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The Pope: “Corruption Is a Greater Evil than Sin”
Modern interpretation of Christ driving the money changers from the temple by Anthony Freda/Daniel Zollinger
Preface: If you are an atheist (or adherent of another faith) and believe that the Catholic faith is crazy, you are obviously entitled to your belief. But please remember that very few Americans are atheists … and the majority don’t trust atheists. More importantly, it's wise to work with allies on core issues, such as fighting corruption ... even if you would normally disagree with them.
In this case, the Pope just may speak for a lot of allies. After all, there are more than a billion Catholics worldwide. Some 85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian, and 78 million Americans have been baptized into the Catholic Church. The U.S. has the world's fourth largest Catholic population.
Legal authorities have done nothing to crack down on Wall Street corruption. The U.S. government admits that it refuses to prosecute fraud … pretty much as an official policy.
Sure, a few "small fish" are indicted ... but the big boys go free. Indeed, there are two systems of justice in America … one for the Wall Street fatcats, and one for everyone else.
In reality, the government helped cover up the crimes of the big banks, used claims of national security to keep everything in the dark, and changed basic rules and definitions to allow the game to continue. See this, this, this and this. Because fraudsters weren’t prosecuted and the banks weren’t broken up, the fraudsters are now committing bigger and bigger crimes, and banks are now bigger than ever … leaving the economy open to an even bigger crash than occurred in 2008.
Even the President of the New York Federal Reserve Bank has repeatedly said that bankers have to improve their ethics ... but to no avail.
Why isn't the government cracking down on corruption and fraud? Because most government workers are themselves corrupt. As is the government procurement process.
Yesterday, Pope Francis gave a powerful speech, directly addressing these problems (Google translate):
The scandalous concentration of global wealth is possible due to the connivance of public leaders with the powers that be. The corruption is itself a process of death ... when life dies, there is corruption.There are few things more difficult than opening a breach in a corrupt heart: "So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich with God" (Luke 12:21). When the personal situation of the corrupt becomes complicated, he knows all the loopholes to escape as did the dishonest steward of the Gospel (cf. Lk 16.1 to 8).
The corrupt through life with shortcuts opportunism, with the air of one who says, "It was not me", coming to internalize his mask as an honest man. It's a process of internalization. The corrupt can not accept criticism, dismisses anyone who provides criticizes, tries to belittle any moral authority to question him, does not value the other and insults anyone who thinks differently. If the balance of power permits, he prosecutes anyone who contradicts him.
Corruption is expressed in an atmosphere of triumphalism because the corrupt fancies himself a winner. In that he struts to belittle others. The corrupt knows no fraternity or friendship, but complicity and enmity.
The corrupt does not perceive his corruption. It's a little like what happens with bad breath ... it's hard for those who have it to know, unless someone else tells them.
For this reason, the corrupt can hardly get out of their internal state by way of remorse of conscience. Corruption is a greater evil than sin. More than forgiven, this evil must be cured.
Corruption has become "natural" to the point of getting to statehood linked to personal and social custom, a common practice in commercial and financial transactions, in public procurement, in any negotiation involving State agents. It is the victory of appearances over reality ...
***
There are now many international conventions and treaties on the matter ... not so much geared to protect the citizens, who ultimately are the latest victims - particularly the most vulnerable - but how to protect the interests of operators of economic markets and financial companies.
The penalty is selective. It is like a net that captures only the small fish, while leaving the big [fish] free in the sea.
(Note: I tried to improve Google translate's rough translation. My Italian is rusty, and I would welcome a better translation from a fluent Italian speaker.)
What Does it Mean to Do God's Work?
The head of Goldman Sachs said he’s doing “God’s work” with his banking activities.
The head of Barclays also told his congregation that banking as practiced by his company was not antithetical to Christian principles.
Are they right? Is big banking as practiced by the giant banks in harmony with Christian principles?
Do Justice
Initially, the Bible does not counsel us to ignore the breaking of laws by the the powerful.
In fact, the Bible mentions justice over 200 times — more than just about any other topic. The Bible asks us to do justice and to stand up to ANYONE — including the rich or powerful — who do injustice or oppress the people.
Indeed, one of the first things God asks of us is to do justice:
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
While many churches and synagogues have become obsessed with other issues, many have arguably ignored this most important of God’s demands of us. As pointed out by a leading Christian ministry, which rescues underage girls trapped as sex slaves in third world countries:
In Scripture there is a constant call to seek justice. Jesus got upset at the Pharisees because they neglected the weightier matters of the law, which He defined as justice and the love of God . . . Isaiah 58 complains about the fact that while the people of God are praying and praying and praying, they are not doing anything about the injustice.
