Cardinal Ratzinger has been elected pope.

[sophiaserpentia]

Now, given the demographic makeup of my journal's readership, the results of this are certain to be skewed. So anyone is free to take it upon themselves to link to this poll if they feel it will improve their viewpoint's standing.

[Poll #477941]

Comments

[halfempty.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you've heard this, but http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1572667,00.html

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

Sorry I've got to be different and say there's no options on the poll I can pick.

I was disappointed that they did not pick the black or latino candidate. I was really relishing the reaction of catholic bigots to a man of color being pope.

Secondly, I can't make a call yet. The catholic church has forbidden me communion, reconciliation and more or less said I'm damned for the love of starfire91. Until they change that position, screw them. I've recently become poly and I don't expect that the Church of Peter is going to be too thrilled with that either.

In the meantime, I'm discovering that life without the church isn't so much different that life with, except that I get to sleep in on Sundays :)

But that doesn't quite fill the gaping hole in me where my comfortable prescribed faith used to live.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

Fly, baby, fly!

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

"Fly, baby, fly" Interesting words. Do you know my meatspace name? It's significant.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

No, but... did you click the link?

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

Yes. I remembered reading it the day you posted it.

(there's a mail in your yahoo inbox)

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

Some years ago I was compelled to create a sculpture.

I was only moderately satisfied with the resulting piece because the violence was too stylized. Few people saw it for what it was.

Perhaps it was because few people wanted too.

The sculpture was small, made of a dark wood and a light wood.

The dark piece was made into a stylized claw shape. The light, a carefully rounded mound. The claw is tearing into the lighter piece. The idea was the claw was Truth/Reality tearing into the flesh of the ignorant.

Out of curiousity...

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

Ever read this?

Re: Out of curiousity...

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

I've known of it's existance for a long time. I've been carefully avoiding it. Burning away the chaff still involves burning and one needs to be ready for the the pain.

Re: Out of curiousity...

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

No pressure :)

[kumbunny.livejournal.com]

A couple of people predicted that they would choose a strict, conservative and older pope so that one is elected again in a few years. They mentioned it not being the best way to elect a Latino or African pope straight after Johnny's death.

So far, they are spot on.

I am unsure why it would be the wrong time. Maybe there are forces clashing we cannot see too well.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

I'm split on whether or not it simply does not change my already extremely negative view of the Catholic church, or whether it is possible for me to hate it more than I already do, so I chose both options.

[contentlove.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had a hard time on that choice too ;)

[xxshamelessxx.livejournal.com]

exactly my sentiments.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

Icon love!!!!!!

[xxshamelessxx.livejournal.com]

take and use, if you desire...i didn't create it, but the person who did said to share it and not worry about credit. =)

[pandoralsu.livejournal.com]

There are no answers listed to which I feel comfortable choosing.

[canonfire.livejournal.com]

One pope does not a Catholic Church make.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Sure, but his election indicates what kind of mood the cardinals are in.

Plus I think there is a message intended by this, too. The last pope raised controversy by reaching out to leaders of other religions in unprecedented ways. This pope wrote that other religions are gravely deficient. The day before his election he made comments about there being a "dictatorship of relativism." If I was a non-Christian religious leader (aside from being a Discordian Pope, natch) I would see a pretty clear message here.

[canonfire.livejournal.com]

I guess he would know about dictatorships since he was a member of Die Hitlerjungen...

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

I guess he would know about dictatorships since he was a member of Die Hitlerjungen...

Only after it became compulsory in 1941.

[canonfire.livejournal.com]

Good and important point.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Naturally, as a member of the Bay Area Pagan community I am familiar with Cardinal Ratzinger who has been very active as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Inquisition) making sure Matthew Fox left Catholicism. I have, needless to say, not be impressed with Ratzinger now Benedict XVI.

But none of the choices on the list really fit how I feel. I have both good and bad feelings toward the institution of the Catholic Church. I have much sadness that Pope Palpatine I has been elected. I think it is a terrible thing for the Catholic Church and a worse thing for the world.

[arcanum-dogma.livejournal.com]

i now know what form the final days shall take: the sane trapped between the warring catholics and fundies

[liminalia.livejournal.com]

None of those answers fit me really well. I'm somewhat disappointed that a more progressive man wasn't chosen, but knew JP II had stacked the deck w/conservative cardinals, so not very surprised. On the up side, this guy's 77, so his reign will be comparatively brief, and perhaps by then the Africans and S. Americans will have developed enough clout to get one of their own in next time.

I see the near future of the Catholic church as being more of the same.

[doorinward.livejournal.com]

My options did not exist...

(1) cautious and quite concerned, yet hopeful in spite of myself

(2) my relationship with Catholicism is as strained as it was before. No change.

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Needs an option for those of us who are not changing our positive view of Catholic faith, nor our problems with the institutional church. The 'good' news is that he was clearly seen as a transitional Pope, and was chosen largely for his advanced age.

[dahca.livejournal.com]

Yes, as in "four more years...."

[kumbunny.livejournal.com]

Is it just me Sabrina? Or is the election of someone with RATZINGER for a name very symbolic?

It just sounds... sounds... like an Opera.