The Pope speaks out on climate change

[Rogar]

I am wondering how this will affect the alignment of conservative Roman Catholics on climate change leanings. In our recent election we had a strong contender who was a staunch Catholic, but also believed that climate change was a natural cycle and unrelated to human activity. Marco Rubio is another Catholic politician who doesn't believe climate change is a result of human activity The Roman Catholic community in the U.S., not to mention world wide is a very large group. It seems like the effect could be significant.

"...the pope will issue the first-ever comprehensive set of Vatican teachings on climate change, in the form of an encyclical—or "papal letter"—sent to churches worldwide.... a papal letter is among the highest levels of teaching authority for a pope"

"Urging all Catholics to take action on moral and scientific grounds, the document will be sent to the world's 5,000 Catholic bishops and 400,000 priests, who will distribute it to parishioners."

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/12/pope-francis-climate-change

[catherine]

I love this Pope.

[creaker]

I have seen some comments, basically along the lines of "so who does this person think he is, telling us what to do?" Umm - you're Catholic - and he's the Pope.

Going by some prophecies, the is the last Pope. I expect for many he will be.

Added: I really like this Pope much better.

[Tussiemussies]

This pope is a great, humble man...

[Yossarian]

He lost me when he somewhat defended the terrorists in Paris. No halfway on this one. If you don't want people to criticize your religion, keep your religion to yourself.

[catherine]

He lost me when he somewhat defended the terrorists in Paris. No halfway on this one. If you don't want people to criticize your religion, keep your religion to yourself.

I think this links back to our Religious Freedom comment--I think what he's saying is that something might be legal, but not necessarily right, and certain actions have consequences. For the school yard bully, somebody might punch them back. For rabid terrorists, the consequences might be what you saw in Paris.

I did enjoy his quote yesterday: "Just because you're Catholic, you don't have to breed like rabbits" and then he basically told people to be responsible for themselves and don't expect God to shower you with the money you don't have to raise the kids. But of course, it was taken out of context, like the terrorist comment. He hasn't quite gotten the art of speaking in a way that minimizes those pesky soundbites.

[JaneV2.0]

...
I did enjoy his quote yesterday: "Just because you're Catholic, you don't have to breed like rabbits" and then he basically told people to be responsible for themselves and don't expect God to shower you with the money you don't have to raise the kids. But of course, it was taken out of context, like the terrorist comment. He hasn't quite gotten the art of speaking in a way that minimizes those pesky soundbites.

Most of the developed world is way ahead of him--Europe's birth rate has dropped precipitously, with projected dire economic results, especially in Italy.

[Yossarian]

I think this links back to our Religious Freedom comment--I think what he's saying is that something might be legal, but not necessarily right, and certain actions have consequences. For the school yard bully, somebody might punch them back. For rabid terrorists, the consequences might be what you saw in Paris.



I think it was a self serving attempt to protect his own dubious theocracy from scrutiny. Religion has used this concept for centuries. Why should any reasoning be immune from scrutiny merely because the instigator wraps himself in a "religious" blanket. He basically just threw his hat in with ISIS.

[lessisbest]

Keep in mind the Pope was born in Argentina..... He's also a Jesuit priest and they typically are more liberal in their thinking and ideology than conservative, and could be why he buys into the global warming (make Al Gore FILTHY rich) hoax.

[catherine]

could be why he buys into the global warming (make Al Gore FILTHY rich) hoax.

http://www.omgiloveyourhair.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/frog-in-a-pot1.jpg

[Rogar]

The Pope may not have the highest respect from a few and the argument, about global warming being real or hoax has been has discussed here several times. It seems to me like the most significant issue is whether the Pope's statement as the religious leader of many that includes influential politicians will significantly increase backing of the issue. My perception of the general populace is they they don't have the time or motivation to delve into the science will tend to take the word of groups or organization with which they identify and tend to trust, sprinkled with a little opinion.. For some, who is more trustworthy than the Pope, who also leads a very large group.

In our local election the issue of abortion came up, with the conservative candidate defending his opposition based on his religious beliefs. There are a number of conservative politicians who deny global warming and are also Roman Catholic. Say, this comes up in an election debate or an interview it seems like they will be between a rock and a hard place by either having to support the general opinions of their party, or to say the Pope is not correct. And many may have their current stance questioned based on religion.

[Gardenarian]

I am very glad to here this. I feel that Obama just glossed over the issue in the SOTU speech last night. Even though he's a lame duck, he focuses on what people want to hear - and people don't want to hear about the end of civilization.

I'm glad the pope, at least, has the courage of his convictions.

[zeaxmays]

There are a number of conservative politicians who deny global warming and are also Roman Catholic. Say, this comes up in an election debate or an interview it seems like they will be between a rock and a hard place by either having to support the general opinions of their party, or to say the Pope is not correct. And many may have their current stance questioned based on religion.

they could say the pope wasnt making an ex cathedra statement and arent required to believe it as a dogmatic statement requiring belief by every catholic.

[sssun]

"Urging all Catholics to take action on moral and scientific grounds...



This is the part that I find most refreshing. I've never understood why people's faith couldn't also encompass human learning in the sciences. What do we have brains for?

[oldhat]

I am wondering how this will affect the alignment of conservative Roman Catholics on climate change leanings. In our recent election we had a strong contender who was a staunch Catholic, but also believed that climate change was a natural cycle and unrelated to human activity. Marco Rubio is another Catholic politician who doesn't believe climate change is a result of human activity The Roman Catholic community in the U.S., not to mention world wide is a very large group. It seems like the effect could be significant.

Right-wing Catholics are much worse"cafeteria Catholics" than any liberal. They say they're anti-abortion because the church teaches the sanctity of human life, but when it comes to capital punishment, um, not so much. They also conveniently ignore the church's teachings on economic inequality and are very annoyed when the Pope points out that the church teaches (and has for some time, I believe) that unregulated capitalism is evil.