by Sweet T on April 16th, 2008

Sweet T

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Why do people treat the Pope, like he is God?

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  • by Meg is exhausted on April 18th, 2008

    Meg is exhausted

    We (Catholics) don't treat him like God, but he IS the head of our Church and we DO revere him as such. I know many people do not understand it, but I truly wish they would at least be tolerant and respectful of my religion.

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  • by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on April 24th, 2008

    Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today

    I wouldn't think so.
    He's only an important figure head
    that lots of people have a very high esteem for

    ***I tells ya, it was this big***

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  • by Chris the other white meat on April 21st, 2008

    Chris the other white meat

    Because people think of him as being the next best thing to Jesus. Basically what I mean is that he is the only one man in the world that could say he heard the word of god as jesus did without being thrown into a loony bin.

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  • by AnaRoM on May 4th, 2008

    AnaRoM

    So, just to set the record straight on a few issues here:
    1. We don't believe the Pope is like God. Sometimes we get excited at seeing him or respect him a lot. People also get excided about lots of other people, nobody tells them they hold that person as being divine.

    2 the Pope is not considered necessarily "closer" to God than others. Saints come to mind as an obvious example of people we consider closer to God, not because they are chosen apart from us, we all have vocations and are chosen, but because their faith and works are closer to God and they listen to Him more.

    3. The Pope is not considered better than other people by virtue of being Pope. People might believe that a person better than average should be Pope, or think that an exceptional person became Pope (think JPII) but he is not better by being the Pope. He is the successor of Peter and we all know Peter was not perfect. This is the position he holds and he is respected for that. And bear in mind some Popes were loved, some were not. We don't all just fall into awe at seeing our Pope. We might get excited though:) at times (both positively or negatively)

    4. We do not believe everything the Pope says is infailable. Statements made in infailable way are much rarer than people think and they usually involve matters of faith that concern only Catholics (and maybe other Christians in the sense that they may agree or disagree). I doubt a Budhist or atheist would go sleepless nights on wether our Blessed Mary (the last major dogma dating more than 100 years ago) was born or not without original sin (to give but one example). Infailibility is rarely invoked and usually it could approve of an already widely held belief or settle a major theological issue. We do believe in these extraordinary circumstances the Holy Spirit takes pity on us if you wish and guides the Pope to a decision. Again, don't know why this would be major news outside Christianity. I guess people think we have dogmas flying in day in and day out so we could be spared from thinking for ourselves. While a fashionable belief, it is simply not true. I'm sorry if this spoils the "herd" stereotype some believe in.

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  • by -Ben 10- on April 16th, 2008

    -Ben 10-

    He is just another person selected by a group of people to be pope.

    God is God and human beings should not be considered as god.

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  • by Doggie S on April 16th, 2008

    Doggie S

    First, not all people, just Catholics ;)

    Well, he's not really treated like God. Bear in mind that the Pope is the leader of a billion Catholics worldwide. If you're not a Catholic, you can see him as the leader of an independent state (the Vatican).

    Either way, he holds a very high position that deserves some form of respect.

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  • by Davjohn on August 30th, 2008

    Davjohn

    Because they've been lied to for 1700 years.

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  • by philuk9 on July 25th, 2008

    philuk9

    one of satans tricks that we worship a man or something over him

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  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on April 16th, 2008

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    Those who exalt the Pope to a position of extreme adulation (I doubt anyone would say "God" or "Like God" but extreme adulation) do so from a point of tradition.
    In the early centuries of Christianity, there was no real centre, especially after Jerusalem fell to the Romans in AD 70. However, after a while several centres developed: Byzantium/Constantinople, Rome, Antioch amongst them. Although there were other centres as well (including Damascus, Nicaea, Lyon, Alexandria, Edessa), these eventually came to recognise five centres, all of which claimed founding by an apostle, as pre-eminent. They were Jerusalem , Antioch, Rome, Alexandria, and Byzantium. As Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch fell to Islamic armies towards the Middle Ages, this left Byzantium and Rome as the two major centres, Rome looking after the remains of the western Roman empire and Byzantium looking after the remains of the Eastern Empire. They were equals in authority, neither had supremacy over the other UNTIL the Bishop of Rome claimed certain rights of the pagan Pontifex Maximus of the Romans, and began to speak as if he were superior to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
    This led to bad blood, and an eventual mutual excommunication in 1054.By this time, both centres had adopted practices from ancient religions and imported them into Christianity, to the point that it resembled , very little, in form, and in practice (in many areas) New Testament Christianity.
    The schism of 1054, led to the Pope claiming primacy over the entire Christian church and to his instituting more and more non-Biblical practices. The personage of the Pope rose and rose until it achieved the status it has now.
    The truth is: he calls himself the Vicar or Stand-in of Christ, but Christ needs no one to hold this position. Christ is the only Mediator between God and man.

