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I was sad to read about Prince Rainier’s passing. Ever since Grace Kelly’s mysterious death when I was 11, I’ve been fascinated with Monaco and the Grimaldi family: Rainier’s history, the way he wooed Grace and swayed her to sacrifice her acting career, his devastation at losing her, the privileged upbringing their children enjoyed, the antics they displayed later. And why Prince Albert--often ridiculed in the press for being the least handsome of Rainier and Grace’s offspring--gets so much ribbing for choosing to remain single. Sorry, but have you seen some of the women he’s squired? Can you blame him for not wanting to settle on just one? (Of course, now that he’ll assume the throne he may require a Princess, and if that’s the case, Albert, I’m brushing up on my French.)
The passing of the Pope, on the other hand, leaves me more curious than anything. How will do they go about replacing this figurehead who’s headed the Roman Catholic church since I was in the first grade? Why does the memorial for an ailing, 84-year-old religious symbol warrant a visit from our president, who hasn’t deigned to show his face at a single funeral for the, oh, 1,600 or so men and women he himself sent impulsively and needlessly to meet their ends in Iraq?
Phoebe sneers, "Pope, Schmope... where's my catnip, bitch?"
My dissatisfaction for and aversion to organized religion is no secret to anyone who knows me personally or reads this site. Still, I can’t help but feel that John Paul--as the sheer embodiment of intolerance, homophobia, prejudice and fanaticism--must have genuinely and deeply touched millions of people to boast such colossal numbers lining up for days just for a glimpse of his decaying corpse. (I keep thinking of [and smirking at] the words of some member of the Monty Python troupe, “He is bleeding demised.”)
I see photos of masses of people weeping and bowing at the site of him and I wonder, “What am I missing here? What do they know that I don’t?” And it’s not just a matter of religion, since many of those making the pilgrimage (it irks me beyond expression that the media refer to papal corpse-viewers as “pilgrims”) describe themselves as non-practicing Catholics or simply not religious at all.
Besides, Rainier was more handsome. Now Queen Elizabeth is the longest-serving monarch (read = useless figurehead) in Europe. All hail.
Posted by ayelet at April 6, 2005 03:29 PMWell, Ayelet. It seems that you have some strong feelings about the Pope who just died. If I read in between the lines, I sense that you are asking more questions than providing answers. Yes, the Pope was the official leader of an "organized religion". when people use that term, I wonder how they would feel about an "unorganized religion". Would they feel good about themselves, their lives, their loved ones if "unorganized" would be applilcable?
How happy is an "unorganized" person. As one who could claim that title in my past, I can say that life is more dramatic, yes. Is (was) it fulfilling? Is it productive? Is it ultimately worth its weight in unaccumulated thoughts, beliefs or emotions? I don't think so.
In my profession, I meet all types of people. It is usually the younger ones who don't believe in "organized religion". There is a saying which was invented during WW II. It claims that there are no atheists in foxholes. Now, not believing in "organized religion" is not the same as being an atheist. Most people who claim this disbelief are usually ignorant of the very religion they claim to not believe in...which has a certain logic to it.
If you would like, we can speak more on this disblief of yours. In the meantime, I will search around and try to offer you an "unorganized religion" to try out.
love
otti
Isn't it weird how all those world VIPs are getting sick or dying? Clinton's heart attacks, KIssinger getting sick, Falwell w/ Pneumonia, The Pope biting it, Rainer passing away, Jennings' cancer, and I believe that's just the short list right now...
What's going on in the world? Is the Bush Admin. so toxic that world leaders are falling over like canaries in the coalmines?
Posted by: james at April 7, 2005 12:52 PM