Is Pope Francis a heretic?
That’s what some prominent Christians are saying following the pontiff’s comments during a 60 Minutes interview in which he said that people are “fundamentally good” – an opinion that critics say is not only unbiblical, it is Satanic.
A Surprising Backlash
“People are fundamentally good,” said Pope Francis in a 60 Minutes interview that aired earlier this month. “Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good."
On its face, a seemingly hopeful and uncontroversial statement.
But the pope's optimism in humanity was met with a flurry of criticism from commenters accusing him of everything from being a false pontiff, to misunderstanding his own faith, to actually being Satanic.
Critics insist that this idea that humanity has an innate goodness is actually contrary to the teachings of the pope's own church.
They were quick to point to scripture with receipts that the pope is speaking unbiblically, including Mark 10:18, which reads “No one is good except God alone,” and Romans 3:23-24, which reads “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift.”
Accidental Pelagianism?
Many suggested that Pope Francis was inadvertently (or intentionally) promoting Pelagianism, a 5th-century philosophy the Catholic Church considers heretical.
Created by the British theologian Pelagius in the early 400s, Pelagianism denies original sin, stresses the free will of all human beings, and holds that humanity at large is generally good.
In its day, the idea quickly spread throughout the early church, but was vehemently opposed by many of Pelagius’ contemporaries, including Augustine of Hippo. The concept became wildly controversial, and Pelagius ultimately was expelled from the church during the Council of Carthage and later died in obscurity. The Catholic Church considers Pelagianism a heretical idea.
What do you think? Is Pope Francis minimizing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Is he busting out some classic 5th-century heresy?
Or is this just an optimistic statement willfully taken out of context by people eager to criticize the progressive-leaning pontiff?
100 comments
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Melinda Fulk
I can't believe I'm about to become an apologist for the Pope, of all people. He shouldn't need one. But being of a curious mind, I got curious about just who the people being quoted on Twitter above were. So I went digging. The last two must be most vocal on social media in within their own little publication spheres, because there wasn't as much to find.
Also, once again, to Catholics, the Pope is literally God's voice on earth. He's considered, in theory, infallible, because to suggest otherwise would be to suggest God's made a mistake somewhere. And seeing as how He is perfect, that's not possible. Also, we got the translator's version of what was said. The clarification at the bottom of the original 60 Minutes tweet kinda makes that clear. Translators ARE a little more imperfect. :-D
That said, here's what my little digging uncovered about those 5 WHITE, MIDDLE AGED conservative men. Pretty much all of them are also Trump supporters to varying degrees - as you'll see, at least one is to an alarming degree.
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Melinda Fulk
Oops! Got distracted - here's the rest: Jeremy Carl – Senior Trump advisor (Okay, Deputy Assistant Director of the Interior); probably racist given his book title (The Unprotected Class: How Anti-White Racism is Tearing America Apart); education in energy and tech; currently at the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank and early defender of Trump Eric Metataxes – conservative radio host; election denier- including calling for violenced; raised Greek Orthodox, but attends episcopal services on occasion; wrote a book about Martin Luther that states he “rescued the gospel” from the ecclesiastical and political structures of the medieval world (a statement neither fully true or false); anti-vaxxer Russ Latino – conservative from Mississippi; worked to expand school voucher systems and, umm, I’m not sure what else – welfare reform? (He actually seems like a decent guy who cares about people, which is possible!) Joel Berry – editor of the Babylon Bee, a conservative, satirical, “news” site; probably evangelical, given the Bee’s target audience; enjoys stirring controversy
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Susan Christine Giganti
What were people expecting the Pope to say , “ all people are lowlife scum and sinners unless they become Catholic” ? He was trying to uplift the listeners.
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Ben
He should have said something like this.
"We are all sinners. However, Jesus is the light of the world, he died for our sins on the cross to enable us to be forgiven, and enter the kingdom of heaven. This amazing gift for all of humanity is given out of pure love from God. All we need to do is believe in him, and ask for forgiveness."
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Katherine Opal Wu
Thank you, Melinda, I personally found that very illuminating.
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Melinda Fulk
You are welcome. I'm so sorry it quickly derailed into a political mud-slinging match. I should have known better than to say Trump-supported, but I didn't even think of it!
