I will not bash John Paul II but I do question the decision to lower the U.S. flag in his honor. Traditionally, we do not lower the U.S. flag to honor foreign heads of state although there may be some exceptions to that rule. The Pope though, derives his status in the world not as head of state for the Vatican City but rather as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. So far as I can tell, never before have we lowered the U.S. flag to honor the spiritual leader of a religion and I am perplexed as to why we are doing it now.
That the Pope was a "very influential, important, and decent man" and was respected by many in my opinion does not merit lowering the U.S. flag. There are many men and women from many walks of life who die each year and who are also accurately described as very influential, important, decent and respected by many. That alone cannot be the criteria! What is different about the Pope is that the Roman Catholic church is one of the largest faiths and unlike other major faiths, the authority is so clearly vested in one man. There is really nothing else like it among the largest (or most of the smaller) faiths in the world. Even among Protestant denominations, the leader of any one denomination does not enjoy the status or the authority that the Pope has within the Roman Catholic church. No matter what one thinks of Pope John Paul II, I think that the decision to lower flags in his honor as a spiritual leader is a mistake at best or political pandering at worst. This very tribute should be reserved for Americans only. If we make the exception for a world figure, then it should be for the day of funeral only. Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 11:20 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Mpls] City Hall flag Before this thread devolves into a bash-fest on JP2, I want to say that I support the City of Minneapolis' decision to lower the flags to honor the passing away of Pope John Paul II. This is not a separation of church and state issue. I dont think anyone can honestly interpret the lowering of the flag and honoring the Pope as the establishment of religion or as an endorsement by the government (federal, state or city) of the Roman Catholic Faith. It is merely acknowledging the death of a significant person. Regardless your disagreement with his pro-life, anti-iraq-war stances, I think you have to acknowledge he was a very important, influential and decent man. Regardless their faith, many Minneapolitans looked up to and respected him. Anthony Thompson Standish REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.3 - Release Date: 4/5/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.3 - Release Date: 4/5/2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
