Religion in the news

[Cool.As.Ice]

Gay Catholics are hoping this new pope continues the previous one’s legacy of “tolerance”:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna205690

If I recall, one of our dramas talked about “acceptance and tolerance”, just can’t put my finger on it.

Edited May 10 by Cool.As.Ice

[Shawnster]

57 minutes ago, Cool.As.Ice said:

If I recall, one of our dramas talked about “acceptance and tolerance”, just can’t put my finger on it.

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=share&wtlocale=E&lank=pub-ivwrd_1_VIDEO

 

These Words Must be on Your Heart 

[dljbsp]

8 hours ago, Cool.As.Ice said:

acceptance and tolerance”

Here are some publication references also

We show respect to all people regardless of background

1 Peter 2:17 — “Honor men of all sorts.”

• “Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Get Involved in Politics?”

  Awake!, November 2012, p. 16

  “We respect the right of others to hold their own views. In fact, the Bible instructs Christians to ‘honor men of all sorts.’”

 

---

We don’t judge or force beliefs on others

 

1 Peter 3:15 — “Speak with mildness and deep respect.”

• “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Respect Other Religions?”

  jw.org FAQ article

  “We are taught to be respectful and kind toward everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.”

 

---

We don’t promote practices that conflict with Bible standards

1 Corinthians 16:13 — “Stand firm in the faith.”

• “True Christians Are Not Intolerant”

  Awake!, February 2002, pp. 8–9

  “While Jehovah’s Witnesses uphold their own Bible-based beliefs, they respect the right of others to have different beliefs. They do not impose their beliefs on others.”

• “Should You Be Tolerant of Other Religions?”

  Awake!, July 2009, p. 28

  “True tolerance does not mean accepting all views as being equally valid. That would be impossible, since many beliefs contradict one another. Rather, tolerance involves treating others with respect.”

[minister159]

On 5/10/2025 at 8:44 AM, Cool.As.Ice said:

If I recall, one of our dramas talked about “acceptance and tolerance”, just can’t put my finger on it.

Tolerance is one thing, but acceptance is another. When it comes to the LGBTQ demographic we are tolerant, which means we show kindness and respect, but we don't accede acceptance, which means we don't condone or approve their lifestyle or immoral conduct. Others may cave in and compromise on this issue, but we don't. How could we? 1Cor. 6:9.

[ChrisW]

On 5/10/2025 at 10:44 AM, Cool.As.Ice said:

If I recall, one of our dramas talked about “acceptance and tolerance”

The video about Josiah. "Love Jehovah, Hate What is Bad."

[Dark King]

This probably going to go south ⬇️ really fast 😮 😲 ⏩.

 

Episcopal Church says it won’t help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in U.S.

 

"It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others," Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/episcopal-church-says-wont-help-resettle-white-south-africans-rcna206409

[Dages]

9 minutes ago, Dark King said:

Episcopal Church says it won’t help

Fake christians spotted

[Doug]

The pope is offering to engage with world leaders to resolve problems and achieve peace.

 

On X "The Holy See is willing to help enemies meet, so they may look each other in the eye and so people may be given back the dignity they deserve: the dignity of peace. With heart in hand, I say to the leaders of the nations: let us meet; let us dialogue; let us negotiate!"

 

Interesting .   .    .  Sounds like he's going to help with 1 Thess. 5:3   

[Osprey]

Yes, Doug, that catched my attention too. He wants to be more actively engaged and involved in helping to bring peace to the world. That certainly is interesting and something to watch.

Edited May 14 by Osprey

[chuck83]

He's a head of state too. He's not just a religious leader. So he has that kind of power.

Edited May 15 by chuck83

[Shawnster]

7 hours ago, chuck83 said:

He's a head of state too. He's not just a religious leader. So he has that kind of power.

While true, how has this power been exercised historically? It's not like the Vatican is going to declare war on another nation, open a trade agreement, or do anything a normal nation does. 

[Osprey]

No, but these developments bring to mind that picture showing politician together with religious leader (pope?) making declarations of P&S together. Such developments could make that picture more and more possible and real. If pope would be involved in some peace negotiations, then very likely would also take some credit when it would seem that P&S was achieved.

While not having a big political power, pope is still a very influential person in the world that many see as a big moral and religious authority. And don't forget who today is still riding on wild beast... riding implies having an influence over it... it is possible that its influence is even bigger than we think because it is hidden...

Edited May 15 by Osprey

[chuck83]

1 hour ago, Shawnster said:

While true, how has this power been exercised historically? It's not like the Vatican is going to declare war on another nation, open a trade agreement, or do anything a normal nation does. 

