Once I worked out what that meant , I agreed with it ... mostly, anyway.daverupa wrote:"By failing to live by the letter of the texts, while tolerating the irrationality of those who do, religious moderates betray faith and reason equally."
Sam Harris
Terry Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax said much the same sort of thing (in Carpe Jugulum, IIRC), berating the Omnian [read 'Christian'] missionary for being too milk-and-water when he should have been fire-and-brimstone if his faith were wholehearted.
Aussie philosopher Tamas Pataki said it too, more formally and at greater length, in Against Religion.
Are they all correct? Yes, but we are better off not saying it too loudly or too often because the more relaxed the monotheists become regarding the letter of the texts, the more reasonable they can become in dealing with those who don't share their beliefs.
Getting back to the topic: I think it's a good thing that Benedict has retired. Two reasons: (1) he was always a reactionary and the world needs a more progressive Pope, and (2) his retirement breaks another shackle-of-the-past and the Catholic church needs to get better at that.
But let's be polite to each other - it's a small planet.
Kim