Anyone who isn't familiar with this eccentric Catholic saint of the nature and animals will quickly find that he was hardly a Christian with some sort of "Mission from God" (as the Blues Brothers would put it, also Dudes).
St. Francis gave up all of his earthly possessions to live a life of poverty and devote himself to the devine. He received permission from Pope Innocent III to form a a new religious order which came to be known as the Franciscans. Towards the end of his life when he felt as though the "end was nigh", he retreated into the wilderness where he spent his last days renouncing Christianity as practiced by the masses.
A good film to watch on his teachings and his life is called "The Flowers of St. Francis" directed and written by the great Italian Neo-Realists Roberto Rossellini and Federico Fellini.
Good point man, but he was Christian, not a Catholic, otherwise he would have kept his money and tried to get some more. For my taste he was a little bit too uptight but those were strange years. I give my vote too. 8)
I read a snippet of a theory that claims that St. Francis was the real Jesus. Perhaps he owned a time machine, or a seriously tricked out DeLorean?!
Probably a reincarnation. Dudes spread through history. I'd like to have a DeLorean, cool car.
"Good point man, but he was Christian, not a Catholic, otherwise he would have kept his money and tried to get some more."
Actually at the time, there was no differentiation between Christian and Catholic. St. Francis of Asisi lived in the 10th century and Martin Luther (another Great Dude) didn't nail his "95 Thesis" to the wall of The Castle Church in Wittenberg until the early 16th century. It was at this time that there became a difference between the term "Christian" and "Catholic".
St. Francis of Asisi, just like Martin Luther, both disagreed with the Church's money-grubbing ways. Francis gave away all his money and possessions while Martin Luther disagreed with the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic (Christian) church.
Glad I payed attention in Medieval History class...
I believe it to be a common misconception that the Catholic church was the original Christian church. The Catholic church was not official until the time of Constantine, when he made it the state religion. Let's not forget, dude, let's not forget that the Romans put a hurtin' on quite a few Christians before that time. Some consider the Council of Nicea in 325 to be a good milestone from which to begin the official count.
There were already disparate Christian groups in many lands before that time, even before the supposed birth of Jesus. Constantine appropriated a going concern, that's why he found it attractive. He was not even a true Christian.
You could call him The Big Lebowski of the Christian faith.
It's fucking interesting to talk with such knowledgeable fellas. As I said in another thread my definition of Christian, beside having lived after JCD, is of someone who lives following the golden rule respecting other people. Something quite dudely but not a common trait of Catholics. I think simply that they used the figure and legend of JCD to take power. You know, when things get complicated everything can go wrong. And while I like the "supposed" figure of JCD I'm quite angry at the Catholic church who on one side states that they suffer and sacrifice their lives for us and on the other marry power and money. I think that at Nicea they have decided the "death" of Christians, when they chose what was right and what was not. JCD didn't have even a jewel while they walk with plenty of gold. There are many differences between Christians and Catholics. The greatest one is that while JCD said that heaven is to be found on earth they kept saying suffer now and shout up but you'll go to heaven later; but for now be a slave. I'm not very knowledgeable about other branches of Catholicism, but since they like the female form probably they are quite good. Well, Catholics like the female form too but forbid marriage for priests in the Middle Age to avoid inheritance issues when bishops ruled the land. And I'd add that since nothing of the Catholic dogma is true, as everything is based on pagan's beliefs, they are quite a scam. They do what the muslims do, spread the word with poors and not very knowledgeable people who then follow their rules without questioning, even when it's time to burn books or witches.
I'm not saying that there are no Christians in the Catholic church, only that they are a small number.
Am I too uptight?
You guys are some Righteous Dudes. I go to a major University in the UK and this conversation has been more stimulating than 90% of my conversations thus far.
Freakin' sweet, guys. Keep it up.
Thank you sir. I dig your style too. This residence is full of interesting people. I like quite a lot UK, well, Scotland and Eire too. Beautiful places.
Dudely! I would love to visit Scotland, Ireland and England someday. Italy would be cool too. I was invited once to tag along with a musician who tours through Scotland every summer, but work got in the way. I do regret that.
I went to Edinburgh some twenty years ago and still I miss it. Wonderful place and great people. And yet I haven't find a more comfortable dress than the kilt, beside a bath robe of course. I've been to UK a couple of times, and I like it too, but never been to Eire up to now. Because I know that when I'll do it I'll remain there forever. Grass everywhere, wonderful landscapes and the home of Guinness. Need to say more? 8)
Btw Italy is a wonderful place, only very badly administered. Well, at least no one can beat us as regards food and wine. 8)
St. Francis was essentially against those things that you are accusing Catholicism of - so in a way at least one Catholic saint is a bit Protestant and a dude too.