I've been asked by several loyal readers to chime in on my opinion on Cardinal Ratzinger now Pope Benedict XVI.
Being a Deist, I do not feel he or any other person is closer to God than anyone else is. I don't think anyone can speak for God except for God himself, and in lieu of God coming down and giving a sermon, all we can hope to do is come to an understanding of our creator through our own experiences and introspection.
That being said there are few things I don't like about him. As a Freemason, I don't like his stance on The Craft. He is known as a staunch Mason hater.
Therefore, the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and, therefore, membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful, who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.
Oh, I guess I can't eat the tasteless flat styrofoam thing Catholics shove off as bread.
And note how he says it's againt "the Church". One beef I've had with Catholicism in particular is that it claims to be the intermediary between God and man. If I am a Freemason, I'm pissing off "the Church", that is elected political Cardinals and Bishops, and not really God.
As far as all the rest, I am all for people believing that they believe. I don't think it's right to push my belief on other people, or for them on me. A billion people in the world get comfort from the Church, and if they see fit to continue to do so, and through that they are better people, I say way to go.
