Pope's New Book Criticizes Capitalism

[struggle4progress]

By NICOLE WINFIELD Sunday, April 15, 2007

~snip~ "Everyone is free, then, to contradict me," he says. ~snip~

"After the experiences of totalitarian regimes, after the brutal way in which they trampled on men, mocked, enslaved and beat the weak, we understand anew those who hunger and thirst for justice," Benedict writes.

"Confronted with the abuse of economic power, with the cruelty of capitalism that degrades man into merchandise, we have begun to see more clearly the dangers of wealth and we understand in a new way what Jesus intended in warning us about wealth."

Benedict continues that message in another chapter on the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, and the need to love one's neighbor. In it, Benedict decries how the wealthy have "plundered" Africa and the Third World, both materially and spiritually, through colonialism. ~snip~

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/04/15/ap/religion/d8ofui0o1.txt

[rubberducky]

1. As he sits comfortably in the Vatican!!!

He wants for nothing. How can he even think he understands these people?

[kiahzero]

6. I can see what you're saying...

However, don't you think it's better that he call attention to this than not?

[beam me up scottie]

7. I think the point is that the Pope's ass is sitting on millions of dollars worth of art

and other auction-able historical artifacts while countless people starve to death every day and yet he criticizes others for not following Jesus' message.

Hypocrisy at the very least, even if he does call attention to the crimes of others.

[kiahzero]

8. Presumably those artifacts have more than historical value.

The ridiculous amount of land some churches own, on the other hand...

[beam me up scottie]

9. Yeah, but I'd still like to get down there and have a look around.

Nobody really knows how much and exactly what they have squirreled away.

[kiahzero]

10. Oh, absolutely.

There's no good reason I can think of to keep them hidden from humanity.

[More Than A Feeling]

2. Authoritarianism comes in more types than economic.

The Pope is just a social authoritarian.

[beam me up scottie]

3. What does Benedict have to say about his priests teaching that condoms spread AIDS

in Africa and the Third World?

Just out of curiosity.

[Hardrada]

4. I thought National Socialism actually supported capitalism!

What a shock!

[Random_Australian]

5. Do I think it's all good? No. But honestly, I think this is a pretty good step.

And I don't think that capitalism - especially what is known in Australia as 'economic rationalism' is going to be the last and best way in which we organise societies.

Mind you, I do believe democracy will be the best, but our current iteration? No, I don't think so.

All in all, especially in comparison to questions like "are babies in limbo?" or something like that, I have to say that actually addressing the sweatshops and cruelties of the world, and actually saying we ought to do something about it, really has my respect.

:)

[Igel]

11. Yes, but he'd probably have equally devastating things to

say about socialism and anything approached enforced communism.

They all have the same problem, and that problem is that people don't usually want to deny themselves in order to do good. The majority of those that *do* deny themselves stuff to do good do so only in a limited way.