Doland, Angela. "Pope to ailing at Lourdes: 'Accept death at the hour chosen by God'." am New York 9/15/2008 15 Sep 2008
The Pope was visiting Lourdes, which is a shrine that's spring waters are supposed to have magical healing power. The pilgroms are usually sick religious people who donn't believe in modern medicine. The spring itself attracts about 6 million pilgrims every year, who are helped by attendents to bathe in the springs and are allowed to bring jars or vials of it home to drink. It reminded me about the view of fate in The Illiad, by Homer. Hector and Achilles reffered to fate numerous times. They would say that they would go out and fight, because the Gods would choose when they would die anyway. They were going to die whenther they fought or not, and it wasnt their choice, I don't like that way of thinking, like they don't have a choice, and I don't think its okay for the pope to be telling people to accept their death because god wants it to happen, but that is the Popes decision.
5 comments:
I think this is a really good comparison to the important theme of fate in the Iliad. It is good to remember that people actally live like that. It sort of ties the Iliad in to real life.
(Post by Joe L, I'm not sure my account is working correctly)
Nice comparison! I liked how you compared the Popes telling the pilgrims their fate to The Iliad where the gods know of the mens fate. I actually didn't know of people called "Pilgrims" i only knew of amish people, it was a nice reminder that people still live like that today.
I think that this is a very unfair way to treat these individuals. Telling people who are sick that their death has already been determined seems almost unreligious, which is very odd coming from the Pope. I understand that these people don't use modern medecine, and so they probably should be sick, but the Pope shouldn't be able to tell them that their current suffering, has and their future death, has been predetermined, whether he's the Pope or not. Anyways, very well written and great ties to The Iliad
Good connection! I think it's interesting that there are still Christians who believe in the healing powers of a spring. It seems almost surprising that in a world where everyone has a cell phone and email that there are still people who want to live as simply as possible without medicine or technology.
This was a very good comparison! YOu rcomparison was relevant and to the point and sucessfully shows us how they relate. I agree with Chris where he says it is unfair for the pope to say their deaths have been premediated. Though he is the Pope and he can kindof say whatever he wants. I think the Pope saying that God has already decided their death and the suffering they are going through now is all just what God has decided for them . Again, great comparison.
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