A female pope - truth or legend?
Jul. 11th, 2006 11:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wiseheartI've watched an interesting documentary about the supposed Pope Joan on the German TV-channel Phoenix.
The topic is nothing new for me as read a book about Pope Joan - and a rather rainbow-press-inspired, smutty one at that - many years ago, when I used to be a rather conservative Catholic. Of course, I reacted with righteous anger and threw the book away. *g*
Now, the makers of the documentary didn't take any sides in the centuries-old debate about the existence or nonexistence of a female pope. They rather ivestigated the archetype of a young girl who takes on a male disguise, so that she can do men's work. (Éowyn anyone?)
Nonetheless, it was interesting to hear the different theologians and historians explain their opinions about the social and psychological background of such an act, regardless whether Pope Joan ever existed or not. I enjoyed the program very much.
The topic is nothing new for me as read a book about Pope Joan - and a rather rainbow-press-inspired, smutty one at that - many years ago, when I used to be a rather conservative Catholic. Of course, I reacted with righteous anger and threw the book away. *g*
Now, the makers of the documentary didn't take any sides in the centuries-old debate about the existence or nonexistence of a female pope. They rather ivestigated the archetype of a young girl who takes on a male disguise, so that she can do men's work. (Éowyn anyone?)
Nonetheless, it was interesting to hear the different theologians and historians explain their opinions about the social and psychological background of such an act, regardless whether Pope Joan ever existed or not. I enjoyed the program very much.
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Date: 2006-07-12 12:41 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-13 06:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-17 12:42 am (UTC)