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Nicholas Peter Christopher
@melinda falk, what are you talking about “They are Trump supporters”? That has nothing to do with this topic whatsoever!!! As a proud member of this ulc community and a Trump supporter to the highest degree! You ma’am are the problem in America and absolutely ignorant. Now all your comments are null, void and meaningless
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
nick, nick, nick. first of all, no surprise you're a ragger for trump et. al, he is racist, a bigot, a misogynist, hates immigrants, has no use for religion (look it up). second supporters of der trump tend very much to be just like him as well as kristofascists. so you 'sir' are the problem, you like your fuehrer want to make 'murica a kris chin white nationalist whites only country.
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ServantOfJudgement
I almost want to vote for trump just for the show. The way folks melt down over the guy is hilarious.
Sure trumps a dirt bag but not one inch more that the hair sniffing daughter showering baby chopping black hating pedophile Joe Biden. He's a nasty little critter and lefties love the slimy toad.
Left is blind crazy
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
almost want to vote for...seriously? who else would you vote for other then der fuehrer? he's the leader of your kristofascist white nationalists. eesh, really, "...almost want to vote for..."
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ServantOfJudgement
Probably nobody JJ.
You don't think id vote for a guy that took showers with his daughter, sniffs little girls hair, has a son that's on the take from china along with The Big Guy", stole classified documents and thinks he was vice president when COVID broke do you?
None of the Above.
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James Hage
You may want to check into Dr. Cornell West. So far, to me, he seems the only candidate with morals.
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Adam Flowers
"almost want to vote for...seriously? who else would you vote for other then der fuehrer? he's the leader of your kristofascist white nationalists. eesh, really, "...almost want to vote for"
Dude you need serious mental help. You are doing nothing but spewing left wing propaganda thinking you speak the truth. It is disturbing how deranged and out of touch with reality you are. Not a single claim you made you backed up, and you cant. It is like you went to a rachel maddow forum and just copy and pasted her disconnected ramblings. Think for yourself and stop regurgitsting this garbage. Sad
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Tsk.
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Timothy C Stone
You should crawl back under the info war rock.
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Russel A. Kester
JJ, the thing you posted about Nicholas and Trump are malicious and without any foundation in your comment.
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Melinda Fulk
I'm getting the feeling they've encountered each other in the comments section before. ;-)
My main point is that none of these men are actually Catholic, although they are all probably VERY conservative. This doesn't put them in a position to declare the leader of the oldest Christian denomination a heretic, because they have no authority to do so. They're just stirring the pot for actual political advantage and to score points with their folowers.
Unfortunately, you can't take the politics out of this one, however much we may all want to.
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Nicholas Peter Christopher
JJ, I never mentioned my political affiliation until it was mentioned. I am not a bad person.As a first generation American, I have served my community with out regard for race, creed or ethnicity, I love Trump and I also love all people in general. I don’t care who a citizen votes for, I just hope that everyone who can vote does. That is the fabric of America, you are the tear in that fabric. America is not and never was a Christian nation but it was certainly founded with God’s law as a model for our society.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
you said you were a trump voter, "...As a proud member of this ulc community and a Trump supporter to the highest degree..." nuff said.
it's pure hypocrisy when you say you "...love trump..." and "...also love all people...". it's not possible, trump dislikes anyone not like himself and his core base, well if you ain't white and Kris chen then they all hate you
lol I am not the tear here, you and your ilk are the tear. I mean oh my Dog, you love trump and all people, BS. talk about cognitive dissonance...you're a poster child
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Ari Joseph Bertine
My elderly mother has several friends who are Trump supporters who literally have never seen what comes out of that man's mouth because they don't own televisions or use the computer. It used to shock me because these are nice old ladies, but they just literally don't know what's going on in the world. It's a bizarre state of things, but they might just be too old to understand.
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Nicholas Peter Christopher
JJ that whole white kristo fascist thing is crazy. My Father immigrated here from the island of cypress on a boat and through Ellis Island in NY harbor under the Statue of Liberty. I do love all people because that is what Jesus Christ commands. You will still condemn me for my political beliefs, and I will always love and respect my fellow man including you. And remember this started with someone saying something about Trump and the Pope, which I found one had nothing to do with the other. Jesus Christ bless us all🇺🇸
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Mark S Laudenslayer
You forgot criminal..
