NO! I think They all started out the same way, probably with all good intentions.
"Is your negative opinion of him based on serious, reliably, scholarly work, or on fringe rants from biased sources?"
Admittedly from reports from people who are much more familiar with him than I ever intend to be. How scholarly they are I don't know, but the ones I believe are cetainly biased. Their anecdotal, first hand knowledge is good enough for me.
That being said, I have read snippets of his writings on different topics, (not enough to make me knowledgeable) and I have no doubt that what is written is passable as Catholic tradition and teaching, if not examined to closely. And I am sure that is what ensnares the gullible.
From reports I have heard and read and my own gut instincts based on those reports, Opus Dei reminds me exactly of the same hierarchal makeup as the Masons. I don't mean to say it is the same people, or that they are Masons in drag, but their organization is modeled after it. People at the lower levels have no idea what the higher levels are up to.
For all I know the Opus Dei may be the Vaticans antidote to the Masonic Lodge, but even that is no reason to draw in unsuspecting pilgrims under the guise of religion. The words are good - the application is subversive. I don't mind subversive for a good cause but I don't want anybody manipulating my spirituality to achieve it.
"Remember, you are contradicting a definition of the Roman Pontiff"
Yes, scary isn't it? Nobody with half a brain thinks this is just an organization to help people cope with the workaday world, but the Pope has given his imprimatur as if it is in spite of the public outrage.
Do you really think that St. Josemaria can be compared to a genocidal maniac and the false prophet who founded the world's largest false religion? Come on. No matter what you've read about St. Josemaria, it wasn't anywhere near that bad.
That being said, I have read snippets of his writings on different topics, (not enough to make me knowledgeable) and I have no doubt that what is written is passable as Catholic tradition and teaching, if not examined to closely.
Would you be willing to provide some "close examination" of his writings? For instance, his homily The Supernatural Aim of the Church?
Nobody with half a brain thinks this is just an organization to help people cope with the workaday world,
And you say this based on what? Name some names, cite some sources. These are major allegations and if you are going to make them you have the obligation to back up what you say.
Think about it,,Jesus Christ,Peter,the Apostles,the disciples and the multitudes. Peter was told to follow Christ and all others should follow Peter.
Even the communications were addressed. See today's Gospel from the 1962 Missal. (AAABest has it posted.
Toward the end of the Gospel,Jesus explains more to his Apostles and says the others (multitudes at least) are not yet ready for the fullness of the parable.
Opus Dei is not a coping mechanism,it is dedicated to evangelizing the world,by example.