The Roman Catholic Church has announced that there are 'new sins.'
I was, at first, amused. In reading their information on this, I was actually quite impressed.
Before I go any further, there are things about Roman Catholicism that one needs to recognize in whatever they do.
First, the Roman Catholic Church is not an American Church or an American organization. It's organization structure dates back to Constantine and is, in many ways, the last vestige of the ancient Roman Empire. The Pope is elected by the Princes of the Church (Cardinals) but from that point on he functions very much as a powerful monarch. They do not act on what they see to be the best interests of the United States or any nation in particular. Because of their structure, and because of their international presence, they are pretty impervious to polls and what people perceive about them.
Secondly, the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy is not easily classified. The Roman Catholic Church's positions are very much their's based upon their view of the teachings of Christ. As a result, they do not have a moronic attachment to labels such as liberal or conservative.
For example:
John Paul II condemned Communism and was loudly applauded in our country until he pretty much condemned our system of capitalism as being oppressive to the poor. The new 'sins' are very clear on this. They do not embrace, and never have embraced, the alleged 'Prosperity Gospel,' that is so popular right now.
The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to abortion. This gets applauded in some circles until the discussion continues and one learns that they are also strong opposed to capital punishment.
When John Kerry ran the American Bishops mostly dissed him because of his positions on abortion. They are probably sitting this one out, however, because they have since been strong in stating that our current President is blatantly immoral in regards to war, torture, and economic policies.
The new sins are about economic injustice, genetic manipulation and what they would see as questionable advances in medical technology, drugs that weaken people, and misuse of the environment.
I'm not sure that they are covering new ground but they certain are an interesting voice in our current society.
2 comments:
Oldest sins in all the newest ways? Surely the church doesn't approve of divorce by text-message. What about watching "The Girls Next Door?" Does that count as a sin? Or does it depend on the episode?
Go get 'em, Hillary! Once you're in, maybe they can think of a sin in your honor.
Divorce by text message? Wow. Talk about a new level of COLD!!! Ouch.
I've never watched "The Girls Next Door" and didn't even know that there was such a show. I'm getting old and 'out of it.'
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