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Joe Stutler
Trump - and his supporters - are antithetical to our American values. It's really that simple.
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Adam Flowers
There are thousands discussing this from both sides. Where do you people get your information? Some random person on here? MSM? Just pluggin in Trump's name whenever you do not like something masks you look stupid. It makes Democrats look stupid and intolerable. I am a Democrat and I am tired of being accused of the crap you try spinning. Extremists on both sides need to go very far away because you are the problem in this country not Biden or Trump.
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Michael J.Daly
trump defenders are hilarious,,,using a pure opined take on Biden as a foil. pure poppycock. There is so much evidence as to fill a room to the ceiling on trumps misdeeds, lies, schemes and corruption and plots to dismember a working Republic. Melinda's excellent research makes it clear again how much conservatives hate the act of being inclusive as Pope Francis is. Inclusive being all life on Planet Earth and Humanity in all forms...the first Pope to do so. An excellent model for all. Christlike..
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ServantOfJudgement
Michael, you mean the countless and I mean countless videos of Biden hugging women and little girls too long, smelling them, kissing their heads and making all normal person cringe are all fake?
When he's recorded saying racist statements throughout his career, those are all fake too?
When he did the same thing with sensitive documents as trump that the FBI verified, but only trump is prosecuted, that's fake too?
Yep, trump is a dirty sock. Yep, Biden is dirty underwear.
Your biden is the same as your trump.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
The documents issue--it's not that Trump took them away to Florida, it's that he refused to return them despite several requests from the National Archives. Biden returned his stack when requested to do so. False equivalency.
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Colleen McAllister
Or is this just an optimistic statement willfully taken out of context by people eager to criticize the progressive-leaning pontiff?
Yes. I understand what the Pope is saying. We are all sinners simply means we all have at least a little sin in us. Most people are not evil, and all of us are able to be redeemed.
The Pope did nothing heretical.
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Mountainsage
Please drop the political attacks and hold yourselves to a higher standard. These days if you express an opinion it is often met with vicious criticism instead of open discussion. I suspect that is what happened with the Pope, not to mention interpretation problems possibly being at fault. Respectfully and with love.
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Russel A. Kester
I agree with your second statement that the Pope's comments were willfully taken out of context by his adversaries. As I read more theology and Biblical criticisms, I learn that both are fraught with controversy and can be difficult subjects to tackle. Most likely a statement will be forth coming to clarify his statement. I do think that we are born into an imperfect world and are thus imperfect (original sin?) but neither do I think we are wholly bad. We experience within us a call by grace to God, so there must be some good in us that responds to that call. A reader from X seems to have translated the Pope's words literally, "Pope Francis said "somos un poco pícaros y pecadores", meaning literally "we are a little bit rogue and sinners," speaking to some sinfulness within each of us." as contained in the article. That translation seems to show that he is not a heretic, but is speaking to a wider audience with gentle, Loving-Kindness.
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Thomas P. Davis
There is no original sin. That was a concept a priest came up with because the church believed the act of producing a baby was a sin. That is why has an infant I was baptized (sprinkled). My parents lived in fear that if I should die before I was baptized, I would end up in a place called limbo. It wasn't hell and it wasn't heaven, but it was a place that God would never visit. That is also why contraception is illegal because if you use that, it is because you're doing that for pleasure which is a no no in their eyes.
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ServantOfJudgement
That's incorrect Thomas. The original sin was committed by Satan. He was proud of his greatness under the assumption he earned it. The Bible is only in opposition to immoral sex.
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Peter Senderowitz
We are not "sinners" or born in "sin". Sex is a normal desire given our corporal nature as part of Nature's Animal Kingdom , neither good or bad. To equate natural needs , for example, sex, the hunt for food and eating, the desire to have control over one's own being, with sinfulness and wickedness is the real perversion and evil. When these normal needs are not obtained, crime, anti-social behavior and greed can and will reina. How to create a society where the causes of so-called bad behavior are rooted out is the Big Question, not whether these false Princes of Obscurantism are heretics, are themselves good or bad.