Should Christians just pray for justice and leave the rest to God?
That’s not what the Bible asks us to do. Instead, Hebrews 11:33 tells us that we are God’s hands for dispensing justice, and God uses us to “administer justice.”
We have to “walk our talk” and put our prayers into action.
God demands that we do everything in our power to act as “God’s hands” in bringing justice. And as Saint Augustine reminds us, “Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.”
Indeed:
The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene. (Isaiah 59:15-16)
This is the only place in the Bible where the word “appalled” is used for the way God feels — in other words, the only thing which we know God is appalled by is if people are not doing justice.
There are hundreds of other references to justice in the Bible, including:
- Blessed are they who maintain justice . . . . (Psalm 106:3)
- This is what the LORD says: Maintain justice and do what is right . . . . (Isiah 56:1)
- This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. (Jeremiah 22:3,13-17)
- Follow justice and justice alone. (Deuteronomy 16:19, 20)
- For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice . . . . (Job 11:5,7)
- Learn to do right! Seek justice . . . . (Isaiah 1:17)
So if the powerful players in the giant banks broke the laws, they must be held to account.
Fraud and Manipulation of Money
The big banks have engaged in systemic, continuous ongoing criminal fraud.
Allowing the banks to commit crime with impunity is not what Jesus would do. What would Jesus do? Turn over the tables of the money-changers. (economists agree.)
Moreover, the giant banks manipulate currency through the use of schemes such as manipulating interest rates (gaming interest rates in different regions – Libor, Eurobor, etc. – can in turn drive their currencies up or down), high frequency trading and artificially suppressing gold prices (which artificially inflates the value of fiat money) .
As Ron Paul notes, the Bible forbids altering the quality of money (which, at the time and place, was entirely in the form of coins):
Even the Bible is clear that altering the quality of money is an immoral act. We are instructed to follow the rules of “just weights and measures.” “You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin” (Leviticus 19:35-36). “Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, and a false balance is not good” (Proverbs 20:23). The general principle can be summed as “You shall not steal.”
Proverbs 11:1 also provides:
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.
So to the extent that the giant banks have engaged in any dishonest acts or the manipulation of currencies, they are violating scripture.
Oppression of the Poor
The Bible condemns oppression of the poor for the benefit of the affluent:
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want. (Proverbs 22:16)
To the extent that the giant banks have oppressed the poor to increase their riches, they are violating scripture.
Due to their looting, inequality is now worse in American than in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, most Latin American banana republics … and ancient Rome.
Waging War
Bankers are often the driving force behind war. "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), and Jesus would not have taken kindly to waging wars for profit based upon false pretenses.
Jesus Was Killed for Standing Up to Corruption
Reverend Howard Bess notes:
Jesus did not go to the temple to cleanse. He came to the temple to announce the destruction of a whole way of life. Those who operated the temple had no power to silence Jesus and put him to death. Those powers were held by the Roman retainers.
The charges that were leveled against him can be summed up as insurrection. There were three specific charges: encouraging non-payment of taxes, threatening to destroy property (the temple), and claiming to be a king. It was the temple incident that took Jesus from being an irritating, but harmless country rebel from the rural north to a nuisance in a city that controlled the great tradition. Rome’s retainers killed him on a cross.
In other words, Jesus wasn't sentenced to death until he challenged the money changers. Jesus didn't die for a sin like lust or slothfulness. He died for our corruption.
Resurrection: Christ's Ministry
Christ - and his ministry - lives to the extent that we act as God's hands to confront the big banks which are warping our economy and our world.
But Isn't the Economy Still Too Fragile?
Shouldn't we wait until the economy is stronger before prosecuting fraud?
Nope ...
Ecclesiastes 8:11 notes:
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
Nobel prize winning economists agree.
Postscript: Not all bankers are bad people. For example, many bankers at smaller banks and credit unions are good people who are trying to help their communities. Each must be judged by his or her own acts.
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I believe they have their hands full.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/why-is-pope-francis-spen...
I've been following how renewables have been working hand in hand with respect to organized crime. These are issues with drugs, arms, human trafficking and involvement with certain gov agencies. I keep bringing up UPC and the many shell and shelf entities involved along with certain banks. Here is the numero uno offender:
http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/4008/Hawaii-Wind...
This entity covers everything from pipelines to telecommunications. look it up. We have written enough about them and they keep getting stimulus money. Larry Summers is a key player here too. look it all up.
