I am of two minds about Pope John Paul II

[Cascadian]

While I am not a Catholic nor religious (I am Agnostic!), I feel a strange sadness about the passing of Pope John Paul II. Another twist is I am of two minds about him.

I admire him for his contribution to the fight for freedom in the Soviet bloc. I also admire him for his stance on compassion for those who are impoverished and downtrodden. I also must give him the fact that he reached out to all those no matter whether they were Catholic or not. He struck me as a personable and interesting person. A man that would not turn you away regardless of who you were.

On the other side, I could not agree with his views on morality, especially in regards to gay rights, abortion, clergy not being able to marry, and the role of women in the Catholic Church. I also fault him for not doing enough to address the situation of pedophelia within the clergy. I think he could have done more in this respect.

All in all, I am truly sorry for his passing and I take comfort in the fact that he is suffering no more. To all Catholics I send my deepest condolences.

R.I.P. Your Holiness.

[Cascadian]

1. just one

kick

[Mr_Spock]

2. kick!

[Mr_Spock]

3. kick

it's got Pope in the title!

[xpat]

4. You put your finger on it here

"On the other side, I could not agree with his views on morality, especially in regards to gay rights, abortion, clergy not being able to marry, and the role of women in the Catholic Church. I also fault him for not doing enough to address the situation of pedophelia within the clergy. I think he could have done more in this respect."

The Pope is the poster boy for Christian obscurantism. Period. The office might make a bow to humankinds better instincts from time to time, but that's the exception, not the rule.

I have nothing in particular against Christian obscurantism, but with all forms of obscurantism. The Pope, whoever he is, is the enemy of progressives. Period. Don't forget that a recent predecessor of the late Pope collaborated with the Nazis. But then again, so did the German Protestant clergy. Religion is a tool of oppression. As long as people are sucked in by the lies and emotional manipulation that priesthoods inflict on them, they will be the willing victims of whatever oligarchy is in power.