Pope Francis’s anticapitalist revolution launches on Thursday

[marmar]

by Paul B. Farrell


(MarketWatch) Mark your calendar: June 18. That’s launch day for Pope Francis’s historic anticapitalist revolution, a multitargeted global revolution against out-of-control free-market capitalism driven by consumerism, against destruction of the planet’s environment, climate and natural resources for personal profits and against the greediest science deniers.

Translated bluntly, stripped of all the euphemisms and his charm, that will be the loud-and-clear message of Pope Francis’ historic encyclical coming on June 18. Pope Francis has a grand mission here on Earth, and he gives no quarter, hammering home a very simple message with no wiggle room for compromise of his principles: ‘If we destroy God’s Creation, it will destroy us,” our human civilization here on Planet Earth.

Yes, he’s blunt, tough, he is a revolutionary. And on June 18 Pope Francis’s call-to-arms will be broadcast loud, clear and worldwide. Not just to 1.2 billion Catholics, but heard by seven billion humans all across the planet. And, yes, many will oppose him, be enraged to hear the message, because it is a call-to-arms, like Paul Revere’s ride, inspiring billions to join a people’s revolution.

.....(snip).....

1. Capitalism is threatening the survival of human civilization

A “threat to peace arises from the greedy exploitation of environmental resources. Monopolizing of lands, deforestation, the appropriation of water, inadequate agro-toxics are some of the evils that tear man from the land of his birth. Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and deforestation are already showing their devastating effects in the great cataclysms we witness.” .......................(more)

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/no-1-reason-popes-climate-encyclical-scares-gop-big-oil-far-right-and-super-rich-2015-06-13?link=mw_home_kiosk

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Of course he also says LGBT equality is Satan's plan to attack God, that gay people are disordered

and he and his Church spend large amounts of time and energy organizing against the rights of others, in November this 'revolutionary' held an anti equality conference in Rome, the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins was invited, as was Maggie Gallagher from NOM, people from the Heritage Foundation, the head of the Southern Baptists, heads of LDS and Rick Warren. Pope Francis was the keynote speaker, the conference organized by the Vatican. Tony Perkins said the atmosphere was 'euphoric'.
So good for you guys!

[marmar]

2. True that. I applaud him on his commitment to economic justice, but on issues ......

..... such as LGBT equality, it's the same old RCC.

[Bluenorthwest]

13. and I object to declaring a revolution that excludes me.

We are the revolution, Francis is the Inquisition. The Catholic Church is not an institution that has an interest in ending capitalism, the Vatican owns a portion of the Italian Stock Exchange that is so large that even Francis is embarrassed by it. Anti capitalist?
Wouldn't an anti capitalist with massive capital instantly remove that capital from the market system and distribute it or use it to establish massive social programs to benefit those in greatest need first and work it's way up the chain? Does an 'anti capitalist' own shit tons of prime commercial real estate in London, Paris, New York? Vatican collects rents from some of the most high end retailers in the world and you are here to tell me they are 'anti capitalist'? Devoted to economic justice? They are the land lords of Cartier and Bulgari.
It's just odd to me that he is forgiven so much by some for doing so little while having so very, very much.

[olegramps]

20. People certainly can take exception to several of the Church's teaching:

However isn't it shortsighted to reject everything that he has to say without regarding its worth? I haven't been in a Catholic Church except for funerals and wedding for over 50 years because I rejected their teachings on what I considered to be unjustifiable stances on a number of issues. But if he can gain support for critical issues then I will gladly accept his powerful support. This should not stop anyone from criticizing the church's teachings on issues that they believe need to be changed.

This will prove to be interesting. Many Republican Catholics are going to have their asinine rejection the validity of climate change and their continued support of the wealthy at the expense of the working class not only challenged but condemned as being basically un-Christian.

[pangaia]

5. So what is your point?

We should ignore when he is on what we consider to be the right side of things?

[Bluenorthwest]

7. The point is that you folks want to define 'revolutionary' as including bigotry and misogynistic

dogmas. If the Pope is so focused on economic issues, why is he having conferences with Family Research Council? How does NOM figure into this revolution he's working up? Why is he having confabs with Heritage Foundation and also being promoted by so called liberals as a liberal hero? Do you know who Heritage Foundation is? FRC employed Josh Duggar to say hateful things about LGBT people, your hero invites them to his shindig.
Got any response to those facts? Any reaction at all?
Let me ask you this. What are your limits? Would you keep saying 'we agree on somethings' if he pushes here what his Bishops push in Uganda, laws against LGBT people including prison and maybe death? Would you still be saying 'what's your point?' I think so. And that's the point.

If you are willing to embrace the FRC/NOM crowd, Heritage Foundation folks, that's your choice but I sure would like to hear your rationales for it.

[marmar]

9. Who is "you folks"? It's an article from MarketWatch.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. Folks who say 'what's the point' when the actual actions of their hero are mentioned.

Anti capitalist revolutionary who invites Heritage Council to three day conferences. Seems worth pointing out, those things don't seem to go together and one is a fact while the other is a characterization, an editorial opinion. One is true the other is not.

[pangaia]

27. Oppssie that me again..,

"Folks who say what's the point...?

Oh, and there I see it ... you used 'HERO? again,, good work...

[pangaia]

25. What in the world are you smokin'?

"You people?"

"You people?"

Who is

"you people?"

I am me. Pangaia. I am not your famous 'you people.'