I suppose if the church pushes the issue too much, they would lose certain status in many countries. I know they have other issues to deal with internally, At least it's a start and they need to be politically careful thus the appearance of silence.
http://m.garp.org/home/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsId=55337
UPC Holdings is in the market with a $500 million term loan that essentially re-prices an existing facility due in December 2017, according to KDP Advisor. Lead bank J.P. Morgan is shopping the loan, which matures in January 2021, at an interest rate of Libor plus 300 bps with a 1% Libor floor. At that rate, UPC is willing to accept an original issue discount of 99.75 cents on the dollar. The deal has soft call protection of 101, meaning the issuer would have to pay 101 cents on the dollar to redeem the loan. "We see the current deal as a modest positive, as it will save the company approximately $4 million in annual interest cost as well as extend the maturity by a little over three years," KDP said in a report published Nov. 19. UPC is rated Ba3 by Moody's and B+ by S&P.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/59fe9474-cf2b-11de-8a4b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz...
Michael Alvarez as Board of Managers of DeepWater Wind is also with Edison Mission Energy EME that filed for bankruptcy protection. Both Alvarez and Clive Warden were with Edison Mission Energy when Italian Vento Power Corporation was created as an affiliate of EME, 2000. To make a long story short, the entities behind UPC that formed First Wind and DeepWater Wind, AKA original Cape Wind investor Brian Caffyn et al Wind Management LLC, UPC, like Clive Warden, are behind Ponzi wind investments that change names. Italian Vento IVPC was sold to Trinergy was sold to International Power was sold to IPM Eagle, was sold to GDF Suez reveals Clive Warden behind each curtain, LLC or multinational corporation, now NRG Energy! What are the odds!?! Clive is with NRG Turkey presently as former Sr. VP of EME!
March 11, 2014 NRG Energy gets OK to buy Midwest Generation parent A federal bankruptcy court judge on Tuesday approved the sale of all assets and operating companies of Edison Mission Energy -- parent of Illinois coal plant owner Midwest Generation -- to New Jersey-based NRG Energy Inc. for $2.6 billion. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-midwest-generation-nrg-energy-20140311-story.htmlTwo entities are ever-present in this scheme, consistently behind these wind LLCs are GDF SUEZ (LNG) and
MITSUI & CO. (TAIWAN), LTD “Main trading bank’ - Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.I see he worked for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom during the Enron mess.
General Counsel look to New York and D.C. lawyers for help
Once again I reiterate Enron. The entitites and persons are involved and one and the same. This comment is in regard to the recent banker suicide.
http://www.wiggin.com/5336
When prosecutors went after the corporate executives at places like Enron, WorldCom and Tyco, a number of those under fire hired Reid Weingarten, a former federal prosecutor and Irangate veteran.
Enron turned to New York’s Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom to handle the government-investigations angle of its legal mess, and the firm also defended the brokerage house Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., a unit of Merrill Lynch & Co., where New York Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer took aim at the company’s research practices last spring.
As a bible believing Christian I feel convicted after reading this excellent story. I work at one of the large banks in a backoffice technology role.
Stay away from Home Depot.
The delusion is that our court system might work; that there are honest judges; that prosecutors/police/FBI will present honest evidence; that our media would expose court/prosecutor/judge/corporate/political corruption; or that justice is possible. The Pope deludedly claims that there is a universal moral code, accepted by his believers and others against corruption, which is the already forbidden theft, false witness, covetousness, false gods and even murder. Corruption is multitudinous sin.
Our corrupt systems exist because the sheeple crave kings with honest courts and hope that their trust will sanctify their leaders/judges to act according to some universal moral code. Lord Acton wrote his "power corrupts -absolute power power corrupts absolutely" speaking about the Pope. The Pope speaks the first part with "Praise God," but fails to "Pass the ammunition." The system is broken because the sheeple trust the media to expose and deplore the corruption and then trust the system to prosecute itself.
Trust is the enslaving opiate of the sheeple.
Gee Georgy I have to give you 2 thumbs up on this one.
Huggs and kisses
Bounci! (wink wink)
http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2014/10/jamie-dimon-u-s-must-create-s...
Yes, you read that correctly. It has been a “norm of business for years” for multinational corporations to hire the “sons and daughters of companies’ [controlling officials]” and to hire “ex government officials” in order to secure the favor of those powerful officials for the banks. Dimon’s concern is that it is essential that firms should be able to continue to purchase this influence with other elites in this manner with no threat of ever “getting punished” for buying influence with such powerful foreign officials.” JPM’s priority is “to figure out exactly how to create a safe haven for that.” The elite firms’ “norm of business for years” is not an admission from Dimon’s perspective, but rather a claim of right. Anything that elite firms have done successfully for years to purchase influence with other elites (including hiring “ex government officials”) is obviously something that they have a right to continue to do – with total impunity from “getting punished.” It’s not bribery, it’s buying influence with powerful officials who run firms and government agencies and ministries.
