I am not Catholic, but I will mourn the Popes passing

I believe he was a good man. Sometimes misguided & too severe in his interpretation of the bible but he meant well. Alot of people around the world are praying for him- & I don't think they should be told to feel anger toward him. It is possible to be a Democrat & still love the pope. If we hated all those who thought differently from us there wouldn't be that many people to talk to.

Please don't bash the folks on the board who are mourning him. It's ridiculous to attack someone because of their religious beliefs.

In my opinion his imminent passing is sad. I'll feel the same way when the Dalai Lama goes. It takes a certain type of person to commit themselves to such a way of life.

He was a total reactionary who was very critical of the evils of the Left while being very sympathetic with the evils of the Right.

Naturally your entitled to your opinion. I'm just saying that I think it's rather rude to attack someone for having emotion during this time. No one should have to justify or defend why they are sad that this man is passing. Frankly unless we were discussing Hitler or some mass murderer I think questioning WHY someone is mourning is cruel.

I also think that (with the exception of murderers, rapists & pedophiles) most lives are worth mourning. Did the pope do something to you personally that caused you to hate him so?

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Or do you just dislike Catholic traditions and policies, taking that dislike out on JPII?

You're justified in feeling the way that you do, I suppose, but I just don't see where your opinions come from. He's blasted Capitalism and Materialism for years and years and years. The dangers that it poses to spirituality and life.

As for birth control, it's a dogma of the church that it is wrong. That's not going to change, no matter who the next Pope is. I understand why people hate that, but it's just the way it is.

Tells me all I need to know! His "blasting" of Capitalism did not reach the level of taking any real action. As he did with the public rebuke of that Nicaraguan priest and in Poland. The fact is that the poor of the earth have grown poorer and the rich more powerful during this pontificate. He has a responsibility in this. I "hate" this Pope in the same way I "hate" Bush. I don't know either on any personal level. But both these guys have enormous power and I see the use they make of it. and I "hate" and despise the use they make of it. There is absolutely no excuse for the level of poverty, destitution and violence I see in this world. And I don't excuse their part or acquiescence in it.

because they are not my enemies.

who is setting up barricades at St. Peter's gate even as we speak.

Truly, his only request of God was that the Pope should die before him, but noooooooooooooooooo.

For Dennis' sake I prayed for the Pope to die. My mother, who isn't into it, prayed too. One of the best human beings on the planet was dying and all he asked was that the man who shut him out of his faith go first.

Seemed fair to me.

Now you go and canonize this backward bastard for being a nice guy. Like Ronnie Reagan, that sweetie. Personally, I don't care if he lives or dies. The damage is done.

Death is sad, and I'm sad for his passing. These are sad times in many ways. :cry:

These are sad times. Granted they may lead to more hopeful, prosperous times but the change is still sad.

Seems like theres a changing of the guard throughout the world.

my friends to death because he couldn't grasp the difficult concept of putting a rubbery thing on a dick. Yep, he is a great man.

Keep in mind your talking about someone who never HAD sex. To him it must have seened realistic to not have sex unless married. Foolish, but obviously he believed it.

Who, according to you, couldn't be bothered to educate himself enough to save a Catholic life?

But he was charming and gracious. Let's weep for him.

Did they actually die because the pope said don't wear a condom?

mine were gay and died of aids. It seems like many clerics have been against us gay rights people. I don't hate or want to hate anti-gay people, however, because hate and misunderstanding are and have been so much of what we've been up against. In addition my deceased friends were full of life and warmth and wouldn't want us to turn into a hate-mongers. If we really care about other gays and their sacrifices then don't we owe it to them not to become bitter and throw away hard gained advancements? Despite what we individually would like to see or how we might feel about the times, gays have advanced over time and even here in the USA. I'm sorry for the health problems of the Pope, Jerry Falwell, and anyone else stricken with an affliction of any kind. I hope the day comes when we can all appreciate each others differences respectfully, and not live to destroy each other, regardless of our privately held and personal convictions.

just sayin

does not believe exactly as we do should be condemned for it...I now have a new understanding that I should point out all of the faults of those who die around me...instead of what good they may have accomplished. My father in law? He was an alcoholic bum. Who gives a damn that he adored my kids and would have killed for them. He was a bum.

How exactly?

I understand the frustration some people might feel about the Catholic position on Birth Control, but COME ON!!! People need to take responsibility for their own actions and not blame everybody else for their choices.

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. That's totally tragic and awful to live with. But, how can you blame the Pope for that?

Never mind.

It's hard to know how to respond to the likes of that.

Please. I was raise Catholic, but I no longer consider myself a Catholic. As I grew up, I got my own value system and found that I had enough philosophical differences with the church to find my own way. Yes, he was pro-life. I disagree with that point. He did not say that people that were pro-choice should be shot. He truly believed a unborn child is a life and he was very pro-life. His stance on gay rights is much less defendable, however he condemned violence against homosexuals. Bottom line, we can respect a man that did much for many and respectfully disagree on the issues that we do disagree on.

He was against the war in Iraq. (Pre-emptive attack is directly contrary to the Golden Rule). He is for helping the poor and the needy to insure all their basic needs are met.

His life and death deserves our respect.

My partner and I went to see him in Philly in 1979. It was a time of liberalism in the Catholic church. JPII killed all of that. Gays, woman,and the poor have taken the biggist hit. Yep, even the poor...
The clerics of the liberal church could feed the poor and ask why are the poor hungry. After John Paul II, The clerics that asked why are the poor hungry were x-communicated.

Look at his stance on women's issues.

I note that it did absolutely no good.

either but I also mourn the Pope's passing. I disagree with some of the positions he has taken but still believe he is a good person.

and i have disagreed with this pope on many principles and policies...but i do respect the man..and i feel sad at his demise , and i will be very saddened by his loss to our precious earth..he is a very special man..he deserves all the respect and love i have...he earned it.
he has blessed this place in time with his very presence and his dedication to man kind.
He was a smart kind soul.

god bless you Pope John Paul the second, you are a great man , and
your legacy will be your kindness, your effect on so many has been profound on all of man kind.
fly