The Popes visit to Britain.

[M18CTID]

The reason why a lot of English do slag off Catholicism is because the country has been subjected to it and so directly affected by it. For hundreds of years Europe was oppressed by the Catholic church, and whilst small sections of it did good and kept their holy vows, a whole lot of others did not and are still not. The whole reason (apart from a King's selfish desire to get rid of a wife) why England seperated from Rome was because it was oppressive and corrupt, particularly at the higher levels. They burned heretics, took money to excuse sins, sired children. After the reformation, things took a better turn so obviously a lot of people are going to think that Catholicism is still a bad thing.

Now we are in modern times and things have changed massively. Some religions have changed with the times, others haven't. Islam and Catholicism are ones who refuse to change, and whilst I have no respect for either of their practises and beliefs, I am more likely to target Catholicism because it is situated in Europe where things have progressed vastly yet they still refuse to change with the times. I think it's disgusting that the Pope does not back the ideas of using condoms in Africa, if he knows people are going to be promiscous on a continent where HIV is prominent, what's more important, the life of the person now or the life of someone that might not ever be? I'm not even going to discuss peadophilia in the church, you just can't defend it!

Have you heard the story of the little girl in Brazil who was raped by her stepfather? She was pregnant with twins and had to have an abortion, but the Catholic church condemned those involved for killing a life, when if they hadn't have done the little girl would have surely died. Not only that, but one Bishop said that those who performed the abortion and the girl's mother had committed more of a serious crime than that of the father who had raped a child.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1883598,00.html

Now I have no problem with every day Catholics, nor do I with Muslims, at the end of the day if it makes them happy to practise their religion and it does not interfer with my life, I don't really care. But I absolutely despise the institution of religions that allow such horrible things to happen. And I know that a lot of religions have bad apples, but the Catholic Church tries to cover it up, and it's just sickening.

Good post, and the last paragraph I've bolded sums up my feelings exactly. I think some people on here are missing the point that some of us have tried to make on this thread. If people want to practise their religion, any religion, then fair play to them. My beef isn't with practising Catholics. After all, many of my family and friends are Catholics so why should I have a problem with them? No, the issue as professor_frink above has said is with some of the people in authority in the Catholic church, the numerous heinous crimes that some of them have committed, and the subsequent covering up of said crimes. Surely it's in the interests of all Catholics that this despicable mess is cleared up once and for all, and that all guilty parties are held fully accountable for their actions?

 

[Skashion]

In any case making a better 10 Commandments than what is in the Bible is a piece of piss.

I'm pretty much in agreement with the ones suggested in The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

 

[stonerblue]

A blue for over 40 odd years and a catholic for longer. A sad day to read my religion insulted and the butt of cheap jibes on a web site dedicated to my football club.
An earlier poster was right this would have been pulled with anti semetic or Islam insults.
The christians in this country are the only realistic western philosopy standing against a tide of aggresive muslim fundamentalism that has taken root through immigration over the last 30 years.
Dont care....... you will in about 20 years time.

I was with you until your 3rd paragraph, then i laughed a lot.

 

[tonea2003]

if your born into a muslim family your brought up a muslim, if your born into a christian family your brought up a christian, Hindu's the same etc, etc....its not freedom of choice , oh yes some people " find god" in adult life, but its getting fewer and fewer.
If any religious people DARE to read up on the history of their religion, they will be shocked.
not only is it all Plagerised from Pagan gods and other religions, that share EXACTLY the same Birthday of their Lord thousands of years before Christ Or Mohammed , same number of deciples, same Star in the sky, same 3 kings, same reserection, same commandments, in almost every aspect the same things were written thousands of years before the bible.
Also the atrocities and rule by fear by these " god faring" people recorded in time, its History that cannot be denied.
ALL religion is EVIL , its rule by fear for the stupid.
now as the Human race "wakes up" become more educated about the universe and how thing are created we dont have to listen to the shit spewed from the mouths of these Popes, and other religious muppets.
Its nothing to do with my Plasma Tv, its nothing to do with Big brother or x factor, were not dumbing down , quite the opposite !

In a 5 thousand years time i hope the human race looks back in shame at our brief existance on this planet and vows never to go back to the Evil warring between religions and we have evolved to be free of this doctorine .

standing up and applauds, well said corky

 

[m27]

I've got to get meself one of those 'The Pope' scarves they had in the crowd yesterday. They were mint.

