SBC Reactions to the Pope's Address to Congress
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:18 pmhttp://www.bpnews.net/45555/popes-speec ... ptists-say
Perhaps some of the reactions here are predictable, especially when it comes to what the Pope had to say about certain social issues. On the other hand, I tend to agree with some of the commentary regarding the circumstance itself. It seems that church-state separation is taking a beating from both sides. I don't have a problem with the Pope being invited to sit down in the White House and have a chat with the President, or have dinner with the VP and the Speaker of the House. But to address a joint session of Congress seems to me to be a violation of the establishment clause. My view is consistent on this, since I don't believe we should be involved in diplomatic relations with the Vatican either.
As far as his address to Congress goes, I don't think that was a great example of why this particular pope is so well loved. Catholic theological perspectives and issues statements are sometimes very bland, full of flowery words and lacking in much of substance. I guess I expected a bit more of the common man, and less of the theologian, and of course, taking into account his need to rehearse and polish his English, I didn't think this address did too much to characterize him as Pope Francis I.
Perhaps some of the reactions here are predictable, especially when it comes to what the Pope had to say about certain social issues. On the other hand, I tend to agree with some of the commentary regarding the circumstance itself. It seems that church-state separation is taking a beating from both sides. I don't have a problem with the Pope being invited to sit down in the White House and have a chat with the President, or have dinner with the VP and the Speaker of the House. But to address a joint session of Congress seems to me to be a violation of the establishment clause. My view is consistent on this, since I don't believe we should be involved in diplomatic relations with the Vatican either.
As far as his address to Congress goes, I don't think that was a great example of why this particular pope is so well loved. Catholic theological perspectives and issues statements are sometimes very bland, full of flowery words and lacking in much of substance. I guess I expected a bit more of the common man, and less of the theologian, and of course, taking into account his need to rehearse and polish his English, I didn't think this address did too much to characterize him as Pope Francis I.