Ask a Catholic

[downbeatplumb]

well, what then? Did god change his mind? Or were the popes fallible?

Sorry if I was unclear. Popes are not infallible in everything they say. So, they can disagree with each other about things that are not declared infallibly.

I don't know, are they? so how does this work? God makes sure they don't pick an asshole and then makes him infallible? this is more curiosity than objection

Well, the Borgia popes were pretty bad, but yes, generally speaking God leads the cardinals to choose the man God desires as pope. And from that point, yes, the pope is PREVENTED by God from teaching error in his formal capacity as Pope. He can still be in error privately.

is....god ok with that? People quoting infallibility? sounds like it would be a job for life (I know it's not common to quit, but it does happen)

Benedict was not the first to resign.

no, I know it's a bit off topic, I'll try to keep it on track

No problem. This is going well so far. I hope you agree.

a couple questions regarding the above:
~is Jesus god?
~Does god have a gender?
~why is a penis necessary to represent a perfect being?
~why does a perfect being have a penis!?!? nah, just kidding with this one

Yes.
No.
No comment.
No comment.

I'm impressed. You admitted to not knowing. and well, fair enough

Cool. By the way, I should have asked when we finished discussing celibacy if you felt I had made a good-faith effort to answer your questions and whether you think my answers reduced the concerns you may have had about the subject previously?

yes, I'm actually glad because I feel like we're having a proper discussion. I don't think you can get me to like the catholic church's teachings, but to be fair you cleared up a couple things and I learned something too, so I'm inclined to call this discussion fruitful.

Cool. Let me know if you are satisfied with this topic. If so, we'll move on.

A truly medieval mindset.