I have to write an essay about this quote by Pope John Paul II for my Bible studies course, any thoughts on it
365616
It's a statement of encouragement.  He's saying that if something is in your way, you shouldn't let it get the best of you.  Obstacles exist to overcome them and find ways around them.  Obstacles give a person something to struggle over, and when they come out on the other side or break down those obstacles, that person is stronger for it.  If you surrender to an obstacle, you can't go any further.  To surrender to an obstacle is to give up on where you are going and to pass down an opportunity to struggle through a hard situation and better yourself.  Biblically speaking, God sometimes allows us to go through hardships because He knows it will make us stronger on the other side of the obstacle.  There are plenty examples of this with Job, King David, and all of the apostles to name a few.  Good luck with your essay!
361904
thats a Quote Out Of The Quran
258264
I concur.  I feel like adherence to a prescribed moral principle removes personal responsibility.  I've felt that way (only perhaps less eloquent!) since I was eight.  If you are a good person because you adhere to the Bible / church values unquestioningly, you aren't actually a good person.  You are only truly good if you are the person choosing your own behavior.  I think fundamentally it boils down to manners - in greater or lesser dimensions.
134236
That poem rocks.  I know that it is controversial.  I would be interested to see what people thought of a choice line or two from the poem.
1039643
You make some very good points. The bible was written in a time when homosexuality wasnt very common, people read into it much too far and take something out of it that could very well be not true.
1058919
Good stuff how about\n\nThou shalt forgive all sinners, however only in the most patronising way possible\n\nThou shalt threaten 'burning in hell', 'everlasting torment' and 'demons with pitchforks up your bottom' to all sinners in the name of the God of eternal love.\n\nThou shalt not listen, think or form a logical argument
177550
The article is interesting, but it seems to have some flaws. It was too long and involved to read carefully, but I skimmed the points it was trying to make. One that jumped out at me was worshipping on Sunday. The article says we do that because the Pope said to. The fact is that the earliest church worshipped on Sunday. Paul says the day doesn't matter, as long as we worship.\n\nAnother problem is that the Bible tells us that once the antichrist comes to power, we only have 7 years left before the end. The catholic church has been around for far longer than 7 years!\n\nThere are more, but I'm a very slow typer, so I'll let it go at two.\n\nI have a big problem with some of the catholic beliefs, but I really don't think this article should be taken seriusly. When I have more time, I am going to look at it more closely, though.
300700
I am not Catholic or Christian but I have great respect for the man. I would argue that he was one of the finest Popes of all time and if all future Popes follow his example the world would be a better place.
308510
I agree that the Pope cannot speak for God. The Catholic church has changed it's mind on many things in the past- look it up- and while you're at it, look up the story about Darwin's deathbed. Thanks!
361223
My favorite quote ever, "if good old fashioned American English was good enough for Jesus and the apostles it's good enough for me" \n\nMy history prof was traveling to Russia and his buddy asked him to pick up a KJV in Russian for him-- there are so many problems with that request, I don't know where to start- HA!
816147
What you are not entertaining, is the other possibility, that they CAN be reconciled, and you aren't seeing it, or not letting yourself.  It is not hard, it is right there.   The reference you give supports itself within the bible.  I don't see the problem, sorry.  Perhaps, your bible (Catholic Bible), could be off?    Do a study of the Christian cannon, and how the books were chosen to be included, or left out.  It is fascinating and eye opening.  Don't just assume the catholic church has it right, study for yourself.
1021867
I looked for the statement by Cardinal Castrillon but couldn't find it. So I can't state an opinion.\n\nPlease add a link next time. \n\nThank you.
119680
"we cant die until god says so" i love this quote when the time comes it b/c we've done what he wanted us to do and i know where im going to go and who im going to be with. what would i do? ill welcome it
268068
Nope,it's one of those passages that I disagree with.What you quoted was one of many unethical verses in the bible.I don't believe or follow everything I read.
128987
How about reading his first encyclical Deus Caritas Est, God Is Love.  See the website below.
536505
Memorable Quotes: I learned that when you are willing to make sacrifices for a great cause, you will never be alone, because you will have divine companionship and the support of good people. This same faith and cosmic companionship sustained me after my husband was assassinated, and gave me the strength to make my contribution to carrying forward his unfinished work. \n"I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation." \n\n"Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people." \n\n"Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul."\n\n"The value of life in our cities has become as cheap as the price of a gun." \n\n"In this country. we vigorously regulate the sale of medicine and severely limit the advertising of cigarettes because of their effect on human health. But we allow virtually anyone in America to buy a gun and virtually everyone in the nation to see graphic violence." \n\n"When I say I was married to the cause, I was married to my husband whom I loved -- I learned to love, it wasn't love at first sight -- but I also became married to the cause. It was my cause, and that's the way I felt about it. So when my husband was no longer there, then I could continue in that cause, and I prayed that God would give me the direction for my life....But then I finally determined that it was the King Center, because Martin's message and his meaning were so powerful....So I felt that my role, then, was to develop an institution, to institutionalize his philosophy, his principles of nonviolence and his methodology of social change, and that's what I have spent my years doing."
658506
Pope John Paul II's Legacy Draws Others to Carry Out Bold Endeavors.  Pope Set Stage for Multiple Agendas: From Uniting Christians to Interfaith Cooperation to Ending War And Promoting Moral Stability.  \n\nMany agree that Pope John Paul II's focus on the inherent dignity of each person formed the core of his vision and the underpinning for his strong stance favoring human rights, social and economic justice for poor people and nations, respect for religious and cultural differences, worker's rights, reverence for life at every stage, stewardship of the environment and living a simple lifestyle.\n\nExamples of his focus on human dignity are numerous. In his 2002 message for Day of Prayer for Peace in the World, the Pope stated that "there can be no true peace without respect for the dignity of persons and peoples ... ." When that peace is broken, he hastened to add, "Forgiveness alone heals the wounds of the heart and fully restores damaged human relations."\n\nAgain, in a meeting in 2001 with a European business group, the Pope said that the purpose of economic activity should lead to "protecting the environment and promoting the full human development of millions of men and women, in a way that respects every individual's dignity ... ."\n\nHe also hoped that future generations would "enjoy a prosperity that is not merely economic but spiritual as well, corresponding to the deepest aspirations of the human heart."\n\nAt the same time, Msgr. Kerr said, the Pontiff's belief in human dignity formed the basis for his strong opposition to abortion, euthanasia, materialism and preemptive war.\n\nPope John Paul II often spoke of moral truths, yet he respected the person's freedom of conscience and obligation to act in his or her own free will. "Respect for a person's conscience, where the image of God himself is reflected, means that we can only propose the truth to others, who are then responsible for accepting it," the Holy Father stated in his 2002 message for World Day.\n\nMoreover, Msgr. Kerr said, Pope John Paul II carried a message of solidarity to people around the globe. He also wanted them to know that they are loved by a transcendent, divine power. "Pope John Paul II understood the hunger in the human heart to experience the divine. That is why millions around the world flocked to see him wherever he went."\n\nAccording to Dr. Schmitz, Pope John Paul II's humanitarian efforts stemmed from his deep commitment to his papal mission. "He had a very keen understanding of his role as pope.\n\n"To look at his accomplishments, we must first look at his zeal for the papacy. Was he a good pope? He was clearly a man on a passionate mission to bring good news to all peoples. He took his role as successor to Peter, as shepherd to his flock, very seriously. That is what made him more than a good pope. He was a great pope.\n\n"His mission was the summary point of being pope," Dr. Schmitz said. "He used every means he could -- through travel, modern transportation and technology -- to bring Christ's healing message to people in the far corners of the earth."