Saturday, February 26, 2005

Andrew Sullivan Agrees with me on the Pope

Andrew Sullivan has this to say on the Pope's present condition and he agrees with me.

THE POPE'S LIFE: We have been informed that the pontiff's current suffering and persistence against multiple illnesses and debilities is sending a message about the dignity of suffering and the importance of life. There is indeed a great truth to that. But there is also a point at which clinging to life itself becomes a little odd for a Christian, no? Isn't the fundamental point about Christianity that our life on earth is but a blink in the eye of our real existence, which begins at death and lasts for eternity in God's loving presence? Why is the Pope sending a signal that we should cling to life at all costs - and that this clinging represents some kind of moral achievement? Isn't there a moment at which the proper Christian approach to death is to let it come and be glad? Or put it another way: if the Pope is this desperate to stay alive, what hope is there for the rest of us?


My point is that the pro-life thing has gone far out of whack, where everyone is to straggle and grapple and clasp onto every last ounce of physical existence until it is forced away from you, freeing you from any intent to desire death or to alleviate suffering.

Death is okay, it is natural and when it comes, let it.

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