I stopped being surprised that close exposure to one injustice (like, say, racism) doesn't cure people of honestly believing something I consider a similar injustice (like, say, homophobia). I don't mark folk down for that, or up for the converse. I consider them independently.

Yes, this is a good point.

Also, I'm not sure I find his statements about other churches, as the protector of orthodoxy of his church, so offensive. I'm willing to be convinced, however.

To wit: In 1997 Ratzinger annoyed Buddhists by calling their religion an "autoerotic spirituality’" that offers "transcendence without imposing concrete religious obligations." And Hinduism, he said, offers "false hope"; it guarantees purification based on a "morally cruel" concept of reincarnation resembling "a continuous circle of hell." The Cardinal predicted Buddhism would replace Marxism as the Catholic Church’s main enemy this century.

Predicting one religion would become an enemy? Offensive. Stating that a religion offers no concrete religious obligations or that reincarnation would be like hell? Doesn't offend me. I'm not going to be more offended at him than at other cardinals because he doesn't have a good opinion of other religions. I think that's a given. The Catholic church has always been political.

I read that he deserted the German army towards the end of the war. Which was somewhat ballsy, as at that point deserters were usually shot on sight or else hanged publicly as an example.

I know that in Catholic hospitals that's what doctors have to do -- they can't prescribe birth control, but they can give the Pill for "irregular periods" or some such.

right. when I had fibroids, my doctor told me that the first course of treatment was birth control pills. Not being used for contraceptive purposes, is that okay?

Not being used for contraceptive purposes, is that okay?

Yes. At least, that is my understanding of the way Catholic hospitals generally work. I have a friend who went to a Catholic medical school, and she still learned how to do abortions, but it had to be written up VERY carefully.

By not applying the idea of creating an "other" to hate being a bad thing to the groups he marginalizes.

Do you think he's creating an "other" to hate, or that he's preaching the doctrine he believes is true. I'm not Catholic, and don't plan to become one, so I have nothing personal at stake in this conversation, as there is plenty of Roman Catholic doctrine I feel is in error. And that's kind of my point, I guess. I am not a Catholic, and I could go through the Catechism, if I could be arsed to do so, and tell you where I think Catholic doctrine is wrong. Would that make me a hater, or one who promotes hate? How is it different from what we're doing now (except of course, that we're only talking to each other--and don't have the attention of the world--yet).

This was an Xpost of the --I was very much trying to say what bon bon said, so much better-- variety.

He can't have said autoerotic. That's just icky. But I'd love to see him explain why Hinduism offers more false hope than Christianity. And more cruel concepts.

Oh, this is effin' brilliant.

I married him for his way with words.

Which is actually mostly true. During our early dating, we got to see each other at most once a month, but we wrote each other lengthy letters as fast as the Royal Mail would turn them around. If they hadn't been good letters, I doubt we would've stuck with each other.

I know that in Catholic hospitals that's what doctors have to do -- they can't prescribe birth control, but they can give the Pill for "irregular periods" or some such

FWIW, my doctor is affiliated with Georgetown University Hospital, which is Catholic, and she prescribed the pill as contraception. Maybe it makes a difference that I'm married (though it shouldn't), or maybe this depends on the hospital and the doctor.

Edit: LJ, I should have said in my anecdotal experience.

But I'd love to see him explain why Hinduism offers more false hope than Christianity. And more cruel concepts.

Because Christianity's true, silly. Also, God only hurts with love.

Actually, seriously, could you have someone heading the Church who didn't believe it was the One True Faith?

He can't have said autoerotic. That's just icky. But I'd love to see him explain why Hinduism offers more false hope than Christianity. And more cruel concepts.

Yeah, I don't get autoerotic in that context. I think he would probably say that all religions that are not Catholic offer false hope because Catholicism is right.