Holy S**t! Pope resigns

I saw new posts in here, and thought "Ooooooh snap, I hope this means Anti-pope!"

I am sorely disappointed.

OG_slinger wrote:

And now he's resurrecting one of the worst things the church has ever done to tarnish its moral standing: selling salvation. I'm sure Pope Callixtus III is spinning in his grave knowing that Francis is selling indulgences for the equivalent of a Facebook like.

Is it behind a paywall?

Podunk wrote:
Nevin73 wrote:

Wait, do modern Catholics still believe in Purgatory? I thought that went the way of the Indulgences.

Nope, it's still part of the deal.

*IF* the person believes that part of the teachings...

Duoae wrote:

*IF* the person believes that part of the teachings...

Well, obviously, in this case and every other case related to the teachings of the Catholic Church or any other organized religion.

OG_slinger wrote:

And now he's resurrecting one of the worst things the church has ever done to tarnish its moral standing: selling salvation. I'm sure Pope Callixtus III is spinning in his grave knowing that Francis is selling indulgences for the equivalent of a Facebook like.

He's not selling indulgences at all, and certainly not in exchange for a follow on Twitter. He's saying that if one follows the "rites and pious exercises" of World Youth Day via social media, one might be granted an indulgence as if one were actually attending the event, much like one can earn an indulgence by receiving the Pope's blessing via radio or television. And indulgences do not need to be resurrected--the corrupt practice of selling indulgences has been banned since 1567, but the doctrine of indulgences goes back to the 6th Century and is still part of the Church today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence

As a pretty half-assed Catholic these days, I'm not super crazy about the whole indulgence thing, but if we're going to bash the Church let's at least bash it for the many substantive issues for which it deserves to be bashed, and not some silly, misleading click-bait.

Still, it makes him come off as pretty pimpin'. He needs a Pope Cane.

It's like a Papal Woot Off or something.

Catholicism: Now Free to Pray

Rubb Ed wrote:

Catholicism: Now Free to Pray

You win 10,000 internets.

Rubb Ed wrote:

Catholicism: Now Free to Pray

I'm just waiting on the mobile version. It's the way of the future! All those static Churches are doomed to obsolescence!

Rubb Ed wrote:

Catholicism: Now Free to Pray

Is there a salvation booster or multiplier I can buy to speed up the grinding?

I tried that game. The f2p limitations were way too restrictive and the story was unbelievable and poorly written.

*wishlists salvation for 75% off*

ruhk wrote:

I tried that game. The f2p limitations were way too restrictive and the story was unbelievable and poorly written.

I think it originally started as the core of Rome Total War.

Paleocon wrote:
ruhk wrote:

I tried that game. The f2p limitations were way too restrictive and the story was unbelievable and poorly written.

I think it originally started as the core of Rome Total War.

That's a much more interesting idea, really--that modern communications technology is an appropriate medium for religious participation and devotion. (This isn't a universally new idea, but it's striking to see the Catholic church embrace it.)

don't let a facts get in a the way of a good old fashioned GWJ P&C /r/atheism mocking thread.

Hypatian wrote:

That's a much more interesting idea, really--that modern communications technology is an appropriate medium for religious participation and devotion. (This isn't a universally new idea, but it's striking to see the Catholic church embrace it.)

They don't have much choice. They're getting their asses handed to them by the evangelicals.

Which is part in parcel why this whole mess was kicked off: the Church wanted to seem "cooler" so it mentioned social media without ever actually thinking about how centuries old doctrine meshed with things like Facebook likes or Reddit upvotes (hint: it doesn't).

In short: You didn't bother to read the rebuttal article.

Hypatian wrote:

In short: You didn't bother to read the rebuttal article.

No, I read it. I simply don't count a CNN religion blog as necessarily being impartial when it comes to the story.

The simple fact remains that the Church has repeatedly tried to show that it's hip and cool by doing things like having the Pope send a Tweet from an iPad. But it's not hip and cool.

It's a 2,000 year-old organization with rites and beliefs that were hammered out in the Dark Ages. It's never going to be hip and cool. But it has to try if it's going to compete with evangelical churches that have bands with electric guitars and coffee shops (and who have been eating its lunch for years).

The Church could have simply announced the indulgences for the World Youth Day and let it be. Instead, they had to try to be hip and cool--hey, it's World Youth Day after all--and say that folks could participate through social media.

But the guidelines the Church published clearly stated that the indulgence only counted under very specific circumstance: you have to go to Church, receive the sacrament, and say a pre-canned prayer. Absolutely none of those things has anything to do with social media.

So it's not the media's fault that the Church actually didn't have a plan on how people could participate through social media and got caught with its pants down when someone asked for additional details, like if Twitter counted.

