New Pope

So we have a new pope. well, you have a new pope. i don't have much, and i don't have a new pope. because i never had an old one.

a 78-year old "transitional pope". This is a concept that does not make much sense to me. what is the catholic church trying to transition to? if you're going to make a transition, just do it.

interestingly enought though, even though i am not a religious person, i think benedict is a pretty good choice. i know that i will get a lot of flack from my one reader (thanks baby) for this statement. but this is my take. religion is not something that you should be able to pick from. what's the point if you, as a mere mortal, get to decide what parts you like and what parts you don't like? especially when you look at something as dogmatic and (let's just say it) strict as Catholicism.

there are a lot of "cafeteria catholics" out there, picking and choosing what parts they like and what to have in their lives. But what's the point? if this is the word of god through christ, then shouldn't you buy it lock, stock and barrel? If it's the word of god through men, then how can you buy any of it? wouldn't it just be better to say you believe in the spirit of the words?

my point being this - benedict, being the keeper of the faith for 20 years, being the previous pope's right hand man, being the one responsible in the church for keeping down liberal thought, being the one who ensured as strict a reading of the bible as possible (given simple world reality, as well as the changes he says he's embraced from the second vatican ecumenical council - he's exactly the guy for catholocism. yay benedict.

Let me be clear though - I am not saying that if you interpret the Bible or the Koran or any other texts in your own way to make it work for you that you're a bad person. I just don't understand how you can.