Pope Benedict likes to stir things up. Last year it was his Regensburg
Now Pope Benedict has reaffirmed the Catholic Church's position that it is the one true church. The usual suspects are riled and already we are hearing warnings about "triumphalism" and "exclusivity." But let's remember that Pope Benedict is only saying what all religions (with the sole exception of Hinduism) believe. Hinduism is the only religion that asserts it is no different than other religions and that all religions are equal pathways to heaven. Don't Muslims believe that Allah's revelation in the Koran is the true and perfect revelation? Don't Buddhists believe they have the true perspective on nirvana? Aren't serious Jews committed to the ancient idea that they are God's chosen people? Doesn't every Protestant denomination believe that it got the theology right and everyone else, at least in some important details, got it wrong? It seems in the nature of religion to claim a certain exclusivity. Who would join a denomination that proclaimed, "We haven't figured things out any better than anyone else"?
As with the Regensburg remark, I think the Pope's mistake here is one of prudence. At Regensburg, the Pope's point was that Christianity is compatible with reason, and that message got lost because of the reference to the Byzantine emperor's quotation about Islam. Similarly today the Pope is emphasizing religious differences at a time when the main challenge is to unify together the Christian community and to build alliances with other traditional religions to oppose the global threat posed by militant atheism and secularism. It's less important today to defend the Catholic view of transubstantiation and apostolic succession than it is to defend traditional Christianity from those who would seek to discredit and destroy it.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 14)
1. I am glad about Pope Benedict's recent motu proprio regarding the Tridentine Mass. As a cultural heritage matter, for the Roman Church, it seems the Latin Rite is worth preserving.
I think we almost threw the baby out with the bathwater when Vatican II all but outlawed Latin Mass and discouraged classical music in favor of guitar Mass. I am glad Pope Benedict has taken his recent step toward improving Roman Catholic unity.
Ken Berg at 10:38AM on Jul 11th 2007
2. Simply because "everyone" says they're the right ones doesn't mean the question of "who's right?" isn't relevent. We can't all be right and we can't all be wrong. As far as Catholicism is concerned they're not even Christian. They're simply a pagan cult that emerged after Constantine the not-so Great when power hungry priests melded the pagan mystery religions with Christian doctrines. The Christians of the day who refused to come along were subsequently persecuted over the next 1700 years, even through the Reformation. Yes, even the Lutherans and Calvinists have the blood of the Saints on their hands. Benedict has said a lot of couragous and accurate things over the past year or so, but this comment just show's he's a fundamental Catholic, which is to be expected from the typification of the spirit of the anti-christ.
Paulican at 10:44AM on Jul 11th 2007
3. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT THE SAME NON CATHOLICS WHO DEMAND SOME SORT OF INPUT AND CONSULTATION ON CATHOLIC ISSUES ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO SCREAM BLOODY MURDER WHEN THE CHURCH TAKES A STAND ON ABORTION. IF YOU WANT TO BE A CATHOLIC, JOIN, IF YOU DON'T, DON'T. AND DON'T DREDGE UP THE SAME OLD TIRED BS ABOUT WORSHIPPING MARY OR WHORE OF BABYLON NONSENSE. THE NEW TACK IS TO TALK ABOUT THE SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CHURCH. I, ALONG WITH MOST CATHOLICS, FOUND THIS ENTIRE EPISODE DISGUSTING AND I WILL MAKE NO EXCUSES FOR IT. IT IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF VERY POOR SCREENING . MOST OF THE OFFENDERS ARE HOMOSEXUAL PREDATORS WHO ALONG WITH PEDOPHILES HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CHURCH. PLEASE DON'T DELUDE YOURSELF IN BELIEVING THIS IS A CATHOLIC PROBLEM.
IRONBLUEEYES at 10:56AM on Jul 11th 2007
4. Just one more way for the church to control the masses.. The lest we think and know, the better they feel, just keep us in the dark the way you guys want.
Leonard at 10:59AM on Jul 11th 2007
5. Sadly, when the Pope asserts Church Authority it is taken by people as the ultimate cop of what is wrong, sinful and evil. More sadly, when it comes to pointing out truly wahat is lovely, dynamic and empowering...i.e., God....the hierarchial Church seems invisible. So, truly, the matter is who is Church and who is given the task of providing, channeling and directing others to the "experience" of a lovely God, self and world; the Kingdom of God at hand? The people of God...the true Church.
Ken Deasy at 11:02AM on Jul 11th 2007
6. "Global threat posed by militant atheism and secularism", I'm sorry, but are you nuts? Is it atheists that are declaring war on other countries or training its followers to fight? Do secular people support war or terror? Regardless of your personal beliefs, statements like yours are defenseless. Why are you allowed to have your blog on AOL. We deserve better.
