Why Do They Hate Religion?

So recently we've had John Kerry attacking the Pope, an aide to Gray Davis has blasted him, and now Canada's Globe and Mail is taking their shots north of the border.

Why is everyone so uptight with John Paul these days? Is it because he's reminding Catholics of the teachings of the Church? Is it because the Church is participating in the political process?

Or is it maybe a deeper rooted hatred of anything that represents responsibility and morality?

I don't agree with the Catholic Church's position that gay marriage is some terrible thing. But I certainly wouldn't categorize the Pope's instructions to Catholics as bullying or as cruel. He's trying to do his job, which requires that he take a different position than mine. That's fine. That has to happen in order for there to be a debate.

So why would someone view the Pope's reminding Catholics of their teachings as bullying?

Maybe it's because the folks that are opposed to the Pope are so used to trying to defend indefensible positions that they themselves resort to bullying tactics. And through projection, they assume that the Pope must be doing the same.

Speaking out against gay marriage is not the same as speaking out in favor NAMBLA. Speaking out against abortion is not the same as threatening violence in order to perpetuate the reign of a murderous dictator. The stance of the Church in both gay marriage and abortion are long standing doctrines that are rooted in the foundations of the Church. NAMBLA and supporting dictators are simply ways to encourage the breakdown of the social mores that hold our society together.

The Catholic Church and the Papacy are flawed institutions. Both have made their share of mistakes over the centuries.

But the job of the Pope is to provide direction and interpretation of the Bible for his flock. John Paul, for all his faults, has been doing that. It has just been much more vocal and public lately.

If everyone is so concerned with the Pope doing his job, think about the alternative. We could change the First Amendment and outlaw freedom of religion when the religion is Catholicism. We could sever any and all communications between the US and the Vatican.

Or we could just accept the fact that the Pope, and his successors, will be a player in the political process. I have yet to see a politician that is under the complete control of any special interest group, even the Catholic Church.

If you're so worried about what the Pope has to say, tell your elected official not to pay attention to him.

It's much easier than trying to focus all those years of feminism honed hatred.