Im sooo conflicted with what to think about the Pope

[Puglover]

First of all I'm not Catholic, I grew up Lutheran. Non practicing agnostic now. I would like to think that this man has a great deal of good in him. I just don't want to be that cynical. But and this is a big but, he hasn't been the slightest bit supportive of me (I'm gay) or any of my gay brothers and sisters. This is just one thing among other things. Any thoughts on where to put this? For the record I don't wish any ill on the man. Anyone?

[TahitiNut]

1. Ambivalence can be healthy.

:shrug: A 'conclusion' eventually comes to us all. Why rush it?

[Dark]

2. I just say to people that in this case, I don't have anything nice to say,

so I won't say anything at all.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. He was a great man...

his ideas about homosexuality aside, he's healed a lot of wounds the church had caused over the last 2 millenia...
I believe that as misguided as some of his views are (were?) he had good intentions and he truly loved people. I wholeheartedly believe that it was the (in his mind)sin that he hated, not the sinner. He was a good man. But that's coming from a Catholic.
Also, you don't have to think anything, except that another human being is suffering, and act accordingly. You have a right to not be supportive of his teachings. But he tried, and I believe he had good intentions, so I think that deserves a bit of sympathy. But like I said, that's coming from a Catholic. You don't have to agree with me.
Duckie

[cynatnite]

7. I think he did a lot of good

I don't care much for his overly conservative views, but I do believe he is a good-hearted man who only wanted peace for the world.

[Puglover]

9. That's the dilemma...

I recognize all that you say however (for me at least) it's hard to put aside his beliefs about how I should live my life. Any maybe, since Im not Catholic I really should'nt let it bother me however I can't help feeling that the homophobia of the church can contribute to gay bashing etc.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. There's a lot I don't agree with the church about...

Homosexuality and birth control for two...I think it was the homophobia of whoever wrote the bible that is contributing to this. While they don't believe it is to be taken literally, they believe the main ideas. unfortunately, the bible was written during a time when that was widespread and very secret. The same people who denounced it were involved in it. I'm sorry that my church is homophobic. I don't agree with it, but I can't change it. Most of us don't feel that way about it.
Duckie

[noamnety]

4. Things aren't always black and white

It sounds like you know where you stand. You think he had a good heart, but was badly misguided on specific civil rights issues that were important to you?

That's how I am, I agreed with some of his views, and was appalled at others. Such is life.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. I totally agree.

[Puglover]

11. Me too.

Good post.

[Demit]

5. I'm Catholic and I think of the Pope/Vatican as not so much a collection

of holy men as the people--scratch that, MEN--at the top of a rich and influential power structure. Whether they are personally holy or not doesn't affect me. What they rule on, and tell me to do, does.

[UTUSN]

8. What's to Be Conflicted About?

His role was to support his denomination's doctrine. He could have loosened it up to include whatever groups are marginalized. He didn't. He *did* positive things within his parameters. Me, I prefer John XXIII. But nothing to be conflicted about.

[LostinVA]

10. I know, don't worry

I WAS raised Catholic, and the Church's against gays & women (I'm both) drove me away. I feel like they took away my place at the table. I really hate so much of what JP II did and said.... but, in the end, I feel nothing but compassion for the sick, old, feeble man who should have been allowed to die a year ago. So, it's okay to be ambivalent... I feel the same way.

(And, I like love pugs, too, although I have cats!)