Good morning, everyone... For once in my life someone within the Holy See of Rome has made a statement that I feel is both timely, very accurate and meaningful to not only this, but all generations without sounding too broad-handed or general.
"We live in a world where pagan images of consumerism, egoism and overabundance are valued, where the sick and aged are marginalized, a world that wants to sweep aside those with limitations and eliminate the handicapped," said Cardinal Julian Herranz of Spain, one of only two cardinals from Opus Dei, a conservative order that John Paul holds in especially high esteem. "By contrast, the pope shows us that life has dignity until the last moment." What I find most disagreeable, however, is that associating the word pagan with the images of consumerism, egoism and overabundance is not accurate, for the paganistic philosophy, such as I understand it, rejects consumerism out of hand, promotes wise and careful use of natural resources and a reverence for life over materialism. Perhaps it was a poorly-worded statement, or perhaps the Cardinal simply associates some current American traditions as consumerism and the me-first philosophy with paganism, but I fear Agnus Dei probably applies some beliefs about paganism, much the same as the organized pagan movement in the United States does about Roman Catholicism. Dave -- Dave Laird ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) The Used Kharma Lot Web Page: http://www.kharma.net updated 11/24/2004 Usenet news server : news://news.kharma.net Fortune Random Thought For the Minute Don't expect people to keep in step--it's hard enough just staying in line. _______________________________________________ Libnw mailing list [email protected] List info and subscriber options: http://immosys.com/mailman/listinfo/libnw Archives: http://immosys.com/mailman//pipermail/libnw
