tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851614.post112466492212407563..comments2023-12-21T05:18:05.820-05:00Comments on Lemming's Progress: papal ponderingslemminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767103318863906140noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851614.post-1124733464252615082005-08-22T12:57:00.000-05:002005-08-22T12:57:00.000-05:00After reading the article and the homily, I can't ...After reading the article and the homily, I can't help but feeling thus: He may be talking about <I>community</I>, but he's also talking about <I>bureaucracy</I>.<BR/><BR/>I really love the former, but I really detest the latter.tommyspoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11032797715527900678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851614.post-1124669349273504052005-08-21T19:09:00.000-05:002005-08-21T19:09:00.000-05:00You might want to see the whole homily, at http://...You might want to see the whole homily, at <A HREF="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20050821_20th-world-youth-day_en.html" REL="nofollow">http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20050821_20th-world-youth-day_en.html</A> for more context. It strikes me that Benedict is largely talking about the difference between spirituality and religion. I'd extend it to say he's criticizing a lot of "pop religion" which has a vague Christianity without a tie in to tradition. (And, in fairness, specifically Catholic tradition. But he's our Pope, let someone else worry about the Hollywood "kabbalists".)<BR/><BR/>As a good Catholic, of course, the idea that religion is communal, not individual, is no challenge to me at all. I see your point about Christianity being essentially DIY for the last 2000 years or so. I think the Pope is saying that there's a lot less DIY if you've got two thousand years of tradition on your side than if you've just gone out and bought a copy of "Dr. Phil's Purpose Driven Moved Cheese For The Soul."<BR/><BR/>But then, I'm deeply challenged by people who are religiously observant with no spirituality apparent in their lives. Double-edged sword.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05385463369182392891noreply@blogger.com