I agree with this article. I once heard a priest who was asked if he was Democrat or Republican. He responded by saying “Neither, I am Catholic.” That is pretty much my attitude. Good for Pope Francis that he never let himself be pulled into political tribalism. He may have not been perfect but as a worldwide stage leader that was always pressured to fall into this tribalism he resisted this and constantly kept his focus on the poor he was a good role model.
I lost all respect for the Pope when he conflated Israel's self defense with the sadistic pogrom committed by Hamas. The Catholic church has a long bloody history of slaughtering and persecuting the Jewish people (I was raised Catholic) so his stance on the Israel/Hamas war made me sick. It was a blood libel.
HOWEVER, I do prefer the Catholic Church to other Christian churches because nobody really cares what the pope says. We attend mass for the candles and the stained glass and for Mother Mary. The mother of Jesus was a passionately loyal Jew who would have zero interest in coddling Hamas. Am Yisrael Chai.
I voted for Trump last November (despite being a Dem my entire life) because Biden's open border led to some migrants "killing babies" outside the womb, either through trafficking or rape and murder. I don't know how anyone who cares about the poor could support open borders.
Under pressure from European monarchs, the Pope suppressed the Jesuit order in 1773.
This suppression led to the expulsion of Jesuits from Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the Americas. The Jesuits were viewed as a threat to absolute monarchist rule and were accused of hindering the establishment of state control over religion. In parts of the Americas, the Jesuits defended the indigenous populations against abuse by colonizers, further fueling the opposition to their order.
Liberal as it is used in Liberal Patriot goes back to the 18th century when liberals supported a Republican form of self-government while conservatives supported monarchist and clerical rule over the population.
Just another pope who hated Jews and called Israel genocidal country. The Catholic Church is the great anime of the Jewish people. It has always been so it will always be so and it’s just as bad as the radical Islamists led by a pope who is just like a mullah !
The pope welcomed a long string of pro-abortion Catholic Democrat politicians (Pelosi, Biden, etc.) with open arms. Equating maintaining a country's border with the slaughter of children was sickening to me (former Catholic).
A little unclear to me, and many Catholics or former Catholics, how the late Pope's teachings on immigration, abortions and more "adhere to the teachings of the Church." More like looking the other way to fill seats in the pew.
What is the function of government as stated in the Bible.
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Where in there does any part of it say govenrment is responsible for the tasks assigned to the church? The church has gladly given up their God mandates and given them over to the govenrment to take care of while they become richer and richer. (side not, this is why religion should be taxed.) How rich were the Christians of Jesus time and right after? Certainly7not as well as the Catholic church or many other denominations. If the churches were to give up their wealth and actually take care of the mandates God has given them, wouldn't the world be a much better place? Would the church have any time left for politics? Would not the church then be severed from government as the Bible seems to indicate is the plan?
The whole political argument involving the church's involvement in government is a red herring. A bastardization of the duties assigned to the church. A shirking of Biblical duties assigned to the leaders of the church. The only true church, the church of the Bible, Gods church is not of brick and mortar. There is but one way to salvation. (John 3:16) All the other stuff is humanity telling God his plan isn't good enough. So we will make it better. But then, religious leaders are human also and flawed.
Religious beliefs are suppose to be your deepest held values. Yet, elected officials, e.g. biden and pelosi, will tell you that they can separate their religion from their govenrment job. No you can't, It is impossible. If you can't follow your deepest beliefs and morals, don't run for office.
The biggest lie by government officials, I can separate my deepest held beliefs from my govenrment actions that are in direct conflict with their deepest held beliefs. When the bible says one will be judged. The criteria to be judged on, is using the gifts God gave you to use on earth.
First Corinthians 3:11 pictures Christ as our “foundation,” and the surrounding verses liken the Christian life to building on that foundation. We can build with “gold, silver, costly stones,” or we can build with “wood, hay or straw” (verse 12). What we construct will be tested, as it were, by fire. Our worthless, shallow activity will not survive God’s refining fire; only what is done for God’s glory will last. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal this.
Believers will be rewarded based on their good works in Christ’s service and their faithfulness to the Lord (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27). We will give an account of our actions, inactions, words, thoughts, and motives. Were they truly indicative of our position in Christ? “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12 ).
That does not mean good works are needed to be saved nor to enter eternity with God and Jesus. But their will be consequences for not doing so.