 

Of course not. Neither did Madame Claude, Mary Ann Hall, or Heidi Fleiss. But they didn’t need armies, they had influence. Power behind closed doors. Sometimes all it takes is money and a mistake with a man's zipper. The Vatican plays the same game, just in robes instead of heels.

[Percy]

On 4/25/2025 at 3:18 AM, jps said:

pro hbtq/lbtq+-xyz!@#€%...

After that they will use Greek letters! 😆

[SteveAus]

These two comments caught my eye, from the European Union ambassador & the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, at the May 16th's meeting with the diplomatic corp.
 

Quote

 “He spoke about the dignity of everybody in society, in particular the more vulnerable ones,” Selmayr said. I think his name [Leo] and from what we saw today is that this is a pope — it’s my impression — who wants to play a role internationally.”

Quote

 

Following the papal audience, Russian ambassador to the Holy See Ivan Soltanovsky told Di Donato that the Vatican is a significant player in world affairs.

“The Vatican is certainly a very important international actor who has moral, political, psychological — I should say — power,” he said. “This is respected everywhere, including Russia.”

“We respect the role of the Holy See in offering its mediation facilities and in resolving humanitarian aspects,” he added.

 

 

 

Source

Edited May 26 by SteveAus

[Pabo]

On 5/9/2025 at 1:42 PM, Tortuga said:

Too bad they didn't make Cardinal Sicle a pope, everyone likes Pope Sicles... 

 

What about Cardinal Corn? I heard he at times jumps out of the frying pan into the fire.

 

World leaders can butter up to him, and those who don't, he becomes salty to.

[SteveAus]

Ignore if this has been already posted

A positive report by a UK Rotary Club after a 2025 tour of the JW HQ

[Tortuga]

The new pope is a Chicago White Sox fan. That proves that no one is listening to his prayers...

[GeordieGirl]

I have no words for this! The more you read the more 'other planet' it gets! 

 

Italian teenager Carlo Acutis set to become the first millennial saint

 

 

The canonisation of Carlo Acutis ..... will take place on September 7 .... 

 

..... died from leukaemia in 2006, will be declared a saint ..... expected to be attended by thousands of young people.

 

.... 15 when he died .....  he used his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith by setting up a website that documented reports of miracles.

 

The church’s sainthood process normally requires that candidates have two miracles attributed to them .... 

 

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/religion-and-belief/italian-teenager-carlo-acutis-set-to-become-the-first-millennial-saint-c-19030977?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PerthNow+-+News&utm_id=177458&sfmc_id=17567167

Edited June 14 by GeordieGirl

[Tortuga]

23 minutes ago, GeordieGirl said:

The church’s sainthood process normally requires that candidates have two miracles attributed to them .... 

It's a miracle this is happening...

[Witness1970]

On 5/13/2025 at 9:34 AM, Dark King said:

This probably going to go south ⬇️ really fast 😮 😲 ⏩.

 

Episcopal Church says it won’t help resettle white South Africans granted refugee status in U.S.

 

"It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others," Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/episcopal-church-says-wont-help-resettle-white-south-africans-rcna206409

I didn't think they said they "won't help."  What I heard was that the request they got was to put those people ahead of others that are on the waiting list.  They are supposed to wait their turn and not be put at the front of the list just because they are white.

[dljbsp]

https://risu.ua/en/russia-and-ukraine-are-called-to-release-prisoners-of-conscience_n156955

Russia and Ukraine are called to release prisoners of conscience

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) has urged both Russia and Ukraine to release all prisoners of conscience immediately. Their 2024 report highlights violations in both countries, including the punishment of Ukrainian men who refuse military service and the imprisonment of Russian citizens under vague extremism laws. EBCO emphasizes that such actions violate international human rights, especially the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The report calls for an end to forced conscription in Ukraine and the repeal of overbroad legislation in Russia that is often used to silence dissent. EBCO appeals to courts and governments to uphold these basic freedoms and act quickly to protect vulnerable individuals.

[dljbsp]

https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-canterbury/global-volunteer-effort-renovates-kingdom-hall

More than 150 volunteers—including members from across New Zealand, Rarotonga, and the USA—gathered in Waimate to renovate the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The three‑month, NZD 276,000 project involved installing a new roof, exterior and interior paint, air-conditioning, upgraded sound systems, and added seating to accommodate up to 50 individuals. The hall, originally built in 1974, serves a congregation of 24 and hosts weekly meetings on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The upgraded Kingdom Hall was officially reopened for meetings on June 1. Project manager Bryce Bines expressed gratitude to the volunteers and local community for their support