Pope Francis on Issues

"We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context. The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time." He explained that the dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. Instead of focusing on controversial issues all the time, he wants to give primacy to the preaching of the gospel: "A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation. Then you have to do catechesis. Then you can draw even a moral consequence. But the proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives. Today sometimes it seems that the opposite order is prevailing."

~ CT recap of Pope Francis interview
Read the context here: http://www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview

Why I can't become an atheist...

...because Psalms would be turned into Lamentations.

(in all reverence):
"Be still and know that [no One] is God. [No One] will be exalted among the nations...

"[No One] is our refuge and strength,
[No One] a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will... fear
when the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea,
the waters roar and foam,
the mountains tremble at its swelling."

"The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
[No One] utters any voice;
the earth melts.
[No One] is with us;
[No One] is our fortress.



8 Come, behold the works of [no one but us],    how [no one but us] has brought desolations on the earth.
[No one but us] makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
[No one but us] burns the chariots with fire.10 

“Be still, and know that [no one is] God.
[No one but us] will be exalted among the nations,    [No one but us] will be exalted in the earth!”

11 [No one but us] is with us;
    [No one but us] is our fortress. Selah