The Town Hall Archives

Coralfish · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:57 am Post subject:

I just wanted to proffer a couple of links, as Fox News has been covering the event quite thoroughly the past few days:

"Americans Mourn John Paul II"

"Brilliant Light for the World"

Also, I thought it rather nice that President Bush made a statement and have included the text of his comments (which can be found here as well).

President's Statement on the Death of Pope John Paul II
The Cross Hall

4:02 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I join people across the Earth in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.

Pope John Paul II left the throne of St. Peter in the same way he ascended to it -- as a witness to the dignity of human life. In his native Poland, that witness launched a democratic revolution that swept Eastern Europe and changed the course of history. Throughout the West, John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of life in which the strong protect the weak. And during the Pope's final years, his witness was made even more powerful by his daily courage in the face of illness and great suffering.

All Popes belong to the world, but Americans had special reason to love the man from Krakow. In his visits to our country, the Pope spoke of our "providential" Constitution, the self-evident truths about human dignity in our Declaration, and the "blessings of liberty" that follow from them. It is these truths, he said, that have led people all over the world to look to America with hope and respect.

Pope John Paul II was, himself, an inspiration to millions of Americans, and to so many more throughout the world. We will always remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders. We're grateful to God for sending such a man, a son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome, and a hero for the ages.

END 4:04 P.M. EST

I've been trying to word this properly to convey my opinion on how I see this not only as a great loss for personal and religious reasons, but also in the sense that there remain so few uncompromising people these days. People who, regardless of time or circustances stick to their principles and refuse to be moved. People who are willing to get up in front of the world, regardless of criticism, and defend human dignity and worth in every areas of life. The world lost someone like that yesterday, and if anything, that alone is a reason to mourn.

I certainly hope that more people step up in the public sphere in defense of the good, for it seems that we are losing such people day by day.

Guest · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:12 am Post subject:

^^^very well stated!

Roku · Seasoned Veteran Member Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 551

Melka · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject:

Although I am not Catholic, I do feel quite sad in his passing. He was a verry good man, and I am Polish like he is...Even though I am not a member of his church, I still go by what Jesus taught us. Love others as I have loved you, and in one church that I used to go to they would end the service with "walk in love as Christ loved us" I think that is true we should all love eachother, and help eachother. It does not matter if we are Catholics, Methodists, Luthrans, Jews or whatever...all that matters is that we have a relationship with God, and we live the life he wants us to.

I know we all have different Ideas when it comes to our different dominations...but when it comes down to it those differeces are just stupid little things that have grown and things have grown out of proportion (or is it porportion...) anywy, It is like when I whent to the Weekend of Champions, we were all from different denominations, but for a whole weekend that did not matter. what mattered was Jesus. That really should be all that matters.

As for those who don't belive in Jesus, or do not see him as The Christ, we should love them with all our hearts, not pushing them and trying to argue about how what they belive is wrong or whatever. we should let God shine through us so that they will praise him.

uhh I think I am just babiling now. so I'll get off my soapbox.

"Human short commings may tarnish a person but their good will always shine through the dingiest of smears."--- Elizabeth Guido

Tianlet · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

I think it is veeeery interesting that people keep commenting with amazement that the pope did so much politically. Historically popes have always been as much if not more involved in social and political issues than religious ones. Gee! You would think people would pay attention to their history.

Another thing, my roommate asked me in all seriousness if I thought it was right for Prince Charles and his fiancee to postpone their wedding because the pope was being buried on Friday! Again, pay attention to history! Wasn't it Henry the second who had to crawl to the Vatican on his knees in the snow for three days before the pope would give him an audience? (Ok, maybe the story was exxagerated somewhat, but you get the picture). Henry VIII wasn't even allowed to get married (the second time) and made the historic break with the church that has gone resounding down through history as one of the most audacious political moves in human history. Popes are powerful. It doesn't matter if you are catholic or not, it's a political thing, not necessarily a religious one. Just because this pope has been peaceful and sickly for a long time doesn't mean the next one will be. It will be interesting to see just what passage in history is repeated this time around.

Melka · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

Tianlet · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject:

*daniel · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:28 pm Post subject:

I, personally, am quite sick of the hooplah surrounding the John Paul's death. He was a man, and he died - that's a cause to mourn, because it speaks of sin and death, things that aren't supposed to happen - but at the end of the day, he was *essentially* no better than any other man, as good as he might have been *actually*.

If this doesn't make any sense to someone, I can define my terms Smile

Eugene Kendall™ · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject: