BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality The New Pope

Welcome to Spirituality!

Habemus Papam!

Pope Benedict XVI has warned against the "dictatorship of relativism." President George W. Bush has summed up the moral decline of the 60s in the following sentences: "If it feel good, do it. If you have a problem, blame someone else" -- a trend which he felt obliged to try to combat by serving in public office.

These two world leaders are obviously on the same wavelength. As President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II influenced the fall of communism, perhaps President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI will effect the fall of terrorism.

The possiblities are stunning. And with democracy spreading in the Middle East, maybe we are truly on the road to peace.

Thank you for visiting. Feel free to comment.

They are right, moral relativism is nonsense. The truth is not relative, by definition. By even saying that it is, is self-contradictory. Because saying that "the truth is relative" is an absolute statement and therefore contradicts that it could be relative. Moral relativism is just an excuse for doing whatever you like without accepting criticism or responsibility. Those who believe in it are morally and socially immature. And wrong.

Can something exist and not exist at the same time? No. In other words, there is a God or there is not a God. If there is a God, does He not exist then in reality? If He does exist in reality then He exists independently of whether or not someone chooses to believe in Him. That is not relative. Is the Taj Mahal relative? I have never seen it. Photos can be faked. Accounts can be forged. Does that mean if I choose not to believe in the Taj Mahal that my view is just as real and worthy of respect as one who knows it to exist? Not all points of view are valid. They each must be weighed against evidence.Relativism reduces truth to mere opinion.

I sadly fear that this road is going to be much longer and bloodier than the former, though.

The people were ready to be free of communism, they had seen the better life in freedom and wanted it.

But peace means no more fighting. It doesn't necessarily mean no more arguing, because people will always have differences of opinions; but it does mean not letting tempers and egos get mixed up within the arguments. And I'm afraid that human nature seems to always get in the way. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It is an excellent ideal . I'm just not sure that adults can do it. Maybe if we got rid of all the grownups and let the kids try, we might have a chance..., that is the ones that haven't already been poisoned by prejudices. So basically only the kids under age 3. But who's going to raise them? See the problem here?

Ah, I'm afraid i'm being a bit pessimistic today. My apologies.

It took 70 years to defeat communism and it wasn't bloodless.It may take that long to defeat radical Islam.

I am glad you used the term "radical" islam, rather than islam itself.

Radical Islam is the enemy of peace. Just as radical Christianity was in the Middle ages, i.e. the crusades. I do not agree with Islam as a faith but I hold no grudge against Muslims who worship peacefully. We Christians believe in a spiritual battle. We may try to convert Muslims by reason or theology but never by force. I respect Muslims who do the same.

"It took 70 years to defeat communism and it wasn't bloodless.It may take that long to defeat radical Islam."

Doesn't sound like you have a spiritual battle in mind cowboy.

I don't think the problem lies in the fact that they have not devoted their lives to Christ. The problem lies in the fact that they have so much hatred towards the United States in general (the radical Muslims). Maybe over the years we've even given them some reasons to hate us. But, until that hate is dispelled, we will have trouble with them regardless of their religious choices...

texasdave#whatever has been band from the site so no worrys Froggie0424!!! just thought id let you know then Ill go