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  • by Piso on April 16th, 2008

    Piso

    Pope is a false, in the bible it says the only way to god is through jesus NOT POPE but JESUS,

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  • by kookie on June 11th, 2008

    kookie

    CATHOLIC PEOPLE DO TREAT THAT POPE LIKE GOD.. I KNOW BECAUSE MY FAMILYS CATHOLIC AND I AM NOT.. IDK WHY THOUGH... THEY ALSO TREAT MOTHER MARY LIKE A SORT OF GOD TOO..

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  • by Anonymous on July 19th, 2008

    Anonymous

    Because Catholics are deceived and didn't do their research... Sheeple just follow along with what everybody else is doing. It's easier to let someone else tell you what truth is, rather than for you to get off your butt do your own research and find God, not Religion. God is not religion.

    Religion is man-made and was created to manipulate and control the weak-minded. (Think Jedi's here)

    Catholicism is Idolatry. It is certainly not Christian. They also worship Mary and pray to her. Catholicism is simply Paganism. RESEARCH!!!

    PS,

    the Pope is the false prophet who will give power to the Beast (satan) in Revelation. The harlot church sits on seven hills - Rome. Come on people, wake up. This is elementary prophesy. You probably actually believe Bush is a christian too. LOL


    http://www.cuttingedge.org/articles/rome.html

    http://godsonlygospel.com/Pagan%20Connection2.htm

    http://www.west.net/~antipas/books/xmas/xmas.html


    Peace & Love

    God IS Love!

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  • by -O-uknow on June 24th, 2008

    -O-uknow

    Tradition?

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  • by maS elcnU on June 24th, 2008

    maS elcnU

    He is just another person to me with the same strengts and weaknesses.
    Other people see him as a god.
    In my opinion, the papacy is a long-term brainwash that blinded their minds.

    My 2 cents.

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  • by AnonymousGirl on April 27th, 2008

    AnonymousGirl

    You're right. A large number of people do treat the Pope like he is God. Is that right? Well, no. It's probably because they think that he is more close to God than they are. Really, though, if the Pope really followed the whole Bible, he would be married and have children. If you don't believe me, look up I Timothy 3:5 (KJV), which clearly says, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)". I guess Catholics don't really think I Timothy 3 and 4 are important or something.

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  • by devil is back on April 21st, 2008

    devil is back

    because they think he's as close to God as man can get?

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  • by Anonymous on April 16th, 2008

    Anonymous

    I would say they've been taught wrongly. Noone is faultless. Not me, not you and not the Pope. Just because a person is at the top doesn't mean he is better than anyone else.

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  • by Pakiti on September 25th, 2008

    Pakiti

    I don't think people do as much as you think they do. And if they do, they shouldn't. that would be "having other gods before me", which is against Christian teachings.

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  • by Speaking The Truth on July 23rd, 2008

    Speaking The Truth

    Because it shows how much sence they have. It's like one can crown a bull Frog, and set it before them, and they would bow them selfs down to it.

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  • by ImaCatholic2 on June 11th, 2008

    ImaCatholic2

    You obviously have not seen people adore God and then just show great respect the Pope.

    John 21:15-17 states:

    When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

    He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

    He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

    Matthew 16:17-19 states:

    Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

    The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

    The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholic Christians, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

    The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

    For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 880-882: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880

    With love in Christ.

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  • by sopapilla on June 11th, 2008

    sopapilla

    because Catholics are crazy and this is why the Eastern Orthodox Church split.

