Ummmm problem, Jesus thought otherwise. Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's. Now the rich man wanted to join Jesus and asked what he should do (to follow with Jesus as a roadie). Jesus said for him to give up his wealth because it was easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into heaven. Now that was for a follower not necessarily a believer so that is why priests, bishops, and Popes have no wealth (though some of them live pretty good). Now the follower is expected to help the poor but nowhere does it say to give up ALL of your wealth. Though I don't follow any religious practices I think the 10% tithe is enough. So maybe the Pope is fallible or someone has misinterpreted what he said.
Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
The Pope is definitely fallible (he's human after all), but it's a bit arrogant for you, JD Barleycorn, to question Christ's vicar on earth, who has probably studied the Bible most of his adult life. It also makes me wonder if anyone should really "debate" you at all: how can you really hope to change the mind of anyone who has the audacity to tell an expert, "you're wrong because I know so"?
I half expect you to say, "I didn't really study the Bible, but I stayed in a Holiday Inn..."
Not saying you are wrong. You are totally free to believe as you wish. Just food for thought.
Ironically, I think the Pope is a bit off base with his criticism of capitalism: the system isn't evil, the people who wholly base their life on it are evil. For some reason, we've forgotten, as a society, to try to help our fellow man. I think capitalism gives rise to greed, but it's not the source of it. Man is.