It's so strange to me, all the millions of people in Rome for the viewing of the pope's body. I don't understand the need to view a lifeless body and why one would need to do that to pay one's respects and give thanks for a life one considers to have been great. It's not that I think there's any thing wrong with it per se, I just don't understand it. It gives me a strange feeling of disconnectedness.

I have never personally viewed the institution of the pope as a good thing. I don't think its healthy for one individual to have so much power, whether they are in a political or a religious organisation.

Speaking of religion, this was the topic of our last writing meeting which was this week. It was a small meeting as it was not very well organised, and I actually had such a busy 6 weeks I did not write anything. Next meeting is Religion Continued, and it's to be at my place, so I'm not going to escape the topic.

At least the group seems to be totally unoffendable, so perhaps I'll be able to tell it like I see it.