<p>We don't worship our fathers....my dad is just a human...just like the Pope. Nobody worships him. The only father people worship is God the Father. </p>
<p>Also about political power...perhaps you don't remember that the fall of communism in poland was largely because of him.
Also, read this: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=637525%5B/url%5D">http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=637525</a></p>
<p>christianity is the biggest religious group. with catholics as the largest single religious denomination within christianity. about 17% of the world's population is catholic (around 1.1 billion catholics). the pope is the spiritual leader.</p>
<p>the pope was instrumental in helping the fall of communism in eastern europe, so that does prove him as a bit of a political figure.</p>
<p>Eastern European communism aside, it just seems self-evident to me that any leader whom so many millions of people look up to would have a great deal of political power. Because he can influence Catholics' points of view on some very central ideological issues, he can obviously affect the policy-making of any country with even a few Catholic political leaders.</p>
<p>Also, I don't mean to bring this conversation back to something irrelevant to the esteemed Pope in question (I'm sorry for bringing this up in the first place!), but I can't let this one go uncorrected:
According to Alfred Kinsey: "We have observed homosexual behaviour in male monkeys, male dogs, bulls, cows, male and female rats, male porcupines, and male and female guinea pigs." He then lists some other researchers and the animals in which they have observed such behaviour, but I won't bore everyone with such an extensive list.</p>
<p>All right, I'm done with that. Back to the Pope. He really was a great man, even if I don't agree with some of the stands he took on various issues.</p>
<p>whoa - diabolic said that? just be normal? that's like telling a guy, "Just be a girl." Or telling a girl, "Just be a guy." You could make them physically the opposite sex, but they would know there is something wrong. You can't deny what you are. You can't be what you aren't. Just be normal?! whoa.</p>
<p>can we make a new thread if we want to debate about other things...</p>
<p>by the way, normal is a relative term. we need to exercise tolerance</p>
<p>I'm sorry, you're right, awakenedream. this thread is about the pope. </p>
<p>btw, he had a lot of sway over the Catholic youth of the world. He loved us dearly(as his last words made clear) and we felt a unique connection with him. He was very likeable. Whenever one saw him smile, one had to smile. I wish I could have seen him in person. I never will...</p>
<p>Maybe you'll see the next one. I'm sure he'll be a nice fellow too.</p>
<p>lol. nice fellow. yeah a cheery chap. a jolly old man.</p>
<p>I'm not religious, but I have a lot of respect for the late Pope. Anyone who thinks differently doesn't know their history. I wish the news had covered his life so thoroughly while he was still living.</p>
<p>I had no time to read the whole thead, but homosexuals should be given their rights....but NOT marriage. Marriage should stay between a man and a woman. I feel very strongly about this issue. Many homosexuals feel their rights are being infringed on when they are not allowed to marry.</p>
<p>For a quick image in everyone's brain, THIS is why I don't believe homosexuals should marry: </p>
<p>-Soon, application forms will state, "Living with Both Fathers"
-A 12 year old will have to get used to saying, "My moms will be there for the student teacher conference tomorrow, Mrs. Jones."</p>
<p>Sorry, don't mean to flame at any homos, but its sickening to see CNN showing two men kissing, hugging, and pulling each others cheeks while my sister and I are watching.</p>
<p>Its not even about marriage...any self-titled minority CANNOT expect protection under the 14th Amendment. That only covers religion and ethnicity. Other than that, it is up to majority rules to decide social policy.</p>
<p>Like awakenedream said: Start another thread. This thread is dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul II - NOT discussions about social policy.</p>
<p>BigJake is right, AND, majority obviously does not support fa...er..gay and lesbian marriage. :)</p>
<p>This thread is NOT for this type of discourse.</p>
<p>Then I shall edit my last post. :) I told you already hikki, I didn't read the thread.</p>
<p>Err I can't edit it. Sry yall. I shall not come back to this thread on account of I might be hanged. :) </p>
<p>RIP Pop John Paul II</p>
<p>we're not moderators, chris, you can post your respects to the pope. but please don't post other things. i appreciate it. :)</p>
<p>Stardragon, you're a tool and I hope you don't go to the same college as me(darmouth).</p>
<p>R.I.P. Pope John Paul II. I don't follow Catholicism, but respect his effort to end communism.</p>
<p>Tennistennis, you're a homosexual??? If yes, that's so good that I will not study with you in this college.</p>
<p>I don't know how so many people bear these homos! America..[sigh]</p>
<p>BigJake, I don't think you're right! Pope was very good human being (I think the ppl here listed all his achievments). If you think that some homosexual is the same human being as Pope, then go.. I can't say anything else..</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Its not even about marriage...any self-titled minority CANNOT expect protection under the 14th Amendment. That only covers religion and ethnicity. Other than that, it is up to majority rules to decide social policy.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Here you're right. Did you heard that scientists created intelligent mouse? Can you imagine later mouses, a lot of mouses, will demand "the same human rights"?? The same about homosexuals.. they're worse than any animal so far.. no animal <em>marries</em> the animal of the same gender.</p>