Why is the pope such a big deal?

[Bad Writer]

[tokutter]

All churches make their own version of the fucking bible.

No.. A few do, but most just take it horribly out of context. The toughest part today, since there are thousands of denominations, is not verifying the validity of the Word of God, but doing the work to study to find out whay it really says, as most churches don't really hold to it

EDIT: It's fairly difficult, very timr consuming

(my bolding)
The difficult part being getting it all to line up just the way you want.

.

[Locke]

No.. A few do, but most just take it horribly out of context. The toughest part today, since there are thousands of denominations, is not verifying the validity of the Word of God, but doing the work to study to find out whay it really says, as most churches don't really hold to it

EDIT: It's fairly difficult, very timr consuming

(my bolding)
The difficult part being getting it all to line up just the way you want.

Getting me to line up the way it says*

EDIT: The Bible is not very hard to understand - the difficulty comes because we do not want to change, but would rather do things our way. Thats where all the denominations come from.. Each one of them says they follow the Bible, plus and minus certain parts.. Because they don't like what the Bible says, but there was never difficulty understanding it

[ronedee]

The pope is obviously the earthly leader of the Catholic Church, as handed down with the indoctrination of Peter.

Just as with any elected (human) official, you have whatever baggage that entails. Good and bad. That's the way life works, unfortunately.

That said, if a person [whoever it is] comes in the way of your relationship with God? Then your strength of Faith alone, or dependency on a human figure to guide you will be tested.

The person who has strong Faith, and a personal relationship with Jesus knows the place of the pope. It's neither a hiderance, nor a ticket to heaven.

The many that "need" Faith strengthened, look to the earthly father to show them the way to increased faith.

Consequently, traditions of the church and the glitz & glam goes in the direction of those who actually need increased faith. Its not for every Catholic, but most.

[Captain Colostomy]

(my bolding)
The difficult part being getting it all to line up just the way you want.

Getting me to line up the way it says*

EDIT: The Bible is not very hard to understand - the difficulty comes because we do not want to change, but would rather do things our way. Thats where all the denominations come from.. Each one of them says they follow the Bible, plus and minus certain parts.. Because they don't like what the Bible says, but there was never difficulty understanding it

A literal interpretation is easy to understand...and even easier to dismiss.

Assuming non believers do not want change is preposterous. For instance, I want my wife's breasts to go from 'C's to 'DD's. Change! You obviously mean change as in swallowing the bible hook line and stinker. I am not a stubborn child throwing a hissy. Change should be an improvement, to myself and/or my environment. Shutting off critical thought for pie in the sky would be a detriment i couldn't abide. Further, any theoretical god who thought this a good test for me would get told he's a sadistic cunt who doesn't deserve respect.

[Minimalist]

But no one can come up with a definitive, universally accepted version of what it really means!

Maybe that's because it doesn't mean shit.