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  • by Analyz-o-tron on June 11th, 2008

    Analyz-o-tron

    The term "pope" was a title claimed by Boniface III in 607 A.D. The word comes from a Latin word "papa" which means father." Other terms are used such as "pontiff" which means: bridge builder, the link between this life and the next. Then there is title "vicar of Christ" -- a person authorized to perform the functions of another; substitute in office. Here is what is taught,
    according to the Texas Catholic Conference, Department of Religious Education,
    1988: "The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, successor of St. Peter and visible head of the church. He takes the place of Christ."

    The pope cannot be the "vicar of Christ," i.e. His substitute as Head of the church because the Bible plainly declares Jesus Christ to be the Head of the church and no one else: Eph.1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col.1:18. Even Peter, whom the Catholics claim was the first pope, was not confused as to who was the Head when he wrote: "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto
    them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner." (1 Peter 2:7)

    The term "pontiff" is also unscriptural because "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

    By the way, Peter could not have been the first Pope because he was married (Matt.8:14), he refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26), and he was rebuked by the apostle Paul (Gal.2:11). Neither was the N.T. church built upon Peter.

    It was established and founded by Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 16:18, who is the Rock (petra). Peter was the "petros": a little stone, pebble. Peter was but one among many building stones made alive through Christ from which He built His church.

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  • by vasti on April 24th, 2008

    vasti

    It sounds like a joke, but catholics call the pope "the representative of god on Earth." Mormons have their own full-time-god-connected-prophet, catholics have god's agent himself. It seems like the competition goes on. Soon we will have another sect claiming to have an exclusivity contract with god. Did you say Jews? Children have more creative games.

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  • by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on April 18th, 2008

    Sheriff Raff  -Answerhag

    This week he is "American Idol".

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  • by The Master of Puppets on August 14th, 2008

    The Master of Puppets

    Because he represents God on Earth.

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  • by wolflaser on July 25th, 2008

    wolflaser

    Because of his AWESOME hat!

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  • by Sea Siren on June 13th, 2008

    Sea Siren

    I think it because, they need to have a physical person to look up to, since God and Jesus are spirits.

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  • by purplecows on June 11th, 2008

    purplecows

    cuz he's the Pope, and you ain't ... jealous?

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  • by DiSTurBiA on May 15th, 2008

    DiSTurBiA

    because that is how people tend to portray him. The pope is merely a human being, same as you or me. I'd treat the pope the same as anyone else. Id address him by his first name. Which what is his first name anyway?

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  • by Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector on April 18th, 2008

    Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector

    He's second in command yo...

    Hey hey Sweet T!

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  • by overeasy240 on April 16th, 2008

    overeasy240

    I think it's mainly Catholics that may think that way. Personally, I hold my minister in high standards (but not near as high as I would do God).

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  • by Frankster PartyMaestro Of Sillyville on April 16th, 2008

    Frankster PartyMaestro Of Sillyville

    For Catholics,
    He is the messenger of Gods word;) he is human like all the rest of us;)

    Whats the Popes Poop..........(HOLY SHIT).LOL;)>

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  • by Rollie on April 16th, 2008

    Rollie

    To Catholics he receives his instructions directly from God (in the broad sense).
    Therefore, his word is infaliable.

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  • by Lancelot Du Lac on August 31st, 2009

    Lancelot Du Lac

    He isn't a God. The Pope is just an average guy like you and me. He needs Jesus Christ like us all. I don't worship the pope and neither do I call Him "The Holy Father". That name "The Holy Father" is a title reserved only for God.

    This current pope was a former Hitler youth for crying out loud. The pope is not God.

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  • by GaleinGa on May 2nd, 2009

    GaleinGa

    Mostly, I think, because they were taught to. Their parents were Catholic so they follow suit, on and on down the line.
    The Pope is NOT on the same level as Jesus. He is a man , simple.

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  • by wooowmeato on February 12th, 2009

    wooowmeato

    srsly, i feel the same way.
    people should look to God not some random pope man.

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  • by Tomb Raider on November 27th, 2008

    Tomb Raider

    HOLY FATHER is a title that belongs to the ALMIGHTY himself and they even have to rip him off with that!

