I read this article with interest earlier today...
Most folks would agree i think, that profit is the premier carrot that lures business....from it's low as the harlot of consumerism, to its' height as the wizard of innovation, it is those hopes for financial success along that spectrum that keeps most of us organized and moving around.
The pope knows this, or -quite frankly- he wouldn't be the pope. Religion in general, and Catholicism (maybe especially, but certainly in this context) specifically, can be seen as one economic model to generate profit. That's all i meant, so don't get your crosses in a bunch :)
The Church is, in fact, a multinational corporation, isn't it? That feels like one way to look at it, anyway. And that's why i found this article interesting.
That and the fact that the Pope's message (to someone as ignorant of history as I am) seemed to be a singularly secular one, for his first major address. Almost like one world leader to another. Except that one of those leaders speaks from a place that 1.2 billion people (and others, I'm sure) consider to be about as far from the financial world as humanly possible.
He spoke of ethics, not morality. And he spoke of a runaway financial system that threatens the ability of "states" to control their own economy. I think he had every right....because the Vatican is also a political state, and so must do it's best to insure that it's corporatism matches it's mission. And it's mission -in the secular sense, at least- is one of humanism and caretaking. It puts a high priority on ethics.
This was his appeal, I think. To corporate excess, certainly, but also to the responsibilities of governing around the world. He appealed to both to include those qualities into their missions. Although I got the feeling he didn't hold much hope for corporate responsiblity. :p
OK...so take all of the above and pour it into the following pot. Simmer until your heart's content. And riddle me this :D
Is the Pope just another corporate/political hypocrite?
Most folks would agree i think, that profit is the premier carrot that lures business....from it's low as the harlot of consumerism, to its' height as the wizard of innovation, it is those hopes for financial success along that spectrum that keeps most of us organized and moving around.
The pope knows this, or -quite frankly- he wouldn't be the pope. Religion in general, and Catholicism (maybe especially, but certainly in this context) specifically, can be seen as one economic model to generate profit. That's all i meant, so don't get your crosses in a bunch :)
The Church is, in fact, a multinational corporation, isn't it? That feels like one way to look at it, anyway. And that's why i found this article interesting.
That and the fact that the Pope's message (to someone as ignorant of history as I am) seemed to be a singularly secular one, for his first major address. Almost like one world leader to another. Except that one of those leaders speaks from a place that 1.2 billion people (and others, I'm sure) consider to be about as far from the financial world as humanly possible.
He spoke of ethics, not morality. And he spoke of a runaway financial system that threatens the ability of "states" to control their own economy. I think he had every right....because the Vatican is also a political state, and so must do it's best to insure that it's corporatism matches it's mission. And it's mission -in the secular sense, at least- is one of humanism and caretaking. It puts a high priority on ethics.
This was his appeal, I think. To corporate excess, certainly, but also to the responsibilities of governing around the world. He appealed to both to include those qualities into their missions. Although I got the feeling he didn't hold much hope for corporate responsiblity. :p
OK...so take all of the above and pour it into the following pot. Simmer until your heart's content. And riddle me this :D
Is the Pope just another corporate/political hypocrite?