The reviews are in... and they are NOT good.

[devilgrrl]

The experts weigh in on Pope Ratzinger

Michael Phayer, author of "The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930-1965"

I was not thrilled by any means with the choice of Cardinal Ratzinger. Like Pius IX in the middle of the 19th century, Ratzinger was "burned" by the student unrest in Germany in the 1960s, and fled his teaching post at Tuebingen. His attitude contrasts that of John Paul II, who looked toward rebirth in society with hope, not with fear. Ratzinger's life experiences, beginning with the Nazis, has, I am afraid, led him to recoil and push away from encountering the world.

Dr. Matthew Fox, founder of Wisdom University and author of "Original Blessing"

Why should we be surprised that the current Catholic hierarchy -- which elevated Cardinal Law, the poster boy for pedophile clergy, to a special place of power in Rome -- has just elected Cardinal Ratzinger as pope? The yes-men of Pope John Paul II's church have chosen one of their own, who is guaranteed to play the role of the punitive father.

Ratzinger will be the inquisitor general of the 21st century. He led the assault on theologians and women, yoga (calling it "dangerous" because it gets you too much in touch with your body), homosexuals (who are "evil"), liberation theology, ecumenism and interfaith, and now he's been made the spiritual head of 1.1 billion people.

Cardinal Ratzinger is living proof of the dictum coined by Catholic historian Lord Acton after the First Vatican Council's declaration of papal infallibility: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Ratzinger does not support movements of justice, and has committed his career to silencing those who do. He is also committed to elevating the rich and powerful, such as Escriva, fascist sympathizer and founder of Opus Dei, to sainthood.

It is a sad day and a decisive one for the Roman Catholic Church.

more: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2005/04/20/pope_reax/index.html

[rodeodance]

1. well.... bill O'Lielly, Pat Buchann and I think Joe S think he is GRAND

and will whop us into shape. so, have no fear Ben.

[Zorra]

2. Pope Neocon I sounds like the Antonin Scalia of the religious world.

[Lone Pawn]

6. He's not a neocon. He was against the Iraq war.

Thank you for playing.

[onager]

9. The Project For A New 15th Century...

...as my friend Chicklet said on another board today.

[Erika]

3. Give the guy a chance

So he reminds us of the popes in the middle ages who pillaged the Latinos for their riches and gold and told them that their suffering is blessed after Rome stole their riches.

[dweller]

5. woops....you dropped this

:sarcasm:

dp

[Al-CIAda]

4. Matthew Fox restored my faith in true Christianity.

No longer a Catholic as I left when I was 16-17. Its just as well, I could have picked any number of reasons or times since then to do so.

Christ, please protect me from your followers.

[Melynn]

7. My cousin is a priest and he met Ratzinger when he was in Rome

studying to be a priest. My cousin thinks that Ratzinger is a good guy.

Of course my cousin is a priest so you would expect him to say that.

[liberalpragmatist]

8. I'm sure he's perfectly warm in person

But there's much more to being pope than that. And public warmth and accessibility is important too.

[bpilgrim]

11. i hear that goering was the life of all the parties, too...

did they hang out with each or just the boring lectures, during semester?

peace

[bpilgrim]

10. "Ratzinger will be the inquisitor general of the 21st century"

:wow:

peace

[understandinglife]

12. Pope Neoconster I is, undoubtedly, going to be a rain-maker for the...

...dominionists; and Diebold didn't even have to provide hacked central tabulating software to the Vatican.


Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us (a day to reflect on how to bankrupt the Vatican and their dominionist buddies at Diebold, Sequoia, and ES&S)

[lala_rawraw]

13. Looks like I am not alone, thank god n/t