A New Pope is Chosen, Part 2

Cutting Sarcasm is not Humor

Published on April 20, 2005 By Dr Guy In Current Events

There have been some jokes made about the new Pope the whole election process, and I have found them to be amusing. Gideon's disppointment at not being selected and Kingbee's Cardinal Chad are 2 of the better ones I have seen just here at JU. Both were insightful and funny.

But then there is trash humor. Trash humor is meant to insult, not to evoke laughter.

Yesterday, the City of Richmond was treated to a dose of Trash Humor by a local talk radio host. He thought he was being funny and witty. Instead, he was just being mean and vindictive.

He started off his show by congratulating the new pope on his election, and then proceeded to play some cliips that were supposed to be the Cardinal making statements on dogma early in his career. But they were not clips of Cardinal Ratzinger, but of Adolph Hitler.

It was not funny, and indeed his listening audience, almost to a person, did not call in to condemn him, but went straight to his boss. His behaviour and that of his program producer were uncalled for and just plain mean.

In case anyone is wondering, yes, Pope Benedict XVI is German, and he even once was in both the Hitler Youth (as were virtually all German children of his age) and later in the German Army (he deserted).

But he is a man of God, who has chosen to devote his life to god and there is no evidence, not even rumors of any merit that suggest he was ever a Nazi or condoned or agreed with Hitler or his ideals.

The show and the authors of it, showed that you can easily cross the line when it comes to Humor. This was not humor, it was a vile and evil attempt to paint a good man with this sins of his ancestors. To brand a whole people with the sins of a few. And it was wrong. It was not only wrong, it was mean.

I dont expect everyone to fall all over themselves in adoration of the new Pope. He has a tough enough job just following Pope John Paul II. I dont even expect, altho I would hope, that everyone give him a chance.

But to tar and feather him as a Nazi simply by virtue of his nationality is hateful and wrong. This Radio show host went beyond humor and into hate speech. For that is the only way that it can be phrased.

If you want to know how bad it was, just imagine someone doing that to you. Taking the voice of a hate monger and claiming that is you doing the talking. How would you feel? How would you feel if it was you mother or father that was getting this treatment?

The sad part is that the talk show host probably did think it was funny. Why? Perhaps because how freely some in this country now use the terms Nazi and Hitler to describe those whose ideas they do not agree with. Yes, it is partially our fault for desensitizing the terms Nazi, Hitler, genoicde and Holocaust by using them flippantly and without any justification.

I would hope that everyone listening yesterday stopped and reflected on the, at best moronic, at worst hatefilled antics of this Radio Show host. I Hope that everyone reading this will pause and reflect when the next time they want to call the oppostion Hitler, Nazis, Storm Troopers or what ever other ignorant and short sighted term that springs to their language challenged vocabulary.

When we can not even honor a man of peace with at least the benefit of the doubt, we have lost all claim to be called rational, intelligent and compassionate people.

And that depresses me even more than the hate that has started to bubble up about this man.

Comments (Page 1)

Manopeace

on Apr 20, 2005

I never thought this lil Jew would come to the defence of a German....BUT...charges that the new Pope had nazi connections is an outright LIE!
He joined (BY FORCE) hitler youth at the age of 14. He was released very soon afterwards due to his enrollment in a religious school. At 18 he was recruited (BY FORCE) into the German army.He barely finished his basic training before the war ended. The Jewish community welcomes his election.
Link

Manopeace

on Apr 20, 2005

Another Jewish outlook on the new Pope...

Link

Toblerone

on Apr 20, 2005

I disapprove of his appointment but not because of his Nazi connection. Having known a German that was in the same situation that was one of the nicest people I've meet I know you don't necessarily have to share Nazi ideals to end up in that situation.

I oppose his appointment because of his conservative stance, especially on the issue of condoms. I sickens me that in this day and age with all the STDs (now known as STIs) that someone would advocate non-safe sex, not to mention the population problem (though that may be more economy/culture based than due to lack of contraception).

On the other hand I knew there wasn't a chance of getting a progressive Pope, still you can always dream can't you.

Incidently I'm not Catholic but I think a guy who is the religious leader of 1 billion people kind of effects everyone.

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2005

I oppose his appointment because of his conservative stance, especially on the issue of condoms. I sickens me that in this day and age with all the STDs (now known as STIs) that someone would advocate non-safe sex, not to mention the population problem (though that may be more economy/culture based than due to lack of contraception).

First, what is an STI?

Second, he does not advocate unsafe sex. Quite the opposite, he advocates abstinance. While we may think that is a pipe dream, it is in accordance with his beliefs. I dont fault him for that, but I do disagree with it.

Finally, I can respect your reservations and objections (Hell, I share some of them). I dont mind people saying they dont like him for the reasons you state. Indeed, I am going to give him a chance as the position of Pope is differant than that of a Cardinal, so we may all be surprised.

I did not expect a more moderate Cardinal to be elected this time, but I just read a statement that they Cardinals may have chosen him for the very reason of his age. They do not want another long term pope at this time. I can see that as well.

Everyone, even Catholics can disagree with the Pope. I would hope they do as you just did and disagree with him on substance and stance, not on pride and prejudice.

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2005

Another Jewish outlook on the new Pope...

That is a very good and I think insightful observation. I think he may be even more sensitive to the issue of anti-semitism. Perhaps his tenure will be marked by his continuing the work of Pope John Paul II in the area of inter-religious understanding. I dont think he can be more conservative in the area of Church Doctrine tho!

