Condolences from an atheist

[Az]

I understand the importance of the Pope to many here. I grieve for the current situation he is going through (if he is still with us). You have my sympathy. He was a very tactful individual and even extended the Kingdom of Heaven to heathens such as myself and others. Although we do not believe in Heaven the intent was understood and had meaning.

With respect I present my condolences.

Az

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Thank you very much, Az.

Thank you very much!

:hug:

[ElectroPrincess]

2. Thank you, extending your condolences is very considerate /eom

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Thank you, Az

That was very, very kind of you.

[Feathered Fish]

4. I second that

I posted a couple of really negative posts the last time he was in the hospital - but the truth of the matter is that I am very saddened by this situation.
:hug: condolences.

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. Thank you.

I think we can all get caught up in the heat of the moment, much to our later regret. I have been guilty of the same thing.

:hug:

[Maeve]

6. Az, you tend to build bridges, not fences

And here you are, at it again! :hug:

Thank you.

[UrbScotty]

7. Thank you SO much.

You remind me that most Atheists do have good hearts.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. Thanks AZ. You've always been a class act.

Seen Ghost in the Shell II yet? :)

[scarlet_owl]

9. Thank you.

:hug:

[Padraig18]

10. You're a class act, Az!

Thank you. It is good to be reminded that atheists are first and foremost compassionate people.

:hug::loveya:

[SeanQuinn]

11. Much appreciated, Az. Thank you.

We all appreciate it. It's a tough time.

[IronLionZion]

12. Thanks Az

[yardwork]

13. Thank you for that nice post, AZ

As a Pagan, I agree with you.

[pres2032]

14. thank you very much

you're the best!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. I have much respect for you, AZ...

That was the nicest thing for you to say. Thanks so much. :hug:
Duckie

[Gelliebeans]

16. From another atheist

I would like to respectfully add my condolences also.

[Padraig18]

18. Thank you.

:hug:

[JohnKleeb]

17. Thanks

[Padraig18]

19. Dookus also sends his condolences.

He cannot post here, but he asked me to convey his condolences, and I promised him that I would.

:)

[Padraig18]

20. As does Warpy.

:)

[JohnKleeb]

21. Well good for them

:)

[DemBones DemBones]

39. Please thank Dookus and Warpy for me and

I'll try to do it personally next time I see them. Or maybe they can get a visa to come over here? ;-)

[flamingyouth]

22. Condolences from me as well

Instead of starting a new thread, Az, I thought I'd just hijack yours. ;)

I hope you find comfort in your faith during your time of loss. :hug:

[Padraig18]

23. Thank you, Lisa.

:hug::loveya:

[JohnKleeb]

24. Thanks

[Princess Turandot]

25. Thank you. It is very gracious of you to do so and makes an

encouraging contrast to the GD and GDP threads which seem to be blaming him for everything from the bubonic plague to the existence of the Phelps cult and to not having personally prevented the invasion of Iraq.

[JohnKleeb]

26. how can they blame him for phelps when phelps hates catholics

[Princess Turandot]

27. John, John..

why expect logic!? (I do expect hope from you, being you are an Orioles fan :) )

[JohnKleeb]

28. ha yeah

Why expect logic? I dont know. You bet I got hope, though its gonna be your typical AL East season, Yanks win the divison, Sox get the wildcard, and the orioles pitching betrays them, unless Lopez, Cabrera, and Ponson, and I guess Bedard have something no told me.

[Bluebear]

29. I stand with Catholics in this current 'persecution'

Catholics are being called "not Christian" by a whole bunch of fundy cults now. It's disgusting.

[JohnKleeb]

34. Yeah it really is disgusting

[Book Lover]

30. May I add my condolences as well?

As a former Catholic who remembers when Paul VI and John Paul I passed on, I am very sad to see this day come. I hope His Holiness passes with peace, and that his successor reigns with wisdom.

[Padraig18]

31. Thank you.

Peace be with you.

:hug:

[TheMightyFavog]

32. I wish to extend my condolences, as well.

End of Line.

[Padraig18]

33. Thank you.

:hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

35. I send prayers and thoughts to all of my Catholic friends ...

here on the DU and to all those in the offline world . :hug: This is truly a moment in history that we are witnessing right now . Pope John Paul II is the only Pope I have ever known . ( I am 24 years old . ) The world will be a different place without him . I ask God for when the time comes that you let your child , Johannes Paul II , enter your Kingdom and grant him eternal peace - Amen .

Many people may not have agreed with everything that he has said - but rarely have seen a man stick to his beliefs with such convictions . I envy all the people who followed him for they have so much faith . This is a truly moving moment , I am close to tears because this is a testimony that Life ( and Death ) is the " realest " and truest thing in this world .

[Taxloss]

36. I would like to add my condolences as an atheist.

The death of a leader one trusts and respects is awful, and John-Paul II's work in advancing labour rights in Poland will never be forgotten.

[Hans Delbrook]

37. Thank you very much

You kindness is much appreciated.

[DemBones DemBones]

38. Your kind words and condolences are greatly appreciated

by me, and I would imagine by most Catholics, however much they may have disagreed with him or longed for a more liberal pope.

As others have said in this thread, you're a class act, Az, and you have always been a class act. To disagree without being disagreeable is an achievement I strive for, not always with success. I won't say you have never been disagreeable, because I doubt you are perfect, ;-) but I can't recall a specific instance in which you were, suggesting none have been memorable.

I am heartened to see so many positive threads in the Catholic/ Orthodox group today and hope most sincerely that all those posting good wishes here today may join together in a rapprochement between DUers who disagree on whether or not God exists and on issues concerning the proper role of religion in our society. There are many complex issues involved and they are not solved by people withdrawing from one another but by meeting together to discuss them. I feel that an unfortunate side effect of the addition of groups to DU has been a Balkanization of DUers. The groups serve a good purpose by allowing people who share interests and/or beliefs (not necessarily religious ones) to meet apart from those who don't share those interests. But I think we also need increased interchanges.

As far as I'm concerned, atheists and agnostics are always welcome here as long as they follow our guidelines that require respect of our Church -- and I would hope that no Catholic or other Christian, no believer, would feel s/he had a right to go to the Atheists and Agnostics group to proselytize or to criticize the members of that group for their atheism or agnosticism.

[Pithlet]

40. Another atheist offering her condolences

I'm not a Catholic, and I feel sad at his passing. I can't really remember a time when anyone else was Pope. So, I can only imagine how it must feel for you guys.