Rev.Peter Senderovitch
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Thomas P. Davis
If the church would have applied this verse to their lives, 1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. Instead of forcing celibacy on creatures that God made for companionship, maybe just maybe all these children that were abused would not have taken place or the abuse of the nuns in their institutions.
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ServantOfJudgement
You can't create a society where men commit no evil unless it's a society with no humans.
We are born as sinners and need no help or training to accomplish sin. That truth is immediately given to us in Genesis with Cain and Abel.
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Timothy C Stone
"..... the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21 So, there must be good in ALL people. In this era of divide in which we live there has to be some that speak out against anything said for no other reason than to be seen. The need for a human sacrifice to save your soul is the ultimate superstition. There is no original sin, but that is a discussion for another day.
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ServantOfJudgement
The biblical original sin was committed by Satan. He felt he was the cause of his greatness whereas God gifted it to him. Pride is the original sin. Like a baby being born as a millionaire believing it earned its millionaire status.
For your luke quote, that's directed to believers and followers of Jesus. Satan believes Jesus is real and knows what his function is yet the kingdom of heaven is not in him. You've got to agree with Jesus, which the vast majority of people do not.
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David Arthur Lewis
For once I agree with the pope of Rome. The theory of "Original Sin" is sheer poppycock. A god who would curse all humanity is not worthy of worship.
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Thomas P. Davis
Absolutely correct!
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Ari Joseph Bertine
It is amazing to me that a church that is so heartily into heirachical authority and has been for centuries suddenly goes berserk when they get a leader who makes an attempt to put compassion before outdated dogma. He is not quite there, there are some issues that he allows the church to blind him to, but he has shown more growth and deep delving into the nature of humanity than any other popes for centuries. I like the guy, I believe he truly wants to help people.
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Tareq Asfour
Why is everyone shocked? No surprise here maybe for billions who followed as misguided sheep
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Merlin
Was not man made in God’s image?
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Lionheart
Apart from women, yes. Such a misogynistic god 🤭
I have no idea where women get their feminine bits from, but presumably god had nipples. No idea why 🤷🏼
🦁❤️
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Thomas P. Davis
You are half correct, Gen 1:26 And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Adams children were made after Adams image. Gen 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image;
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Chris
It sounds like a lot of people want humans to be born sinners so they can excuse their behavior with "Well, I was born this way." Personally, I think more people are good at heart than not. They just don't get as much interest as those who do harm.
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Thomas P. Davis
Televison didn't help either with Flip Wilson on Laugh-in, constantly saying " the devil made me do it" the devil can't make us do anything.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
That was the point of the humor in the sentence--its absurdity in projecting instigation onto another being. Reminds me of a child I used to babysit for. Whenever she did something "naughty," she said that "that6 little man" did it. The poor "little man" had a pretty heavy burden to carry around!
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Robert E. Polston
Hello Friends!
We have text that tells us what God observed about his creation. After making man and woman, our bible states, "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." It seems both pompus and pius to criticise Pope Francis for the thought than humman beings are fundamentally good and finding hope in that belief.
Pope Francis stated what is exactly what Christians must believe about our fellow human beings and what Christians must believe about themselves and the attitude with which they must act. If we are to make diciples of all nations we must see our fellow human beings as capable or being predisposed to the possibility of being good.
The gift of Christ is forgivenss for sinners and not condemnation for us to share in such a gleeful fashion as seen in many of the writings shared here in this discussion. As with all things human, we can choose to see the glass as half-empty of half-full. Pope Franis is right to see the glass as half-full as a leader of Christians and an example to all. If people cannot see the goodness in front of them it is a commentary on them and not on the goodness being shared.
Rev. Bobby
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Paul Andrew Breda
Why is it necessary to depend so utterly on some ancient doctrine? "The Kingdom of God is within you," so how evil can we be? The Bible is so full of contradictions as to be useless, UNLESS we read between the lines and apply an assumption of love and compassion.
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Erich Habich-Traut
The assumption of love is important
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ServantOfJudgement
The satanists in Mexico(now in USA)filet the flesh of of living humans while pumping adrenaline into their body so they don't pass out from the pain. It's the cartel culture to do these things.
