tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post1784269523238799710..comments2024-02-05T03:41:13.688+01:00Comments on Mikeb302000: Catholicism and Capital PunishmentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-85645870870576650482011-03-25T16:24:40.038+01:002011-03-25T16:24:40.038+01:00You made a statement without evidence: "The p...You made a statement without evidence: "The present pope feels the same way, in spite of his reputation as a conservative theologian." Here is what he wrote while his predecessor was still Pope.<br /><br />"Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia."<br />-- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, "Worthiness to Receive Communion – General Principles," Item 3, July 2004<br /><br />'Tempered use' is not the same as 'never'. Respectfully, you may disagree with him (thus the 'diversity of opinion' he acknowledges), but you should not misrepresent his opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-68628360265602866102009-07-30T19:26:11.387+02:002009-07-30T19:26:11.387+02:00Welcome back Micro. I'll put that link into a...Welcome back Micro. I'll put that link into a new post right now. It perfectly illustrates some of my favorite theories.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-33972795967316431862009-07-30T18:54:46.150+02:002009-07-30T18:54:46.150+02:00All religious doctrine is subject to widely varyin...All religious doctrine is subject to widely varying interpretations depending on the agenda of the interpreter.<br /><br />I have talked to Catholics who have found the death penalty in direct opposition ro what they believe is the true word of Christ and I have talked to many who believe that the same words justify it.<br /><br />And yes, I think the need for revenge is next to impossible to be eliminated as a reason for a death sentence.<br /><br />I believe that a death sentence is all too often used as an "example".<br />It is only a short leap from the public executions in a Chinese Stadium to the inordinate rate of the racially loaded percentages of death sentences in modern America.<br /><br />Mike, I'm back from my trip to the Middle Ages. Good stuff here as usual.<br />Here's a link to an interesting story about a firefighter who shot a cyclist in the head in traffic in Asheville. NC because he objected to the cyclist riding with a child on a busy street. It happened on the 27th, I believe.<br /><br />http://www.foxcarolina.com/news<br />/20193010/detail.htmlmicrodothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564820031343630871noreply@blogger.com