Back Handed Sympathy

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday April 02, 2005 · 4:40 PM PST

2005/04/02 · 16:40

I am truly troubled by the hatred, mocking and disrespect I have seen shown by some here on Daily Kos towards the passing of Pope John Paul II.

I simply do not understand. I am Catholic, though I have my disagreements with some Church doctrine concerning sexuality and the role of women in the Church. I still cried today at the Pope's death. I still respect him as a great man. Yes, he had his failures, but those are massively outweighed by the good he brought to the world.

The Pope brought love. The Pope fought for human rights. The Pope stood up against the immorality of the Iraq War when no one else would. The Pope stood up to the harshness of Communism. The Pope loved young people.

That means nothing to some. To some, the very fact that the Pope is a religious man and represents religion is reason enough for their scorn. To some, their disagreements over his conservative social opinions is reason enough not to allow the mourning of his passing.

I will not now scold you for holding your opinions. I will tell you to shut up about it. As I said upon the passing of President Reagan, there is a time and a place for every thing. When a person dies, it is not the time to tear him down once again. It is not the time for disrespect.

If you don't have faith, or if you are not Catholic, or if you are but have your problems with John Paul's papacy, it is fine. It is not fine to share your disgust with the world.

Show some respect. And if you cannot do that, then shut up.

This content was created by a Daily Kos Community member.

Make YOUR voice heard!

Comments are closed on this story.