Pope John Paul II moves a step closer to sainthood (souls, America)
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The more I see this the more I think the RCC is trying to divert attention away from the child sex abuse, and bank fraud issues by rushing their last pope into sainthood. If it was not so “in your face” it might work, but I think most of the public can see it as just another PR trick.
PR event for sure. Several local TV stations have been running ads about "come back to the catholic church", guess the numbers are down, thus the take at the gate must be down also. Are you guys seeing these?
Saw a story on the news about this. They want to make him a saint because a nun was cured after praying to the dead pope (4 months after his death) and he's getting credit for the miracle.
Of course it could be as simple as a deal with the hotels and restaurants in Rome, as if he becomes a saint they are expecting millions of people to come to Rome. Lots of money to be made, raising room rates 3X, 4X, or more.
The catholic church membership is down worldwide. I thought it was funny to see after the popes visit to the UK that they broke the 50% mark for non religious. They are so out of touch, and corrupted with greed and hunger for power, that they seems to be one of the best tools to end the christian faith any Atheist could hope for. I have been amazed at the poor decisions they are making, and speed of their death spiral.
It's declining as a percentage of the world population, but I don't know that it's really down worldwide. I'd need to see some citations on that. I'm pretty certain it's still increasing in Africa and Asia while declines in Europe probably can't go much further. (Although there have been notable recent declines in Poland and Ireland with more still possible)
The main area that could still lead to decline overall is Latin America. It is still a religious land, but Pentecostalism is starting to grab many converts there. Also other forms of Protestantism are growing albeit to a lesser extent. American Protestants like to evangelize the region, plus have lots of money to do so, but admittedly a significant factor is that Catholicism represents or appears as the status-quo and the status-quo has not been good for everyone. Also they've had to deal with tensions between Liberation Theology, Conservative Catholicism, Charismatics, and others in a way more intense than what occurred in many other places. Lastly Protestantism is seen as more Capitalistic than most forms of Catholicism and in societies trying for economic growth "Prosperity Gospel" or "Gospel of Wealth" stuff sounds good for things like upward mobility.
It's declining as a percentage of the world population, but I don't know that it's really down worldwide. I'd need to see some citations on that. I'm pretty certain it's still increasing in Africa and Asia while declines in Europe probably can't go much further. (Although there have been notable recent declines in Poland and Ireland with more still possible)
The main area that could still lead to decline overall is Latin America. It is still a religious land, but Pentecostalism is starting to grab many converts there. Also other forms of Protestantism are growing albeit to a lesser extent. American Protestants like to evangelize the region, plus have lots of money to do so, but admittedly a significant factor is that Catholicism represents or appears as the status-quo and the status-quo has not been good for everyone. Also they've had to deal with tensions between Liberation Theology, Conservative Catholicism, Charismatics, and others in a way more intense than what occurred in many other places. Lastly Protestantism is seen as more Capitalistic than most forms of Catholicism and in societies trying for economic growth "Prosperity Gospel" or "Gospel of Wealth" stuff sounds good for things like upward mobility.
Actually if one looks at the last twenty years the status quo isn't bad. All churches are on the decline and there has been a substantial increase in the number and percentage of atheists, agnostics.
To me the idea of sainting a man who helped cover up for pedophile priests is just about the epitome of arrogance...not that being arrogant is anything new to Christians.
Last edited by Melvin.George; 01-16-2011 at 07:48 AM..
It's declining as a percentage of the world population, but I don't know that it's really down worldwide. I'd need to see some citations on that. I'm pretty certain it's still increasing in Africa and Asia while declines in Europe probably can't go much further. (Although there have been notable recent declines in Poland and Ireland with more still possible)
The main area that could still lead to decline overall is Latin America. It is still a religious land, but Pentecostalism is starting to grab many converts there. Also other forms of Protestantism are growing albeit to a lesser extent. American Protestants like to evangelize the region, plus have lots of money to do so, but admittedly a significant factor is that Catholicism represents or appears as the status-quo and the status-quo has not been good for everyone. Also they've had to deal with tensions between Liberation Theology, Conservative Catholicism, Charismatics, and others in a way more intense than what occurred in many other places. Lastly Protestantism is seen as more Capitalistic than most forms of Catholicism and in societies trying for economic growth "Prosperity Gospel" or "Gospel of Wealth" stuff sounds good for things like upward mobility.
I don’t see religion growing in Asia. Japan now has around 65% Non-religious, Vietnam is about 81%, and South Korea at 52% and growing. These match up with Sweden at 85%, Norway around 72% and Denmark with 80%. This is the level I see Europe leveling out to. In China they have a large number who claim religion, but not violent religions like christianity. China also has placed controls on western religious organizations that limit their growth and influence thus trying to prevent problems in their secular culture.
I agree with you on Latin America, and it seems the Protestants are pushing hard in those areas. In Africa the shift is to Islam more than the christian faiths, but as education grows I think it will level out, and follow the European trends.
The more I see this the more I think the RCC is trying to divert attention away from the child sex abuse, and bank fraud issues by rushing their last pope into sainthood. If it was not so “in your face” it might work, but I think most of the public can see it as just another PR trick.
Oh come on, stop it, please.
I needed something to laugh at and this story was the funniest I had seen yet. The pope a saint, now that is funny .
I know how they can make up for all the lost revenue from the sex scandals.
New Pope on a rope! Just perfect for all those lost souls in prison. It comes with it's own rope so that you'll always have a place to hang it, when your cell mate is close at hand in the shower, or hands, or where ever he says you can hang it. And it's great for those easy pick-up when you accidental drop it and have to pick it back-up again! The states will pay extra money for the "New Pope on a Rope", just to keep their boys happy and quiet!!
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drop it and have to pick it back-up again! The states will pay extra money for the "New Pope on a Rope", just to keep their boys happy and quiet!! 