Not being Catholic, I have no comment on the Pope. However, I do have something to say about big tentism. I have never understood why someone would want to be a member of either a political party or church whose basic tenets and practices he did not share. Admittedly, nothing can be 100% and it's easy to come up with examples that seem absurd to outsiders. The great schism in the Russian Orthodox church was fueled by a dispute over whether the sign of the cross should be made with two fingers or three. This led to centuries of persecution. Similarly, the Irish Civil War had the issue of wherever the newly independent state would have a purely symbolic declaration of allegiance to the King. But when it is a major point of doctrine or practice, it is time to leave.
The Catholic Church itself certainly has not always been a big tent. At times it has had the kind of ferocious internal discipline normally associated with the Communist Party and all out wars on heretics. It has mellowed in more modern times perhaps because of a turn of the wheel in the always uneasy relationship between God and Caesar.
At any rate, a political party which doesn't assert to draw its authority from God should be under no stricture to be a big tent except as a purely tactical matter which I believe was the point of the article.
Gays, regardless of their party affiliation, have a home in the Catholic Church only if they submit to being bound by the Church's twisted and arbitrary hangups around non-procreative sex. In my case, my 40-plus year relationship with my husband would need to have been celibate from its inception and even then our married status would make us religiously unclean in the eyes of the Church. That is something no human being should be required to do.
A key criticism of Pope Francis’s approach to gay issues is that his rhetorical emphasis on inclusion, dignity, and pastoral care created a misleading impression of change, while in reality, the Church’s official teachings on homosexuality remain unchanged—and remain a powerful weapon in the hands of far-right Catholic activists like Robert P. George, who actively push for legal and social discrimination against gay people.
Francis’s words about welcoming gay people—"Who am I to judge?"—suggested a break from the past, but he did not go on to reform the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Hence, The Church still views homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered” and of “great depravity.” Left intact, those teachings serve as a justification for discrimination. While Francis promoted pastoral outreach, his failure to correct the Catechism’s language allows anti-gay Catholics to continue citing Church doctrine as moral cover for bigotry.
Figures like Robert P. George exploit this doctrinal ambiguity. While Francis preached mercy, George and his ideological allies—including activists at organizations like the National Organization for Marriage and the Ethics and Public Policy Center—argue that Catholic doctrine obligates opposition to gay rights. They lobby against same-sex marriage, support “religious freedom” exemptions that enable discrimination, and oppose non-discrimination protections for gay people. Anti-gay Catholics and Protestants alike secured a victory in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, 600 U.S. 570 (2023), where the Supreme Court carved out an exception to public accommodation laws, allowing businesses to deny services to gay people based on religious beliefs under certain circumstances.
Because the Catechism remains unchanged, Francis’s pastoral language served as a rhetorical buffer—offering a softer public face of the Church while still providing theological ammunition to those who want to restrict gay rights. The result is a double game: Francis appeared progressive, but he failed to undo the very framework that justifies anti-LGB discrimination. This strategic ambiguity lets the Church appear compassionate while allowing its most reactionary elements to continue their crusade against gay equality.
I just read this & it erased what I thought the deceased Pope preached - I honestly thought he preached that gay relationships were blessed … well, damxxx him for misleading hmmmm - I’m not catholic never close so forgive me my —- ok, I won’t go there, but seriously I did think gay relationships & perhaps even marriages were being accepted…
there's hypocrisy aplenty all around, politically & religiously. Thou shalt not kill - death penalty is ok, killing babies is ok - ???? which is it? Thou shalt not commit adultery - hmmm, how many Catholics can take that one seriously? Thou shalt take thy marriage vows seriously till death do thee part --- even if adultery is committed? Which is it??? And then the AWFUL AWFUL ness of the Catholic church hiding, denying the pedophile priests moving them to other churches thru the years only to commit more of their heinous crimes... & as I wrote recently I'm very glad this Pope has welcomed gays but still not accepting female priests????
personally, I go for non-denominational, inclined towards Quaker, where there's no one person on a pedestal - kissing the ring of the Pope - uh, gag! sorry, is that too blunt? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” imo, that's getting a bit too close to worshipping...
If I may, the commandment means that one shall not murder, in other words, premeditated, taking an innocent life. Hence, a Christian is called to be pro-life (And life, as even Google agrees (Google it), starts at conception) and is not called to be against the death penalty (2 or more witnesses are required Deut 17:6). If I had to kill a man to protect someone from being killed that is not a sin.
Often, as the Bible tells us, people get turned away from or off to Christianity because of the acts of those who profess so strongly to be Christians. In fact, hypocrisy, as indicated by the Bible, is worse than non belief, as at least the non believer is being honest with themselves.
So, if you are interested in Christianity, read the Bible (recommend King James or NKJ), the power is in the Word, and remember if God gives you the gift of faith, as He desires to do, His word stands forever. God bless!
