Warb, try not to get too upset over disagreements with a few random people on a SW forum. Consider it a place to share opinions, not a place to necessarily convince anyone.
With regards to the Pope, it seems to me that liberals are often derided for being too deferential to Muslim beliefs. But disrespect the Pope and you’re a heathen! So it works both ways. Fact is, the older I get, the less I care about tiptoeing around some ancient dogma… I think they’re all nuts.