We civilized people here chop babies up inside the womb then suck them out with a sterilized vacuum cleaner.
Were funding and waging wars across the globe.
We conduct medical experiments on unwilling living humans including biological and chemical testing, it's in the federal code.
Without a moral reference, we humans produce our own as you've suggested we do. The results are horrifying and deadly.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
That's a nuts way to view humanity today. If I were so foolish as to believe that, I would already have suicided.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
Q!!!!!!!everyone wondered what you've been up to. now we know, you post your nonsense here in the hopes that religious morons [ ;-) ] will pick up on your fecal posits and spread them around like the fertilizer they are, getting other people to think your comments are true
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RAYMOND BENITEZ
Let me be clear; it's not what I think about issues and concerns. It's about what the Bible says. If we are going to be part of a Ministry of God; we need to go to the Bible and find the answer. Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
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Steven Ferrell
This Pope is definitely not a man of God as he condones way to much sin.
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Michael J.Daly
Oh, i daresay he is the most christian Pope ever. Flawed and wonderfully loving, tends to the poor and cares more than any other ever has for this beautiful , trashed planet. He is more Christlike in loving all iterations of humans than the last 50 popes combined.
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Daniel Todd Kamm
Such a shanda, that the Pope with the Hope should be criticized by those who have none, and want to keep others that way too.
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
I'm not a Catholic, but it's a shame that individuals who believe in hate over love. Who seem to HAVE to believe that "people are inherently evil" in order to justify their own hatred and bigotry. Who deliberately judge people as being "wrong" just for not following the same religion they do.
Calling him a "Heretic" and calling him a "monster", making threats against him and demanding he be defrocked for openly stating that he believes all humans are inherently good, is the cruelest, most cold-hearted, statement one can say. But then again, when people have been pushed most of their lives to hate anyone that doesn't view the world the same way they do, and have been conditioned to the "God hates " mindset, it's not surprising.
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Patrick A Rombyer
Anyone who thinks that “no one” is decent in the world needs to open their eyes. There was no comment about anyone not being a sinner or not ever having sinned. We are all flawed but that does not mean you are “bad.” It is a tragedy that people are so quick to make up their version of what is said just to have a pulpit to rage from. They claim they know Christian teaching but miss the whole point. We are all flawed but inherently decent until proven otherwise and should respect one another accordingly. This type of outcry is why I am conflicted with religion all together. Just be good to one another and give respect to those around you. Why is this so hard for people? It is sad really.
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Autumn Marie Nelson
It doesn't seem like anything other than what the Pope felt was a truthful and encouraging answer. Does it speak to the horrors that were committed globally to fund the Pope's reign over all? Nope. This is just one truth of many that have been forgotten over all the rhetoric. We are all born pure in mind, body and spirit. Period. Has anyone seriously looked at their newborn child and said what a little sinner!!! Purge this new baby?! I think you get the point.?! Maybe who knows. I am happy this slip of the tongue is being challenged!! It's about time the serpent in the church is outed lol truth is truth. He spoke the truth. We ARE all good in the beginning. The Catholic church laid down more data on how to torture, rape, rob and desecrate everything that wasnt theirs. The selling of indulgences funded the crusades for goodness sake!! Martin Luther took up the charge against the power of the faith militant...we certainly haven't
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JaZe
Sigh! Mistranslations again! The Bible is full of them. Jesus spoke in Aramaic! This Pope is trying to get the church out of its stubborn dark ages mentality. God help him!
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John Mario Capasso
The Pope said we are all part rogues and sinners but we are also basically good. If we were not basically good how then could we be redeemed through the Savior? And if we weren’t inherently good why would God even bother to offer redemption? Personally I see no inconsistency between the Pope’s statement and basic Catholic doctrine.