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  • by Neptune66 on November 20th, 2008

    Neptune66

    Because he is His representative on earth as designated by St Peter.

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  • by Doug on November 8th, 2008

    Doug

    Because he thinks he is God,and we do need to humor the old boy.

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  • by Tomb Raider on November 6th, 2008

    Tomb Raider

    it comes from emperor worship after constantine after all thats where catholocism got its start and also pledging allegiance its not called roman catholicism for nowt personaly i would rather spit on it and die before bowing to anything concerning it

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  • by Constanze777 on October 11th, 2008

    Constanze777

    As the nuns taught me - the pope takes the place of Jesus on earth. As an adult, I find this hard to believe, though I do revere the pope. Peter was the first pope, and the pope is part of the apolostic succession. Jesus WAS, remember and 100% human as well as 100% God. He was born without original sin, and thus he was perfect in the way that God had planned for all of us to be perfect. Our pope is perfect because although he was born in original sin, he was baptized, confessed his human frailties and made perfect. It is his office that makes his decisions infalible. There. I am a Lutheran. Lol.

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  • by LindaLis on September 4th, 2008

    LindaLis

    religion is the worst topic someone can get into because its the number one argument in the world next to politics

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  • by 19kid was born in89 on August 14th, 2008

    19kid was born in89

    I think the fact that they can see him. Its much easier to worship something you can see. I don't Understand it myself, but I hope those people Worship God first and foremost.

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  • by Oor Galooly - on July 25th, 2008

    Oor Galooly -

    The Pope is God`s representative here on Earth. He is not God but the closest thing to it.

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  • they just have huge reverence for him. there's no religion that worships the pope. nor is there one that worships mary

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  • by purplecows on June 11th, 2008

    purplecows

    first question: how do people treat God?

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  • by iwnit on May 4th, 2008

    iwnit

    1) Popalatry (or papalatry) is a cult of personality on the person of the pope.
    See here some information about this:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_cult


    2) "It is due to a false idea which in future ages might be declared by the Church to be a heresy, yet for now we will content ourselves with calling it a false opinion. It has been called in recent years "Papalatry". In one sense we could take it as a worship of the Pope, but it would not be an accurate description of the phenomenon to mean that literally. The droves of adoring faithful who keep shouting Santo Subito do not worship John Paul II or the current Pope as a god in reality, and I would say many truly want to be Catholic. When we use the term Papalatry therefore, it is to be taken as treating the Pope as infallible in his actions and judgments, rather than in statements of faith and morals."

    "Couldn't it be that the Pope made a serious mistake in judgment? Why is that so impossible? Progressives all the time insist that priestly celibacy is merely a custom and can be done away with, and it is a mistake to continue it, and conservatives don't contest that it is not matter for the sacrament. Why doesn't it work the other way?

    Of course there is no good answer to that. It does work the other way because the Pope, any Pope can err in judgment. The danger of Papalatry is that it places upon a pope, in the modern instance Pope John Paul II, a burden that he could never carry even if he did everything right. It is a burden no Pope could ever carry, not even great Popes such as Pope St. Leo the Great, or Pope St. Pius X! (Real "great" popes, unlike our modern pretender) It is the burden of being an inerrant and impeccable half-godlike being, which no man is and no man can pretend to be. Thus we arrive at a situation where people reject their better sense or accept and even defend things they would never do for the sake of supporting whatever the Pope does, and being "with the Pope"."
    Source and further information:
    http://athanasiuscm.blogspot.com/2007/03/papalatry.html

    Further information:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infallibility
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility

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  • by Anonymous on April 24th, 2008

    Anonymous

    I agree with others that the Pope's high esteem is primarily from a Catholic perspective. The Pope is considered to be a successor to St. Peter upon whom Jesus said he would build his church. The Pope is considered infallible when speaking on faith and morals.

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  • by themoviemogul on April 18th, 2008

    themoviemogul

    That was one of the things I was thinking of. Also he said developed countries must offer to help eliminate poverty. True.

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  • by themoviemogul on April 18th, 2008

    themoviemogul

    Because people need a symbol to worship. The concept of 'god' is too vast to comprehend so we need a person-figure to represent god.

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