Sigh. Pope Leo’s first sermon…

[CurlewKate]

“"A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,"

I don’t know why I expected anything different. Maybe because he likes Wordle?

Ooh, can I be the leader of people believing Nessie doesn't exist!

Yes I agree atheism is just an absence of belief in God. There are Humanists, and a Humanist Society who have a belief in intrinsic human good ( I think) but atheism is a lack of belief in God. They could have beliefs in other things. Still jot sure whybthey care that a faith leader said faith is good!

It's when he says that people without faith are more likely to behave and to be more responsible for certain behaviours.

He is being called out on that.

And if the ArchBishop of Canterbury said similar, that people who lacked faith are more likely to be responsible for "appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,",then that would be called out as well.

He didn't need to discuss or even worry about people who lacked faith. It's the people who have faith but who don't follow the teachings of that faith who he should be more concerned with.

Anyone remember the classic David Beckham quote :
” I definitely want my son (Brooklyn) to be Christened, but I don’t know into what religion yet “
🤦🏻‍♀️🤣😂🤣
lovely

Exactly this.

If we can vote for a leader I'll go with Ricky Gervais!

Oh, I wouldn’t. Those horrible comments about people with disabilities. He’s sound on cats, though…

I vote for Tim Minchin.

I do find it ironic that anyone of any of the hundreds….if not thousands of faiths and gods…😳 could suggest that atheists by definition are more likely to be responsible for certain behaviours, because many of the wars in the world are precisely due to religion with folk fighting over what land belongs to what religion. What a sad state of affairs with all the killings of innocent babies and children.

I agree many religious people are kind and do good, however let’s be honest, it’s because they want to go to heaven when they die - which is great because it benefits the wider population at times too so no qualms with that but at least when atheists do good they are absolutely altruistic deeds and not to gain something or to please a higher power.

He's talking about "Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure."

I'm sure people can think of a few people that might apply to.

If you are talking about Trump, I doubt that man would be in power without the American Religious right who somehow believe this racist, assaulting, misogynist, authoritarian liar is somehow on the side of Godly values…,

Again, I hope the pope will focus on helping religious people actually think and act in an ethical way - rather than issuing sweeping denigrations of the non-religious,

"appalling violations of human dignity" given how many Protestants were burned at the stake at the hand of catholics I'm not sure he can claim faith prevents violations of human dignity. How many of the atrocities of the past would have been prevented if faith in gods didn't exist?

My first thought was actually Elon Musk.

I think the new pope has already criticised Trump.

You obviously don't understand his humour.

Thank You God....

Ricky Gervais’ humour? Oh, yes.I understand it only too well.

I can't imagine why anyone who thinks religion is a load of bunkum would be remotely bothered about what the pope says so let him crack on 🤷

Because he is the leader of nearly 20% of the world’s population-and his religion has a significant impact on political and social policy. Apart from that- no reason at all.

Murderous & violent leaders/people come from all households religious & non religious.
A few particular catholic examples Hitler, Mussolini, Napoleon even....but there are many others who use Christianity (or others) as an excuse / crutch. I think Pope Pius preaching fascism being good is a definite example of what a religious leader shouldn't do. I don't have great hope in a US pope but I could be skewed in my reasoning due to RW Bible belters....here's hoping.

Honestly you expected too much - this is the head of one of the worlds largest religious organisations.

Even the last pope started out the same as the pope before him before his natural personality began to be seen & admired - if he'd gone in being all "everybody's great, do & believe whatever you like" they wouldn't have elected him pope....

I don’t think that’s right. The majority of the wars going on right now are primarily because of infighting between different religions.

@LeftFooterThe Red Cross is an entirely secular organization. Just so you know.

But Christianity is an evangelical religion. Therefore it is his duty/calling to talk about faith. In his address, he urged the Catholic church to respond with “desperate” missionary outreach in the face of indifference, ridicule and hostility towards Christianity.

In fact, the first part of the address, which you omitted and which your quote follows is "In settings where the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent, a lack of faith (etc...) So bringing it back to faith as the central principle.

He also said: "Jesus cannot be reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptised Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism."

He is solely interested in faith. Has he made you feel uncomfortable? Probably his aim. Are you the kind of person who says, 'but all lives matter' or, 'when is it International Men's Day?'

I read the address - and he talked about how Jesus was seen by people at the time and now.

He then talked about where the Christian faith is considered "absurd"

Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.

My words - there are places where people prefer other things to the Christian faith, such as money and success

These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed.

My words - our missionary outreach is desperately needed - places where believers are mocked, despised or tolerated.

A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.

My words - he is saying that people who lack faith are the kind of people who are likely to have a loss of meaning in life, cause family crises and do other things that afflict society

Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism.

My words - there are places where Jesus is thought to be charismatic leader or a superman. People who are non believer as well as some Christians believe this, and up living as atheists.
This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis taught us so many times, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Savior. Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).

It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion. Then, to do so as a Church, experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all (cf. Lumen Gentium, 1).

He is asking people as a Church to bring the Good News to all.

I don't think he needed that bit about how he perceives people who lack faith.

The rest is to be expected of a Pope. Go out and spread the Good News to people.

I missed that

"t is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion."

A daily journey of conversion? So he's expecting Catholics to try to convert people daily?

How will they do that? What's their motivation? How do you convert someone?