Pope John Paul II Dead
Discussion
Yep, really this time. I'm glad he's gone. I felt so sorry for him, he was desperately ill and deserved to die. He shouldn't have been put through all that unneccessary suffering - if it was an animal he wouldn't have been. Yet because he's human, he has to see it through. It's absurd.
I'm not strictly religious, but I recognise a good man when I see one. RIP.
(There's a news programme on Beebo 1 at 2140)
I'm really not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, as someone who is essentially an atheist, the man had no significance to my life whatsoever and I see this event as simply the death of a frail and ill old man - nature taking its course. On the other hand, he clearly DID mean something to an awful lot of people all over the World, and although I can't relate to that connection at all, they obviously feel a great sense of loss at this time, so I'll be circumspect in how I voice my opinion, both on here and generally.
Part of me respects the man for his steadfastness to his beliefs, but another part of me views the exact same steadfastness as exceedingly damaging (especially regarding issues like abortion, contraception and homosexuality), and there is the hope that his successor may be more inclined to tackle those issues rather than just condemn them.
Part of me respects the man for his steadfastness to his beliefs, but another part of me views the exact same steadfastness as exceedingly damaging (especially regarding issues like abortion, contraception and homosexuality), and there is the hope that his successor may be more inclined to tackle those issues rather than just condemn them.
Well said Hornet.
As much as I dislike the Pope, (his conservative stand on contraception for starters really wound me up), the media feeding frenzy in the last few days has made me feel sick.
FunkyNige said:
May he rest in peace, I've been quite horrified by all the media that's been surrounding his final hours, just waiting for him to die.
As much as I dislike the Pope, (his conservative stand on contraception for starters really wound me up), the media feeding frenzy in the last few days has made me feel sick.
Controversial I know but.....
If you were the highest living religious figure in your faith (essentially a second in charge) would you not expect a little better treatment from your god than a slow and drawn out deterioration and death?
No offence to the religious PHers, just something I was pondering at the news
If you were the highest living religious figure in your faith (essentially a second in charge) would you not expect a little better treatment from your god than a slow and drawn out deterioration and death?
No offence to the religious PHers, just something I was pondering at the news
markmullen said:No, ever heard of "take up your cross and follow Me?" See what's in that statement and it's clear why to someone like HH The Pope, it wouldn't be 'bad treatment'. Merciful release, he's not suffering anymore anyway.
Controversial I know but...If you were the highest living religious figure in your faith (essentially a second in charge) would you not expect a little better treatment from your god than a slow and drawn out deterioration and death? No offence to the religious PHers, just something I was pondering at the news
Mr E said:
Well said Hornet.
FunkyNige said:
May he rest in peace, I've been quite horrified by all the media that's been surrounding his final hours, just waiting for him to die.
As much as I dislike the Pope, (his conservative stand on contraception for starters really wound me up), the media feeding frenzy in the last few days has made me feel sick.
I understand your points, but these are events that relate to 1bn people across the word. This is the first time a pope has died with the capability of the modern media to report things in the manner in which we are accustomed to.
He chose the name John Paul II after his immediate predececessor, John Paul I who died after only 33 days in office. John Paul I had chosen the title as a mark of respect to his two predecessors, Pope John XXIII (1958-63) and Paul VI (1963-78).
And of course John Paul II is important - if for nothing more than helping kick start the downfall of Communism in Europe.
And of course John Paul II is important - if for nothing more than helping kick start the downfall of Communism in Europe.
RichUK said:
I understand your points, but these are events that relate to 1bn people across the word. This is the first time a pope has died with the capability of the modern media to report things in the manner in which we are accustomed to.
True. But just because they can report every second of his deterioration, and run his obituary on 15 channels while the poor bastard is still alive to see it, doesn't mean they should.
Eric Mc said:That and presiding over the richest faith in the world, yet patting the heads of poor little kids and blessing them in piss poor African states.
He chose the name John Paul II after his immediate predececessor, John Paul I who died after only 33 days in office. John Paul I had chosen the title as a mark of respect to his two predecessors, Pope John XXIII (1958-63) and Paul VI (1963-78).
And of course John Paul II is important - if for nothing more than helping kick start the downfall of Communism in Europe.
Still, at least he saw out his last days in the relative splendour and luxury of the Vatican eh?
Mr E said:
I understand your points, but these are events that relate to 1bn people across the word. This is the first time a pope has died with the capability of the modern media to report things in the manner in which we are accustomed to.
True. But just because they can report every second of his deterioration, and run his obituary on 15 channels while the poor bastard is still alive to see it, doesn't mean they should.
I agree with the final sentiment. I guess that's the price we pay for the media we have
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