Dr Guy

on Apr 20, 2005

It is a different world we live in today than it was 60-70 years ago. I think most people are willing to give him a chance, altho some are clearly disappointed as Toblerone is. And I have no problems with his stance either. I respect that he can disagree with the man's standings, and not take it out on the Man himself.

Who knows? He may surprise us. But even if he does not, no one can say they are surprised at how conservative he is.

As for the link, I read the Aljazeera article, and was surprised they did not start trashing him in the first paragraph. I dont even use that paper to line the bottom of a bird cage.

Slanderer

on Apr 20, 2005

t is a different world we live in today than it was 60-70 years ago. I think most people are willing to give him a chance, altho some are clearly disappointed as Toblerone is. And I have no problems with his stance either. I respect that he can disagree with the man's standings, and not take it out on the Man himself.

Who knows? He may surprise us. But even if he does not, no one can say they are surprised at how conservative he is.

All any of us can do is wait and see how rigid the new pope will be. I think the Benedict name was chosen for a reason, time will tell.

Toblerone

on Apr 20, 2005

First, what is an STI?

Sexually Transmitted Infection. I think it some pathetic attempt at political correctness...personally I think infection sound way worse than disease.

I've alway felt advocating abstinance is a wee bit optimistic. I feel it is almost like advocating unsafe sex because teaches people to be unprepared for time of "weakness" (or as I see it being human). I don't fault him for his stance personally, just the catholic church for being about 300 years behind the times. As I said I didn't really expect anything better from them but I did have hope. I'm an optimist too, just a realistic one (here come the oxymoron police).

donParsec

on Apr 20, 2005

Plain sensationalism. But I suppose they have to make money too

Dr Guy

on Apr 21, 2005

The old cliche of nothing new under the sun comes to mind reading your response. The mores of today are not new. There have been periods in the past where free sex was the norm and homosexuality was acceptable. And the church did not change.

The Church does not need to be brought into the 21st century. It was there long before we arrived. Many disagree with the church in its stance because of OUR situational ethics and mores. We have changed and the next 100 years will see many more changes with Man. But the Church will still be the (hopefully) same. Only the Pomp and circumstance will change, not the basic tenets and creed.

Toblerone

on Apr 21, 2005

The Church does not need to be brought into the 21st century.

All institutions have to change with the times if they are to have any relevance to the people they represent, not to mention survive. I wouldn't rule out people leaving the faith if they don't. Not that the strength of the faith really bothers me one way or the other, I'm just saying that it is sort of like suicide "evolve or die" is my motto.

It was there long before we arrived. Many disagree with the church in its stance because of OUR situational ethics and mores. We have changed and the next 100 years will see many more changes with Man. But the Church will still be the (hopefully) same. Only the Pomp and circumstance will change, not the basic tenets and creed

The church is not as static as you think, slow moving, but not static. Their stance on birth control is in fact an example of that because obviously modern methods have not always existed. There is no place in the bible that is against birth control and the only 2 places that imply it are:

1) And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (NAS, Genesis 1:28)

(Somehow I think us humans have that covered)

and

Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so he put him to death also. (NIV, Genesis 38:8-10)

(In this case God is unhappy about Onan not giving his brother off spring not on the matter of coitus interruptus itself)

So the church's basic tenets birth control are relatively modern and not based on anything of real strength in the bible (I'm excluding abortion in this case) . Frankly I think their so called basic tenets change more quickly then their pomp and circumstance, I can't believe they still tap the Pope on the head with a silver hammer to confirm that he is dead. Actually really their stance on birth control has nothing to do with basic tenets and probably has more to do with internal politics.

Dr Guy

on Apr 21, 2005

All institutions made of man must. But the Church was not created by man (just some of the trappings), and as such it must adhere to a higher law and authority. If that cause mass defections (no pun intended) then the Church will abide it. For to do as you suggest would be to compromise what it is.

Dr Guy

on Apr 21, 2005

That is correct. However the teachings on Birth control are based upon the basic tenets and creed of the church. Sure, they have to recognize the new. But they do not have to adopt it. Indeeed they do the exact opposite, they adapt it to the creed. If that is what you call change, sure they do it all the time. What I call change is in 100 years saying abortion is ok just because it is the accepted method of birth control. That will not happen,now or ever. Regardless of whether we have a conservative or progressive Pope.

I will give you this example, and I admit it is anectdotal. Bishop Walter Sullivan was one of the most liberal (theology wise) Bishops in the entire church. He lead a Dioceses that is one of the most conservative in the nation Politically.

He did not always agree with Pope John Paul II, but he did respect the papacy. But even he did not argue for birth control, abortion, or Homosexual sex (he was a strong advocate for the dignity and worth of homosexuals).

There is one of your progressive Bishops. And you would not have liked it if he had been elected Pope either (he is too old tho) because while he may have opened a dialogue to ordain women, or look into married priests, he would not have swept away those restrictions with a wave of his hand (in time they would have been accepted, as in time they will be accepted).

He was a tireless worker when it came to the Aids cause, and a vocal supporter of the research into a cure. But he would not have swept away the condom restriction, as it is not germaine to the teachings of the church on the subject of sex.

In effect, the difference between a progressive and conservative in the Church is a matter of the rules and restrictions, not of the tenets and creed.

messybuu

on Apr 21, 2005

I'm curious. Would condoms in the third world, which would obviously be made of lesser quality than those in the US and which would be stored in hot and humid environments, be as strong and protective as the condoms everybody knows of?

Dr Guy

on Apr 21, 2005

Even if they were, would there be enough cucumbers available to teach them how to use them?

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