[MaxMax]

Thank you Mrs. Don-o.
I would like to say that, "just because" I don't agree with the Pope, I automatically
become a Bigot, Zealot or anything else anybody can think of.
And that is the very issue I've been trying to convey.

I don't accept blind faith from a man who is infallible in his views.
Nor do I recognize the Vatican for their political stances just because
they are the church leaders. For instance the Pope' stance on Iraq,
and praying (Capitulating, IMO) in a Mosque.

And yes, I've debated views and issues with all of my pastors.

According to some of the posters here, if you don't agree with everything the Pope says,
then you're branded a bigot. And I cannot agree with such a double standard
since not everybody can agree with the pope on every issue.

So, by the standard of disagreement here, is every Catholic
a Bigot and a hypocrite?
The clear answer is no.

Religious extremism and name calling does not set a good
example by any measure for anybody.

God Bless you all,
MaxMax.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I certainly don't think that a person who disagrees with the pope is, for that reason, a bigot or anything else from the bad-words Thesaurus.

Nor, in fact, does the Catholic Church teach the pope's views, his opinions, nor Vatican diplomacy, as infallible truth. The Church's definition of infallibility is very carefully limited: (1) infallibility is, properly speaking, Christ's guarantee to the Church (and not a personal thing to the pope that would supposedly make him some kind of oracle); and (2) It's essentially a negative thing: it means that the pope will never be permitted to make a formal declaration on faith or morals, intended to be binding on the whole Church, which would lead the Church into error.

That's faith and morals; not music, weather forecasting, and politics.

I, like many, am convinced that Benedict XVI is an exceptionally gifted and holy man, and thus I listen with extra respect and, when uncertain, would give him the benefit of the doubt (something I might say about other religious leaders, too: for instance, I have great respect for Richard Land of the Baptist Church (whose writings I'e read), Charles Colson, James Dobson, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Michael Medved, and others--- non-Catholic --- to whom I would also give a careful hearing and the benefit of the doubt!)

In general, I think we should all be more respectful and less jab-ilicious and slug-inaceous. I'm preaching to my self here.

Peace, MaxMax