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Col 2:8-9 NKJ
I agree w/ you... I think... I don't believe it's a sin to kill to protect myself or someone else from being killed
I know Christians who are against the death penalty but aren't against abortion. That confuses me.
I've read the Bible & listened to it several times. However, I always appreciate any feedback. And interpretation. The interpretation is what can be confusing for me tho. How can one denomination's interpretation be the only one that's right? Some denominations claim that if members of other denominations aren't following the same interpretations, they're going to Hell. I was volunteering at a juvenile detention center for Sunday Bible study, not initially realizing I was supposed to follow a certain doctrine. When they found out I wasn't teaching the 'right' way, I was 'asked to be taught the right way or leave'. I left. I guess I 'know' where they think I'm going, too.
Unfortunately, your experience seems quite common. I believe it's because 'all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God'. In other words, humans, in general, tend to mess things up, always, lol. (i.e. Adam; God had to start all over with Noah; even the biggest hero's of the Bible committed horrible sins (see David); of course the religious leaders of the day leading the way to killing Jesus, and on, and on).
Personally, I try not to get caught up in the endless differences in doctrine. I will say to myself, "Do you believe in God, do you believe Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God as our intercessor and ultimate role model, awesome, I can work with that, and lets focus on what we agree on." Ultimately, strengthening your Holy Spirit is the only way to receive true discernment. Then, it's about humility, obedience and love, doing your (meaning being a vessel, not in our own strength, this isn't an easy concept, even for most believers, IMO) best to emulate Christ.
And I don't believe in telling anyone they are going to Hell (most of my family is agnostic). How does that bring anyone closer to the Truth (Jesus)? Thank you for your thoughtful questions DJ, You've inspired me to start my subscription again! Rue, John, and the gang should thank you!
"best to emulate Christ" - yes, my thinking too as much as I can, & as you say, as a human, I often fail (& I have printed simply, in smallish type on the front of business size cards that I use in case I need to jot a note for someone on the back, "What Would Jesus Do?"
On one ear I always wear the fish earring, on the other ear I have 2 piercings & I vary usually unmatching earrings depending on what I'm wearing... anyway, one unbelieving friend who left the Catholic church is a scuba diving friend asked me what the fish is for, kind-of sarcastically "is that the Jesus thing or for diving?" I simply said "for me, for Jesus, for you, it can mean anything"
I agree with this article. I once heard a priest who was asked if he was Democrat or Republican. He responded by saying “Neither, I am Catholic.” That is pretty much my attitude. Good for Pope Francis that he never let himself be pulled into political tribalism. He may have not been perfect but as a worldwide stage leader that was always pressured to fall into this tribalism he resisted this and constantly kept his focus on the poor he was a good role model.
I lost all respect for the Pope when he conflated Israel's self defense with the sadistic pogrom committed by Hamas. The Catholic church has a long bloody history of slaughtering and persecuting the Jewish people (I was raised Catholic) so his stance on the Israel/Hamas war made me sick. It was a blood libel.
HOWEVER, I do prefer the Catholic Church to other Christian churches because nobody really cares what the pope says. We attend mass for the candles and the stained glass and for Mother Mary. The mother of Jesus was a passionately loyal Jew who would have zero interest in coddling Hamas. Am Yisrael Chai.
I voted for Trump last November (despite being a Dem my entire life) because Biden's open border led to some migrants "killing babies" outside the womb, either through trafficking or rape and murder. I don't know how anyone who cares about the poor could support open borders.
Under pressure from European monarchs, the Pope suppressed the Jesuit order in 1773.
This suppression led to the expulsion of Jesuits from Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the Americas. The Jesuits were viewed as a threat to absolute monarchist rule and were accused of hindering the establishment of state control over religion. In parts of the Americas, the Jesuits defended the indigenous populations against abuse by colonizers, further fueling the opposition to their order.
Liberal as it is used in Liberal Patriot goes back to the 18th century when liberals supported a Republican form of self-government while conservatives supported monarchist and clerical rule over the population.
Just another pope who hated Jews and called Israel genocidal country. The Catholic Church is the great anime of the Jewish people. It has always been so it will always be so and it’s just as bad as the radical Islamists led by a pope who is just like a mullah !
The pope welcomed a long string of pro-abortion Catholic Democrat politicians (Pelosi, Biden, etc.) with open arms. Equating maintaining a country's border with the slaughter of children was sickening to me (former Catholic).
A little unclear to me, and many Catholics or former Catholics, how the late Pope's teachings on immigration, abortions and more "adhere to the teachings of the Church." More like looking the other way to fill seats in the pew.
What is the function of government as stated in the Bible.
