Pope enthralls large crowd with message of love, mercy

[Act_of_Reparation]

20. Yes, a double-standard

for people who believe the theology of both transubstantiation and the Nicene Creed, this is what they've got.

And if you believe Brigham Young was the rightful successor to Joseph Smith, you're stuck with the LDS church. Still, we can objectively discuss how Mormons' tithes were used to fund anti-gay marriage efforts across the country.

Daily/weekly mass. It's more complicated than what you bring it down to. There is also a cultural aspect to it. Being raised Catholic, there are a lot of traditions that aren't so easy to discard. You can lay it down as you do. For someone who isn't conflicted with belief, it seems easy. It's much more complicated than that.

It would behoove you to remember most non-believers were not born non-believers. I, too, was raised in the church.

And no, it is not complicated. In one hand, you have real issues, with real-world consequences for billions of people. In the other hand, you have tradition. What's more important?

Furthermore, if there's a God upstairs--and if he's a progressive--don't you think he'd be understanding if you missed a few masses here and there, or if you didn't throw money in the plate?

It's easy to think in black and white terms, but there are many many liberals and progressives who still sit in the church pews. That's a fact.

And the money they throw in the plate is used to promulgate homophobia, misogyny, and human misery at home and abroad. That, too a fact.

Ironically, I remember Jesus quoted as having said, "Actions speak louder than words."