Blumenthal: Politics in red robes

[kskiska]

Bush's attendance at the Pope's funeral merely masks White House exploitation of Catholic division

(snip)

Since the accession of Pope John Paul II, the conservative mobilisation within the American church has been a microcosmic version of the ascendancy of the conservative movement in the country generally. As the authority of the Vatican was marshalled on behalf of the conservatives, the Republican right adopted its position as its own in order to capture Catholic votes. Now the social agendas of conservative Catholics and Republicans are indistinguishable.

(snip)

With the Pope's death, American Catholics yearn for openness. According to a poll by Gallup, 78% want the next pope to allow Catholics to use birth control; 63% say he should let priests marry; 59% believe he should have a less strict policy on stem cell research; 55% say he should allow women to be priests.

But the Republicans are moving aggressively on the conservative social agenda. This week, in Kansas, gay marriage was banned in a referendum. Four states have passed bills permitting pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives. The governor of Illinois has issued an emergency order to ensure that pharmacists fill all prescriptions. California's legislature is debating a law to require druggists to do the same.

By consolidating power, the Pope believed that he was strengthening the church. Now the conservatives want a post-John Paul papacy to extend his stringency. Others want moderation, openness and discussion. Catholics in America do not now hold the same principle of hope. No one monitors the church's crisis more closely than the White House, and no one plots to exploit its division more ruthlessly. Religion is politics under red robes. So Bush travels to Rome.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1453862,00.html

[Tux]

1. Good

With the Pope's death, American Catholics yearn for openness. According to a poll by Gallup, 78% want the next pope to allow Catholics to use birth control; 63% say he should let priests marry; 59% believe he should have a less strict policy on stem cell research; 55% say he should allow women to be priests.

At least Catholics want a Pope that is touch with relaity of AIDS, unwanted pregnantcies, etc but why live your life based on a guy's opinions who lives in an ivory tower?

[Stuckinthebush]

2. Tradition

We all are born into some sort of tradition, and many take years to undo the tradition-wiring of their brains. Some never do.