I have personal experience with German's who were part of the Hitler Youth and who fought in the war, not because they believed in what Hitler was saying, but because it was manditory and to not do it would have resulted in their deaths. The fact that Pope Benedict XVI had this same experience does not phase me.
Like you, I am more concerned with what he actually stands for. You said, "on the other hand, he now gets to talk to God. Maybe God will have something to say about all this."
Pope Benedict was Pope JP2's advisor. The things he believed in as JP2's advisor are the same things he believes in now. Pope Benedict wrote those books/letters/documents when he was still Cardinal. He had the ear of the Pope, and I'm guessing of God as well. Even if God says something to Pope Benedict now (that he's in power) I doubt Pope Benedict will listen.
Slightly off topic, but here's something I'm wondering about. When Pope JP2 was elected, how long did it take people to refer to him as Pope JP2 (I mean news/media). It's interesting to me that thus far I've seen very few references to Pope Benedict with that name. He's constantly referred to as Cardinal Ratzinger. For example, there's a new article on CNN about Pope Benedict where for most of the article he's referred to with his new Pope name, but further down the article he's referenced as Ratzinger. Why is that? I mean, it just seems like it's a lack of respect in a way. I notice that in politics as well. The Shrub that would be President is almost always referred to as President Bush, while his enemies are only referred to by their last names, no title given. The media and current Shrub in Power have created an aura of fear surrounding everything opposed to the US, that I'm guessing they're doing that to lessen an image of power . . . it's just something I've noticed.
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Date: 2005-04-20 02:22 pm (UTC)I have personal experience with German's who were part of the Hitler Youth and who fought in the war, not because they believed in what Hitler was saying, but because it was manditory and to not do it would have resulted in their deaths. The fact that Pope Benedict XVI had this same experience does not phase me.
Like you, I am more concerned with what he actually stands for. You said, "on the other hand, he now gets to talk to God. Maybe God will have something to say about all this."
Pope Benedict was Pope JP2's advisor. The things he believed in as JP2's advisor are the same things he believes in now. Pope Benedict wrote those books/letters/documents when he was still Cardinal. He had the ear of the Pope, and I'm guessing of God as well. Even if God says something to Pope Benedict now (that he's in power) I doubt Pope Benedict will listen.
Slightly off topic, but here's something I'm wondering about. When Pope JP2 was elected, how long did it take people to refer to him as Pope JP2 (I mean news/media). It's interesting to me that thus far I've seen very few references to Pope Benedict with that name. He's constantly referred to as Cardinal Ratzinger. For example, there's a new article on CNN about Pope Benedict where for most of the article he's referred to with his new Pope name, but further down the article he's referenced as Ratzinger. Why is that? I mean, it just seems like it's a lack of respect in a way. I notice that in politics as well. The Shrub that would be President is almost always referred to as President Bush, while his enemies are only referred to by their last names, no title given. The media and current Shrub in Power have created an aura of fear surrounding everything opposed to the US, that I'm guessing they're doing that to lessen an image of power . . . it's just something I've noticed.