New Pope Thread

It's also irrelevant, because the accusation is that the new Pope used to be a Nazi. So far, the evidence submitted to support that is that he was obligated to join an organization whose purpose was to promote Nazism.

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You are responsible for what you did when you were a teenager as well.

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This is false. It is an important part of Western jurisprudence that minors have not yet the experience or education to fully distinguish right from wrong, or to fully realize the consequences of their actions and decisions. That is why:minors cannot vote
minors cannot buy alcoholic beverages
minors cannot be legally obligated for the contracts that they sign
young minors cannot operate a motor vehicle, and older minors must have their parents' permission
minors are under the control of adult guardians
most countries and many US states distinguish between the crimes committed by an adult and those committed by a minor, mandating leniency in the punishment, and, in many cases, sealing the records when the minor reaches majority.

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I don't actually believe that people are born with their sexual orientations anyway.

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Do you believe that people are responsible for their own sexual orientations?

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These two choices do not exhaust all possibilities. Not every behavior pattern fits into either genetic determination or self-conscious choice. I never chose to be an atheist, for example; I resisted accepting atheism kicking and screaming. Yet, I do not believe that I was "born" an atheist. Unless one includes, perhaps, that I was born into a social and educational environment that impressed certain beliefs and ways of thinking into me.

Cardinal Ratzinger was also the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; that's right, Pope Benedict XVI was the head of the Inquisition!

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I am somewhat puzzled as to why an American non-Catholic would be concerned about the new Pope's views on those issues.

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The Roman Catholic Church is a large institution that has an effect on non-Catholics. The Pope is an important figure, with influence among non-Catholics. The Pope and the RCC routinely try to influence the policies of secular institutions. It isn't unreasonable for non-Catholics to be so interested in the views and policies of the new Pope.

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I just thought you were saying that the pope and his men should say "yes, yes, fornicate by all means, but with condoms on".

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You make that sound as if it would be a bad thing.