Update on the altar-smashing God-goons

(I tried to post this yesterday, but Blogger was down.)

I was really, really hoping these people would turn out not to be acting out some deranged version of Protestant Fundamentalism. Rats.

"We are in End Times," Wagner said. "This is Armageddon, the end of all things. Basically, what we're in right now is the appearance of the antichrist who we believe to be Pope Benedict (XVI). . . . That's the main reason we chose the Catholic church. It didn't have anything to do with the people in it...

Turgeon and Wagner said they believe the End Times have begun because of widespread famine, epidemics and natural disasters like hurricanes and a tsunami that killed thousands.

"I'm just waiting for an earthquake," Turgeon said.

The couple spoke of their readings in the book of Revelation, saying changes in the moon, stars and an asteroid he believes is the woodworm, were all predicted. [That's "Wormwood," you dolt! – Joel]

Both Turgeon and Wagner believe Pope Benedict is the antichrist. They said Pope Benedict changed his pallium, a band worn over the pope's shoulders, and the color of his ring.

"He changed the color to red," Turgeon said. "A symbol of the blood of the lamb. Every time he puts the ring on he's saying, 'I'm God.' "

Turgeon said he discovered the difference in the pope's attire while browsing the Internet.

You know, this is not unlike a Protestant analog of the Catholic pervo-priest scandal. The overwhelming majority of Protestants would no more do something like this than the overwhelming majority of priests would diddle boys. Normal, sane Fundamentalists (no, that's not an oxymoron!) may believe that the Pope is the Anti-Christ, but they don't trash their neighbors' churches to combat him. (Particularly since there's a lot of ocean between Alabama and Rome, so the Pope wasn't even affected.) These people bear about the same resemblance to genuine Fundamentalists that Tim McVeigh bore to Republicans. To my Fundamentalist friends on- and offline, I want to say I'm sorry if any Catholic has tarred you with the same brush that slathers these loons. It's wrong when "guilt by association" is applied to Catholics, and wrong when it's applied to Protestants.

BTW, would someone who knows more about vestments tell me if the pallium's color changes according to the liturgical season, or what? I'm curious.