Two Popes

Like so many, I continue to be aghast at the low, low (and every day lower) level of human discourse, thought and feeling modeled by so many we have willfully chosen to represent our hopes, ideals and aspirations. I’m alarmed by the unbroken fantasy that machines will solve our human problems and that we can outsource our intelligence, our physical grace, our capacity to feel to calculating technologies without a beating heart. I am astounded time and time again that centuries of evolution should be sliding back to a Stone Age yet more dangerous as powerful technologies create exponentially greater catastrophes than clubs and spears ever could. 

 

At the same time that I vigilantly take every opportunity to speak out and act and resist, I can sometimes take a step back and consider that the monsters we’ve created— the Toddler King and his henchmen, the shameless billionaires with sharp-toothed devouring mouths and insatiable stomachs, the cold circuitry of AI and such— are here for a purpose. To teach us what paths not to take and return us to an inner nobility and outer charity that is waiting for us to reclaim them.

 

And so many have and so many are. I read their eloquent and heartfelt posts (ironically) on Facebook, see them turn out to rally together (7 million and more on one day), meet them every day in my classes and workshops and neighborhood gatherings. It’s a twisted, dangerous and convoluted route we seem to be taking and the damage is real, but it seems to be headed to Oz, where we will finally expose the scared and pitiful man behind the curtain pulling the ropes and throw water on the wicked witch as the monkey army disperses. Tap our red shoes together and through revived courage, heart and brains, come home again. 

 

So to give one example from my-sense-of-evolution- playbook, consider Pope Nicholas and Pope Leo. Both part of a lineage theoretically devoted to the radical teachings of Jesus Christ, but long diverted by the human failings of power, wealth and privilege. The Inquisition, witch-burning, Colonialism, slavery, physical and sexual abuse in schools— there’s a lot to answer for! 

 

But comparing a quote from Pope Nicholas in 1452 to a quote from Pope Leo yesterday, I think you might feel, as I do, that evolution is real. Here’s what Pope Nicholas wrote to the King of Portugal: 

 

“We grant you, King of Portugal, by these present documents, with our Apostolic Authority, full and free permission to invade, search out, capture and subjugate the Saracens and pagans and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be, as well as their kingdoms, duchies, counties, principalities and other property and to reduce their persons into perpetual slavery. “

 

Here's what Pope Leo wrote yesterday: 

 

“Human beings are called to be co-workers in the work of creation, not merely passive consumers of content generated by artificial technology. Our dignity lies in our ability to reflect, choose freely, love unconditionally and enter into authentic relationships with others. Recognizing and safeguarding what characterizes the human person and guarantees their balanced growth is essential …”

 

Two Popes. Two very different world visions. To my mind, that’s progress. Onward and upward!