she looks pleased as punch to see people enjoying her food. She just glows with maternal warmth the food tastes 11X better.
07/05/2007 13:43 #39926
Indian food?Category: food
The trip to the Indian Buffet referenced in my last post is going to happen. Any one else want to eat Indian food at noon tomorrow (Friday)?
tinypliny - 07/05/07 21:31
Where is this place? Is it walking distance (I mean reasonable within 15 minutes) from Roswell?
Where is this place? Is it walking distance (I mean reasonable within 15 minutes) from Roswell?
fellyconnelly - 07/05/07 15:01
not that good indian food isn't worth driving 350 miles.... i just have to work... :(
not that good indian food isn't worth driving 350 miles.... i just have to work... :(
museumchick - 07/05/07 14:21
If I were in the city tommorow, I would so go! I love India Gate's Buffet. Try the chicken meatballs if they have them:).
If I were in the city tommorow, I would so go! I love India Gate's Buffet. Try the chicken meatballs if they have them:).
carolinian - 07/05/07 14:11
The India Gate on Elmwood is really quite excellent. I would so join you if I 12:00PM wasn't Smack-Dab-In-The-Middle-Of-Work-Hours.
The India Gate on Elmwood is really quite excellent. I would so join you if I 12:00PM wasn't Smack-Dab-In-The-Middle-Of-Work-Hours.
I was going to say something but Josh basicly said what I was going to say but in different words. I wish I could remember what it said in the bible about false prophets. But what I will say is that when one person says that you have to be a catholic and all the other forms of Christanty aren't good enough people should question if he is a false prophet. I'm not saying he is but he could be. Often people in power abuse there power or forget about all there responseablities. I think that he is trying to get people to leave their faith to join his. There is nothing more powerfull then saying Baptists, southern Baptists, etc you are going to hell.
He will share it... when you KNEEL in submission to his might Papal authority! MWA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
what a jerk.
someone recently told me that the pope released a statement regarding baptism, basically saying that it's not necessary to get into heaven. I don't know if this is true or not, but i remember going to church and being told that your soul will go to hell if you are not baptized. Just one of things we're taught to fear as we learn about God through the Catholic Church. YOU WILL GO TO HELL!!!
I read the Conversations with God books when I was 17, and have re-read book 1 recently. I can't describe how refreshed I felt seeing God through this new kind of light... ( for those who havent read them, i recommend it just for the purpose of a new point of view. Call it part of the "new age" trend or whatever, but I would take this view of God any day over the feeling of being a worthless piece of shit that was born in sin and should spend the rest of my life bowing down to a needy, vengeful, God that wants nothing but my fear of going to hell. That is how church makes me feel, so I stay the hell away from church.)
But I can't tell the difference between catholics, and protestants, and Lutherans, and blah blah blah. All I see is the hypocrisy of their teachings- their message is one of separateness. From my EXPERIENCE OF GOD, this is NOT GOD...this is man playing the whos got the bigger dick contest. I'm sorry for verbiage there, but thats the only way I can think to put it right now.
Forget their message of separateness, don't even play into it. CONTINUE TO SEND YOUR OWN MESSAGE, if it is one of love, then all will hear it, no matter what branch of Christianity they fall into. Jesus was condemned by many for his message, wasn't he? You know where I'm going with that, don't you?
That is theological BS. What the Pope said is typical of organized religions and perpetuates the "I'm right, you're wrong, we are going to heaven and you are not" kind of garbage that absolutely disgusts me.
Am I also supposed to believe that the Pope is closer to God than I am, otherwise I'm a heretic?
Yawn. No disrespect, but the Catholic church for centuries was the center of political power in Europe and the Pope had more sway than many kings did. This power was routinely abused and the powerful and corrupt family of the day, the Medicis, flooded church ranks. The Catholic church committed what I consider to be a sin against God for inventing the idea of absolution via donation. Between the history of the Catholic church and the current scandals with child rapist priests being shielded by the church itself, I think the Pope should be deeply concerned about the salvation of the church itself, rather than the salvation of non-Catholics.