No, this is not a tribute to the band R.E.M., although it relates to profound stages of sleep we sometimes seem to be engaged in.
What happens is that I'm losing my faith in England as being one of the most secular countries in Europe -- well, close enough to Europe -- after watching the highly hypocritical Pope's speech in Westminster Hall. That while my faith in BP was slowly being rehabilitated.
Then I even lost a lot more of faith in BBC when its commentators praised the said speech.
The speech was nothing but a collection of generalised platitudes on the environment and dialogue, while polishing politicians' shoes that aren't used to shine as imperialistically as they did before.
The Holy See's only measure for the environment is to bring on more carbon dioxide emitting units to the planet, to live on such a state of misery that will justify and finance the existence of that very same See, while demographically annihilating other beliefs, disbeliefs or non-beliefs. Can't you see?
As for dialogue, it lacks dual or even stereo qualities, apart from the one found in stereotype. So it's all mono, by God.
It was a speech of an institution that is fading away in a long agony, trying to get back to its feet by grabbing supporters to its cause. Hopefully it's similar to the dying man's last moments of lucidity. But I know better. Give us a good worldwide crisis and the gods will spring back to life, just as demons would.
As for the speech claims on the need of their moral code, nothing comes out of nothing. And neuroscience is uncovering the moral codes we're born with. So the only thing that the Roman Catholic Church adds to this world is non-existent guilt and the deliverance of it -- as Dylan Moran's brilliant rants on Catholicism illustrate -- and a non-existent Heaven, so that Hell can be endured in here, so that some can piss on many peacefully.
The subliminal message of the said speech to the politicians was: Support us and keep on driving the world the way you are, for we'll pacify for you the poor of spirit. Where's the rebel spirit of Jesus in that?
The disappointment though is making me seriously think on unlearning English.
BBC English.
Länge leve Sweeeden!
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Written in Times New Roman, written in Times New Roman.
The Pope is visiting Portugal for the next couple of days. Tomorrow he’ll visit Fátima, a town where the Virgin Mary was sighted and heard by three infants, three little shepherds. Any narration of that miracle should start by, “Once upon a time.” After all, believing in what three children said is only a slightly more modern version of fables where the animals are able to speak, let alone a long dead virgin who was also able to conceive yet preserving her sexual status. But today the Pope is visiting Lisboa, and delivered a mass so close to my workplace that I couldn’t help but writing a few lines on this Holy Day.
Riding the bus to work, an aged lady asked me to open a window for her, because the vehicle was packed. And so we engaged in friendly conversation. She was coming from seeing the Pope being received by the president of the portuguese republic (small caps intended). And she was going to attend the mass. The mass was going to be delivered on a square that overlooks the river and a monument on the farther margin representing Jesus Christ. Think of the statue in Rio de Janeiro. Not only they’re similar, but here it was built because the Portuguese Church suffers from a minor sin: envy.* The day was perfect for such an event: pearl blue skies and lamb-like clouds, some with a touch of grey to remind us that the Evil One is always on the lookout.
‘And don’t you think the Pope looked like a puppet and slightly ridiculous riding the fully enclosed Papamobile?’ I asked the lady.
‘Well, yes. But we cannot know what‘s in other persons’ hearts. Some might want to harm him.’
‘Oh, but he didn’t do anything wrong, did he? Such protective measures seem to be over the top.’As the lady shrugged and gave me a meaningful and aquiescent look, I decided to proceed, but always in a friendly way, ‘And what do you think he should do about those pedophilic priests?’
‘He’ll probably ask for forgiveness now at the mass. We should all pray for our priests.’
‘But wouldn’t it be better if they were granted the possibility of getting married?’
‘Oh, they cannot. They are already married.’
‘To God?’
‘Yes.’
‘Ah, so God’s a woman?’
‘No, no. God’s a man.’
‘But that makes the priests’ marriage a homosexual one, doesn’t it?’
Homosexual marriage is a hot topic in Portugal too these days, and the narrative ends here, for the surrounding passengers were muffling their giggles.
* Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Envy: “Envy according to the aspect of its object is contrary to charity, whence the soul derives its spiritual life... Charity rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.” The only neighbouring Church is that of Spain, and I’ve never seen the Portuguese one rejoicing in the former’s good, that’s for sure.
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Written in Times New Roman, written in Times New Roman.
