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?

This thread has made me laugh like a drain, which was sorely needed. Thanks posters. Thanks OP for the truly absurd post! Well done!

I agree with you and I'm surprised with the responses you are getting here.

Good question, and yet he did ("A lack of faith is often..." etc).

I don't know why you are even following the Pope's sermons if you are so hostile to religion. Do you listen out to what other religious leaders are saying, as well? Do you find that they are always giving a shout-out to all the lovely atheists out there who wouldn't hurt a fly?

Guess what, if you're not Catholic, you don't have to even try to like what the Pope says, and you certainly don't need to sigh loudly about it.

No, Christians believe they are fallen sinners and not morally good at all. You don't have to agree with that but claiming Christians think they're superior is not correct.

The church / pope saying that lack of faith in the world leads to more evil is not the same as labelling people who have no faith (or are atheists) evil people.

Apart from perhaps "a lack of meaning in life", all of the things he mentioned are also often consequences of an excess of (blind) faith - not necessarily in organised religion.

(However, it might be more helpful to take this excerpt in the context of his entire speech.)

The Roman Catholic church was part of the Eastern Orthodox Church up until around 1054 when a schism occurred and each went their separate ways. Orthodox meaning 'right belief' as established by the apostles and Church Fathers.

If you're looking for something more liberal, then that'll be protestantism in its various forms.

Vatican II offered some change. The Pope can't unilaterally change Church doctrine.

Ooooo! 'faith' is a great starter word for Wordle. That's tomorrow sorted.

It almost sounds like you're saying that non-Catholics are not allowed to hold an opinion on what the leader of one of the world's major religions tells his followers.

Well, tough. If some religious leader spouts divisive us-vs-them bollocks then I think we all have the right to speak out.

Well, that's what they say, but I must say that most Christians I've met do indeed believe they are superior. It's possible you may even be coming across as believing you're superior to me...

My point was that in our current world at lot of problems are indeed caused by people having a bit too much faith, assuming their God is the correct one, and demonising those of other faiths. I would have preferred to have not heard this message from the new Pope.

Does it almost sound like that?

Oh, I'm ever so sorry.

Let me clarify. I don't care to hear patronising and snide opinions about it on an open forum like this. You have every right to express them, and I in turn can "speak out".

Exactly

Romans 3:23

'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'

All. Not nonbelievers, atheists or agnostics. Everyone. Including Christians.

How incredibly odd to watch/listen to the Pope's sermon when you're not religious/are atheist, and then come on to Mumsnet to complain that the CATHOLIC Pope said positive things about religion, and wasn't singing the praises of atheists.

I couldn't find a fuck to give if I searched til the end of time, if someone berated me for not engaging in something I didn't give a shit about.

Why do you care so much @CurlewKate ? As others have said, if you're sooo secure in your choices in life, why are you so salty about it?

I agree and I'm a believer but some of the best people I have known were/are atheists

Christianity teaches that morality comes from God, regardless of whether you believe.

I think it was the "you certainly don't need to sigh loudly about it" part of what you wrote that made me think you didn't want non-Catholics to comment. I'm glad that you realise that what you wrote was misleading and that you do indeed accept that we can all point out when someone is talking bollocks.

They didn’t say religious faith, just faith.

What other kinds of faith do you think the Pope was including?

Well, that's what they say, but I must say that most Christians I've met do indeed believe they are superior. It's possible you may even be coming across as believing you're superior to me...

Or maybe that's what they say because it's true? Or at least what Christians are striving to believe. If they falter and start to feel smug and superior, that's a sin.

My point was that in our current world at lot of problems are indeed caused by people having a bit too much faith, assuming their God is the correct one, and demonising those of other faiths. I would have preferred to have not heard this message from the new Pope.

You don't need to follow any of the news about the pope, including his sermons, unless you want to.

Pope says popey things in pope shocker.

I'm not sure what was misleading about that. I'm happy to repeat it for clarity.

"You certainly don't need to sigh loudly about it".

If it wasn't obvious that I was referring to the word "Sigh." in the title of this thread, made on the Chat section of a public forum, then I am happy to clarify that I don't mind you sighing loudly in the comfort of your own home. If it helps, I'd also suggest not walking into your place of work or any other mixed gathering, sighing dramatically, and announcing your disappointment that the Pope is a Catholic. But you do you.

How very dare he?!
He'll be in that basilica blessing folk next, cheeky swine.

He isn’t saying lack of religion he is saying lack of faith. I think that’s important to distinguish. Faith can obviously be Catholic but it can be other belief systems. My belief, and it’s a personal belief, is that we need a foundation to ground ourselves against, or else we lack a purpose, and we have no North Star to guide us. Commercialism / insta life / capitalism leads us..

However, even though I believe faith is jmportant, I think his message is too strong. There are many people who live without a faith who are good, honest and admirable people, and who would be quite hurt by these words. The cynical would also roll their eyes, when they think of the recent events in the Catholic Church. So personally, I think his message is a bit polarising .

Front Page Daily Fail Scandal in waiting.

😆