Andrew Sullivan wonders if the Pope isn’t setting a bad example by “clinging to life.”
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?
I’m no theologian, but my answer would be: because life is precious. Even during the bad times, life is precious. Even at the end of life, it is precious. Do we go on to bigger and better things? I believe so. But even the bigger and better is different than what we experience here. We should revel in our short time here on Earth, even while we look forward to what comes next.
I’d also say that the Pope is a teacher. It makes perfect sense to me that he would want to stick around as long as possible, in order to impart his wisdom and learning as long as he can.
Do you have any answers for Andrew?
A few days ago I was listening to a Morning Radio Show and they had a very good reason why. They think, and I seem to agree, that the Pope looks out over the church and does not see a single person worthly of taking his place.
Maybe in all his extensive theological studies at the Catholic library he has doubts as to the authenticity of the beliefs he espouses. Most theists ARE agnostic theists, they don’t KNOW there is a God, but they BELIEVE there is.
I would imagine it’s the same phenomena that police recognize with respect to criminals–they always run. Survival is the key here, which one could consider to be merely animal instinct, rather than trying to make a point about an intellectual argument.
At least that’s my .02
In my opinion, to just accept death and let go to it is a very un-Western approach to life. Such thoughts would be more in tune with a belief in fate, or Kharma, as the source of all that happens to us. While Christian theology may speak to letting God take charge of our lives, that may not necessarily be the same as just giving up and dying because you’re sick. And Cathlolic beliefs are not that strong in the “letting God handle it all” department anyway.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians:
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. - Phillipians 1:21-24
I would guess that much like Paul the Pope would see it as gain to die and join Christ in heaven, but it would be worth it for him to remain if it meant he could remain on Earth to carry out The Great Commision to make disciples of all nations, if it meant bringing even one more to Christ.
Shall we ask Andrew if he’s got a living will, and which one of us can pull the plug?
Of course, if he’s still got brain function, perhaps he wouldn’t mind someone slipping him a mickey.
How selfish of the Pope. How dare he wish to live. Where is our world going? I’m glad Sully plans to be an example for us the next time he catches a cold :p
Early Chrisianity almost became a death cult because of the promise of heaven. (strangely like Islam…)But the church came down on suicide and called it a sin.
Why does Andrew want the Pope to sin?