[TXBSAFH]

In all fairness backin the 1940's in Germany over 80% of the children were in the Hilter Youth. It was mandatory then. If you went to school you were in it.

I do not think this should be held against him, but you know some on the left will use it to bash the Holy See.

[Salvation]

spin

(LIVE THREAD) The Papal Conclave, Interregnum, Cardinals, Conclave Facts, Prayer and other links

[Dead Dog]

I have had the opportunity to study under one former Hitler Youth in college, and work under another. Both outstanding men, both lost their fathers and brothers in combat, and niether of them are NAZI. Both of them know the true cost of atheism, collectivism, and the resulting fascism. They know evil.

One is now a Republican, the other hates politicians. I'd say they should give this guy a break, besides, the liberals Pope would be a National Socialist.

[Aquinasfan]

I do not think this should be held against him, but you know some on the left will use it to bash the Holy See.

Of course. "Hitler's Pope." Can you see it?

Anyway, I'd be delighted with him or Cardinal Arinze.

[Puddleglum]

And this headline just in:

"Apostle to the Gentiles Former Christian Persecuter!"

[RightWhale]

That's right. The Hitlerjugend attempted to build sound bodies at least, if not deep thought. They spent a lot of time on long hikes and swimming and singing while hiking if not while swimming.

[pepperdog]

Who is writing for them, Ward Churchill? The old "he was a Nazi" thing is getting pretty thin isn't it? Anyone who grew up in Germany during the years of WWII was a Hilter Youth. I'm sure many people on FR know personally people who were HY's, it was practically mandatory in Germany.

[murphE]

He upset many Jews with a statement in 1987 that Jewish history and scripture reach fulfilment only in Christ — a position denounced by critics as “theological anti-semitism”. He made more enemies among other religions in 2000, when he signed a document, Dominus Jesus, in which he argued: “Only in the Catholic church is there eternal salvation”.

What arrogance Ratzinger displays. /sarcasm

“theological anti-semitism”

Does anyone else find that term as humorous as I do?

[katana]

He joined the Hitler Youth aged 14, shortly after membership was made compulsory in 1941

This sort of puts the word "joined" into perspective. That being said, I'd be more worried about his age (78) than anything else, although some may actually favor a short term figure after one of the longest serving (and toughest acts to follow) Popes in history.

[Tanniker Smith]

Because this election can be so unpredictable, every Cardinal is getting a littl of the smearing, even the unlikely ones. (Consider, how likely was a Polish pope the last time around?) There was even a story how one Cardinal like pasta a la puttenesca, which is literally, pasta a la prostitute. (Oh, my, horrors! No!)

TS

[beckett]

A sleazy hit piece, and entirely unnecessary since Ratzinger will not be the next pope.

[CyberAnt]

I just love his name: RAT-ZINGER!

Sounds like the perfect person to zing the RATS!!

[SlightOfTongue]

Black smoke coming out of stove pipe. So no Pope yet.

White smoke means there has been a descision, right?

How about if there's an orange-color smoke?

Father Guido Sarducci tells me, in that case...

"Then a few cardinals must have gotten too close to the stove, so CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!!!!!"

[Jim Verdolini]

I seem to recall Saint Matthew was once a tax collector. Seems one can come from disreputable backgrounds and still do well, if one repents.

[John O]

One liberal theologian,when asked what he thought of a Ratzinger papacy, was more direct: “It fills me with horror.”

Crown him now. If you live you life doing things only because they fill the left with horror you will seldom be wrong in your actions

[Tribune7]

Pope John Paul II didn't seem to hold any of this against him.

[nothingnew]

He joined the Hitler Youth aged 14, shortly after membership was made compulsory in 1941.

I agree with you. I refrain from reading the rest of the article, only because it makes no difference to me who is the next Pope. I follow the "Pope Story" only for insight, not belief. But that's just me...

FMCDH(BITS)

[SuziQ]

And so the demonization of the orthodox candidates begins.

[traumer]

Not that there is anything wrong with it....

[Holden Magroin]

The liberal media didn't care when ex-Nazi storm trooper Kurt Waldheim (pictured in the middle) became UN Secretary General.

[nkycincinnatikid]

Heck 95% of the people on FR used to be DEMOCRATS!