By the way, that Steranko page has a lot of cool stuff. If you scroll down you'll find a complete Steranko version of Outland, which is probably illegal but, hey, its the lawless and brazen Internets.
I see that I'm mentioned over at that Ker-Razy Catholic site Ales Rarus. It should be pointed out that the reason I chose you to represent the pro-catholic pope view is that it is always your rather predictable point of view. There isn't really much original thinking outside the box, or outside the interpretation of the bible laid down to you by the Catholic hierarchy over at Ales Rarus. And as you point out (probably not consciously but he does work in mysterious ways don't you know) in this post, it's quite clear that the radical Catholic view is a minority viewpoint even within Christianity itself. "Reactionary garbage" indeed. (O lord I do not believe in, let the new pope allow women to serve and priests to marry thus turning Ales Rarus into a heretic...)
And after that post, I need to douse myself with a good bit of reality, so I'm permalinking Raving Atheist, who has something to say about the Pope as well. And over at Undernews these links, which strengthens my faith in faithlessness.
Excerpt:
WHAT'S A HUMANIST?
HUMANIST SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK - A joyous alternative to religions that believe in a supernatural god and life in a hereafter. Humanists believe that this is the only life of which we have certain knowledge and that we owe it to ourselves and others to make it the best life possible for ourselves and all with whom we share this fragile planet. A belief that when people are free to think for themselves, using reason and knowledge as their tools, they are best able to solve this world's problems. An appreciation of the art, literature, music and crafts that are our heritage from the past and of the creativity that, if nourished, can continuously enrich our lives. Humanism is, in sum, a philosophy of those in love with life. Humanists take responsibility for their own lives and relish the adventure of being part of new discoveries, seeking new knowledge, exploring new options. Instead of finding solace in prefabricated answers to the great questions of life, humanists enjoy the open-endedness of a quest and the freedom of discovery that this entails.
and another excerpt, to be compared and contrasted with this Ales Rarus post or this one:
[From the writings of James Madison]
Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise
During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution
What influence in fact have ecclesiastical establishments had on Civil Society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny: in no instance have they been seen as the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries.
The establishment of the chaplainship to Congs. is a palpable violation of equal rights, as well as of Constitutional principles. . . Religious proclamations by the Executive [branch] recommending thanksgivings & fasts are shoots from the same root. . . Altho' recommendations only, they imply a religious agency, making no part of the trust delegated to political rulers
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