A
tribute to humanity:
April
2025
In the realm of Monotheism Without Borders, although religions and sects hold no particular standing, we honor individuals placed truth above all else. Among such figures, the dignity and sanctity of Pope Francis deserve our respect and thoughtful reflection. Pope Francis was not only entrusted with the leadership of the global Catholic community, but also, as someone widely respected and admired by people, he consistently stood up for the underprivileged and marginalized around the world and left a lasting impact on the global community through his presence.
Pope Francis' courage in addressing truths about topics that many of
his peers and fellow religious leaders have avoided—like heaven and hell, and
Adam and Eve—is truly commendable. This example should serve
as a model for all scholars, clergy, and religious leaders across every faith
and tradition: to have the courage to honestly critique their own religion and
beliefs, and to openly address the weaknesses and shortcomings within their
religious doctrines for the sake of enlightening public understanding—just as
one prominent Islamic figure in Najaf once showed remarkable selflessness by
declaring, “A thousand and one questions about Islam remain unanswered.”
Today’s leaders must also embrace humility and transparency. Otherwise, they
risk facing the harsh judgment of history.
Nevertheless,
today, in light of the Pope’s passing, we reflect on his life from this
perspective and ask: If Christ brought the dead
back to life and cured lepers, why did He leave His own representative, among
His followers, to experience illness and suffering in solitude at the end of
his life? If the Pope were truly the representative of Jesus
Christ, wouldn’t it be expected that he lives a long life—perhaps even a
hundred years—to continue guiding the global Christian community? And
why is it that, in an era when humanity is more in need of spirituality than
ever, we witness no miracles descending from the heavens?
At the
heart of this contradiction lies the belief in a deity who once sent prophets
to guide humanity. If the miracles of Jesus Christ were compelling enough to
inspire followers in the past, shouldn’t we expect
such miraculous power to persist today healing his own representative and,
through new miracles, drawing people from all faiths and backgrounds toward
Christianity? And yet, curiously enough, these ongoing miracles seem to be
nowhere in sight.
Clearly, the reason cannot be blamed on Jesus Christ himself ignoring his followers or their representatives within the Christian community. Instead, the real issue appears to lie with the very God of Jesus Christ—a God who apparently shows no special care for believers, makes no distinction between them and non-believers, and offers no evident support or comfort during times of crisis or hardship. A powerful example of this can be seen in Ukraine, where no divine intervention came from the God of Christ, and Christians were left to face devastation and destruction. This happened even as believers in that part of the world continue to hold the conviction that Jesus Christ is alive and will soon return to lead humanity. Yet, in their darkest hour, no heavenly help arrived.
In this
modern era, when the search for genuine spirituality is pressing than ever,
clarity, honesty, and the courage to challenge religious dogma are virtues to
be praised and emulated. These qualities are not only worthy of recognition,
but are urgently needed as guiding examples for scholars, clergy, and religious
leaders of all backgrounds—encouraging them to critically examine their own
faiths and to candidly address the limitations and faults within their
doctrines.
Undoubtedly,
critical thinking and the re-examination of religious beliefs are signs of
freethinking and intellectual courage. In contrast, fearing criticism and
engaging in self-censorship can result in a bitter fate in history and serious
accusations. For in the face of truth, any avoidance of honest re-examination
can lead to deception and the abuse of people’s faith.
Ultimately,
Pope Francis has departed this life, but the questions remain. Perhaps one day,
history will judge us more mercifully—not because of religious institutions,
but because of the individual courage of human beings.
Boroujerdi,
the Founder of Monotheism Without Borders,
Currently
under house arrest in Tehran, Iran.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/30/vatican-scrambles-to-clarify-popes-denial-that-hell-exists
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-says-fake-news-dates-adam-eve-says-truth-will-n840516
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