OG_slinger wrote:

But the guidelines the Church published clearly stated that the indulgence only counted under very specific circumstance: you have to go to Church, receive the sacrament, and say a pre-canned prayer. Absolutely none of those things has anything to do with social media.

Doesn't it? Is a person watching the events in high def that much less there than a peasant sitting in the back row with blurry vision because glasses haven't been invented yet? Can't that person say the pre-canned prayer from his computer? The sacrament is the only thing that person is really missing out on.

OG_slinger wrote:
Hypatian wrote:

In short: You didn't bother to read the rebuttal article.

No, I read it. I simply don't count a CNN religion blog as necessarily being impartial when it comes to the story.

The simple fact remains that the Church has repeatedly tried to show that it's hip and cool by doing things like having the Pope send a Tweet from an iPad. But it's not hip and cool.

It's a 2,000 year-old organization with rites and beliefs that were hammered out in the Dark Ages. It's never going to be hip and cool. But it has to try if it's going to compete with evangelical churches that have bands with electric guitars and coffee shops (and who have been eating its lunch for years).

The Church could have simply announced the indulgences for the World Youth Day and let it be. Instead, they had to try to be hip and cool--hey, it's World Youth Day after all--and say that folks could participate through social media.

But the guidelines the Church published clearly stated that the indulgence only counted under very specific circumstance: you have to go to Church, receive the sacrament, and say a pre-canned prayer. Absolutely none of those things has anything to do with social media.

So it's not the media's fault that the Church actually didn't have a plan on how people could participate through social media and got caught with its pants down when someone asked for additional details, like if Twitter counted.

In a sad way (not that there is any other way to make this comparison), it reminds me of the efforts Kim Jong Pil is making to make himself appear "cool".

Yonder wrote:

Doesn't it? Is a person watching the events in high def that much less there than a peasant sitting in the back row with blurry vision because glasses haven't been invented yet? Can't that person say the pre-canned prayer from his computer? The sacrament is the only thing that person is really missing out on.

Well, eyeglasses and computers aren't social media and the sacrament of communion is one of the core things that make a Catholic a Catholic.

OG_slinger wrote:
Yonder wrote:

Doesn't it? Is a person watching the events in high def that much less there than a peasant sitting in the back row with blurry vision because glasses haven't been invented yet? Can't that person say the pre-canned prayer from his computer? The sacrament is the only thing that person is really missing out on.

Well, eyeglasses and computers aren't social media and the sacrament of communion is one of the core things that make a Catholic a Catholic.

So watch the ceremony on Youtube while consuming some Nilla wafers and box wine.

Well, at my local parish, the inquisitor is quite savvy at rooting out traces of witchcraft on Facebook. We've already caught 7 witches and warlocks who will make a great bonfire at the upcoming parish picnic. One of the problems though is kids today think Facebook is for old people - so we've needed to turn to Instagram to pick out a few lucky kids for father's "super ethical reality climax" bible camp.

Ulairi wrote:

don't let a facts get in a the way of a good old fashioned GWJ P&C /r/atheism mocking thread.

The Blog is wrong. The Vatican Court has stated that for those who cannot make it to Rio for the festivities will still be able to partake if they follow news, or internet, or social media on the event. And you will have sins forgiven. Forgiven sins remits time in purgatory or in hell. If this is not what forgiveness of sins is for, then I want to know why Catholics put such import on confession and last rites?

I respect the fine Jesuit rebutting the online response. But the ruling from the Court says what people ran with it on.

Is the problem really a lighthearted response to a silly decision from the Vatican? Or that the Vatican is offering indulgences by watching TV, Twitter, and Youtube? I cannot tell if that is better or worse than just buying indulgences.

KingGorilla wrote:
Ulairi wrote:

don't let a facts get in a the way of a good old fashioned GWJ P&C /r/atheism mocking thread.

The Blog is wrong. The Vatican Court has stated that for those who cannot make it to Rio for the festivities will still be able to partake if they follow news, or internet, or social media on the event. And you will have sins forgiven. Forgiven sins remits time in purgatory or in hell. If this is not what forgiveness of sins is for, then I want to know why Catholics put such import on confession and last rites?

No. Vatican spokespeople have clearly stated that one must do more than simply follow news, internet, and social media to earn an indulgence. And indulgences are not forgiveness of sins, and have nothing to do with time in hell.

edit: and dude, what? The "Vatican Court?" Where are you even getting this stuff?

Podunk wrote:

edit: and dude, what? The "Vatican Court?" Where are you even getting this stuff?

You know the one! It's headed by the King: King Pope!

IMAGE(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071229224538/en.futurama/images/6/6b/SpacePope.png)