See it's when you say stuff like this, you reaffirm my belief that religion=bad (even if we're talking about organised religion) is as much of a fallacy as, say, democracy is bad. Does a few high ranked priests committing a crime destroy everything else that Catholicism brought to the world? I don't know how to feel about the power, both political and spiritual, Catholics vest in the position of the Pope. I don't think it's my place to feel one or the other, to be honest. But one thing for sure, the Pope has to make very very hard political decisions, make sure he's maintaining people's trust in the institution--and it's silly to say that political decisions can always be honourable. It's naïve, idealistic and untrue, imho--and reconcile that with his spiritual notions. That'd be reason number bazillion and three to never become the Pope.
Also, personally--and yes I realise that it's infinitely easier for me as an outsider--when I think about Catholicism I think of tremendous, unprecedented and incomparable to virtually anything in the history of civilisation contribution to art. Nothing before after or during inspired the same flight of creativity, imagination and artistic spirit. And how important is that!
Have you seen the article about this guy in Italy who's building a cathedral on his farm property? Because dude, it's just so damn moving. To me, this is what faith means faith. Not religion, not even tradition--which I do think is very important part of what we get out of any organised religion--but true manifestation of faith, of something so compelling and moving that it just can't be wrong, you know?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-04-15 02:27 pm (UTC)Also, personally--and yes I realise that it's infinitely easier for me as an outsider--when I think about Catholicism I think of tremendous, unprecedented and incomparable to virtually anything in the history of civilisation contribution to art. Nothing before after or during inspired the same flight of creativity, imagination and artistic spirit. And how important is that!
Have you seen the article about this guy in Italy who's building a cathedral on his farm property? Because dude, it's just so damn moving. To me, this is what faith means faith. Not religion, not even tradition--which I do think is very important part of what we get out of any organised religion--but true manifestation of faith, of something so compelling and moving that it just can't be wrong, you know?