Steve Seivers at 11:05AM on Jul 11th 2007
7. This doctrine was the building bloc for supersessionism which laid the foundation for Catholic antisemitism that ultimately culminated in the Ghettoization of the jews, the Inquisition and the Holocaust.
eric at 11:06AM on Jul 11th 2007
8. LONG LIVE LUTHER!
Rrazeejr at 11:08AM on Jul 11th 2007
9. "Militant atheism"? When was the last time you saw a military go to war against anyone in the name of atheism? You religious folks, with your belief in "one true religion" seem to have that area all to yourselves.
jeff at 11:11AM on Jul 11th 2007
10. Dinesh,
You are very wrong about all Protestant churches thinking that they got it right. First of all, most mainline Protestant churches allow people to transfer their memberships from other denominations.
In other words, they recognize the baptisms and confirmations of other denominations.
In the United Methodist Church, a local church would be more than willing to accept a transfer of membership from a Roman Catholic parish, but the Roman Catholic Church doesn't recognize any denomination but itself, so someone wanting to leave a Roman Catholic parish to join the UMC has to join on a profession of faith.
Consequently, the United Methodist Church is willing to execute the paperwork for a transfer of membership to a Roman Catholic parish, but a parish would not only require a person changing churches to go through catechism, but to also be rebaptized.
Furthermore, the United Methodist Church pratices open communion. Anyone who is a believer in Christ may take communion. The Roman Catholic Church doesn't practice open communion. The same holds true for other Protestant denomoniation, such as the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church.
Part of the reason that mainline Protestan churches are so liberal in recognizing the "validity" of other churches is the realization that most people choose church not because of doctrine, but because of the preaching skills of the pastor and the quality and amount of children's and adult programs.
I've heard many a Methodist minister say that neither John Wesley nor the United Methodist Church has a monopoly on the truth.
Kent at 11:14AM on Jul 11th 2007
11. It seems very strange that everybody has forgotten
an old biblical measuring line: You know...a good tree produces good fruit a bad tree...! Possibly you have not come across it at all in the daily bible reading? If that rule is applied to determine which is the true church we should be able to discover the real one and only truth. Whatever faith/church one associates
would very soon learn if his faith is based on false
teaching Christ's. If we truly want to follow his footsteps it is of utmost importance to allow the Holy Writings be our guide. That is...making sure that our beliefs are backed by Holy Scripture. If we are truly genuine in desiring to follow the Master's teaching then lets check out conscience and follow up and what our Heavenly Father has recorded for us in his word. That may be a very difficult thing to do for those who prefer to listen and take for granted whatever any titled or so called holy person says. Millions of people have done just that for centuries and are unaware that they are being misled. This may not be the average person's favourite way of doing things but its food for thought: Just start by taking a look at the following text: 2nd Timothy 3:16,17. If anyone is wondering why the whole world is in such a mess it should not be difficult to become suddenly aware when examining that text.
J A F.
J. A. Farrugia at 11:18AM on Jul 11th 2007
12. The Roman Catholic Church does not require converts who have been Christian church to be rebaptized. That has been true since Vatican II which closed in 1965.
Carolyn Mabie at 11:26AM on Jul 11th 2007
13. Let's not forget the pope was formerly the head of the same group which ran the inquisition, different name but same office. He would still be directing the tortures if he could get away with it. The catholic church is even more evil than the christian scientists.
Kevin at 11:28AM on Jul 11th 2007
14. There should never be just one religion, it shouldn't even be a goal to aim for.
Of course the figure head of any major religion would claim that their religion is the best. It is no different than a Bulls fan claiming their team is the best. Just because someone says so does not make it true, but it still can be true for that specific individual. I believe they call that pride, noted as one of the seven deadly sins. Go figure, all religions have hypocrisy running through them, now and through their past. Can't escape that, perhaps we should learn the lesson in that, perhaps religion should not be considered perfect or the ultimate law.
I know of only one religion which does not claim that it should be the only one, pretty impressive. It acknowledges that many religions are a necessity in our world, and that each believer in any religion should be measured only by how devout or active they are to that religion. More importantly, they teach you not to judge at all. That recognized religion, often considered a philosophy, is Buddhism.
Buddhism is a wonderful thing for people to just learn about, to be curious of. It is very much a lesson in personal responsibility and accountability. A live and let live attitude. Focusing on respecting yourself enough to respect others. Appreciating the differences in the world in order to fully enjoy it for all that it has to offer.
Think Buddhism.
k at 11:30AM on Jul 11th 2007
15. ?"global threat posed by militant atheism and secularism!!!" Where??? Secular or Theistic/ Man will always make war, regardless. The "haves and the have nots" will invent a reason to keep or gain whatever. You call yourself a journalist??? Peeved in Murrieta, CA.
verve4000 at 11:32AM on Jul 11th 2007