THe New Pope has been elected!

[CDLviking]

Like that would stop a conspiracy theorist.

[Arnobius]

They had a special on the History Channel on how the Pope is selected.When I turned it on they were starting on about Pius XII and then went from him to the
newly elected Benedict XVI.
One myth they did manage to squash was the myth that John Paul I had been
murdered.
Turned out the poor man simply had had a bad heart condition.

Wish I had seen it

Yes I remember that one about John Paul I. They did that in "Godfather III," and many people I know believed it. I recall a lot of liberals seemed to have developed a myth that if John Paul I had lived, he would approved women priests and contraception (they still think that Humanae Vitae can be overturned) and many other things. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to think of religion as they would a club or organization and think that if you don't like how something is run, just lobby for a change until you get your way and don't realize that if you change the essentials, it destroys what the religion is in it's essence.

[Mr_Ross]

The essential part of Christianity is Christ, not doctrine. But anyway, that's just my opinion.

[Arnobius]

The essential part of Christianity is Christ, not doctrine. But anyway, that's just my opinion.

Well, He did say "If you love me, keep my commandments." That's where the doctrine comes in. Or at least that's how the view is from where I'm at.

[Mr_Ross]

Well, He did say "If you love me, keep my commandments." That's where the doctrine comes in. Or at least that's how the view is from where I'm at.

I know, I didn't mean the Ten Commandments or Law of Love. I just meant things like women priests and contraception. I don't see why there shouldn't be women priests.... and if we had contraception, there would be less abortions, which would be a very good thing. Just my two cents.. ._.;;

[Arnobius]

[quote="Mr_Ross"]I know, I didn't mean the Ten Commandments or Law of Love. I just meant things like women priests and contraception. I don't see why there shouldn't be women priests.... and if we had contraception, there would be less abortions, which would be a very good thing. Just my two cents.. ._.]
Not going to debate this (except to say reasons exist if you care to look for them) since I don't want the thread killed, but if you want the Catholic position on contraception, try this: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

[livewire]

I, personally, am very glad that Pope Benedict XVI was elected. However, I haven't been able to keep up on a lot of what everyone has been posting as I am usually either in class or at work and I do not have cable or internet access at my apartment. Does anyone have any specific sites that I can go to getsome more info on our new pontiff?
From what I have heard so far he is going to be great for the church. I was afraid that they were going to elect someone who would make changes... and, as a catholic, I believe that tradition is part of what holds our church together. I don't know, though....
anyways, if anyone knows where I could go, just let me know...
thanx

[Slater]

CNN's website probably has a lot of good info. They were all over the procedings in the Vatican from what I saw

[CDLviking]

vatican.va and zenit.org are two excellent sources for papal information.

[Arnobius]

vatican.va and zenit.org are two excellent sources for papal information.

Yeah, I've been putting links to the encyclicals from vatican.va on CAA when I figure people might find an official document interesting. Daughters of St Paul (http://www.pauline.org/store/subtopics/chdocs.html) is a good place to get hard copies of Church documents dirt cheap and Ignatius Press (http://www.ignatius.com/category.aspx?SID=1&Category_ID=108&) has a good selection of Benedict XVI's pre-election books.

<Slightly OT, it still seems strange to write/say "Benedict XVI", but it's getting easier>

[livewire]

ahhh....thanks...
I checked out the CNN site. they have some interesting information about the pope there, too. I think it is intersting...and I also think it is important for us to know about him. It is kind of sad, but although I am catholic I never really knew much about the last pope....or even what he was supposed to really signify.
I understand that he is the head of our church...but, beyond that I had no idea what other duties he had....and to be honest I am still not quite certain...

[Arnobius]

ahhh....thanks...
I checked out the CNN site. they have some interesting information about the pope there, too. I think it is intersting...and I also think it is important for us to know about him. It is kind of sad, but although I am catholic I never really knew much about the last pope....or even what he was supposed to really signify.
I understand that he is the head of our church...but, beyond that I had no idea what other duties he had....and to be honest I am still not quite certain...

I've been in that situation. I've always been a Catholic, but didn't even start thinking about it until I turned 19 or 20. I was alive during the reigns of Paul VI and John Paul I, but was so tuned out of religion then that I was unaware of any pope until Acga tried to assassinate John Paul II in 1981. So most of my education came after I turned 20.