Pope Francis trashes the ‘prosperity gospel’: Pompous Christians are ugly pagans

[rustbeltvoice]

39. No, some here are confused by context.

'Pagan' is here really not used in reference to a group or individuals of current pagans of some sort of religious practice. 'Pagan' here is more like a comparison to what Christianity had replaced. Some of this is lost to history, but within the Roman Empire the forms of paganism were not benign as some projecting fantasy suggests. One novelty that marked the early Christians from their pagan neighbours was the charity/agape/love they showed each other. This was not the way of the world. This is the comparison Francis is making. It is the dance around the golden calf.

Now, i see if this is read by some of the thread commentators, they will object greatly. No defense, no rationale will be considered. Which is odd, for the gist of Francis' argument is against the non-humble, the extravagant, the self absorbed, self-satisfied, self-aggrandising whom call themselves 'Christian'. I will have to see how much good will there is out here.