In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.
Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.
“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”
Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”
In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.
In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”
Glenn Beck Dissects Move by Obama on Syria That He Says May Amount to ‘Treason’
“Just so we are all clear on this, let me read article 3, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution about treason,” Beck said. “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.” Beck noted that he recently said in a New York Times article that he has never called for the impeachment of President Obama. “At the time I said that, I suspected that we were giving aid and comfort and weapons to Al Qaeda, but I was still holding out some sort of hope that you could never really prove it...
Fed Chair Hopefuls Are “Lapdogs for the Establishment”: Jim Rogers
While Congressional members and economists push their pick for Fed chair, international investor Jim Rogers tells The Daily Ticker: it doesn’t matter who Obama picks because all Fed Chair candidates “are lapdogs for the establishment.” He expects any new Fed chair will continue current policy, which he says is “insane.” "They should stop all of this, printing $1 trillion every year,” says Rogers, author of “Street Smarts: Adventures on the Road and in the Markets.” He explains: “The world will suffer very badly, very badly when this comes to an end. It’s an artificial sea of liquidity.”
Witness testifies on church burning in ICC trial of Kenyan deputy president William Ruto
Mr Ruto faces three counts of crimes against humanity, including being an "indirect co-perpetrator" of murder, persecution and forcing people from their homes. His is the first of two trials at the ICC linked to that post-election violence.
Brainwashing: Scientists Discover How to Erase and Create Memories
Scientists have figured out how to make a nightmare that is only found in comic books, movies, and spy thrillers a reality. University of California at Irvine (Orange County) researchers have discovered how to use chemicals to wipe or erase memories from the brains of rodents. If that wasn’t scary enough, scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have figured out how to implant false memories in rats. The same scientists have also figured out how to eliminate the false memories without affecting other memories. What’s really frightening is that these aren’t the only scientists doing such work.
Bloomberg Newsgate is Obamagate
Obama Administration has been leaking bogus government unemployment reports, along with bogus major reports on the energy markets, to Bloomberg News who then, in return, leak the reports to corrupt criminal banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and its energy market enabler Traton Energy out of Stanford, Connecticut.
Football analyst fired for criticizing homosexuality
In the video (see below, beginning at the 3:52 mark), James, in response to a question about whether benefits should be extended to those in same-sex civil unions, refers to homosexuality as “a choice,” adding that those who engage in homosexuality will “have to answer to the Lord for their actions.” He added, “We should not give benefits to those civil unions. … It should not occur.
1 in 3 Americans Link Syrian Conflict to Bible's End-Time Prophecy, Survey Finds
A recent survey has shown that nearly one in three Americans believe that Syria's ongoing civil war is part of the Bible's plan for the end times. One in four believe that a possible U.S. attack on Syria could lead to the Battle of Armageddon. And one in five believe the world will end in their lifetime.
Glenn Beck Dissects Move by Obama on Syria That He Says May Amount to ‘Treason’
Glenn Beck asked on Tuesday why exactly we are not discussing treason or impeachment with regard to the president’s recent decision to waive restrictions under a federal law that prohibits arming terrorists. “...let me read article 3, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution about treason,” Beck said. “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.”
Cabinet Establishes Team to Evaluate Reducing the Use of Cash
The Cabinet, today (Tuesday, 17 September 2013), unanimously approved the establishment of a team to evaluate reducing the use of cash. The team, to be chaired by Prime Minister's Office Director General Harel Locker, has been authorized to formulate an outline on a policy for reducing and restricting the use of cash as a means of payment in the Israeli economy. The team has been established at the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to step up the war on the "black capital."
Dennis Kucinich Interviews Syria President Bashar al-Assad: Reports
The interview was reported by ITV and Sunday Times reporter Hala Jaber. Jaber said that the interview was done on September 17 and will probably broadcast in the next couple of days. When questioned by multiple people, she said multiple sources confirmed the interview. “Fox TV conducted interview is for sure. Am told its Kucinich, we shall see when interview out,” she said. Fox News has not confirmed the interview as of yet. Kucinich is against any U.S. military action in Syria, according to posts of his on Twitter. In a segment on Fox earlier in September, he questioned why America “would risk a wider war” by launching any sort of attack against the country.
You Won’t Believe What We Found in Another ‘Widely Adopted’ High School Textbook
A South Carolina high school, and possibly many others, are reportedly using a different history textbook that also contains a highly questionable interpretation of the Second Amendment. Additionally...a separate controversial advanced placement history textbook, which acts as a study guide for the advanced placement U.S. history exam, seems to diminish the Second Amendment, is directly linked to Common Core standards, TheBlaze has learned.
Truckers Threatening to ‘Shut Down Washington, D.C.’ for Three Days Straight
A group of truckers are reportedly planning to shut Washington, D.C. down for three days straight starting on Oct. 11 to protest the “corruption against the Constitution.” The “Truckers To Shut Down America” Facebook page has more than 16,000 likes, though it is unclear how many truckers actually intend on taking part in the disruptive protest.
Muslim Brotherhood backer gets DHS promotion
The Obama administration has promoted a Homeland Security adviser – who is a self-declared Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood supporter – to senior fellow within the Cabinet-level department of the federal government. Mohamed Elibiary, who was appointed to the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council by former Secretary Janet Napolitano in 2010, tweeted Sept. 12 that he has been reappointed to the position and promoted.
