blogging the pope

I was about to get all mad about the endless coverage of the Pope's death, until I talked to a friend in the Upper Midwest this morning who said that she heard some one say in the Protestant bastion of bad haircuts and self-righteousness, that John Paul was the leader of a cult. Now that is just unfair and incorrect. Catholicism is not really suited to capitalism since it actually does preach a doctrine of poverty and grace, and so appears to the common-sensical Lutheran as excessive and superstitiou, or what the Brits used to call simply "popery" (rhymes with pot-pourri).

The Protestants have triumphed in every conceivable way against the Catholics over the past four centuries. The ruthlessly pragmatic Protestant attitude has made them so much more adaptable to capitalism -- even when they are going evangelical -- look at W! I decided that because of that Protestant low blow, I would honor John Paul's passing by linking to thoughtful reflections upon the progressive aspect of his legacy. Informed Comment and Body and Soul .