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Where in there does any part of it say govenrment is responsible for the tasks assigned to the church? The church has gladly given up their God mandates and given them over to the govenrment to take care of while they become richer and richer. (side not, this is why religion should be taxed.) How rich were the Christians of Jesus time and right after? Certainly7not as well as the Catholic church or many other denominations. If the churches were to give up their wealth and actually take care of the mandates God has given them, wouldn't the world be a much better place? Would the church have any time left for politics? Would not the church then be severed from government as the Bible seems to indicate is the plan?
The whole political argument involving the church's involvement in government is a red herring. A bastardization of the duties assigned to the church. A shirking of Biblical duties assigned to the leaders of the church. The only true church, the church of the Bible, Gods church is not of brick and mortar. There is but one way to salvation. (John 3:16) All the other stuff is humanity telling God his plan isn't good enough. So we will make it better. But then, religious leaders are human also and flawed.
Religious beliefs are suppose to be your deepest held values. Yet, elected officials, e.g. biden and pelosi, will tell you that they can separate their religion from their govenrment job. No you can't, It is impossible. If you can't follow your deepest beliefs and morals, don't run for office.
The biggest lie by government officials, I can separate my deepest held beliefs from my govenrment actions that are in direct conflict with their deepest held beliefs. When the bible says one will be judged. The criteria to be judged on, is using the gifts God gave you to use on earth.
First Corinthians 3:11 pictures Christ as our “foundation,” and the surrounding verses liken the Christian life to building on that foundation. We can build with “gold, silver, costly stones,” or we can build with “wood, hay or straw” (verse 12). What we construct will be tested, as it were, by fire. Our worthless, shallow activity will not survive God’s refining fire; only what is done for God’s glory will last. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal this.
Believers will be rewarded based on their good works in Christ’s service and their faithfulness to the Lord (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27). We will give an account of our actions, inactions, words, thoughts, and motives. Were they truly indicative of our position in Christ? “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12 ).
That does not mean good works are needed to be saved nor to enter eternity with God and Jesus. But their will be consequences for not doing so.
Not being Catholic, I have no comment on the Pope. However, I do have something to say about big tentism. I have never understood why someone would want to be a member of either a political party or church whose basic tenets and practices he did not share. Admittedly, nothing can be 100% and it's easy to come up with examples that seem absurd to outsiders. The great schism in the Russian Orthodox church was fueled by a dispute over whether the sign of the cross should be made with two fingers or three. This led to centuries of persecution. Similarly, the Irish Civil War had the issue of wherever the newly independent state would have a purely symbolic declaration of allegiance to the King. But when it is a major point of doctrine or practice, it is time to leave.
The Catholic Church itself certainly has not always been a big tent. At times it has had the kind of ferocious internal discipline normally associated with the Communist Party and all out wars on heretics. It has mellowed in more modern times perhaps because of a turn of the wheel in the always uneasy relationship between God and Caesar.
At any rate, a political party which doesn't assert to draw its authority from God should be under no stricture to be a big tent except as a purely tactical matter which I believe was the point of the article.
Fair, fair, fair to both sides.
Gays, regardless of their party affiliation, have a home in the Catholic Church only if they submit to being bound by the Church's twisted and arbitrary hangups around non-procreative sex. In my case, my 40-plus year relationship with my husband would need to have been celibate from its inception and even then our married status would make us religiously unclean in the eyes of the Church. That is something no human being should be required to do.
A key criticism of Pope Francis’s approach to gay issues is that his rhetorical emphasis on inclusion, dignity, and pastoral care created a misleading impression of change, while in reality, the Church’s official teachings on homosexuality remain unchanged—and remain a powerful weapon in the hands of far-right Catholic activists like Robert P. George, who actively push for legal and social discrimination against gay people.
Francis’s words about welcoming gay people—"Who am I to judge?"—suggested a break from the past, but he did not go on to reform the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Hence, The Church still views homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered” and of “great depravity.” Left intact, those teachings serve as a justification for discrimination. While Francis promoted pastoral outreach, his failure to correct the Catechism’s language allows anti-gay Catholics to continue citing Church doctrine as moral cover for bigotry.
Figures like Robert P. George exploit this doctrinal ambiguity. While Francis preached mercy, George and his ideological allies—including activists at organizations like the National Organization for Marriage and the Ethics and Public Policy Center—argue that Catholic doctrine obligates opposition to gay rights. They lobby against same-sex marriage, support “religious freedom” exemptions that enable discrimination, and oppose non-discrimination protections for gay people. Anti-gay Catholics and Protestants alike secured a victory in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, 600 U.S. 570 (2023), where the Supreme Court carved out an exception to public accommodation laws, allowing businesses to deny services to gay people based on religious beliefs under certain circumstances.
