The Pope in the Land Downunder

The Pope, that icon of infallibility, loaded up the popemobile and went down under. Austrailia, that is. White beaches, blues seas. Sound familiar?

While there he said many interesting things including an apology for the sexual abuse committed by his clergy. I would hate to have to do that everywhere I go but, there you have it. According to the news reports I received the apology was not necessarily the first thing he did which I think should ought to have been. Should ought to have been? That may not be correct grammar but I'm writing this, not you.

It seems his main message was for all religions to "unite against those who use faith to divide communities" and according to AP writer Victor L. Simpson, the paraphrase in quotations above was an apparent reference to terrorism in the name of religion.

Again, AP writer Simpson quotes the Pope saying that creating harmony between religion and public life was "all the more important at a time when some people have come to consider religion as a cause of division rather than a force for unity."

Well, no shit! Religion has always been a divisive force among communities of peoples for all the time it has existed in all its forms since the dawn of its creation. The defining doctrines of Islam are at odds with the defining doctrines of Judaism which are at odds with the defining doctrines of Christianity which are at odds with the defining doctrines of Islam and so on. And within Christianity itself, as well as Islam and Judaism, there are divisions within each at odds with all the other divisions. Those most familiar with Christianity can list a few major divisions right off the top of their heads, and a short list would include Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons and Seventh Dayers. The list could go on and on since I am aware of many divisions just among Baptists and Pentecostals and at least two divisions among the Mormons. Of Islam you have the Sunnis and the Shiites and there may be more for all I know. In short, what the Pope has requested is impossible since the sub communities within each major community can't even get there shit together.

A long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, Christianity picked up the sword and in the name of the God they worshipped, killed thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, if not millions. If you don't believe this do a little research on the history of the Catholic Church and some of its children since the reformation. Luther, by the way, harboured an anti-semitism you would not believe if you hold him up as a great example of what a Christian should be.

There are Christians now in America working to make this nation a theocracy where the state executes homosexuals. What else they have planned for the rest of us unsuspecting atheists and unchurched souls I know not. If you think I'm joking just Google 'dominion theology' or, just click the Wikipedia link here. And if you are against Sharia Law, which this is, just from the Holy Bible and not the Koran, and from Christians, not fanatical Islamic suicide bombers and Imams, then be aware of what the churches around you are doing and saying.

Is the Pope concerned about harmony among the religions for nothing? No. He sees the end of all faith as more and more people begin to see all religions as dangerous to their health. His words are a call to repentance for the survival of all faith itself. As I would like to remind any reader, it was not just the fanaticism of the suicide pilots of 9-11, it was the basis, that is the religion, for that fanaticism that gave us that particular tragedy. Fanaticism knows no bounds and is contained not in just one place. It can come from anywhere and from any religious belief.

I'll leave you with one universal truth, true as anything I've ever heard. The words came from the mouth of fallen former President John F. Kennedy and are as follows, "For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

A Most Liberating Experience

In solemn reflection I would have to say that I have, for the most part, lived my life as if there were no god. Sure, if anyone asked I would claim a belief in a god and tell you I was of the Christian persuasion. I even attended a Pentecostal Church as recent as two years ago, preceded by a brief attendance at a Baptist Church, but have not been back for about a year, give or take. It just wasn't my idea of something I needed to do and for the most part the services were, more often than not, mere fundraising events as evidenced to me by the repetitious mention of tithing as a Christian duty in nearly every sermon regardless of context. I will admit though they put on a good show and that is all it became to me, a show. In fact, they got to where they put on two shows every Sunday due to the increase in attendance.

Couple that with my long lived opinion of most, if not all, televangelists and you can see how it came to pass that I rejected religion altogether. I was attending religious services that soon became to me indistinguishable from what anyone can find on the Church Channel. The nail in the coffin, so to speak, came when I read "God is Not Great" by Christopher Hitchens quickly followed by "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. It all suddenly made sense to me.

I have lived most of my life as if there is no god simply because that is what all men, and women too, would do if left uninfluenced by parents or guardians to take up a religion. My only flirtations with religion were as the result of the urging of a coworker or friend to turn from my backsliding ways. Of course I would oblige, at least for a little while, then I would make my escape back to where I felt most comfortable.

I have finally made the needed adjustment in my life to remain in an "escaped" environment for the remainder of my tenure here on this Blue Planet. When invited or encouraged to attend Church with a friend or coworker, I can now proudly say that since I am an atheist it would be illogical for me to attend any church service. This is most liberating indeed.