He will speak out strongly in support of global warming as being real ant tell what i agree is the truth about capitalism.. What in the world does that have to do with LGBT, Bishops in Uganda, the World Series?

" Do you know who Heritage Foundation is..."

You bet your sweet ass I know who they are.

"your hero.."

WHAT? MY ..HERO?? HUH !!!! Did I ever say he is MY hero? Noooo.. YOU DID.. silly... Because you are sitting there in a big stew pissed off...

"If you are willing to embrace the FRC/NOM crowd, Heritage Foundation folks,.."

Me? Who, me??

I am glad he is doing and speaking up for some things I agree with. What's wrong with that?

Jeeze,, get a grip.

[FlatBaroque]

3. Capitalism is an exercise in the mass suppression of human creativity and potential.

So it kills the soul, if not the planet.

[whatthehey]

4. Funny. Wasn't corporations or economists who killed Tyndale, Bruno, Servetus and the like

for trying to advance human knowledge and potential.

[damnedifIknow]

6. Have to applaud him for this

"Yes, our upbeat, ever-smiling Pope Francis. As a former boxer, he loves a good match. And he’s going to get one. He is encouraging rebellion against super-rich capitalists, against fossil-fuel power-players, conservative politicians and the 67 billionaires who already own more than half the assets of the planet.

That’s the biggest reason Pope Francis is scaring the hell out of the GOP, Big Oil, the Koch Empire, Massey Coal, every other fossil-fuel billionaire and more than a hundred million climate-denying capitalists and conservatives. Their biggest fear: They’re deeply afraid the pope has started the ball rolling and they can’t stop it."

[Bluenorthwest]

8. That's what you think? Jesus. The Pope is in agreement with 99% of the Republican platform and

all of his American political activity so far has been around his opposition to reproductive choice, he has supported both Hobby Lobby and March For Life. Of course he also opines that gay marriage is Satan's idea.
When you find yourself siding with an ultra rich anti choice homophobe because you think he's 'for the people' I'd suggest you need to check the path you are on very carefully indeed.

[Comrade Grumpy]

10. The Catholic Church isn't big on gay rights and abortion rights? Who knew?

It's a big, milennia old institution. And both good and bad come from it.

I applaud the pope's progressive stances on climate change and capitalism.

I wish it would change its social doctrines, but I don't expect that to happen quickly.

But I don't feel like I have to take a dump on every thread about something positive the Church or the pope does.

[damnedifIknow]

11. I spoke with a devout Catholic the other day

she informed me that she not only believes in evolution but also thinks gays and transgenders are fine so I don't know maybe things are changing.

[Recursion]

18. The Catholic Church backed Darwin almost 100 years ago

LGBT equality will probably be another hundred years for them.

[Beacool]

12. The Pope is not wealthy.

Jesuits take a vow of poverty. The Pope has lived humbly since his days in Buenos Aires, where he eschewed the mansion and chauffeured car that he was entitled to as Cardinal. Instead, he lived in a modest apartment near the cathedral and took public transportation. Don't conflate the Church's wealth with the Pope's personal worth.

This is the most progressive Pope in our generation. Has the Catholic Church changed overnight? Heck no, but in an institution as old as that one, baby steps have been taken. Although there are some things that I doubt will ever change, one of them is their position on abortion. I am more hopeful that the Church will eventually evolve on women in the priesthood and gay marriage.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. But there are not baby steps, what we are really getting is this, read it, discuss it. Baby steps.

Vatican Strengthens Ties with Evangelicals and Mormons Against Gay Marriage
http://time.com/3597245/vatican-evangelicals-mormons-gay-marriage/

[pa28]

15. When the pope attacks capitalism and greed Republicans squirm.

Looking forward to their reactions.

[F4lconF16]

17. Pah. What a bunch of crap.

Nothing, in any way, about this pope is recolutionary. He's not anti-capitalism--his ties to the Vatican, the FRC, etc., preclude that. And he's certainly not socially revolutionary, the rich, bigoted asshole.

[Omaha Steve]

19. Yesterday in Indianola, IA Bernie said the Pope is left of me

K&R!

[Ron Green]

21. You who piss on all Francis threads:

You're becoming really tiresome.

[Beacool]

23. Hear, hear!!!

[jomin41]

22. The important thing,imho, is the real

revolution kicked off by the Occupy movement. That is the de-throning of capitalism as our national religion. That is the key to so many problems. The seeds have been planted. It has started. I don't have to like the Pope to welcome his considerable political weight, even if it's only rhetoric, on the reform side.

[NewSystemNeeded]

24. Pope Francis is a revolutionary figure.

And the world is better off because he's out there speaking truth to power.

Just this atheist's opinion.

[libodem]

26. .

For the Pope.

[Humanist_Activist]

28. What's so revolutionary about this particular Pope?

A cursury search on google turned these two up rather easily.

http://www.interfaithsustain.com/pope-benedict-xvi-on-the-environment/

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2013/01/01/pope-benedict-slams-capitalism-economic-inequality

This Pope is going to issue an Encycle addressing(and agreeing with) the consensus of scientists on Global Climate Change, news at 11!

But seriously, the fact that people pay more attention to this guy than to the scientists who study this shit for a living just illustrates one of many things that are wrong with our society.

[marmar]

29. I don't disagree with you......

...... but precisely because so many people do listen to him, if his message is able to reach those who wouldn't otherwise pay attention, more power to him.
When it comes to climate change and capitalist exploitation of the planet, I'm more concerned about the message than the messenger.