037: Pope Is Dead. Long Live the New Pope?

Does the World Really Need a Religious Leader?

R.I.P. to Pope Francis. He seemed like a good man, doing his best within his position. At the end of the day, he was another human being, one that history will likely remember well. For anyone interested in his life story, I highly recommend watching The Two Popes, which beautifully portrays his struggle to accept the papacy from Benedict XVI. The film delves into his deep remorse over his actions and inactions during the Argentinian authoritarian regime’s paramilitary attacks—a conflict that shaped his approach to leadership.

But this raises a broader question: Does the world truly need a pope—or any kind of religious leader?

A World Without Religious Leadership?

If you ask me, I would dream of a world where no human being felt the need for a religious leader or doctrine, yet still managed to live in peace with the rest of humanity.

I know this sounds idealistic, even unrealistic. Yet, anyone who has read history knows how religions have often justified wars, violence, oppression, and psychological abuse.

It’s not that I completely reject the idea of a higher power—whether a God, a conscious universe, or some other force or or simply a need to sense one to feel significant in this vast cosmos (or even multiverse). I try to read and learn about all religions, recognizing their vast differences. Despite these contrasts—which often lead to conflict and division—each tradition is convinced it holds the absolute truth. But is that really so?"

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Religion, Trauma, and the Cycle of Fear

I tend to believe that the leading forces behind wars are not always justified via religious beliefs. Instead, they stem from deep-seated cultural and generational trauma—passed down through tradition, stories, and even genetics.

Religious justifications for violence often serve as rationalizations rather than true motives. Many war leaders may claim divine approval for their actions, but beneath the surface, they are often trapped in cycles of fear and trauma, unable to break free from the systems they themselves perpetuate. Moreover, there is a certain banality of evil at work: individuals who follow these leaders blindly often fail to recognize the true nature of their actions. They simply believe they are doing good by obeying orders, not realizing that this compliance enables a cycle of brutality and injustice.

But surely, this cannot be the only way to live?

A Call for Justice, Not Ideology

I understand economic theories that justify resource scarcity, but is the world truly so imbalanced that some must die from lack of clean water, food, or hygiene, while others fly around the globe indulging in unimaginable luxuries?

This is not a call for an ideology—rather, a call for a more just world. Because if there’s one principle that lies at the heart of every religion, it is justice.

We want to believe that good people will be rewarded, and that those who violate the rights of others should be held accountable—whether through punishment, prevention, or correction. Yet, we also recognize that many harmful actions are born from harm itself, perpetuating cycles of injustice.

To break the cycle, justice must be transformative rather than destructive—ensuring that punishment itself does not become another form of harm. Moreover, insights from neuroscience and our growing understanding of hormones and mental health reveal that violent behavior often stems from complex biological and environmental factors. Recognizing that aggression and self-destructive actions can be influenced by neurochemical imbalances and psychological trauma, our approach to justice should include both rehabilitation and support. By addressing these underlying causes, we can build a system that not only holds individuals accountable but also helps heal the roots of violence, ultimately fostering a more compassionate and fair society.

Beyond Chaos: Humanity’s Role in Creating Peace

It’s true that the chaos of the universe seems indifferent to fairness. Natural disasters, diseases, and accidents take lives without consideration for good or bad.

Yet, as human species, we have fought back against chaos, minimizing the devastation caused by such disasters. We still have a long way to go, but every step toward preserving life, improving health, and securing well-being has been a collective effort.

And I truly believe that peace, too, is achievable collectively.

Games as a Path to Harmony

If we refuse to let religious doctrines, ideological divides, and tribal mentalities separate us, then peace becomes possible. We are a species that loves to compete, debate, and even fight—but opposition should always exist within fair play, allowing new opportunities and new horizons to emerge.

That’s also why I believe in the power of games—they create safe magic circles where we can learn about ourselves, challenge ourselves, and even heal. Games teach us how to tame our instincts, refine our emotions, and return to reality with a stronger sense of self—paving the way for a just and peaceful world, maybe not today, maybe not in my lifetime, but eventually.

On this planet—and perhaps, in the future, even on others.

Thanks for reading this far. Feel free to share your thoughts—take care!