I don’t find it odd. Even with Vatican II in 1962-65 transforming the role of the pope to a more ecumenical approach, the role is still one of a world leader. It’s similar to how those same politicians consult with the Dalai Lama. There’s realpolitik reasons for political world leaders to be seen consulting them as ‘world leaders’ that have nothing to do with the actual religions.

Nah man sorry. You’re just wrong in this case. You’re missing the forest for the trees.

Communism was the conspiracy. China. Vietnam. Laos. Cuba. Yemen. Somalia. Congo. Mozambique. Afghanistan. These were the countries succumbing to the worldwide conspiracy he was talking about.

Not to forget that Kennedy increased US involvement in Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism. He sent more troops and military advisers to South Vietnam to fight Ho Chi Minh’s forces. His brother also served under McCarthy as his father was a major ally and raging anti-communist.

Also regarding religion, Kennedy was a devout Catholic, which was a massive issue for him during the election, giving him good reason to try and dissuade people from considering it as an issue for him. Back then Catholics were often questioned on their loyalty, with people concerned that the president would be answerable to the pope. Crazy I know.

You’re not going to like this answer but he didn’t say Soviet Union because he didn’t need to. Everybody understood that ‘communism’ was ‘THE Global Conspiracy’ ever since McCarthyism took of.

Check out A conspiracy so immense : the world of Joe McCarthy by David Oshinsky to learn a little of what the attitude of the time was like.

Also sorry for the previously snippy response.

He was talking about the Soviet Union. Don’t they teach this very basic history in school?

Who do you think was conducting the ‘Cold War’ in the last sentence?

It’s interesting to me how divisive reactions seem to be on Avowed, some people loving the hell out of it and some being very lukewarm. It’s not even falling along the usual IGN reviewer love vs indie reviewer scepticism divide like Starfield or Veilguard. I wonder what’s driving the difference?

It sounds like your life will be immeasurably improved by cutting him off. But it’s such an intense, personal decision that I’m not sure any internet stranger could honestly say one way or the other.