the feed @ blackchicken

Papal List

You’d have to be living under a rock to have not heard about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.  It’s not everyday that a Pope resigns.  In fact, the last time it happened was in 1415 with the resignation of Pope Gregory XII.  A media circus that rivals the biggest Hollywood scandals  has surrounded the resignation of Pope Benedict.  Now that he’s officially stepped down, the media is hot on the heels of the papal shoes to report every second of the conclave and upcoming appointment of the 266th Pope.

Most Catholics have very little say on who might be the next Pope – although this hasn’t always been the case.  One site, however, offers laity the opportunity to ‘Adopt a Cardinal‘ who you can pray for during the process of election, and for three days following (of course, should you wish to continue your prayers afterwards,  I’m confident the Big Guy upstairs wouldn’t have any objections).  It’s easy to adopt a Cardinal.  Simply provide your name and email address (go figure) to be randomly assigned a Cardinal that you can support.  Of course, most people know that they don’t need a website to tell them where their prayers should be directed, but the Adopt a Cardinal site is just another way that religious groups are taking to the Internet to reach younger audiences.  It’s also amusing to see who the site assigns you.  This Canuck had hoped to be assigned Canadian papal contender, Marc Oulett – but, it seems the powers that be had other plans.

Adopt a Cardinal:  https://adoptacardinal.org/

M. xo

In one of my classes we’ve been examining what the Bible says about various hot button topics including homosexuality, abortion, capital punishment, and the environment.  Despite what many people on both sides of these debates say, the Bible doesn’t necessarily speak to many of these issues.  Various interpretations and translations over the years have skewed or taken these topics completely out of context.  Personally, I take issue with a literal or fundamental view of the Bible – particularly when those adhering to such worldviews attempt to take away freedoms or oppress people based on these ancient writings.  That doesn’t mean that I can’t find value in Scripture, but it does mean that I don’t believe that laws should be based solely on Biblical interpretations.  We must be careful in how we give relevancy to the Bible.

In response to some of these groups (WBC comes to mind), parody sites have turned the table, so to speak.  One such site points out that you can’t pick and choose what is an abomination in order to satisfy some social agenda.  It’s either all, or nothing.  The God Hates Shrimp parody site provides a tongue-in-cheek look at two Biblical passages that suggest that God forbids the consumption of all shellfish, thus we are Divinely mandated to boycott any restaurant that is serving up these abominations.  Remove the bib, put down the claw cracker, and repent your sins.  And while you’re at it, wipe that butter off your chin…

M. xo

Images provided by: God Hates Shrimp