The Pope, secularism and a world racked by violence
Posted on April 9, 2007
Filed Under All, Photos, Taking Faith |
I have had a hard time with Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Joseph, Cardinal Ratzinger. As Cardinal Ratzinger, head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, (aka the Inquisition in times past), he produced an encyclical on homosexuality that was one of the most un-Christian documents I’ve read in recent history. As Pope, at least two of his missives have inflamed Islam.
The NY Times magazine had a very interesting piece about the Pope and secularism yesterday. Spouse Linda has long lamented the dissociation of rational thought and religion, which turns out to be one of Benedict’s themes. Times writer Russel Shorto delves into and explains Benedict’s thinking about secularism and faith. By all accounts, Benedict is deeply intellectual and eager to fix what he regards as a ‘broken’ relation between secularism and faith in Western Europe.
His Easter address, lamenting the level of violence in the world, is commendable. So, we’ll dig a bit deeper into this Pope’s message…
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[…] The Pope is visiting the U.S. this week, and I am very interested in learning more about this man and his ideas. I have been a little leery of Benedict, given some of his pronouncements both as Pope and, formerly, the head of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, (aka the Inquisition in times past). I’m bringing an open mind: the Pope has already spoken out on the sex scandals afflicting many U.S. doceses. […]