Adam Edelman of the New York Daily News penned an article on Dec. 2, 2013 titled Rush Limbaugh has managed to get himself into the news by stating that Pope Francis I is a Marxist. It took Limbaugh a while to get around to commenting about the Popes criticism of capitalism as a major cause of global economic inequality. Pope Francis delivered his message Joy of the Gospel (Evangelli Gaudium) on Nov. 24,3923ralph lauren sweater5, 2013. It is enlightening to read the transcript of Limbaugh’s comments.
Limbaugh expressed doubts that the Pope actually wrote this missive, or that perhaps the Pope is confused about socialism and capitalism. It is always difficult to choose which of Limbaugh’s statements truly reflect his views. This statement from the transcript should suffice.
“If it weren't for capitalism, I don't know where the Catholic Church would be. “
The Pope has been focused on poverty and economic equality throughout his ministry. He specifically pointed out that capitalism has created a huge amount of suffering, and that it does not reflect well on Christian values.
With regard to the Pope being a Marxist, this is quite true in spirit. Marx’s comment was
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (German: ).”
Marxism failed because this dictate is rarely met with enthusiasm because it requires that the rich help meet the needs of the poor. The Pope has fired a Bishop in Germany for spending church money on an opulent residence. The Pope drives a used car given to him by a parish priest. The Pope takes living simply seriously. He is committed to trying to help the poor, and to focus the church on this mission. The Pope has been criticized for putting helping the poor ahead of Catholic dogma issues of birth control, same-gender marriages, and women as priests.
Once again from Limbaugh’s transcript, he has this to say.
“Now, as I mentioned before, I'm not Catholic. I admire it profoundly, and I've been tempted a number of times to delve deeper into it. But the pope here has now gone beyond Catholicism here,, and this is pure political. “
Amen to Limbaugh not being Catholic. If he does not delve into Catholicism,5onitsuka serrano8049, he might consider delving in to Christianity. Although Jesus was not a Christian, he exhibited Christ Consciousness when he said that His followers needed to live by two simple rules.
Matthew 22:36-40 of the New International Version (NIV) Bible states:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
There is enough of a physical resemblance between Pope Francis I and Rush Limbaugh to think they might be brothers, or at least cousins. If we delve a little deeper, User:IrmaBuckmaster9, we find that physical resemblance is only skin deep and spirituality comes from the heart. The Pope is sincerely a Christian and a Catholic. Limbaugh is sincerely “whatever”.