Why I don't care about The Pope.

[bhunt70]

I enjoy religion. I am not religious at all but I enjoy the pomp and circumstance, the ritual, the secrecy, the history, the dichotomies and the inconsitencies. The Catholic Church is probably the best place for this. Now, that's not why I don't care about the Pope. The reason I don't care is because the real problem in America is the religious right.

The Catholic Church in America has been on the decline for some time if I'm not mistaken and it doesn't look like the will gain any ground with their choosing of Benedict XVI. Seriously, the conservatives in this country will not abandon their former religion for catholicism, many middle of the road catholics will possibly not be happy with this choice and many people in search of a more progressive choice may leave the church. The Catholic institution in America would have benefit more from a more forgiving choice not a harsher one.

I'm more concerned with the strangle hold that the religious right has on this country at the moment. Whatever you think of the most recent choice from the catholic church, the religious right has in spades as a minority of people in America. When I look at the catholic church I see a lethargic body mired down in their ways, slow to change. When I look at the religious right I see pirahnna.

I'm more worried about the RR.

[Maple]

1. The catholic church

is the religious right as well. It doesn't just refer to protestants.

And they just elected the most RR pope they could find.

[bhunt70]

3. Agreed, but in my view

Catholicism does not hold the sway over American politics as some of the protestant denomination. That was the view I meant in the OP. I think the fact that only one catholic has ever held the presidency supports this in some way. Not trying to start an argument but I feel that Frist, Delay, Bush, et al are a different animal. Power hungry hypocrites that bend and change the rules as they please to suit their purposes.

[Maple]

4. It's the largest group

in the US. Protestants are broken up into Anglican, Baptists, Methodists, etc...but Catholics are the largest block.

[Dave Sund]

8. I'd object to that characterization

American Catholics are a lot more moderate than the religious right in this country. They are not members of the relgious right, in fact, the religious right despises them.

That said, many of them share views with the religious right on some social issues that are troubling.

[ThumperDumper]

2. Me too.

I couldn't care less what the various religions choose to do within their ranks. I'm not religious and it's their business as far as I'm concerned.

What I'm concerned with - what we all should be concerned with - is when religion starts encroaching in on everyone ELSE'S business, which is precisely what's going on with the RR.

As long as they stay on their side of the Wall of Seperation, let 'em do what they want. Unfortunately, they've dug under the wall.

[tnlefty]

5. Welcome ThumperDumper!

I am also concerned that they've dug a hole under the wall with the intention of setting an explosive device to totally obliterate the wall of seperation.

[ThumperDumper]

7. Thanks.

Let 'em have one state - just one - and let them see what happens without that seperation. ;)

[RethugAssKicker]

6. Yes but they dont!

Catholics... and most other religions that believe in the Bible, believe it is their duty to CHANGE everyone on earth to their belief!

Simple as that... They will never respect separation of churhc and state.... See, they found the answer and the rest of us heathens must be converted or perish!!!!