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The superficial and fleeting pleasures of the senses

The CBC is reporting that Pope John Paul II is advising his followers to “choose Christ, not money and sensual pleasures”. Apparently, says the Pope, Jesus is “…counting on you.

Well that’s all very well and good, and far be it for me to suggest that the Catholic faithful shouldn’t take his advice to heart seriously and with vigor.

I’m in for the “fleeting pleasures of the senses,” though — it sounds too good to pass up. See you in hell.

Friday, July 26, 2002 - 12:39am

Comments

Alan's picture
Alan on July 26, 2002
Might I recommend Goethe, Ecclesiatics and the bit in Beowulf where the old king speaks to the assembled hall? You may get dissatisfied with your particular path to hell (we all have our own) and the comfort of company at that point will help.
Dave Moses's picture
Dave Moses on July 26, 2002
Or as Satan sez (in the Goethe-inspired Dr. Faustus) when asked how he can be on Earth, when God has condemned him to Hell: “This is Hell, nor am I out of it.”
Rob MacD's picture
Rob MacD on July 26, 2002
I’m not sure what Hell is, but I believe Homer (Groening’s, not Literature’s) asks a good question: “I’m not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I’m going to Hell?”
Rob MacD's picture
Rob MacD on July 26, 2002
And although he hasn’t said this, I think Homer’s (Groening’s) thoughts on the Pope’s quote would be: “Mmmmmmm….fleeting pleasures of the senses!”
Alan's picture
Alan on July 26, 2002
Dostoyevski thought it was being alone and equated it with a dark room with one chair and spiders.
Ann's picture
Ann on July 26, 2002
Jean Paul Sartre had one of his characters in No Exit” remark “Hell is just other people”. I am not sure whether he was referring to real people or animated people…though I know he pre-dated Homer Simpson.
Alan's picture
Alan on July 26, 2002
J-P and Fyodor would not have got along…

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