Opening a three-week synod of African bishops, he said political
colonialism was over.
But he said the developed world continued to export materialism -
which he called "toxic spiritual rubbish" - to the continent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8289188.stm
---
(1) I see where he is coming from, yet I find it hard to understand the
'belligerency' coming from an institution that has neglected and
sometimes openly suppressed its 'theology of liberation' movement
within its walls, favoring a more stoic position which champions the
blessings in the afterlife rather than achieving tangible improvements
for the less favored ones through confrontation with the established
concentrations of economic and political power.
(2) It raises the question of: how to help Africa develop, then? I know
this is a deeper debate, greater than the venue in which we are now,
but 'development' as a theory, a policy and an attitude has been
always imbued by Western ethics and at its core the concept of 'man
as consumer' battles with the opposing (yet still Western) view of
'man as doer'. Bottom line: how to 'import' development without
'importing' the materialism.
---
Discuss.
Originally posted by SeitseThe pope is in on the de industrialization of planet earth as he is an insider to the illuminati. Do the Africans want development? It is good the pope knows what is best for people.
Opening a three-week synod of African bishops, he said political
colonialism was over.
But he said the developed world continued to export materialism -
which he called "toxic spiritual rubbish" - to the continent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8289188.stm
---
(1) I see where he is coming from, yet I find it hard to understand the ...[text shortened]... o 'import' development without
'importing' the materialism.
---
Discuss.
Originally posted by joe beyserWhat kind of development do Africans want seems a reasonable question to me. Your sneering put-down assumes that there is only one way development can take place: on a specifically western consumerist model. You don't need to be avowedly left-wing to see that western styles of development have had negative as well as positive outcomes, however, and I doubt anyone, whatever their political persuasion, would have our countries develop exactly as they did if they could do it all over again. So warning an underdeveloped region of the dangers of aping western development (you get the good with the bad) doesn't seem a dreadful thing to do. The model you appear to support (your definition of 'development'😉 is as partisan as any.
Do the Africans want development? It is good the pope knows what is best for people.
This was, of course, brought to you by ThirdEyeNews in marvellous NWO-vision. Loony.
Originally posted by DrKFLOL 🙂You might consider removing that banana from your posterior as it is cutting off the blood supply to your brain.
What kind of development do Africans want seems a reasonable question to me. Your sneering put-down assumes that there is only one way development can take place: on a specifically western consumerist model. You don't need to be avowedly left-wing to see that western styles of development have had negative as well as positive outcomes, however, and I dou ...[text shortened]... any.
This was, of course, brought to you by ThirdEyeNews in marvellous NWO-vision. Loony.
1 edit
Originally posted by kmax87Lol, very funny, yes, he could expunge him with his diamond plated armour and zaap him with his mechanised ruby encrusted ring! 'Optimus Prime you shall never take me, my scarlet coloured cloak is like a shield of steel!'
That is such a great character name for a Transformers sequel.
Optimus Prime is targeted for destruction. Will Pontifex Maximus get there in time to save him at the 11th Hour?
Transformers 3: The Bridge of Salvation!
2 edits
Originally posted by Seitsethe Pope seems to be one of the few Christian leaders who seriously challenges the "materialism" that is at the basis of modern capitalism.
Opening a three-week synod of African bishops, he said political
colonialism was over.
But he said the developed world continued to export materialism -
which he called "toxic spiritual rubbish" - to the continent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8289188.stm
---
(1) I see where he is coming from, yet I find it hard to understand the
o 'import' development without
'importing' the materialism.
---
Discuss.
I've always wondered why people who are devoutly Christian are usually Republicans - even though the GOP has long been the party of laissez-faire capitalism - a system essentially based on producing as much "material stuff" as possible.
Jesus himself saw wealth as a danger, and counseled (at least some) people to sell everything they owned and give it to the poor. Many early Christians were ascetics who embraced this kind of extreme poverty in their effort to get closer to God.
You'd think that Christians as a group would be at least somewhat skeptical about a party that was so strongly connected with the acquisition of wealth. Perhaps forming a third party that combined the GOP's family values with an ethic of "simple living" that eschewed luxuries and promoted giving almost all of one's income to charitable causes.
Originally posted by MelanerpesThe Catholic Church is moved by two contradictory impulses. The first, and original, is the egalitarian, anti-establishment teachings of Jesus himself. The second is the hierarchical and pro-status quo position of the post-Constantinian Church. The teachings of Jesus were a rebellion against the established powers. Once the Church came into power it was transformed into a defender of established powers. The latter strain is the dominant form of the Catholic Church today, but the former is always there beneath the surface.
the Pope seems to be one of the few Christian leaders who seriously challenges the "materialism" that is at the basis of modern capitalism.
I've always wondered why people who are devoutly Christian are usually Republicans - even though the GOP has long been the party of laissez-faire capitalism - a system essentially based on producing as much "mater ...[text shortened]... eschewed luxuries and promoted giving almost all of one's income to charitable causes.
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettBut why has the Catholic church so strongly retained the original egalitarian teachings of Jesus, while many other forms of Christianity seem to have greatly minimized them?
The Catholic Church is moved by two contradictory impulses. The first, and original, is the egalitarian, anti-establishment teachings of Jesus himself. The second is the hierarchical and pro-status quo position of the post-Constantinian Church. The teachings of Jesus were a rebellion against the established powers. Once the Church came into power it was tra ...[text shortened]... dominant form of the Catholic Church today, but the former is always there beneath the surface.
Especially given how the Catholic church would seem to be more heavily prone to the hierarchical and status-quo issues than any other Christian body
Originally posted by MelanerpesMel, laissez-faire capitalism is a system based on individual rights.
the Pope seems to be one of the few Christian leaders who seriously challenges the "materialism" that is at the basis of modern capitalism.
I've always wondered why people who are devoutly Christian are usually Republicans - even though the GOP has long been the party of laissez-faire capitalism - a system essentially based on producing as much "mater ...[text shortened]... eschewed luxuries and promoted giving almost all of one's income to charitable causes.
The term 'laissez-faire' and the word 'individual' are both redundant.
Originally posted by Seitsewhy are you never satisfied with the pope? why does he always have to be wrong no matter what?
Opening a three-week synod of African bishops, he said political
colonialism was over.
But he said the developed world continued to export materialism -
which he called "toxic spiritual rubbish" - to the continent.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8289188.stm
---
(1) I see where he is coming from, yet I find it hard to understand the ...[text shortened]... o 'import' development without
'importing' the materialism.
---
Discuss.
this pope isn't to be taken seriously anyway, this thread is pointless. you might as well take it to spirituality.
1 edit
Originally posted by MelanerpesI think rwingett put clearly above what one of the points of debate is:
the Pope seems to be one of the few Christian leaders who seriously challenges the "materialism" that is at the basis of modern capitalism.
I've always wondered why people who are devoutly Christian are usually Republicans - even though the GOP has long been the party of laissez-faire capitalism - a system essentially based on producing as much "mater eschewed luxuries and promoted giving almost all of one's income to charitable causes.
where is the balance of the Christian doctrine with the reality of the
institution, particularly when it boils down to its performance in areas
where there are strong created interests.
The second point, also correctly spotted by DrKF, is how to further the
calling made by the pope, i.e. how to generate development in Africa
without the 'man as consumer' approach embedded in all dominant
approaches to development?
So, your unto something interesting with what you spotted. Sadly, my
friend, not everybody is bright enough to understand the debate and
can easily take it as a personal thing. Kudos to you.
So, tell me what is your feeling re: development without materialism.
Is it possible at all?