Brazilians Like Their Catholicism Light

[dArKeR]

Dulcimar Cesar da Rocha considers herself a conservative Catholic just like Pope John Paul II. But the harsh realities of life in this poor, violent town on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro often lead her to disagree with many of the late Pope's positions.

She's not alone. About 73 percent of Brazil's 183 million people are Catholic making it the world's most populous Catholic country. But unlike other countries around Latin America where the faithful take a more solemn approach to church, Brazilians like their Catholicism light.

When the Pope visited Rio de Janeiro in 1997, hordes of people turned out to see him, the vast majority in sneakers, shorts and bathing suits.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050416/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/pope_brazil_s_pragmatism&e=2

[bkcc]

1. Same thing applies here in the US, really.

When the neocons were beating the drums of war, John Paul said that war against Iraq was wrong. He was also anti-death penalty.

Most of the Catholics I speak with hold the opposite view of those two issues. Pro-war and pro-death.

So, you see, it's okay to agree with the Pope when it's convenient.

[dArKeR]

2. The Pope was against priest pedophiles too but what did he actually do

in his position of power to stop it? And so the extrapolation to the Iraq butchering. People of power talk out their asses all the time while the mouth devours. Why didn't Karol Wojtyla get out in the Pope Mobile and join the protests with the millions of people around the world?

Why didn't Karol Wojtyla actually do anything to stop pedophile priest?


What kind of priest changes his name as a movie star does?

[bkcc]

3. True, he didn't actually do anything to stop those things.

However, as a Catholic, you're supposed to take what the Pope says as if it were coming directly from God. So, my beef with Catholics who pick and choose which of the Pope's edicts they want to listen to is that, essentially, they're not adhering to the religion they hold so dear.

Basically, if they don't want to play by the rules of the club they're in and the rules aren't changing, they should go find a new club and stop bitching.

[IrishDemocrat]

4. I guess I'm guilty, BUT

I don't agree with the church's stances on birth control and reproductive rights. At the same time I agree with the Pope on the death penalty and the Iraq War. I feel unwelcome with the Church because of the former. Part of me wants to get involved in the faith again, but I feel like I'm being asked to leave.

[bkcc]

5. As a Recovering Catholic...

I can appreciate where you're coming from. I made the choice years ago to walk away and haven't looked back.

If you're happy with the Church as it is, then stick around and play by their rules.

[IrishDemocrat]

6. I hate to completely leave, but

It's difficult for me to stay.