Now it’s the pope’s turn to tell us what’s what. He met with some ‘academics’ at the Vatican and told them “that science is not capable of fully understanding the mystery of human beings.” No doubt implying that the Vatican by contrast is.
[It is important not to ignore anthropological, philosophical and theological research, which highlight and maintain the mystery of human beings, because no science can say who they are, where they come from and where they go.
Theological research? Into…what? And what does it tell us about the mystery of human beings? Well, other than the fact that they believe in peculiar and usually nasty gods.
Man, said the Pope is “characterized by his otherness. He is a being created by God, a being in the image of God, a being who is loved and is made to love. As a human he is never closed within himself. He is always a bearer of otherness and, from his origins, is in interaction with other human beings”. Contrary to the Darwinian concept of man, Pope Benedict said that “man is not the result of mere chance, of converging circumstances, of determinism, of chemical inter-reactions.”
And the Pope knows this how? On the basis of what research?
“In our own time, when the progress of the sciences attracts and seduces for the possibilities it offers, it is more necessary than ever to educate the consciences of our contemporaries to ensure that science does not become the criterion of good, that man is still respected as the centre of creation…”
And that mysterious humans go on thinking the Vatican is as important as they always have so that the pope can go on wearing the embroidered outfits. Sure.
Comments
7 responses to “The pope sets us straight”
Ah, good old theologically-determined certainty. I reckon old Papa Smurf is feeling jealous because the American fundies keep grabbing all the headlines..
“Ach”, he says (because he speaks like a German commandant in a British P.O.W. film), “Vy can’t ve get ein piece of der media action zese days? Zey never listen to us..ve must be more HARDLINE!! (cue Dr. Strangelove arm movements) Ve shall occupy zer column inches! Ve shall blitzkreig zem mit soundbites! Kvick! Fetch zer laptop – I feel ein great big Papal Bull coming on…oh, und while you’re at it, arrange me a tour of somewhere in South America, ver zey still love me, hein? Now, vot would most annoy that accursed Ophelia Benson…let me see…”
Wow, he really is competing for the fundy dumbth vote. “Contrary to the Darwinian conception of man, man is not the result of mere chance.” Well, duh, Darwin never said that, Ratz. And man should not be made of straw, either.
I particularly liked this bit: man must “not become the object of ideological manipulation.” Sure, Ratz. Let’s start with you, then.
So we are all characterized by otherness. The next time I’m feeling a bit unwell I’ll wonder if it might perhaps be my otherness playing up.
OB wrote:
“Theological research? Into…what?”
Heh! :-)
In other news, tobacco executives say that we must not leave the effects of smoking up to oncologists, but rather consider the flavor and other admirable qualities of Marlboros.
See: More News bottom left beside Trocaire
http://www.sligocathedral.ie/index.php?
Andy Gilmour: You might appreciate this: (Fatima Mansions “Popemobile to Paraguay” 1995)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45rYQnaN5A
:)