So as many people know, I am not much for religion. I, however, do think that believing in a higher pwoer is so important. In your darkest hours, wthat higher power is what brings you hope.

However, to quote Leto as he haaded the Artredies ring to Stilgaar,

"This ring is a reminder that humas make mistakes. And leaders are only human."

Leaders of religions are only human. In fact, just TODAY, I was reading about teh Iranian-Canadian woman who got raped and brutally tortured before she died. In a related article, one ex-prisoner said, "female prisoners get raped before being executed because the guards believe that virgins go to heaven". What this tells is is that instead of executing them and letting God be the judge, they try to force his hand and bar them from his kingdom! Reasons like that are why I do not believe in religion. Even the "good" institutions have rules that are self serving, or have not changed with time.

However, that being said, there are two great religions figures that live today. At least, until a few minutes ago when one of them passed away. I respect them for their humanity. Pope John Paul II, may he rest in peace. There were certain issues that the "church" has, that he might not have been able to change. At least, not if he were to spend his life doing what he has done, spreading goodwill across the globe. For that, even if I do not necessarily believe in his religion, I have to give the utmost respects for his life that he has donated to humanity.

CNN has a biography on him.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/pope/bio/early/index.html

Here is the Vatican site, although it is not working at the moment probably due to overload.
http://www.vatican.va

Pope John Paul II was the beginning of the end of Communism in Poland, perhaps even in the Soviet Union. Who will be the next Pope? How what will he accomplish? With over 1 billion Catholics in the world, the Vatican (as with many religious institutions) has a citizenship greater than most countries in this world. The importance of a good leader cannot be stressed enough.

** NOTE, as of April 1, 2005, 14:13, the Vatican has denied reports that the Pope has died. **

The other human I have respect for incidentally, is the Dalai Lama.