Thoughts on direction of the Catholic Church

[javasaurus]

I've been hearing/reading a lot of people say that they hope the new pope will lead Catholicism into the 21st century, or at least out of the 14th. Big issues include women as priests, married priests, gay rights, contraception, and abortion. But I'm not sure that I believe the church should change. Wait, don't start the flames yet! I'm not saying that I agree with the Catholic church on these issues! So what is Javasaurus talking about then? According to the Catholic church, based on a combination of history, dogma, word of God, of Jesus, etc., these things are wrong. It is not the place of the church to keep up with modern perceived morality, but to direct it, and to act as a moral rock. They should not determine what is sinful based on what mankind desires, nor on what is practical for mankind, but on their best interpretation of the will of God. For the church to change on such big issues, it will take the deep belief amongst the pope and cardinals that such changes are the will of God, not just the desires of the people. And then they have to cope with saying either, "we were wrong" or "God changed his mind."

Comments

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

An interesting point. One I would agree more strongly with if I had any faith in revealed dogma anymore. As I see things, churches and religions, even those ideally inspired by divinity, are still expressions of a fundamental human need. We are always creating our own religion, as I see things. So, yes, the Church should be true to itself, but with history standing as it does cannot say that things don't or shouldn't change. The Catholic church is a master at changing things and then pretending that's how it's always been. Additional changes to suit modern needs would be more true to its nature than not changing, in some ways.

My $0.02, and no offense intended. I know I see religion a bit differently than a lot of people.

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

no offence taken (by me, anyway). I meant this to start discussion, not push my viewpoint.