Social Networking...and Catholicism

I think it's important to keep things in perspective, and to call out logical disconnects when they are evident in popular culture. Even if the one being called out is the Pope.

This is an article and observation I shared with my running buddies, two of whom are Roman Catholics. They laughed, and do still run with me.

Anyway, our Roman Catholic computer geek brethren can rest easy now. From the NY Daily News on 24 Jan:

On Monday, Pope Benedict gave his approval to social networking - while cautioning to not replace real friends with virtual friends.

The religious leader gave the blessing in honor of World Day of Social Communications on Monday, saying it created "a great opportunity" for users and encouraged social network users to adopt a "Christian-style presence" online.

"If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being," he wrote in a letter to followers.

///SNIP///

The pontiff himself does not tweet - or even use a computer, according to reports.

Gary here. Not everybody is impressed. On the science site, Pharyngula, that pointed me to the NY Daily News article, I laughed aloud at this comment:

"The Pope doesn't even use a computer, and apparently writes all his missives in longhand, with a quill, unless he's still using a stylus and wax tablet. Letting this antique make recommendations about your computer use makes as much sense as asking a mob of celibates to dispense sex advice, and no one would be that crazy, would they?"