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February 11, 2005

A Sick Man

...in more ways than one:

Pope John Paul, still convalescing after 10 days in hospital, told the world's sick on Friday that their suffering was "precious", but did not deliver his message in person at a special service for sick people...

"Your suffering is never useless, dear sick people. Moreover, it's a precious thing," the speech said. "If you bring together your suffering and pain, you can be his (God's) privileged helpers in the salvation of souls".

Um, because seeing people suffering, dying in agony, really reinforces the belief in a loving God?

Errr...

Wait, does that mean people who aren't suffering can't be privileged helpers? And, if they can, does suffering make them somehow more privileged?

Doesn't this imply that to provide medical help to someone, to work to reduce their suffering, is to actively work against their being "privileged helpes in the salvation of souls?"*

Isn't this quite possibly one of the most insane things you've ever heard?

I'm not sure what to call a philosophy that apparently so despises the well-being of man. "Sick" is a start, but "evil" might be better.

* Had to edit because the "wee flying baby" story was complete crap, as detailed below.