POPE? NOPE!

A while ago, the London Free Press included an article about how the new Pope (Benedict) takes issue with Canadian society, (and modern society, in general), specifically mentioning the lack of children being born. In the article, he is said to chastise society for being too "secular," stating that the lack of adherence to scripture makes us void of morality. The article presents his views on how the reduction in birth rates is completely unacceptable. The article cites something like the fact that there are 10.4 children for every 1000 adults (or something along those lines). Okay... the blood pressure is starting to spike. First of all, I'm sorry that the Catholic Grand Puba is stuck in a time warp --this is not 1945... Someone should really let him know that the baby boom is over --and that we, the next generation, are stuck with the mess (both societal and financial), resulting from that population explosion.

Second, the earth is overpopulated as it is with homeless and unwanted children, but alas, many of them aren't Catholic, so I guess they don't really count.

Third, who is expected to raise all these "necessary" children? Was the Pope's use of the word "secular" just a subversive way of saying "non-traditional", ("traditional," of course, meaning a stay at home woman with nothing more to contribute to society than a womb)? Likely. I can't even begin to discuss that --anyone who know me knows that I could actually have an aneurysm in the process.

Fourth --who is to pay for all these children? How responsible is it for couples to randomly punch out kids? The cost of living does not allow for large families anymore. Diapers for one year, per child, can be upwards of $1000. Is the Vatican going to pay tuition fees for all children to attend University?? These days, Post-Secondary education is more of a necessity than a "leg up" for a good paying job. The average 2.5 children per family is enough of a financial drain on said family, and society in general. He wants more? If you ask me, I think the earth has to have time to regenerate. We are already a drain on the planet's natural resources, not to mention the economic strain put on a society when people produce children whom they are unable to feed, clothe or house.

Finally, I'd like to point out the utter ridiculousness of taking this type of advice from a man who has never actually had children (that we know of). He lives in his gold-encrusted castle without worry of paying a mortgage, saving for college, or putting food on a table. What are his credentials when dealing with diaper rash, chicken pox, autism, homework, bullying, ear infections, skipping school, the "birds and the bees", "the drug talk", child abuse, etc...? I could go on for two pages here.... He sounds like the perfect authority on the subject (insert sarcastic tone here!)!! If you ask me, he would likely be the LAST person on earth to give advice about the inner workings of marriage and a family. Has he even babysat a teething infant for an evening?? Tell you what: he can come and teach preschool for a week --16 toddlers for 9hrs --THEN we'll see if he thinks the earth needs MORE kids!

Society has shifted to accommodate the needs of the population, and that obviously includes having fewer children. I guess that doesn't matter because the POPE (who obviously still resides in the 16th century) says we need to get busy copulating. Ya... I'll get right on that. Sorry, Benny.... I can't. I'm too busy reading The DaVinci Code.

I'm going to get letters.