The geting punished part is about breaking the law by swindle and fraud and not about who they hire.
I'm afraid it will take a divine intervention to bring these monsters to justice.
"The corruption is itself a process of death ... when life dies, there is corruption."
I think Francis has a good point here. I think that the decay you see in the financial system and politics among other things is a natural process. It was always inevitable i would think.
So in a way, if this decay is a natural process, then you could say that there has been a divine intervention.
I suppose its the last stretch of this rot process and the time until a new system is born that could be somewhat difficult for many people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmtbg5b7_Aw
As long as the Church welcomes both the corrupters and the corrupted into its congregation, and prostitutes itself and pimps its own members in efforts to peddle indulgences to the elite- the Pope's words are lipstick on a pig, just as they were almost five centuries ago.
From the 'Ndrangheta to Nancy P. to the Senator from MBNA and the entirely corrupt blood of his clan, the Catholic Church enthusiastically welcomes the corrupt... and don't get me started on certain Jewish Synagogues in New York City.
Papa's little pea brain might explode if he were forced to wrap it around the contradiction inherent in the corruption and sins (both Biblical and Banking) of Isidre Fainé. Is corruption acceptable in the eyes of Church if one is corrupted in the pursuit of the Church's Social Justice?
There are two systems of justice in the Churches, just as there are two systems of justice in the States.
In regards to the "Religious" who defend the corruption... Prostitutes also profess the virtue of their Pimps when confronted. May their God(s) have mercy on their souls, because I will not. My Moral and Intellectual integrity is worth far more than an indulgence to avoid Eternal Damnation..
The Pope sure as shit has nothing to do with Christ's church
The Pope sure as shit has nothing to do with Christ's church
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/25/us-deutsche-bank-suicide-idUSK...
(Reuters) - Calogero Gambino, a senior Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) regulatory lawyer, has been found dead in New York in what appears to have been a suicide, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing New York City officials and other sources.
The 41-year-old man was found early on Oct. 20 hanging by the neck from a stairway banister, the newspaper said.
Gambino, an associate general counsel and a managing director who worked for the German bank for 11 years, was found by his wife and pronounced dead by medical practitioners at the scene, according to the paper.
He had been closely involved in negotiating legal issues for Deutsche Bank such as a probe by regulators of banks over allegations they manipulated the Libor benchmark interest rate as well as currency markets, the newspaper said.
He was also an associate at a private law firm and a regulatory enforcement lawyer between 1997 and 1999, the Wall Street Journal said, citing Gambino's LinkedIn profile and conference biographies.
.....flashback---
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-20695042
Deutsche Bank offices raided in carbon tax fraud probeThe evil must be cured with a cleansing; repudiation of banking, central banks, and executions.
That is the plain sad simple truth of it.
"And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." 21Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.…"'
So before you preach to us about corruption go and give everything you have to the poor. Only then will you be worthy. Until then shut up.
I have served my community protecting life and property for a measly $2500.00 a year. It was worth it even though I paid for parts and provided the labor for fire and medical apparatus and lost lots of real paying work time responding to tone outs. That included years of gratis work in the educational sector regarding energy issues. I could go on but will digress...I still help those in need and make available my home for a couple of friends who are now homeless and literally victims of the 'moneychangers'. They are working tirelessly getting thier feet back on the ground and IT WAS NO FAULT OF THEIRS. I am not that religious but do know right from wrong. Until you have walked in my moccasin's, which appears you haven't, then I cordially invite you to go have carnal knowledge with youself.
It won't get you to heaven with any assurity. I'm just saying that the Book has far more instruction....requirements than doing 'good deeds.'
Jesus had to be killed to successfully make a religion out of his teachings, and it took a couple of hundred years to set it up that way.
Some of the early Christian (pre-Roman) traditions have existed to modern times, such as in Goa, India.
Those ancient documents are now held in Rome.
Jesus was tortured to death for a crime, best translated as "trouble-maker".
Those are fair footsteps, in which to follow, but the systemic remedy remains similar...
I would be grateful for any sources that you could provide.
Jesus was obviously considered another dangerous, trouble making Jew, especially during Passover, when so much civil unrest would present special challenges to the Romans and their lackeys; King Harrod (sp) and the Priesthood.