Re: virus: An open letter to John Paul II

Zloduska (kjseelna@students.wisc.edu)
Sat, 06 Feb 1999 07:48:12 -0600

Robert Gordon wrote:

>That makes sense to me also. That attitude...holier-than-thou.
>Seems like people are stuck at a level where they gain value only by
>comparing themselves to others.
>
>Wouldn't you say that is immature behavior? Maybe there is some
>underlying psychological idea that can explain this.

Sounds pretty much like 'puberty' to me.

>>The Pope is a fixture. A useless fixture, but an important one to
>>his followers, nonetheless. He goes around "saying" (babble) and
>>making "apperances", but never actually *doing* anything
>>productive, besides furthering someone else's anti-Life agenda.
>>Catholicism is like a decaying ancient structure in ruins, but the
>>Pope is like the pillar, a remnant, still holding it up. The one that
>>people seem to think is still strong, despite all its weaknesses and
>>faults.
>
>Ah...you caused some enlightenment in me. Do you think that
>people cling to this "decaying ancient structure" because there is no
>satisfactory replacement?

Well, possibly because they don't think there is a *better* replacement. And if there is a better replacement, they don't want it. I think it's mostly that people are unwilling to change, especially if they've been brought up their entire life in a certain belief system.

>You know, like clinging to the last bits of a crumbling island, rather
>than jump into a sea of uncertainty?
>
>i.e. Catholisim is better than utter and total angst?

Yes, to the person that doesn't realize that life without religion doesn't have to be filled with angst.

>But also isnt that scary? I mean the Pope spreading, sanctioning
>and justifying all those mind viruses (babble as you say).

Precisely why I cannot stand him!

>Is the Pope a source of viral memes? (but trying to appear like he is
>the doctor)

Yeah, good analogy.

>Spreading their horrible memes heh? So there could be a "sinister"
>element behind this...a metaphysical agenda to spread more mind
>viruses?

Well, I think they have "good intentions" all around, but the "good intentions" are still sinister nonetheless.

>Tell me something ~klsif you could get all those people to stop
>fawning over the popewhat would you offer them as alternative?
>They obviously have some need that is being fulfilled by the Pope.

Indeed.

>What would be a viable alternative?

Rock 'n Roll, baby! "I'm talkin' about ROCK N ROLL!!!"

I am completely and utterly serious about this, as well as fanatical about music. I'll take the Residents over the Pope any old day.

~kjs

(I'm going to ignore the mistake about my name...just call me "Cookie"...heh)