One good thing about Pope Benedict - protestant churches are gonna fill up

[Rabrrrrrr]

I foresee a large exodus, at least from American Catholic Churches, to the protestant churches.

And I have to say, when I heard that Ratzenberger (however the that's spelled) decided to pick Benedict for his name, my VERY first thought was "how appropriate" (remembering my American history and what the name Benedict means in the US).

[stevedeshazer]

1. Why is that a good thing?

Just curious...no bone to pick or anything.

[Toby109]

2. Yea, our prostestant churches

are filling up with fundamentalists. How can that be good?

[progmom]

4. You're equating Catholics with fundamentalists?

I think that's a terrible mistake to make. Espcially considering the Catholics who would consider leaving over the new pope would certainly not be the fundie types.

[Toby109]

10. Well, maybe they can be a moderate

voice despite their various stances on birth control and women's rights. In other words, if they haven't left by now, just how progressive could they be?

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Oh, I think there are shitloads of progressive and liberal Catholics

who are still in the church. There are many reasons to stay in the church, and I'm sure we'd find millions of them who stay in the church even while disagreeing some parts of it, but who might end up disagreeing enough that they'll leave now.

I don't think it's fair to label all current Catholics as "not progressive enough". Lots of Catholics here on DU. Would you call them "not progressive enough"? And I know you didn't use those words, exactly, but that's the implication you made with "if they haven't left by now, just how progressive could they be?".

[rhino47]

7. The fundies would like this choice.

Its we liberal catholics that loathe Ratzinger and what he stands for.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Sorry - it's good for us protestants.

Of course, for the Catholics, this is a bad thing.

I should have been more clear as to why I think this a "good thing". Thanks for asking me to point it out!

[stevedeshazer]

8. Got it, thanks

More members for Protestant churches.

[rhino47]

5. You can count this american catholic in .. but unitarian not protestant

I am so pissed off right now even my husband is running away from me lol.

[RevCheesehead]

6. I doubt it.

People who are that disillusioned are just going to leave, period.

My experience in many congregations is that there is always a small contingent who is there, waiting for an excuse to leave. Sometimes it's a new pastor, or a new building project. Some have just had enough, and are finding other things to do on Sunday morning.

I will reach out to any who might come, but most people here take their membership seriously, or not at all. Few fence-sitters.

[KT2000]

9. Very Possible

I recall in the 60's that the so-called mainstream religions were out front on the social justice issues. They were a large part of the social revolution such as women's rights and civil rights.

A person who believes in those things and stays a part of a right wing fundamentalist religion can only be silenced. Hell of a way to live one's life.
If they do go to the other protestant churches, maybe we will see another resurgence of social justice participation?!?! One can hope.