[Pedantic RANT] Re: [HUMOR] End Times

[Paul Lussier]

Time to be a little pedantic...

Benjamin Scott <dragonhawk at iname.com> writes:

> - A former Nazi-supporter became the Pope

This "fact" is so ridiculously blown out of proportion, and so
ridiculously well-documented, that I'm shocked you, of all people
would make a comment like this.  Please do a Google search on
'Ratzinger Hitler Youth" and read *any* of the hits for more
enlightenment.  Or, just go to: 

  http://tinyurl.com/9ohjv

and in case tha doesn't work:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI#Background_and_childhood_.281927.26ndash.3B1943.29

He wasn't exactly a "Nazi-supporter" but rather a member of the Hitler
Youth because it was illegal *not* be a member of that organization if
you were a "youth".  Otherwise, you had to be in the German military
in some capacity.

The Hitler Youth was more or less similar to the Civil Air Patrol in
the U.S.  It was a military auxiliary organization.  The big
difference being that membership was mandatory.  So, Ratzinger had 2
choices, either join, or die.  Given that he was something like 14, I
think the choice of self-preservation make a lot of sense.

-- 

Seeya,
Paul