SOCIALIST PARTY OF AMERICA RELEASES THE NAMES OF 70 DEMOCRAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
With their new found leader, Barack Obama, the Socialist Party of America felt secure enough to announce the names of 70 democrats in Congress that belong to their caucus.” MA Members of the Socialist Party of America Caucus are as follows: Hon. John Olver (MA-01) Hon. James McGovern (MA-03) Hon. Barney Frank (MA-04 Hon. John Tierney (MA-06) Hon. Ed Markey (MA-07) Hon. Michael Capuano (MA-08) The Socialist Party of America announced in their October 2009 newsletter that 70 Congressional democrats currently belong to their caucus.
Time to Put An End to Army Bases as Gun-Free Zones
Beginning in March 1993, under the Clinton administration, the army forbids military personnel from carrying their own personal firearms and mandates that "a credible and specific threat against [Department of the Army] personnel [exist] in that region" before military personnel "may be authorized to carry firearms for personal protection." Indeed, most military bases have relatively few military police as they are in heavy demand to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maj.-Gen. Alon: We can't rely on int'l force
For the third time over the past few weeks, IDF forces encountered early Tuesday morning armed and organized resistance during a nighttime operation to arrest terror suspects, this time in Jenin. Until recently, the Palestinian resistance to the arrests was spontaneous and unarmed. ...GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon warned that more and more areas in refugee camps...were becoming havens for Palestinian terrorists.
Mexico storms kill at least 24 and force thousands to evacuate homes
Tropical Storm Manuel swept onto Mexico’s Pacific coast while Hurricane Ingrid swirled offshore on the other side of the country, as heavy rains and landslides caused at least 24 deaths and led authorities to evacuate thousands. Stormy conditions led some communities in affected states to cancel Independence Day celebrations planned for Sunday and Monday.
Gas prices set record: 1,000 days above $3 a gallon
By now every driver knows the drill: The price of gasoline ratchets up, there's an outcry among motorists who feel gouged at the pump and then things settle down as the higher price becomes the new normal. Well, AAA has come up with a sobering statistic: the average price of gasoline will surpass $3 per gallon Tuesday for the 1,000th consecutive day. That's never happened before, the motoring organization says.
Syria tells Russia it has proof rebels used chemicals
Syria has given Russia new "material evidence" that Syrian rebels used chemical weapons in an attack on 21 August, a Russian minister has said. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said a report by UN inspectors on the alleged use of chemical weapons was politicised, biased and one-sided. He said the inspectors had only investigated the attack in Ghouta on 21 August, not three previous incidents.
Tony Abbott sworn in as Australia prime minister
Tony Abbott has been sworn in as Australia's prime minister, days after his Liberal-National coalition ended six years of Labor government. Mr Abbott, 55, took the oath at Government House in Canberra in front of Governor-General Quentin Bryce. His conservative coalition won a comfortable lower house majority in the 7 September polls.
American poverty figure edges up to 46.5 million
The number of Americans in poverty rose slightly last year to 46.5 million, according to US Census data, despite a stock market recovery. The figure edged up from 46.2 million in 2011, meaning the national poverty rate remains unchanged at 15%. It is the sixth year in a row that the rate failed to improve, despite the US being out of recession since 2009.
Why Is The New York Times Always Wrong on Israel?
The New York Times is at it again in its continuing presentation of inaccurate statements and misleading assertions concerning the State of Israel. First was the headline in an article of September 10, 2013 that “The 1967 border is a source of strain in the Israeli-Palestinian Talks.” Then on September 15 it published an unusually tendentious article, “Two-State Illusion: the idea of a state for Palestinians and one for Israelis is a fantasy that blinds us and impedes progress.”
W. Va. teen allegedly killed by "friends"
Skylar Neese, a 16-year-old honors student, vanished July 6, 2012 after slipping out of the bedroom of her Star City, W. Va. home, but few believed she'd run away. The truth emerged on Jan. 3, 2013 when one of Neese's friends admitted plotting with another teenage girl to kill her, a revelation that shocked even police. Two girls that Skylar considered among her best friends, had carried out a plot to stab her to death then bury her in the Pennsylvania woods some 30 miles away.
AP Reported Navy Attack Day Before It Happened!
The Associated Press, as shown in this screenshot of an ABC story, reported the DC Navy Yard shooting on September 15th, a day before it actually happened. Nearly identical to an incident that happened at Sandy Hook, is there any explanation for this? Notice the headline; then notice the date right below it. The commenters on this story picked this right up as shown in the 2nd screenshot down below. Conspiracy theory forums are having a blast with this one….what’s going on? Is this still more proof of another false flag unfolding before our eyes?
How America morphed into 'Bizarro World'
Compared with the vibrant nation it once was, today’s America has become a different country. Divided, angry, squabbling, the world’s largest debtor nation, with rampant divorce, family breakdown and unprecedented sexual anarchy, 1 in 7 on food stamps, 1 in 9 on antidepressants – on so many levels America is disintegrating.
When Did Military Bases Become 'Gun-Free Zones'?
It hasn't always been the case that only MPs can carry firearms on U.S. military bases. A mere twenty years ago, "gun free zones" made their way to these facilities under the watch of President Bill Clinton. In other words, thanks to Clinton, citizens who join the military to use guns to defend liberty abroad cannot practice their constitutional right to keep and bear arms while on active duty at home.
Extreme Space Weather Storms Spark Satellite Failures, Study Suggests
Most of the glitches, from 1996 to 2012, coincided with high-energy electron activity during declining phases of the solar cycle, the study found. Over an extended mission, the researchers warn that this phenomenon could also cause the satellites' backup amplifiers to fail.