Pope Francis, Atheists, Defenders Of The Cross, And GOP Politics?

[NonMetro]

The first time I said I did not feel the Pope should not have been invited to speak before congress, someone immediately called me a "Pope hater". Some of you may have had similar experiences. So, why is this?

Well, when John Boehner invited the Pope, he knew such things would happen. He knew that if anyone said anything remotely critical of the Pope, the defenders of the faith would immediately rise up to defend his holiness - and he was right. Only atheists and agnostics are free to discuss the Pope - but only among themselves. Why? Because if defenders of the faith see this, they will immediately be compelled to jump in and denounce whatever is being said, and they know they can count on people of other denominations, and even other religions, to condemn these non-believers, too.

But in this particular case, people of other religions are not much better off. As long as the profusely express their admiration and affection for the Pope, they will probably be safe, but if they don't preface whatever they say with affection for the pope, they will be attacked by the defenders of the faith, too.

John Boehner knew this, too, when he invited the Pope to speak before his Republican Congress. Now, as we have seen, two political controversies have already arisen: One is over the Pope's defense of "traditional marriage", and the other over his statement to protect life "at every stage of development." These are both high profile causes of the Republican Party, and John Boehner knew this, too.

So tell me: Why did John Boehner invite the Pope to speak before the Congress of the United States - with front row seats reserved for the Supreme Court?

[el_bryanto]

1. Were those the only controversies of note during his visit?

I seem to remember something about many conservatives being angry about his message - did I just dream that?

Bryant

[NonMetro]

2. Of Course Not.

Yes, there has been some conservative angst over his stance on climate change, social welfare, and workers rights. But conservatives in congress, and on the presidential trail have ignored all of that, and everyone knows they're not going to act on any of it, anyway.

Do people seriously believe John Boehner invited the Pope to address his Republican congress because he wanted to help progressive Democrats, and harm his own party? That was John's plan?

Why did John Boehner and Republicans invite the Pope to address congress? Did they have some noble motive in doing this?