Bobby's Blue State

The Thoughts We Do Not Speak

With the Pope and Jerry Falwell's failing health in the news these days, I think to my self, so what? The media report with concern the dire news about ventilators and feeding tubes while a nation and world prepare for the worst. But from my perspective, these two preachers are no saints. At best they are puritanical scolds and at worst they are homophobic agitators tacitly giving their approval for the world to gay bash.

Falwell, I have nothing in common with, other than being white and male. Not being Protestant, I find conservative Protestantism truly alien. I shudder when I hear him pronouncing Jesus as if it were a three syllable word. But those are just superficial rants on Falwell. When I think of the true Christians I know - devout, charitable and compassionate people - I realize that Falwell has absolutely nothing in common with them. With him, it was always about money and politics and scapegoating. I always wonder what the most vocal homophobes are hiding.

With the Pope, though never a fan, I have a tiny bit of conflict, being raised Catholic and all. About a dozen years ago, one Sunday I was in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, his summer home, as he appeared in the window at the anointed time and gave out his blessing to the crowd. So I've actually been in his presence. But his conservative, firebrand preaching has always turned me off. He spent his best papal years doing everything he possibly could to erase any modernization the Catholic Church has achieved and turn it back a century. With his homophobic preaching, I viewed him as the Catholic Church's version of Jesse Helms.

So to be as kind as possible, if I hear about either of their passing, I will shed no tears. I can only hope their obituaries will be fair and balanced, because unlike the true Christians I know, the words and deeds of these two men were not all good.

posted by BBS @ 10:29 PM