Papal ponderings

After the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years, it took only two days for the Cardinals of the Catholic Church to elect a new pope, Francis I.  That was much faster than in 1268 when the new pope, Gregory X, wasn’t elected until 1271.  That’s right, 3 years (actually 2 years and 9 months)!  In 1268 a bunch of tea-party cardinals must have been sent to Rome to vote.

I was told that I was baptized Catholic but I don’t remember that very well.  It must be old age.  I can recall, however, having my confirmation in Franksville Methodist Church.  Here’s a picture of the confirmation class of 1961.  If you can’t tell which confirmee I am, just send $20 along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and I’ll let you know.

I wish the new pope well but since he’s like most former popes, old and conservative, it’s hard to imagine that he can move an organization mired down in the middle ages into the 21st century.

A recent survey by professors at UC-Berkely found that “[r]eligious affiliation in the United States is at its lowest point since it began to be tracked in the 1930s, . . . Last year, one in five Americans claimed they had no religious preference, more than double the number reported in 1990.”  The authors make it very clear, however, that this does not mean these people are atheists.  I would say that I fall into that 20%.

From my perspective, this is an example of the philosophy of “My kharma ran over your dogma.”  I would much rather be a person who, by my actions, is considered good or caring or thoughtful, than to be thought of as religious.  When I hear someone say, “Well, I’m a Christian and I think . . .” all I can think is “God, please save me from this person.”  This has become especially true lately as right-wing religious groups have gotten heavily involved in politics and are willing to elect the most incompetent person as long as he or she is a Christian.  Case in point, Rick Santorum.  I mean, come on, Rick Santorum for President?  Really?

It’s sad to look around and see Catholics and Protestants at war, Jews and Muslims filled with hate, and members of one Muslim sect killing members of another Muslim sect.  This is all done in the name of religion?  What a sad state religion is in.  I have my doubts that religion, as it is too often practiced, has done much good for mankind.

Despite my lack of respect for what I sometimes consider ‘corporate’ religion, I have profound respect for those who are moved by their concern for their fellow human beings to feed and clothe the homeless, care for the sick and elderly, and are driven to leave the world a better place than they found it.  I also recognize that oftentimes these activities are organized by religious groups.  But, it’s not the institution of the CHURCH that makes them good people, it’s their empathy and humanity.  Their local church provides them the conduit through which they can do this work.  And, if they’re lucky, their local church will be a source of other good people with whom they can work.

I believe in God and, though there may be many out there who disagree, I think the world would be a better place if all of the religious books were tossed out and replaced with the simple golden rule.


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