I think Thomas Anger at Liberty Corner misunderstands me. My point is not any particular hostility to the Pope’s position on birth control. In fact, I quite respect the Vatican for refusing to budge in the face of so much opposition from Catholics and others: it shows a level of integrity that few institutions today possess.
My only point was that I was sick to death of hearing about the Pope. I am an atheist, but the blood in my veins is very, very Protestant. My respect for Christianity—despite my disagreement with it—obliges me to say that I find it profoundly sacrilegious to devote so much personal faith in a mortal human being, or to presume that he can speak on behalf of Christ. There is a great deal in Catholic dogma which I find revolting, on purely Christian grounds, even though I am not a Christian. I don’t think this is inconsistent: just as I can say that Star Trek: The Next Generation is revolting, for perverting the spirit of the original series (which is also true).
It’s silly to say that I have “‘zero tolerance’ for religiosity.” I think religion is wrong, and a massive force for evil in the world, and I think Catholicism perverts the doctrines of Christ and is deeply un-Christian. But, of course, I entirely believe in the right of all Catholics to profess and practice their faith, and I have nothing at all against Catholics personally—quite the opposite, I usually get along with Catholics better than with Protestants.
I think Mr. Anger is just a little overly sensitive.
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