My Problem with the Pope
The passing of the Pope has led to much sadness across the world. I am sad in principle for the loss of a life.
All the news about the Pope has had me thinking about the scope of his influence over the world. Some of his influence I see as positive, but some has been a very negative thing. My biggest disagreement with the Pope was his hardline stance on birth control.
It is true that the Bible says to go forth, multiply, and fill the earth, but tell me where it says to overflow the earth? Where does it say to have so many kids that you can't feed them?
Birth control has been a very empowering thing for women. Women are looked at as more than reproductive vessels, and they begin to play a larger role in society. Often, once women have control over their reproductive rights, a country's entire economy improves. The standard of living is better for everyone. Why have people suffer needlessly? Why have children suffer needlessly? The hardline stance continues this suffering.
If one is concerned about the possibility of birth control acting as an abortion, then at least allow the methods that don't result in the disruption of a fertilized egg.
Also, the use of condoms to reduce the spread of AIDS has been prohibited - those evil condoms are a form of birth control. It's very true that a condom is not 100% effective in preventing the spread of any STD - including HIV - but it is sure better than nothing.
All the news about the Pope has had me thinking about the scope of his influence over the world. Some of his influence I see as positive, but some has been a very negative thing. My biggest disagreement with the Pope was his hardline stance on birth control.
It is true that the Bible says to go forth, multiply, and fill the earth, but tell me where it says to overflow the earth? Where does it say to have so many kids that you can't feed them?
Birth control has been a very empowering thing for women. Women are looked at as more than reproductive vessels, and they begin to play a larger role in society. Often, once women have control over their reproductive rights, a country's entire economy improves. The standard of living is better for everyone. Why have people suffer needlessly? Why have children suffer needlessly? The hardline stance continues this suffering.
If one is concerned about the possibility of birth control acting as an abortion, then at least allow the methods that don't result in the disruption of a fertilized egg.
Also, the use of condoms to reduce the spread of AIDS has been prohibited - those evil condoms are a form of birth control. It's very true that a condom is not 100% effective in preventing the spread of any STD - including HIV - but it is sure better than nothing.
posted by tieme-n-spankme at 5:01 PM
5 Comments:
I don't see your problem as being with the Pope. I don't see it as a problem at all. You're just confused and split inside yourself. If you were absolutely 100% clear on the values that uphold and support human life then there'd be no problem with anyone.
Frankly, I am still learning. I sometimes post to blogs thinking that a blog owner would be thrilled to have an intelligent poster give them some genuine consideration but what blogs amount to is someone with an opinion who just wants to be king of their little universe.
My religious background is Jewish and yet even I know that the world just said goodbye to a great being. Sometimes a person's presence is such a great influence on people that you just accept their minor imperfections - see, the Pope cannot change Catholic doctrine. His job is to uphold it, protect it, preserve it. He can't just lower the standard at will because he feels like it, or because 90% of humanity feels it doesn't speak to them. It's an institution - love it or leave it, but you're not going to change it.
So any problem you have with great, yet imperfect beings, is a problem with yourself. Find inner peace - or good luck trying.
Sam
I do agree that the Pope had some very positive influence on certain issues, but I disagree with this premise: the Pope cannot change Catholic doctrine. On the contrary, the Pope has great power to influence Church doctrine. The interpretation of how to follow scripture - especially on issues that are not blatantly specified Biblically, are under his influence.
Even now, many Bishops, Cardinals and other influentials in the Catholic Church have opinions that do not always line up with the Pope - especially when it comes to the use of condoms to help prevent AIDS. It's been heavily speculated in news reports that the next Pope will take a much softer stance on the issue. If the Pope had no control over this, there wouldn't be this speculation.
BTW - I am crystal clear on my values about human life. I am even consistent about my values. It sounds like your problem with me - and the reason you call me "confused and split inside" - is that my values don't agree with yours. You are entitled to your values, but I am also entitled to mine.
What I am split on is how "great" I consider the Pope. I do rank him higher in greatness than most politicians, but he doesn't rank as high in my opinion as many other religious leaders. The reason the world considers the Pope to be so "great" is that his position holds so much influence. What he says really can move people because of the respect his position in life demands.
I also think it's crazy to say that one can't have a problem with great, yet imperfect people, especially when their imperfection hits upon an area you feel strongly about. Take a political example: FDR. Some people consider him great. He made bold sweeping decisions that invigorated most US citizens. Yet, those that disagree with his political philosophy don't think of him in the same terms. They may acknowledge his leadership skills, but they are quick to point out how some decisions (in their opinion) were the wrong way to get the nation on track. I think people are entitled to think of him as great, or flawed, depending on their political persuasion.
And I am not Catholic - so I can't leave it, but I do see the influence this man had upon so many people. My opinion is one of a regular person looking upon the actions of a world leader.
I'm catholic and I beg to differ with Sam. You said: "It's an institution - love it or leave it, but you're not going to change it."
The church has become an institution, even a political one, but I'm not sure whether that was the original intention.
If you strip the catholic faith - or doctrine? - of its medieval ballast, you're actually stuck with a pretty liberal religion (except the jewish heritage in form of the old testament of course).
But we're living in the present, aren't we? What's a church without its people? What Christianity really is about is tolerance and love. I don't find much of that (in any church, btw) these days. It's mostly about who's right or wrong. All too human, IMO.
tns: Very well put! I love your blog(s).
-w
w,
Thanks for the comment and the blog praise. It's nice to know that someone enjoys my blogs - even this non-spicy one!
I agree with you; for good or bad, the Catholic Church is an institution and a political influence. Although I am not currently religious, I have actually read the Bible in its entirety, and it's hard to imagine Jesus leading his followers in the militant way most churches are being led today.
RE:"Birth control has been a very empowering thing for women. Women are looked at as more than reproductive vessels, and they begin to play a larger role in society."
that's the whole idea, the religous Reich don't want women to be anything but pregnant and obedient, like cows.
as for condoms, don't you know that they believe AIDs is gods punishment for the sinners how have anything but marital sex for reproduction only?
they worry so much about birth control, what about worshiping false Idols? i.e. the pope (you know, the guy on the throne who has people kissing his ring)
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