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A FOLLOWER OF THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
We are fundamentally good, Remember, GOD created male and female and it was good, He said so. (Gen 1:31) And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Because GOD said we were good then Fundamentally we are good but, because of the fall in the garden with ADAM AND EVE, we now have temptations bothering us from our youths and even while we are in the womb. (Gen 3:15) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen 3:16) Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. So we actually are in battle with the Devil and Negative forces from a baby. Remember John the Baptist Leaped When he realised Jesus had been Concepted. So yes we are GOOD from our beginning and young to exist, therefore some of the sayings that the people had of the old testament or thoughts (How they thought) weren't correct 100% It was however great for faiths sake. For example Sarah didn't understand how she would have a child at her old age. They didn't understand that the stuff they were seeing and being allowed to see was only the beginning.
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Gary Leu
Being a sinner and being basically good are only mutually exclusive to those with extreme biases. That extreme position denies a basic understanding of human nature. It's not difficult to imagine how those two ideas can exist at the same time in potentially all people. Indeed, I would also assert that it makes no sense to redeem or even have compassion for those who lack anything of value. Christian theology is based upon acts of charitable loving service to those who appear to be unworthy in all respects. I would imagine that people who take this extreme postion against the Pope are trolls who are only seeking to be argumentative and not seeking understanding.
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
Like the mischievous girl in a famous children's book, when we're good we are wonderful but when we're bad we are awful. Scan human history which is a series of wars and conflicts, domination and slavery and oppression. Simply look around us today to see unbelievable humanitarian behavior eclipsed by wars and dictatorships. I rest my case. . . .
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ServantOfJudgement
I read somewhere Robert that in all of our recorded history, about 250 years were peaceful though not consecutive. Meaning no wars anywhere on the planet for a year here and a year there.
Pretty bad score if true and I've got no reason to doubt it.
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Timothy C Stone
We are the evil that we must rise above.
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Lionheart
Thank you for your humor 🙌
🦁❤️
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Nicholas J Page
The Pope always makes mistakes doing or saying stuff that shouldnt have happened remove him at once and put someone younger in charge.
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RAYMOND BENITEZ
Luke 6:37-42: Jesus instructs us to forgive and not to condemn, and to remove the plank from our own eye before trying to correct others.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
The Pope is infallible in matters of religion if you are believing the Church. So I guess I would say you might consider enhancing your attitude. Or more succinctly, broaden your horizons. I see people contracting instead of expanding. That is the way to death, not life everlasting.
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Russel A. Kester
Tecla, I think the church's doctrine of papal infallibility only applies when he is speaking ex cathedra. Since he was not speaking ex cathedra here, that doctrine would not be applicable.
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Thomas P. Davis
Absolutely correct as far as their doctrine teaches. But the bible says that man is otherwise no matter where he speaks from.
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David Arthur Lewis
Who Would Jesus Hate? A. Tax Collectors B. Centurions C. Money Changers in the Temple
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Lionheart
Or D. His real dad. 🤭
🦁❤️
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Lisa Marie Carter
Or E . Nobody , not even those who whipped and beat him to the suffering on the Cross !! Boo ya 😳
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Lisa Marie Carter
We are all children of God in Heaven , unless we ourselves choose differently, we are not all fundamentally good and that’s what scripture says. It says that we are all sinners in need of Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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Stefan Schulz
In this case, the pope seems to be "biblically", theologically and spiritually on an encouraging path. One should notice that the catholic (meaning = "universal") church is primarily a human-made organization with organizational and teaching "standards" which, are due to many reasons, in some important aspects in striking contrast both to scriptures (esp. Old and New Testament) and in particular to some basic teachings of Jesus Christ.
In the Hebrew-Christian tradition, the act of initial spiritual creation of life can originally be traced back to and is vividly depicted in the biblical book of Genesis 2:7: “And the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”, as well as in the Gospel of John 1:1-4: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him nothing that was created was done. There was life in him; and life was the light of men.”
Coming from this perspective, God can be understood in this context as the creating universal life force or universal life energy (= spiritually / biblically identified and labeled as “Holy Spirit”). Biblically speaking, God created humanity in His own “likeness” and “image” (see the biblical book of Genesis 1:26-27). This “likeness” implies that His creation is equipped with a particular medium or channel of communication with His Spirit ("Word", "Light"), or for receiving His life energy respectively. This inherent, spiritual medium or channel can be referred to as the totality of the human “mind”, “soul”, or “consciousness”, each with partial, different functions and characteristics (notice in this context the Gospel of Luke, 17:21, where Jesus spoke: “the kingdom of God is within you”; moreover, see the Epistle to Titus, 3:3-5, which states that the eternal life energy of God would be spiritually activated “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”, please notice in this context the "re...generation" and the "re...newing" which indicates the inherent ability of every human to live and act in the likeness of God which means in turn to radiate or reflect God´s love, peace, forgiveness, joy, wisdom).
