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capitalism
July 2009 
The pope decries consumerism?! How dare he?! - blog response...
Posted on Dec 20th, 2008
by 
Ukumbwa, African Condor
Ukumbwa, African Condor
The following is my response to a Blogger post entitled: "Pope: the economic crises is an opportunity to rediscover the real meaning of Christmas " by Alice/White Light Black Light.
"I appreciate the Pope making this point about xmas. The problem with this hollow statement (the symbolism of which can be used progressively for those so inclined, so thank you to him for that) is that he does not openly and actively speak about the problems of capitalism and corporate imperialism and its negative spiritual, physical and ideological function in this world. Even with his papal mandate, he does not have the fortitude to speak truth, full truth in the face of one of the most degrading and oppressivve systems the world has known to date. And largely, the xian community does not speak up or act against the inequities or injustices of capitalism-inspired and empowered consumerism. His message is hollow and therefore even further damaging as it may lead his followers to believe that something is happening out of the power of HIS word...which it does not. His words are placation, pat and at the very most symbolic. If he were to actually believe and act upon the full meaning of his words, he would be gutting the vatican of all the gold and silver from plundered peoples and lands, foregoing the materialist consumerism of the roman catholic church....a real and powerful action and message that would serve as great symbolism and example to those who actually feel his leadership has any genuine and positive ramifications in this world.
Thank you for posting this message, but I must reiterate that we must look deeper into the actions of the catholic church historically and currently (including the rampant disrespect of indigenous life and spirituality by the vatican in particular and the roman catholic church in general).
On another point, I challenge the pope to interpret the "real meaning of [xmas]" in a functional way that helps his followers actually apply the lessons the bible may have to offer for peace and justice to occur on the ground and in the lives of people worldwide. I challenge the pope to apply his own holy book to help us realize the spiritual call to embrace the earth as a sacred entity and to resolve the patterns of natural resource extraction, processing, production, sale and waste that is the core of the consumerism in his world.
The pope should check out "the story of stuff" on youtube, read some Nkrumah, Zinn, Ture, Deloria, LaDuke, Chomsky, THEN get back to us.
What was that story about an eye of a needle and getting into heaven?....or that thing about the plank in one's own eye?! Hmmmmm."
The original post can be found at the following url:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8352560&postID=2884514073424601934&page=1
Now that I think about it - maybe I don't really appreciate the pope's point about xmas. Hmmmmmmm.
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"I appreciate the Pope making this point about xmas. The problem with this hollow statement (the symbolism of which can be used progressively for those so inclined, so thank you to him for that) is that he does not openly and actively speak about the problems of capitalism and corporate imperialism and its negative spiritual, physical and ideological function in this world. Even with his papal mandate, he does not have the fortitude to speak truth, full truth in the face of one of the most degrading and oppressivve systems the world has known to date. And largely, the xian community does not speak up or act against the inequities or injustices of capitalism-inspired and empowered consumerism. His message is hollow and therefore even further damaging as it may lead his followers to believe that something is happening out of the power of HIS word...which it does not. His words are placation, pat and at the very most symbolic. If he were to actually believe and act upon the full meaning of his words, he would be gutting the vatican of all the gold and silver from plundered peoples and lands, foregoing the materialist consumerism of the roman catholic church....a real and powerful action and message that would serve as great symbolism and example to those who actually feel his leadership has any genuine and positive ramifications in this world.
Thank you for posting this message, but I must reiterate that we must look deeper into the actions of the catholic church historically and currently (including the rampant disrespect of indigenous life and spirituality by the vatican in particular and the roman catholic church in general).
On another point, I challenge the pope to interpret the "real meaning of [xmas]" in a functional way that helps his followers actually apply the lessons the bible may have to offer for peace and justice to occur on the ground and in the lives of people worldwide. I challenge the pope to apply his own holy book to help us realize the spiritual call to embrace the earth as a sacred entity and to resolve the patterns of natural resource extraction, processing, production, sale and waste that is the core of the consumerism in his world.
The pope should check out "the story of stuff" on youtube, read some Nkrumah, Zinn, Ture, Deloria, LaDuke, Chomsky, THEN get back to us.
What was that story about an eye of a needle and getting into heaven?....or that thing about the plank in one's own eye?! Hmmmmm."
The original post can be found at the following url:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8352560&postID=2884514073424601934&page=1
Now that I think about it - maybe I don't really appreciate the pope's point about xmas. Hmmmmmmm.
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Access: PublicTagged with: pope, capitalism, the story of stuff, consumerism, roman catholic church, indigenous, spirituality, religion, xmas, christmas
