We have a new Pope, Benedict XVI, f/k/a Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. He was announced to the world oh, less than an hour ago. So far, the main sentiment here is "he's a Nazi." Blech.
Now, a couple of points. I'm Jewish, so my opinion really doesn't matter. But here it is. I think this guy was a bad choice, because of his politics. He's very conservative -- he was John Paul II's "bad cop," allowing JPII to stay firm on theological issues while still being "popular."
But BXVI is also 78. He's not gonna be around for 27 years, a la JPII. He's a caretaker, a transitional Pope who will likely be around no more than 5-7 years. Clearly, the cardinals weren't ready for a true change in direction.
So why this rush to call the guy a "Nazi"? Because he's German? Because he was a member of the Hitler Youth? Is he anti-Semitic? Not that I'm aware of, so what's the point? To excoriate his politics with a broader smear? There's a problem here, which I want to discuss in more detail below the fold.
Starting with the election, and continuing to as recently as Pastor Dan's recent "statements of faith" brouhaha, there is a strand running through Daily Kos that I think needs addressing. It is a generally hostile and combative attitude towards anything that smacks of organized religion and faith.
No, before you start in on me, I am NOT suggesting that we emulate the religious right and start pandering to conservatives on religious issues. I've made that clear from the get go -- the whole "values" thing is bullshit.
That said, there's a big difference -- a chasm, in fact -- between pandering and respecting. Too many people here are openly hostile to any expression of religious faith, even from Democrats, and too quick to throw insults at religious institutions.
Folks, a new Pope was picked today. The news media treats it like big news, and honestly, it is pretty significant. How much do you want to bet that some right-wing nutball blog is going to highlight the fact that "at Daily Kos, a major left-wing blog, smears and insults were tossed at the new Holy Father within minutes of his selection." It's going to happen. So why in the world do some of you feel this compelling need to play into the hands of your political opponents by saying stupid shit like this? It's dumb.
More importantly, it's not just tactically wrong, it's strategically and morally wrong. Nobody is forcing their faith on you, and I'm not either -- I'm simply saying that a certain degree of respect, of dignified acceptance, of holding your political fire, for a week, a day, Christ, even an hour would be better than some of the shit I'm seeing today.
More broadly, here's the question I have. What is wrong with faith? Personally, I'm a relatively non-observant Jew. I married a Southern Baptist. We're raising our two boys Jewish. We belong to a Reform synagogue in the D.C. suburbs. I range from strong agnostic to tepid believer, depending on my mood on any given day. But I respect people of stronger faith than me, if for no other reason than for their certitude, their consistency.
Now, I disagree with many people of faith on political issues. But not always. And even so, that doesn't mean that I should denigrate their faith in the process. What I condemn is their insistence on forcing their faith into the public square, and onto me as a result.
Another point to remember is that all people of faith are not frothing rabid Republicans. Many, if not most, are moderate to left politically. They believe in what we believe in on the issues. Why push them away because of their faith.
An example -- my mother in law is from Texas, 72, a retired school teacher and mother of four children. You will not find a better person walking the face of this earth. She is also a deeply religious person, one who happens to be a strongly liberal Democrat, who agrees with 95% of the issues we purport to stand for -- the lone exception being abortion, for religious reasons. If she were to read some of the comments about the Pope today, she'd be offended, despite the fact that she's an evangelical Protestant. Is that the result we want?
I would really like for someone to explain to me the basis of the lack of respect that many here have demonstrated recently. It's counterproductive, it's alienating, and most importantly, it's wrong. I'd like to see it stop.
Update [2005-4-19 16:12:14 by jsmdlawyer]: Well, I seem to have hit a large nerve. Brrrr, it's cold in here. There are two main lines of criticism. First, that I am telling people to STFU. In the immortal words of Armando, I call bullshit on that. NOWHERE do I say to shut up or stop talking. I ask two questions: why is there such hostility to religion, and why is there such a need to go after the new Pope on Day 1? Plenty of talk about question 2, virtually none on Question 1. Anybody want to give it a try? I'd like to know.
Second line of criticism is what I'll call the gays and women angle. Folks, I agree -- the Catholic Church is anathema to women and gays. Amen, amen, amen, now and forever more. That's not the point of this particular diary, however. See above. If someone wants to write a "Catholic Church is Shitty to Gays and Women," I'd read it, I'd recommend it, I'd agree with it.
Finally, I think that the heat and passion of the comments in this diary are proof of my point -- there is a lot of hostility to religion. Having thought about it some more, let me say this. You are entitled to hate religion, and don't let me stop you. This being a "Democratic partisan blog," however, it seems appropriate in a country where religion, for better and often for worse, is a big deal, to ask if it's appropriate to our future electoral and cultural prospects to wave that hatred and hostility around like a bloody sheet? I say no, and I also think it's possible to criticize and critique and attack the policies of the Catholic Church and other religious institutions without a broadside attack on religion per se. Maybe that's naive, but that's my opinion.