Because the Catechism remains unchanged, Francis’s pastoral language served as a rhetorical buffer—offering a softer public face of the Church while still providing theological ammunition to those who want to restrict gay rights. The result is a double game: Francis appeared progressive, but he failed to undo the very framework that justifies anti-LGB discrimination. This strategic ambiguity lets the Church appear compassionate while allowing its most reactionary elements to continue their crusade against gay equality.
I just read this & it erased what I thought the deceased Pope preached - I honestly thought he preached that gay relationships were blessed … well, damxxx him for misleading hmmmm - I’m not catholic never close so forgive me my —- ok, I won’t go there, but seriously I did think gay relationships & perhaps even marriages were being accepted…
there's hypocrisy aplenty all around, politically & religiously. Thou shalt not kill - death penalty is ok, killing babies is ok - ???? which is it? Thou shalt not commit adultery - hmmm, how many Catholics can take that one seriously? Thou shalt take thy marriage vows seriously till death do thee part --- even if adultery is committed? Which is it??? And then the AWFUL AWFUL ness of the Catholic church hiding, denying the pedophile priests moving them to other churches thru the years only to commit more of their heinous crimes... & as I wrote recently I'm very glad this Pope has welcomed gays but still not accepting female priests????
personally, I go for non-denominational, inclined towards Quaker, where there's no one person on a pedestal - kissing the ring of the Pope - uh, gag! sorry, is that too blunt? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” imo, that's getting a bit too close to worshipping...
If I may, the commandment means that one shall not murder, in other words, premeditated, taking an innocent life. Hence, a Christian is called to be pro-life (And life, as even Google agrees (Google it), starts at conception) and is not called to be against the death penalty (2 or more witnesses are required Deut 17:6). If I had to kill a man to protect someone from being killed that is not a sin.
Often, as the Bible tells us, people get turned away from or off to Christianity because of the acts of those who profess so strongly to be Christians. In fact, hypocrisy, as indicated by the Bible, is worse than non belief, as at least the non believer is being honest with themselves.
So, if you are interested in Christianity, read the Bible (recommend King James or NKJ), the power is in the Word, and remember if God gives you the gift of faith, as He desires to do, His word stands forever. God bless!
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Col 2:8-9 NKJ
I agree w/ you... I think... I don't believe it's a sin to kill to protect myself or someone else from being killed
I know Christians who are against the death penalty but aren't against abortion. That confuses me.
I've read the Bible & listened to it several times. However, I always appreciate any feedback. And interpretation. The interpretation is what can be confusing for me tho. How can one denomination's interpretation be the only one that's right? Some denominations claim that if members of other denominations aren't following the same interpretations, they're going to Hell. I was volunteering at a juvenile detention center for Sunday Bible study, not initially realizing I was supposed to follow a certain doctrine. When they found out I wasn't teaching the 'right' way, I was 'asked to be taught the right way or leave'. I left. I guess I 'know' where they think I'm going, too.
Unfortunately, your experience seems quite common. I believe it's because 'all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God'. In other words, humans, in general, tend to mess things up, always, lol. (i.e. Adam; God had to start all over with Noah; even the biggest hero's of the Bible committed horrible sins (see David); of course the religious leaders of the day leading the way to killing Jesus, and on, and on).
Personally, I try not to get caught up in the endless differences in doctrine. I will say to myself, "Do you believe in God, do you believe Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God as our intercessor and ultimate role model, awesome, I can work with that, and lets focus on what we agree on." Ultimately, strengthening your Holy Spirit is the only way to receive true discernment. Then, it's about humility, obedience and love, doing your (meaning being a vessel, not in our own strength, this isn't an easy concept, even for most believers, IMO) best to emulate Christ.
And I don't believe in telling anyone they are going to Hell (most of my family is agnostic). How does that bring anyone closer to the Truth (Jesus)? Thank you for your thoughtful questions DJ, You've inspired me to start my subscription again! Rue, John, and the gang should thank you!
God bless, and Godspeed in your search for Truth!
"best to emulate Christ" - yes, my thinking too as much as I can, & as you say, as a human, I often fail (& I have printed simply, in smallish type on the front of business size cards that I use in case I need to jot a note for someone on the back, "What Would Jesus Do?"
On one ear I always wear the fish earring, on the other ear I have 2 piercings & I vary usually unmatching earrings depending on what I'm wearing... anyway, one unbelieving friend who left the Catholic church is a scuba diving friend asked me what the fish is for, kind-of sarcastically "is that the Jesus thing or for diving?" I simply said "for me, for Jesus, for you, it can mean anything"