What if the pope went crazy and told all the Catholics to convert to Buddhism or, better yet, to just be agnostic or atheist? What if he told them to worship wide mouthed bass and pray to rusted-out Chevrolets? Would they have to obey? I mean if what the pope says is the word of god and all?
“Honey we’re recovering Christians.”
–Tori Amos - In the Springtime of his Voodoo
Only when speaking ex cathedra, which almost never happens.
Though, I suppose that he could do that too, if he went nutzo…
I imagine that he’d simply be removed from office, with many prayers for his rapid recovery.
But what if he only went slightly crazy…not enough for him to be identified as psychotic, but enough to change Catholic traditions and policies in more subtle ways?
Dunno…but I guess that most hardcore Catholics would reject his “eccentric” ideas, Pope or not…
Hell, I don’t know–I’m not even Catholic. How come I’m not in bed?
-David
One can assume that GOD would handle
that situation and would manipulate
the outcome to HIS will.
watch what you say
or they’ll be calling
you a radical,
a liberal,fanatical
a criminal…
Yeah right.
There is only one word for the way this kind of thing gets handled:
Poison.
Not really an answer to your thread, I just thought I would add my 2c and say that I saw the pope a few weeks ago and although it was actually a moving moment for me , I don’t think it will be all that long before he does either lose it or simply expires. The old man is just getting too old, slurring his speech, trouble walking, sad really.
“Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is like expecting a bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.” Dennis Wholey
You think there’s never been a crazy pope?
from http://www.kzpg.com/Lib/Pages/Books/NSSM-200/19-CH11.html
What would happen if God went crazy?
What game are YOU playing?
Hot news flash, direct from CNN, Rome.
Today at the entrance to to the First Methodist Church, in a suburb just outside Rome, sixteen people were killed in a shooting spree, that started when the Pope pulled out a handgun and allegedly yelled, “I’m gonna get you, you Protestant tourist bastards! All of you!” and began firing into the crowd.
I suspect that if Pope John Paul II showed signs of major mental instability or deterioration apart from his physical infirmities, various members of the Curia would simply step in and shield him from further public contact. Having seen the most recent images of the Pope, I unfortunately agree with Gumby’s assessment that he might not be around for that much longer.
IIRC, a pope only leaves office if he dies or resigns; he can’t be removed against his will. However, in the event that a physically healthy pope went mad, I would not be surprised if a letter of resignation “for health reasons” were presented to the public in his name, and the ill pope whisked away to a private asylum.
Dex, not funny.
-Melin
The Logical Song
By: Supertramp
Album: Breakfast in America
We now return you to your regularly-scheduled program.
The premise of this thread is flawed. It presupposes that the Pope is not already crazy. C’mon, people, this is a guy who believes a human being was born from a virgin! He believes that a single god-entity is at bthe same time a triple god-entity. He believes there’s someone who existed who was 100% human and at the same time 100% god. He eats flesh and drinks blood. He thinks he can make make people saints by declaration. How much more proof do you need that he’s nuts?
Filet is right. The Pope can not be removed from office against his will. However, I recall that Paul VI had a long, slow decline in health and that the Curia simply worked around him for a couple of years, much like what parliaments used to do with their kings and queens who lingered on.
I understand all the words, they just don’t make sense together like that.
As usual, the Onion has the answers to all life’s questions.
~ Complacency is far more dangerous than outrage ~
Otto
I do not argue religion or politics but I think you lack understanding. This is the religion that all christian religions came from.
I’m sure that many christians would be fascinated to hear this, especially those of, say, the Greek Orthodox persuasion. The Roman Catholic church spawned the Protestant groupings yes, but not all christian sects. In any case, since when is that some sort of argument against the fact that the belief set contains some rather patently absurd beliefs?
Still later, Gerald did a terrible thing to Elsie with a saucepan.
NuVuDaDa
I"m sure that many christians would be fascinated to hear this, especially those of,
say, the Greek Orthodox persuasion
Please Note : the mass in both Persuasions is nearly the same. Both use the" This is my Body This is my Blood"Bread and wine symbolism.
As a matter of fact the Greek Orthodox are more traditionalist than Roman Catholics
{And thats all I have to say about that} Forrest Gump
Freedom,
Poision may very well be the way that God would handle the situation.
Very few earthly kings or priest recieved special treatment in the Bible. Perhaps He would use this as a sign that the end is near.
Anyway, religious debates are just too aggrivating for the thought they require. Both sides have already made up thier minds and they just turn into flames on God, catholics, atheist, or Jews (such as Dex’s crack). They might as well go to the Pit so I am not going to comment anymore, just thought I’d put in my two cents.
watch what you say
or they’ll be calling
you a radical,
a liberal,fanatical
a criminal…
I’d like to see the pope on the end of a rope.
Yet to be reconciled with the reality of the dark for a moment, I go on wandering from dream to dream.
An arguable statement (there was this protestant reformation I remember hearing about…) but not relevant in the least to the assertion that the pope is nutty as a fruitbat.