Therefore, a restored oneness with God does not require any particular human-made church teachings or interpretation, form, rules, or even time or space. It is by choice (God and human) an eternal "relationship" which is "predestinated" to every human being in Jesus Christ (see the Epistle to the Ephesians 1:4-5: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will").
Brother Stefan, Th.D., D.B.S., D.D.
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Thomas P. Davis
You are correct in the fact that Adam and Eve were created in His image. Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: But after that the rest of creation was made in Adam's image. Gen 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image;
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Russel A. Kester
Thomas, interesting. But if Adam was created in God's image and Adam's descendants were created in Adam's image, wouldn't Adam's descendants also be created in God's image? A=B, B=C, therefore C=A or A=C. Or do you postulate that during the fall from grace or a preternatural state, Adam and Eve were so changed as to no longer be in the image of God?
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Thomas P. Davis
Not sure if math would apply here. 1+1 = 2 but in a marriage, it winds up being 3,4 ,5 or more. I will just go by the word of God. As far as their nature before and after, there was a change, they once had conditional immortality, they lost that for them and us too. They grew old and sickly and died. I would also believe that they had a desire to sin which they did not necessarily have before.
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Russel A. Kester
Interesting. Thank you, Thomas.
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RAYMOND BENITEZ
Facts and opinions are often uttered in the same breath; the terms have a huge difference in their meanings. Whether a statement is a fact or an opinion depends on the validity of the statement. While a fact refers to the something true or real, which is backed by evidence, documentation, etc. On the other hand, opinion is what a person believes or thinks about something.
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Cyndi Everetts
See? The comments here are EXACTLY why catholics are scary, scary people! The judgement of others, even the pope is so much a part of who they are, they have no boundaries!
I have never come across an organized religion (and I’ve experienced many) more filled with hate and contempt. Mormons are a very close second, the them Catholics…yikes!!!’
Let me break this down as best I can for the simpletons…. I am 100% confident that he meant that people, in general have a good heart, come from a place of purity of heart, have good intentions. Yes, there are those who are plain evil and are incapable of the goodness he believes lives in most, but they’re the exception.
The old story of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, ironically, is an analogy that can be used on every single catholic sitting in judgement and criticism of their pope here.
Catholics frighten me!
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Robert E. Polston
Hey Cyndi,
So, you are faithful to your fear and limited view of the world. That is scary indeed quite frightening. I would suggest that Catholics are not all the same, that not all black people are the same, that all Jews are not the same, and that in any group of people there are those who are enlightened and those who are ignorant. Those who are ignorant usually cling to fear, usually believe the world is exactly as big as their small imagination will allow them to see. These limitations and exceptions travel across all social party lines and so, we are all needing to be tolerant to get along. Fear is a very small way to live, and often limits growth dynamically. Good luck!
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Mark P. Bender
God is light and God is good. God created us and we are in the image of God. Therefore there is good in all Man. We have a will that chooses good or evil. Satan makes the evil comments such as these I have read... and that's not meant for good. Amen.
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Frank Leogrande
THAT WAS NOT AN INTERVIEW, NORAH O'DONNELL ASK QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER UNTIL SHE GOT ANSWER SHE WANTED.ITS AS THOUGH SHE KNEW HIS MIND IS NOT AS IT WAS AND SHE COULD MANIPULATE HIM.
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Walter J. Holbrook
Okay mu brothers and sisters. Yes we all are fundamentally good at heart and yes there are outliners who sin. Inn Romans the Apostle Paul speaks of we all fall short of the glory of God and none are above are inherit sinful nature. Are they questioning him about speaking the truth. Or for him pointing out the hypocrisy embedded in the church and how the gospel is being preached.
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Rossiter David Livingstone
He should have said, People fundamentally want to be good.
