Why is it such a Big Deal when Religious Leaders (i.e. Pope) resign ?????

by RubaDub 4 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  RubaDub

  I really don't get it.

  In most aspects of life, people can be at the top of what they do and then at some point resign from their duties. You can look at leaders in Government, Military, Businesses, Education, etc etc .... at some point they generally step aside, often due to age, since they are no longer strong or healthy enough to perform the required functions.

  In Business, a person may be referred to as "Former CEO of XYZ Company." In Government, a person may be referred to as "Former President or Former Senator." In Education, a person may be referred to as "Former Chancellor of ABC University."

  However, in Religion, it seems different. Catholics, JW's and other religions seem to have this feeling that you generally will die with your "title." Popes have historically retained their titles until death. Same with JW elders and GB members. They may be 100+ years old and propped up in a chair and even mentally "missing" but still they keep the title.

  What is so wrong when someone recognizes that he is no longer capable of handling the job to step aside and have the title of "Former Pope" or "Former GB Member" ????

  Rub a Dub
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  BluesBrother

  It is a big deal for The Pope.....he is supposed to be the "Vicar of Christ", appointed by God , so does he have the right to decide to quit?

  I think that is the point, but Catholics might explain it better.
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  Gopher

  This case is a big deal because of the controversy involved, because papal resignations are so rare. There's controversy. Is he hiding something? Or is he setting a new "noble" precedent about stepping down before becoming incapacitated? It's really interesting because it's so unusual - and because Catholic leadership still wields an outsize influence on world affairs.
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  WTWizard

  I see this as about the same as when Nixon resigned from being president of the United Tyranny of Stupidity. Did that do any good? While Ford made some attempt to clean up the mess, he made almost no headway and Carter only further damaged things. That Nixon took us all the way off the gold standard is contemptible--yet, with his resignation, are we back on it? I don't think so. Nixon also helped Israel in the Yom Kippur War--an act of philo-Semitism that earned him an energy crisis (along with everyone else that committed that act). Do we see philo-Semitism in the form of helping israel at every possible turn still going on in the United Tyranny of Stupidity? What about wasting MY tax dollars replenishing the rockets israel expended to attack Palestine? Despite Nixon's resignation, I will soon be glad I stocked up on rechargeable batteries and lanterns, flashlights, and headlights for the rolling blackouts coming from the next oil embargo from this idiotic policy continuing.

  Now, if Nixon could resign but nothing much changed, what is such a big deal about the pope? They will simply pick another pope, and the idiotic policies of the cat lick church will continue more or less unchanged.
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  tec

  What Gopher said.

  Is he hiding something in the church? Did he do something wrong? Does he no longer believe in God?

  I think for some, it gives the appearance that his position is less God appointed, and more man-made/apppointed. Not talking about his faith, per se... just his position in the organization.

  Peace,

  tammy