How are we going to handle the Pope's death?

[Wat_Tyler]

I'm a little trepidatious about the whole thing. As a die-hard atheist, I think I'll stay out of it - I don't agree with many things he stands for, I have various issues with the Catholic Church (along with most of the other ones), but the whole idea of a mass grave-pissing repels me. I'll let the man pass in peace.
What about you lot?

[piece sine]

1. amen

I mean, what the hell, let the old guy pass.

[JohnKleeb]

2. I'll have sorrow as he's my religion's leader

Hope it doesnt get ugly sigh but you know I fear it will.

[sasquatch]

9. Well it's an excuse for you to drink

:beer:

[JohnKleeb]

12. as an Irish-German american and a Catholic, anything is

[tjwmason]

40. As Hillaire Belloc put it

Where ever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There's always laughter and good red wine,
At least I've always found it so,
Benedicamus Domino.


I think I'll go for quiet dignified mourning, and prayers for his soul - with a few toasts to his memory.

-Edit to correct typo-

[DS1]

3. It'll probably have some effect on someone I know, but personally

it makes no difference to me at this time.

[tridim]

4. It's none of my business

But I did like his shunning of Bush's illegal war. Of course Bush will use his death to buy political capital. "He was a good man with a good heart, blah blah blah".

[mr blur]

39. Nor mine (nt)

[Fenris]

5. I'd rather have all discussion of his passing relegated to the Catholic

forum or the Religion & Theology forum. The Roman church inflames passions on both sides, and it might be a good idea to keep the pope stuff in the religious forums. Less of a chance of detractors invading threads there.

Just a non-dogmatic atheist's perspective.

[Zuni]

7. Good idea

I'm sorry, but this issue is way too controversial for the lounge

[Wat_Tyler]

13. It won't happen, of course.

And I can give a pretty shrewd guess as to what will be posted where, and by whom. Things will be ugly.

[Fenris]

14. Yes. Unfortunately.

I'm no fan of Catholicism, but I deplore anyone who would mock someone else's religious leader's passing. Aside from being ironic, it's just in bad taste.

[sendero]

43. I agree....

... the Pope's death will not come as a shock to anyone, and I don't plan to mark the event one way or another.

While I disagree with him vehemently on many issues, he is an important world figure who is probably doing the best he can with what he believes. I'll respectfully say nothing.

[Catfight]

45. I'll pray for a more tolerant compassionate Pope that can reunite

our broken church. To me, it will be a sign of hope, a new beginning, one in which the church can reach out with love instead of doctrine mired in hypocrisy. Somehow a Pope that never officially denounced abuse and the cover up of abuse has always left me with the notion that this Pope was more interested in power and money than hearts and souls. Hopefully, I pray, his ideologies and dogma pass with him. If a more enlightened Pope takes his place, I will be happy to rejoin the church if it begins to really right it's wrongs.

By the way, yesterday on NPR Bishops and Archdiocese all said that the pay off for the abuses was not admitting any wrong doing, it was because they could not financially fight all the cases. That tells me that the church still doesn't get how they used their influence of moral guidance to commit unforgivable acts. That is what this current Pope condones in my opinion, his deeds or lack of deeds speak volumes. May he stir in purgatory for his silence.

[ThorsHammer]

34. Seconded, from a Catholic

[JohnKleeb]

36. I'll third that

I come here to be silly first and foremost.

[Pithlet]

6. I think I'll steer clear of DU on that day.

:scared:

[Mojambo]

8. It'll have a similar effect as when some old movie star

who I've never seen dies. I'll note it and move on.

[RevolutionaryActs]

26. Yeah, except for the fact that,

it will be all anyone is talking about, and you won't be able to get away from it.

[Mojambo]

27. That's true

But I'm pretty good at avoiding stuff like that.

[RevolutionaryActs]

32. Teach me your ways?

:)

[Mojambo]

38. Complete and utter unconcern

I just don't care.

I'm a solitary person by nature, so I tend to pick my social encounters carefully. That discretion translates to DU, enabling me to avoid most flame wars.

Become an emotional hermit, that is my advice.
;-)

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. A mixture of celebration and mourning

Celebrating because he did a lot of harmful things, and represents a lot of harmful things; mourning because he did a lot of beneficial wonderful things, and represents a lot of beneficial and wonderful things.

[mondo joe]

11. I think the topic is best left to appropriate forums

If people want to have a more serious discussion, there are forums.

