Is Pope Francis resurrecting organized religion?

[UrbScotty]

Many religious leaders claim to speak for God and believers, but without a clear mandate from either. Humanity confronts with notions of infallibility. A bit of humility thus goes a long way in convincing at least me that perhaps one has a touch of humanity. Pope Francis in his first crucial year has exhibited a degree of humility that has given hope to masses and challenged the orthodoxy of a comfortably numb establishment.

Claims of shepherding the whole of humanity are part of the form of organized religion, and can be foundations for shared empathy or in the alternative religious discord. Whether we emphasize shared vulnerability or largely superficial differences, we may establish the foundation for interaction between cultures and individuals. Faced with an ever more dominant technology that increasingly defines peace and conflict, spirituality is a necessary complement if we are to avoid so many potential abysses. Many of us mistrust organized religion for its judgmental impositions, most applied toward the other. It has become a common charge that religion has inflicted conflict even as it has preached peace. Read: "Is Religion Cause for War?"Found here.

Pope Francis's common touch was evident from the outset when ritually washing the feet of common sinners, but this symbolic act also seeks further substance. His track record of inclusiveness dates back even before his tenure as Cardinal of Buenos Aires. He initiated a more active inter-faith effort within Argentina, including Jewish, Islamic, Protestant and Orthodox groups (following the Abrahamic traditions). In 1994, he was the first to sign condolences and demand justice after the bombing of a Jewish Community Center. In remarks made by his immediate predecessor perceived by many Muslims as incendiary, he stated that such statements would "destroy in 20 seconds the careful construction of a relationship with Islam that Pope John Paul II built over the last 20 years."He has been one of first to recognize the humanity of atheists and not directly link goodness only to Godliness.

This inclusive approach has carried over to Pope Francis' more prominent role in the swirling arena of international relations, from the Syria conflict to the broader respect for diversity and human rights. The influence of religion in waging peace as well as war is still prominent. From Syria to Myanmar, to the Central African Republic, to Ukraine, religion has been employed as rationale for conflict, killing and, frequently, ethnic cleansing/genocide.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ambassador-muhamed-sacirbey/is-pope-francis-resurrect_b_5159814.html