I may have an official Good Friday post later. I'm sure at some point this weekend I'll have a reflection on the weekend it commemorates.
But right now, one thing is clear: If ever a species needed to be absolved of its folly, it's ours.
I think of one situation characterized by layer upon layer of obnoxious people being ever-more obnoxious. The latest salvo in their spiral of obnoxiousness, however, has a truly chilling aspect to it.
Laura Ingraham, a former conservative who, early on, decided to be a "populist" instead, a slavish devotee of the Very Stable Genius, gratuitously noted that David Hogg, the foul-mouthed grandstander who has it in for the NRA due to his utter ignorance, has had his applications to four schools declined. So Hogg, using his newfound star status, organized a boycott of sponsors of Ingraham's show. And it's been somewhat successful. Some are pulling out. And a precedent is thereby set. Mention some indisputable facts on social media, and you may have your career jeopardized.
Then there is Roseanne Barr, she of the infamous remark that people who eat at Chick-Fil-A deserved to get cancer. She jumped on the VSG train some time back, which is reflected in the first episode of her revived sitcom. Said sitcom thereby becomes a major cultural bellwether, allowing people to wear their tribal badges and preen. Sean Hannity has offered to let her host his show some night.
Then there's Pope Francis, further exacerbating divisions within the Catholic Church with his remark - that apparently has to be taken at face value - that there is no Hell.
In all cases, there is sheepish backtracking occurring. Ingraham has issued a mea culpa. The Vatican has tried to explain away the Pope's remark with a technicality.
And lost in the cacophony is any semblance of truth, reason or love.
That'd be cool if there was no hell but then there'd be many fewer prudes in the pews. Avoidance of sin because of fear of hell is for sissies. Kinda like miracles. That Vatican, who and what is it that's always scrambling to clean up after this Pope? Stay Protestant if you can't stay out of Catholic Church affairs.
ReplyDeleteI'm for pointing out departures from sound doctrine wherever they may be, particularly coming from someone that influential.
ReplyDeleteThis begs for further elaboration by the Pope, not the Vatican (whatever that is, because the Pope is the Vatican). When you get right down to it, there ain't a whole lot about the afterlife in the Bible. The Jews who you are ready to defend unto worldwide conflagration don't believe in any afterlife. And there are Protestant denominations who see hell as simply not making the cut to be able to adore God for eternity. I'm with Il Papa and believe the Spirit speaks through him. And us. You may not let the Pope live this down, but I and many Catholics certainly will. For Tibetan Buddhists there are thousands of hells and heavens, all of them illusions like this life before our eyes, none of which are permanent. And you know what? Modern science pretty much comfirms that view.
ReplyDelete"utter ignorance".
ReplyDeleteGiven your heroic combat record and extensive exposure to life-threatening gunfire, I suppose you have earned your position on that very high horse you're riding.
The phrase "utter ignorance" is employed in discussing Hogg's engagement of the NRA, making it out to be evil and undeserving of the ability to contribute to political campaigns.
ReplyDelete