Well, far be it from Time to find a real Catholic...you know, one who actually believes and lives by the Church's teachings. But just as you said, Ken, they "just don't get it." This is their idea of what Catholicism (actually all religion) is. Something nice to have around, you know, for those "landmark" occasions in life, the custom and ceremony thing is kinda cool. It's good to have traditions.

but we're glad the church is there to help us teach our kids that
sex should be shared in a context of love, respect and responsibility.

Really??? A context without marriage?? The Church helps you to teach your kids that? How?

As for the rest of it: well isn't that special?

It's nice to have around, in a "nostalgia" sort of way (not that it's particularly relevant right now). You know, like those old fables, where good always triumphs.

Sheesh.

The nuances of Catholicism and the mysteries of faith don't usually fall within the MSM's oeuvre, and the disconnect from theology is palpable. Manicheanistic punchlines like "light always triumphs over darkness" come across as if they were uttered by a backsliding Christian trying one's hand at alleviating their guilt by paying homage to the Maya Angelou school of liberal Christianity. The quotes cited above from Padgett's article sound like a Star Wars version of Catholicism, as if The Pope was Obi Wan Kenobi, and by extension, we can assume from the bulk of Time's stories that George Bush is Darth Vader. I think I need a "redemptive tonic" to wash down this Diet of Worms.

One more thing should be said - I am not a Catholic, and I am not a huge fan of organized religion. I think that it is odd that sex is the "original sin" and in Genesis God clearly instructs man to "go ye forth an multiply." Talk about mixed messages. Furthermore, I don't see the necessity of priests and nuns taking vows of chastity. If marriage is an acceptable way of mitigating man and woman's "sinful" need for procreation, and the behavior that leads to it, I don't see why it is beneath the leaders of the church. Maybe if the church encouraged healthy attitudes towards sex and marriage in their priests, there would be fewer scandals tarnishing the church's image in the eyes of the public.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. - Marcus Aurelius

TotalKaosDave

Let's face it, he only turned to religion because of his economic circumstances. He was bitter because the government hadn't provided the wealth and comfort he should have...he'll probably buy a gun if McCain wins the presidency...

It is bizarre to see the media portray the Pope's visit as some
watershed moment for Catholicism.   They soundbite the failings,
i.e. sexual abuse, and ignore his profound faith messages and the future.
Our media is so Americanocentric, that they forget American

Catholics comprise a mere 6% of the worldwide flock, and in backrooms
the Holy Father and others have likely LONG looked upon us as the "boil
on the butt" of the Church's worldwide faith effort. Too much me/me/me
secularism, embrace gay/abortion/greed crap....
Yes, what is said abroad, by the other 94%, of the Pelosi's, Kerry's,
Kennedy's etc, taking communion? 
How about one media report that Americans, and our moral
failings,  are but a speck of the total flock?

unfortunately, not uncommon. Many Christians, Catholics included, have in the last 20 years or so, taken on a "new age" influenced view of their faith. It is a doctrinally watered down, simplistic view, to be sure. As a somewhat recent Catholic (I was raised Methodist, and converted 10 years ago), I have seen a fair amount of this. As a former Protestant, I initially found it surprising to see this kind of thinking among Catholics, whom I had always believed to be quite traditional in their beliefs and in the practice of their faith.

Overall however, most Catholics that I have known have remained "true", for lack of a better word, to the teachings and tenets of the Catholic Church. If anything, I believe that many American Catholics are experiencing a resurgence of their devotion to the more traditional aspects of their faith. I have seen this myself, and have heard in the media of many other accounts of the same thing appearing to happen around the country. A similar resurgence appears to be taking place in several other Christian denominations, also. In general, religious Americans appear to be returning to the traditional teachings of their faiths, and the fascination of the last couple of decades with "spiritualism" and "new age" human-centered beliefs seem to be waning.