Katherine Reece Wrote:
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> I certainly didn't like some of his positions
> ...... but I always admire someone who stands up
> for their beliefs....

Always?

I know that some of the Pope's positions were admirable,
especially regarding peace and being outspoken for the sake
of the downtrodden and the third world. I have to admit that
his term for the new Russia as "lumpen capitalism" was pretty
catchy.

However, his views on women's rights, gay rights, and protection
of children were downright regressive and reactionary... way out
of touch with the needs of the people.

I do admire leaders who stand up for their beliefs, if those beliefs
are not going to lead people to harm or kill others. I think Hitler and
the Nazi's stood up for their beliefs, but I certainly don't admire them
for it.

The Pope gets the benefit of great stature and an almost mesmeric aura due
to his pacifist nature and the great symbols which surround him.. but then,
many leaders get that same benefit by the way they set up their photo ops,
background imagery, audience, and architecture. Sometimes I wonder whether
people are hardwired to become enchanted by this sort of thing....

Sue