Vatican comes out of the closet

Originally posted by rwingett
The Church's concern for social justice is the only thing that continues to justify their existence. Indeed, it is the primary thing that they should be concerning themselves with.

Hooray!

I knew that an organization with global control, which exists to distribute social justice and wealth, would be right up your alley!

I just.... I .... I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Thanks for representing me and the rest of the 99%, partner!

Originally posted by rwingett
The Church's concern for social justice is the only thing that continues to justify their existence. Indeed, it is the primary thing that they should be concerning themselves with.

We are all concerned about "justice" Rwingett. The question is only how and at what cost?

Christians who abandon a Christ centered focus in favor of a statist man centered focus are all doomed as those who followed the likes of Stalin and Mao. Mankind will be corrupted by their power, so the question begs, why give them increasing power over us?

Originally posted by whodey
We are all concerned about "justice" Rwingett. The question is only how and at what cost?

Christians who abandon a Christ centered focus in favor of a statist man centered focus are all doomed as those who followed the likes of Stalin and Mao. Mankind will be corrupted by their power, so the question begs, why give them increasing power over us?

Once corporate power has been crushed, then I'd be all for doing away with state power. It is the former that poses the greatest threat to humanity.

Originally posted by sumydid
Hooray!

I knew that an organization with global control, which exists to distribute social justice and wealth, would be right up your alley!

I just.... I .... I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Thanks for representing me and the rest of the 99%, partner!

It isn't right up my alley, but I do respect Christianity's emphasis on social justice. I haven't seen any economists marching with the Occupy movement, but there have been several priests. That is to their credit.

Originally posted by sumydid
Congrats to your Saints by the way. And I was glad to see that my Falcons won by a respectable margin and didn't play down to the Colts' level.

What's wrong with America's Team, the Cowboys?

Originally posted by rwingett
It isn't right up my alley, but I do respect Christianity's emphasis on social justice. I haven't seen any economists marching with the Occupy movement, but there have been several priests. That is to their credit.

What about Jeffrey Sachs, Paul Krugman, Amartya Sen and Robert Reich? All economists and each a vocal supporter of the OWS protests...

Krugman is a supporter?

You mean the radical left-wing idealogue who spins his heartfelt hatred writing columns for a liberal rag?

And Sachs is a supporter? Is this before or after the mob demonstrated in front of his building, announcing he is "guilty of felony fraud, violating security laws, perjury before a Senate commission and the theft of $78 billion in taxpayer money."

Originally posted by bbarr
What about Jeffrey Sachs, Paul Krugman, Amartya Sen and Robert Reich? All economists and each a vocal supporter of the OWS protests...

They don't march, though.

Originally posted by sumydid
Krugman is a supporter?

You mean the radical left-wing idealogue who spins his heartfelt hatred writing columns for a liberal rag?

And Sachs is a supporter? Is this before or after the mob demonstrated in front of his building, announcing he is "guilty of felony fraud, violating security laws, perjury before a Senate commission and the theft of $78 billion in taxpayer money."

Yes.

No, you must have Krugman mistaken for a figment of your troglodytic imagination.

Yes.

Um, I think you're thinking of a different guy. Citation?

Originally posted by rwingett
They don't march, though.

Sachs was in Zucotti Park on Oct. 15th, and gave an impromptu speech.

YouTube

Krugman has visited, but apparently has a principled reason not to participate; he cites some obscure distinction between being an advocate and an activist. I guess he feels he's doing his part with two columns a week in the NYT.

Robert Reich has visited and spoke at Occupy L.A. protests.

Originally posted by bbarr
Sachs was in Zucotti Park on Oct. 15th, and gave an impromptu speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB_eoUqbKDw

Krugman has visited, but apparently has a principled reason not to participate; he cites some obscure distinction between being an advocate and an activist. I guess he feels he's doing his part with two columns a week in the NYT.

Robert Reich has visited and spoke at Occupy L.A. protests.

OK, OK, I guess not ALL economists are scum of the earth Quislings. Just don't tell Palynka I said that, though.

Originally posted by rwingett
OK, OK, I guess not ALL economists are scum of the earth Quislings. Just don't tell Palynka I said that, though.

Mums the word! Where is Palynka, anyway? He's got some responding to do!

Originally posted by whodey
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/24/vatican-economy-idUKL5E7LO1LS20111024

Don't get too exited!! This is not a thread about the Catholic church dealing with its pedofile problems. No, instead it appears that the Vatican is becoming increasingly political. The Vatican has called for sweeping reforms of the world economy and the creation of an ethica ight hold up signs advocating for my position would be greatly appreciated. 😀

First, it should not be surprising that the Vatican is not a neo-liberal organisation. Historically, the Catholic Church has always sided with workers and trade unions. It is only in recent times that there have been prominent Catholic Torries, Liberals or Republicans. The Catholic Church has had to be wary of too close an alliance with Communist parties, which is why in Australia the Labor Party was torn in half, but since the industrial revolution its sympathies have always been with the lower class.

Second, whatever Reuters says, this is not the Vatican speaking. The Vatican comprises of many bodies. The one concerned here is actually the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. While documents coming from the Council likely reflect the opinion of the Vatican, they are not the same thing as a papal encyclical.

Third, an English translation of this document has not been released, so I will refrain from commenting of any particulars of this document. I doubt however that the Vatican takes a sympathetic attitude to the Wall Street Occupiers, not necessarily because the OWS do not have a genuine point but because they have not clearly articulated any specific objectives and the Catholic Church would not make a hasty alliance with the left-wing.

Fourth, I will just address a snide comment you made about the Vatican wealth. How this could be an example of corporate greed is beyond me. It is not as if the Vatican sells this artworks and reeps in profit. The Vatican is constantly requiring donations to support its conservation efforts. It is always at a loss. I think the Vatican takes the attitude that its relationship to its art is one of stewardship not ownership. It is hardly akin to CEOs who own several private mansions, yaughts and planes and do not share these with the public.

Originally posted by bbarr
Mums the word! Where is Palynka, anyway? He's got some responding to do!

Haven't seen him around in a while. Maybe the madness finally got to him.

Originally posted by rwingett
Haven't seen him around in a while. Maybe the madness finally got to him.

Perhaps he has ascended to become pure reason, or is now residing with the Platonic Forms.