Pope Francis is correct about the failures of market capitalism. But there's a small problem ...

The current Pope's economic critiques make a great deal of sense. So much so that even as an atheist, it means I'm tempted to make common cause with the Church. The problem is the Pope's theological obligations, which tend to take away what the Holy Father's economic platform giveth. We pagans tend to be burned first. 

But I'll give Francis major props for daring to tackle the prevailing neoliberal dogma, even while being sure I'll hear about it, probably from the economists first.

Pope Francis Laments Failures Of Market Capitalism In Blueprint For Post-COVID World, by Sylvia Poggioli (NPR)

Pope Francis has presented his blueprint for a post-COVID-19 world, covering a vast number of issues from fraternity and income inequality to immigration and social injustice.

The document, released Sunday, is his third encyclical — the most authoritative form of papal teaching.

Its title is Fratelli Tutti, and it is a scathing description of laissez faire capitalism and a meditation on the coronavirus pandemic that has swept across the globe.

BREAKING: See the subtle and innovative design of Team Gahan's new Royal Guard uniforms.

Let's break it down.

Freedonia, Sylvania, New Gahania ... at times, it's hard to distinguish between them.

Read about Duck Soup here.

Read about the Knights of Malta here.

The Tree Board is not on-line -- does that surprise anyone? But the grand finale is here: "Find the Popes in the Pizza."

"Even non-believers can’t deny the inherent wisdom and clarity of the pontiff’s critique of the modern capitalist economy."

I love it. First the skeptic's examination of an icon (Zizek on "Mandela’s Socialist Failure"), and now a Pope willing to examine contemporary capitalism and its “trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world.”

The world turned upside down? Unlikely, but some good reading for an atheist on a Sunday morning.

What the Pope Got Right About Capitalism: Even non-believers can’t deny the inherent wisdom and clarity of the pontiff’s critique of the modern capitalist economy, by Robert Scheer (The Nation, from Truthdig)

Forget, for the moment, that he is the pope, and that Holy Father Francis’ apostolic exhortation last week was addressed “to the bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful.” Even if, like me, you don’t fall into one of those categories and also take issue with the Catholic Church’s teachings on a number of contested social issues, it is difficult to deny the inherent wisdom and clarity of the pontiff’s critique of the modern capitalist economy. No one else has put it as powerfully and succinctly.

It is an appraisal based not on “just pure Marxism coming out of the mouth of the pope,” as Rush Limbaugh sneered, but rather the words of Jesus telling the tale of the Good Samaritan found in Luke, not in Das Kapital. As opposed to Karl Marx’s emphasis on the growing misery of a much-needed but exploited working class, Francis condemns today’s economy of “exclusion” leaving the “other” as the roadkill of modern capitalism ...

Finally, a "godless" beer. There are tears in my eyes.

I'm no longer in the habit of "reviewing" beers; for a deeper explanation, read "Time off for reinvention" at the Potable Curmudgeon blog.

My friend brought a bottle of Gudeløs to last Monday's tasting. It is brewed by the Bryggeriet Djævlebryg in Dennmark, and the beer itself is mighty tasty, but the story's even tastier.

Bryggeriet Djævlebryg and the Danish Atheist Society have entered into an unholy alliance and the result is "Godless": This first batch is a somehow accessible imperial stout with its 8.9% abv. It offers burnt notes from the malt mingled with sweet nuances and a warming depth from the alcohol. This brew is primarly aimed at members of the Atheist Society, but it will also be available in selected shops and bars. In these times, when companies are expected to show social responsibility, we in the brewery have decided to follow suit: For each bottle or draft sold we donate 1 Danish Krone to the Danish Atheist Society.

Talk about frustration -- why didn't I think of doing it? It's also ironic, given that later in the week, Pope Francis decided to publicly ponder atheism and conscience.

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Progressive? Now now. Being an atheist with a conscience means never needing to be given advice by any of various popes.