Originally Posted By TomSawyer Yeah, I'm going to assume that God is against the guys who rape children and then protect the rapist rather than the kid. Supporting an organization that does that financially is just flat out wrong, especially when it has shown no contrition for the acts themselves.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck I keep thinking of the scene in A Hard Day's Night, when an interviewer asks Ringo if he is a Mod, or a Rocker. Ringo's response, "I'm a Mocker!"
Originally Posted By oc_dean A cult leader ... relinquishes his role from his cult - no big news here! <--- Says the 'Intrinsically Evil' one!
Originally Posted By oc_dean Wow! I had no idea what the Pope was up to ... while I was on vacation in the states back in December... As I'm finding out he was up to no good: <a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b3b_1356204241&comments=1" target="_blank">http://www.liveleak.com/view?i...mments=1</a> Since this IS the official position of the Catholic Church ... an institution for centuries ..... I'll tell you all ........... As I get older ... and learn more about the Bible .. and listen to their distorted "truths" about one thing or another - especially their position on gay people ..... To me ... most recognized religions are nothing but cults. There's no truth to anything. Just a bunch of fictionalized stories created by the imperfect species known as MAN... thrown out over centuries .. as "the voice of God."
Originally Posted By TomSawyer There is truth out there, Dean. It just doesn't come from the mouths of men in ridiculous hats. As Neil Degrasse Tyson said, "“The remarkable feature of physical laws is that they apply everywhere, whether or not you choose to believe in them. After the laws of physics, everything else is opinion.”
Originally Posted By barboy ///Yeah, I'm going to assume that God is against the guys who rape children and then protect the rapist rather than the kid. Supporting an organization that does that financially is just flat out wrong, especially when it has shown no contrition for the acts themselves./// Did you say that you have a yong one(or two) that attends Catholic school? Just curious here.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^^FWIW, most Parochial schools these days are staffed 100% by lay people. That said, public school teachers have been known to molest minors as well.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I do have a kid that goes to a Catholic school. It costs the associated parish a little more than $1000 a year for my daughter to go there, so the net flow of money is from the church to my daughter's education, not the other way around. We don't participate in any of the parish fundraisers, but we do participate in the school fundraisers. We usually contribute enough to the annual fundraising efforts to cover the cost of my daughter's education without relying on the annual subsidy that the school receives every year from the parish. Catholic healthcare and education are great resources and services, but they generally receive little or no direct financial support from the church itself at least in the US.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I do have a kid that goes to a Catholic school. It costs the associated parish a little more than $1000 a year for my daughter to go there, so the net flow of money is from the church to my daughter's education, not the other way around. We don't participate in any of the parish fundraisers, but we do participate in the school fundraisers. We usually contribute enough to the annual fundraising efforts to cover the cost of my daughter's education without relying on the annual subsidy that the school receives every year from the parish. Catholic healthcare and education are great resources and services, but they generally receive little or no direct financial support from the church itself at least in the US.
Originally Posted By barboy I'm loosely reminded of my Bro.-in-law who co pastors a 10,000 member born again church. Predictably, he and his church take major issue with Catholicism(85% of our country of 90 million is avowedly Catholic) both in its theology and in its social practice, stature and influence. Bro-in-law sends his teen to the expensive Catholic Univeristy, De La Salle......I guess since his son landed a full scholarship then it's OK to bend his principles.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer It's along the lines of disliking the upper echelon of the faith while having no problem with the individuals who are members. I'm Episcopalian, which is an odd place that is Catholic in form and practice but that doesn't recognize the authority of the Roman Curia. My disagreements with Rome stem from their social positions on women's issues, about the second-class nature of women in their organization, and lately the protection of the "brand" at the expense of children's psyches. One of the things I see is how women in the Catholic church are frankly the ones doing the heavy lifting for the faith. They really are God's hands in the world, educating kids and caring for the poor and sick. And it is shameful the way that the Vatican treats them. The individuals in the church are part of the same body of Christ that I am, and every other Christian. I don't take issue with them. I do take issue with the self-serving leadership in Rome, and with those Catholics who support Rome even while ignoring the troubled leadership there.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-pope-resignation-immunity-idUSBRE91E0ZI20130215" target="_blank">http://www.reuters.com/article...20130215</a> <Pope Benedict's decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say. "His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless. He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security, if he is anywhere else," said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity.>
Originally Posted By TP2000 They should get an African to be the next Pope. That way, the Catholics can strengthen their ties to that growing continent's people and keep the Muslims confined to far northern Africa. The worst thing for the western world would be for all of Africa to fall under the influence of radical Islam. Picking the first black Pope, and a native African at that, would help confine the radical Muslims to their current territory and save the world from a lot of grief if they were to gain more power and continental influence over a Billion or so more people. I'm no fan of organized religion, and especially the Catholics, but I'd be rooting for them if was them against the Muslims for control of the African continent. A black Pope will help a great deal with that.
Originally Posted By ecdc I think talk of a South American or African Pope is very premature. The New York Times (I think) had an article on the Vatican this past weekend. Short version: Do not underestimate just how insulated, conservative, elderly, and territorial the cardinals are.
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Originally Posted By mawnck My question from post #6 answered: "Pope Emeritus". And you still address him as "Your Holiness". News you can use. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/us-pope-resignation-name-idUSBRE91P0CW20130226" target="_blank">http://www.reuters.com/article...20130226</a>
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I wondered why he was remaining at the Vatican and the effect that might have on the next Pope, but someone pointed out on another message board that as long as he is in the Vatican he can't be extradited and compelled to testify.
