Yes, I've encountered this too, and was horrified. I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition....
And its seems to me that by refering to this man continually as Ratzinger instead of Pope Benedict some of the FR "Faithful" seem to be showing their disrespect and disdane for this man.
Not in my case - I like the guy. Perhaps other freepers who call him Ratzinger, do so with that motive.
OK First, I am not the Spanish Inquisition so be assured I won't make you sit in the comfy chair! Second, I am not a sedevacantist (those who think the Popes since Vatican II are invalid). Indeed, I am very much a supporter of our current Pope's election and, though I have problems with the decisions and actions of certain bishops, priests, and Cardinals; I am a faithful daughter of the Roman Catholic Church.
That being said, the Spanish Inquisition is a much maligned occurance of history. Thanks to current research carried out by serious historians, some of whom are not Catholic, and computer technology the thousands upon thousands of detailed documents of each case handled by the various arms of the Spanish Inquisition over hundreds of years have been compiled and analyzed. It was definately not the heinous institution claimed by 16th century propagandists. The vast majority of the cases, over 80% were handled by lay lawyers and the few hundred people who were actually executed over its almost 500 year history pale in comparison to what happened in its Northern European counterparts.
" NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITIO!!!"
This sound muchss like the Liberal elitist left.