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Kyle
I probably agree with everything you said about those people. But it's worth noting that you're just making ad hominem attacks, not actually critiquing any of their arguments.
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Kenneth Kling
Well, I am certainly NOT going to use this platform to bash any politician. I'll leave that to the deranged hacks who think what they think is the standard. I grew up in a Catholic household. The church was the strength and guidance much needed in a large family of the 50's-60's and 70's. I understand fully that this is most definitely a much "different" Pope than the generations have followed in the past. Maybe he is a "Progressive," but he also needs to remember that at this time in history that the followers of the church need him to be the anchor and steadfast port in the current storms that we are currently experiencing. It is up to the church members and leadership to decide his fate, it's their church and vision.
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Linda Altman
There was nothing wrong with what the Pope said. When he made the statement he was saying that even though people sin, as no one is perfect, people are basically good. That is a true statement. Pope Francis is trying to make the Church more "user friendly". He wants to bring more people into the Church. The only way to do that is to show the masses the Church has the answers to their problems, or at least some of them. The Church should be a place to seek comfort and refuge, not to be a place of punishment and fear. If it is the latter, why would anyone embrace it?
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Miriam Gates
How do you know for sure what he meant? It seems like it’s what you want him to say. What if he means exactly what he said… his intentional meaning as it was spoken….
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Miriam Gates
Y’all please, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! You want to know the condition of a heart just listen to what comes out of their mouth…. So no everyone does not have a good heart…maybe at birth but life deals evil and corrupts a good heart…. Violent, deadly, abusive behaviors do not support the pope’s message.
The victims of horrible crimes deserve an apology!
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Miriam Gates
Also, if what he says is true WHY does he ride around in a vehicle with bullet proof windows! Why are there walls and guards surrounding where he lives? By his own actions he admits he’s wrong ….
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
No, his own actions does NOT "Admit that he's wrong." He HAS to be that, as has several popes before him, because insane nutjobs and religious zealots that take things WAY too far have tried many times to kill him and other prominent figures. Not just of the Christian / Catholic faiths either. You've people of several faiths who become violent zealots that've tried it. So no, he is not "Admitting he is wrong." In fact he is 100% correct.
People are born inherently GOOD. They are taught through nurture and what they experience to be BAD.
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Mia Bassett
Pope Francis the Word of God Says... Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, For my sake.. REJOICE and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD " for Great is your reward in "HEAVEN" : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you... SIGNED Reverend MIA BASSETT P.S. FOR "YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH: BUT IF THE SALT HAVE LOSES HIS SAVIOR," "WHEREWITH SHALL IT BE SALTED" ... POPE FRANCIS"KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.". I LOVE YOU.. REVEREND MIA BASSETT
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Mia Bassett
AMEN ...
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Warren G Radtke
Blessed said the Lord. Where eternal light the angels of god. Humanity battles struggles the ark of the light calls from the heavens. Footsteps the power of righteousness speaking out for our father‘s name praise God praise God God’s work is never done so we set judgment. Among ourselves worrying about our daily lives. the spirit of Christ among us rejoice to the Lord hallelujah hallelujah. Dictation in tongues says our Lord. Thy light thy seed before you given to mankind. rejoice rejoice praise God Amen . Saint Christopher battles of many crusading protecting our brotherhood and mankind our churches is one or a gathering to rejoice the Holly spirit. We pray on to thee our father in heaven I have visited churches for thy understanding my temple resides with you said the lord. Amen A men Love the good of life praise God praise God pulls us forward rewarding the internal holly spirit as the angels embarked around us. Hallelujah praise our Father in Heaven. We covenant thy words forgiveness is that of our soul unity to bond and speak we may not make judgement says the lord. Judgement our character is not foreign to the lord for our eternal light speaks of Existence to the alter of the lord. Meditation harmonious balance . Our Heavenly Father my lord our God Amen Passive for the battles of unity God is good. Amen
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Najah Tamargo-USA Although I am not Catholic, I like the new Pope! I think he is trying to bring the Church into this century. I find him opened minded and forward thinking. Attributes we all need to acquire. I think that's why these people are criticizing his words. Instead they should be LISTENING!!!