Even if you read the Bible in its original texts it isn't like you're reading the word of your God... the 'holy scripture' was written by men, for men(read:humans not specifically males).

Although I am not Christian, and I don't think of the Bible(or any other holy book) as anything more than mythology(although i do think mythology can teach important lessons). I still was sad when I heard the pope died... just as I will be sad when the Dalai Lama dies....or any other spiritual person I know of dies...

People like the Pope and the Dalai Lama are great people who are closer to 'the divine' than any of us can probably ever hope to be, and even if I don't agree with all of their doctrines, I still think it is very sad when anyone who is that close to 'the divine' passes from this world as they did a great many good things throughout their lives, no matter what path they represent.

--Plastic

((OH yeah...no I don't think theyre somehow inherently better than anyone else, I just think they are able to help more people than most of us would even want to...))