If they want to have a more reverent discussion, there are forums.

If people are open to anything being said, the Lounge is a great forum. But I don't think some will be happy with what is said by others.

[Beware the Beast Man]

15. It'll go down as to be expected:

Believers will be asked to take it to the Religious forums, grave-dancers can stay put. Would you expect anything less?
:P

[Wat_Tyler]

16. Are you suggesting we need a Grave Dancing Forum?

[Beware the Beast Man]

18. It would have come in handy last summer when Reagan croaked.

[Wat_Tyler]

19. It's not a bad idea.

Of course, when Thatcher dies, I will post in every forum.

[Dookus]

20. and there's the rub

The Pope is just as conservative as Thatcher, but she's been out of office for a long time. The Pope still holds his office, and people who are not Catholic will feel about his death the way you'll feel about Thatcher's.

That being said, I was appalled at the response to Reagan's death. He was long out of office, and had suffered more than you or I could've wished on anyone. I think it's possible to discuss the political legacy of the Pope or Reagan or Thatcher without showing glee in their passing.

[Wat_Tyler]

23. I know - I was pointing out my hypocrisy on the matter.

Still, the urge will most certainly be there. I think each of us have that one individual that brings out the worst in them, and obviously, for some - it's going to be the Pope.

[sundog]

17. I envision lots of flame wars

and I don't plan on saying much.

Sometimes silence is best ;)

[Ekirh]

30. Agreed

When that day comes, I too will be silent about it. At sometimes.. it is best... to just not say anything.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Schema Thing]

22. I plan to wear a pointy hat all day.

Even more pointy than usual.

[JVS]

25. Dunce cap or party hat?

:dunce: :party:

[mitchum]

24. Wipe away my tears with a solid gold jewel-encrusted handkerchief?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

28. I won't lie and say I'll mourn

But, I'll be damned (pun?) if I'll disrespect those who are. For me it's a matter of respect for other peoples beliefs. Even if I don't adhere to them.

[miss_kitty]

29. I have held my opinion private

It's just too offensive for the popish and the god-bothers and I'm not into gettiing into some war because an old guy may or may not die.

That said, I say we stuff the ballot box somehow and get the leftist pope available. I say Dookus is our man. Tucker will be 'The Pope's Dog.' or 'The Pope's Best Friend' and may have to have a mitre made. If that happens-I'd like to make Tucker's mitre.

[Dookus]

31. So it has been written

so it shall be done. You will be St. Miss_kitty, Patron Saint of Canine Headgear. Go in peace.

[miss_kitty]

33. I'll need measurements

[Dookus]

35. he's a

men's medium. But he's still growing. This could be a lifetime sinecure.

[Bluebear]

37. Re: grave-pissing

I am sorry for my Catholic DUers who will be pained by his death. I wish peace for all and extend my condolences.

Having said that, there is some pervasive notion that death is an instant absolution in our society. For example, the Pope gave refuge to Cardinal Bernard Law and I will not forget that, even upon his passing. Yes, let anyone 'rest in peace' but actions that cause harm to the world should not be magically washed away in death. If any of that makes sense.

[RadicalMom]

41. I hope Father Guido Sarducci comes out of hiding (Don Novello)

and provides the appropriate commentary. If we have to watch all of the pontif-icating by the TV newspeople for days on end, I don't know if I'll survive. Scatter my ashes over the local mall and I'l never stop shopping.

[terrya]

42. My reaction? Probably indifference, overall.

I'm not going to go into "woo-hoo, partay mode!" when this pope dies, but I do have some serious issues with him and the way he has led one of the most powerful, influential institutions in the world. It DOES color my perception overall of him. I will hope that maybe, just maybe, the next pope will re-examine some of the teachings that the church has set down...on gay people marrying, on women becoming priests and the role of women in general in the church. Discussions...not iron fisted rule and intolerance.

[dr.strangelove]

44. I don't think he is going to die this week, but when he does I will be sad

as I am when anyone I don't know very well dies. He seems like a nice man.

[sniffa]

46. didn't he cLaim once

that he's the Last pope? his death signifies the end times?

wiLL you be Left behind?

[Bridget Burke]

47. I doubt it.

If you've got a source, please share it with us.

The "Left Behind" guys are Tim LaHaye & his Dominionist pals. They'll be celebrating when the Pope dies.