Papal conclave

The topics important for the next pope to address is the many sex scandals that have been in the church not only in recent years but the many years before that. It's important to help everyone see the true purpose of the church again and not get distracted from the true meaning of church. I think that abortion, contraceptives and gay marriage are important topics that can not be ignored by the future pope. There is also a change in society, a modernization that need to be addressed but the next pope, the church almost needs to get with the times. The challenges the pope will face are the same as the important topics the pope needs to address. Modernization is an important thing that the church as a whole needs to address. There is also an important group of people that are not being represented, women. They have no power, no authority and no voice even though they make up about half of the lay people. I think that is one important thing that needs to change, women should be given the opportunity to hold places of authority. Though, to be honest, I do not believe that the church should have any authority. I do not believe in anything the church says, I don't not believe that anyone, or anything can govern my relationship with God. I don't believe that anything or anyone can govern my opinions, I do not appreciate the church trying to tell their followers what to believe. Though they do try, and they do effect the views of millions of people, that is a huge responsibility and we can all just pray the next pope will be ready for the challenge. 

Dating: what's the point?

It seems today that I know more marriages that turn to divorce then marriages that last. That seems backwards to me. Dating today, especially the relationships closest to me, seems to be more physical then emotional. No relationship I know claim to be heading for marriage. Isn't that supposed to be the purpose of dating, to find the person you want to marry. So why do we now stay with people we know that we aren't going to marry? Or better question, why do people get married with the thought if it doesn't work out we can just get a divorce? That's not how it's supposed to be. Especially in kids my age, some people catagorize hooking up as being in a relationship. I am not naive, I know that is a huge part of a relationship. But sharing your life and mind, your thoughts and dreams is if not just as important more important. Then you have other people who stay together because they are afraid of being alone. I understand this feel, everyone needs the feeling of being wanted. However, we can't be afraid of being alone. You can not build a marriage on that. Further, with that mentality you not going to wind up with the person you belong with. You could miss out on your true love because you are afraid. People are so afraid of being alone they turn to physical interaction 'hooking up' to feel close to people. However you define it, it seems to have a negative connotation today. You hardly ever hear people on a committed relationship say they hooked up with each other. Hooking up breads this culture of almost excessive sexual intimacy with multiple people, and that being "cool."