Even better, does anyone know if they were selling any Euro style half 'The Pope' half 'Ian Paisley' ones?

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

As a Catholic I was initially appalled by some of the comments on here: not because there were some pretty lame jokes, any number of posters who clearly think they're funnier than they actually are and the usual 'Aren't-I-great-because-I-actually-believe-in-nothing?' mob.

Catholics are an easy target in Britain; have been for 500 years and always will be, so it's nothing new, but I very much doubt that anyone on here would have dared to be so critical of Islam or Rastafarianism, the Dalai Lama or the Chief Rabbi.

What now makes me laugh at and pity some of the posters in equal measure is that they get so riled by something they claim is so irrelevant - be it organised religion, Christianity in general or any or all of the following: the God, the Pope or Catholicism in particular.

In an age when respect is a much-coveted commodity, paradoxically it's now reserved for those who have either not earned it or do not deserve it: the flotsam and jetsam of reality TV, talent show fodder and idols such as Wayne Rooney with, inevitably enough, their feet of clay.

Feel free to line up alongside noted attention-seekers like Ian Paisley and Peter Tatchell (neither of whom have ever come up with a worthwhile idea in their respective sorry lives), surround yourself with the trappings of conspicuous consumerism, even though no credo states that happiness equals such 'necessities' as a fortnight in Florida, a BMW or a 40" flat screen TV, or take issue with the Ten Commandments (and perhaps dream up an eleventh, but be warned: you'll be hard pushed), but personally I think there may be something more.

Have a discussion by all means, but whether you have Faith or not, at least show a modicum of 'respect' towards those who have.

wow......just wow

That has to be up their for most hypocritical bluemoon post ever..... you do realise the holy father in the 12th century made celibacy compulsory for priests? What does this have to do with your post? Well the driving force of the modern 'Catholic church' is nothing different to the middle ages, wealth. By placing mandatory celibacy the priests, who were the affluent creatures of the day, were ultimately keeping the wealth in house, all inheritance bestowed upon the vatican on the death bed - how convenient.

And have a look through the previous posts- islam, has its secrets, just will take time for ignorant twats to open their eyes to the oppression this institution spits out.

Don't feel exclusive, all religion is brain washing, your just one of the many who fear something which in reality just isn't true.

 

[m27]

As a Catholic I was initially appalled by some of the comments on here: not because there were some pretty lame jokes, any number of posters who clearly think they're funnier than they actually are and the usual 'Aren't-I-great-because-I-actually-believe-in-nothing?' mob.

Catholics are an easy target in Britain; have been for 500 years and always will be, so it's nothing new, but I very much doubt that anyone on here would have dared to be so critical of Islam or Rastafarianism, the Dalai Lama or the Chief Rabbi.

What now makes me laugh at and pity some of the posters in equal measure is that they get so riled by something they claim is so irrelevant - be it organised religion, Christianity in general or any or all of the following: the God, the Pope or Catholicism in particular.

In an age when respect is a much-coveted commodity, paradoxically it's now reserved for those who have either not earned it or do not deserve it: the flotsam and jetsam of reality TV, talent show fodder and idols such as Wayne Rooney with, inevitably enough, their feet of clay.

Feel free to line up alongside noted attention-seekers like Ian Paisley and Peter Tatchell (neither of whom have ever come up with a worthwhile idea in their respective sorry lives), surround yourself with the trappings of conspicuous consumerism, even though no credo states that happiness equals such 'necessities' as a fortnight in Florida, a BMW or a 40" flat screen TV, or take issue with the Ten Commandments (and perhaps dream up an eleventh, but be warned: you'll be hard pushed), but personally I think there may be something more.

Have a discussion by all means, but whether you have Faith or not, at least show a modicum of 'respect' towards those who have.

I'm also a Catholic but simply cannot defend the Catholic Church. It's an outdated, morally corrput organisation and it is their actions and 'teachings' which has led to all Catholics being tarred with the same brush.

I still got to Church very very occasionally but my Mum and Dad go every single week and have done forever. However, even my Mum is now quick to criticise the Church and their outdated ways, and she's never been like that before. It's a mess.

You are right that we are an easy target but the reason for that is the Pope makes us an easy target with his archaic views.

 

[BimboBob]

if your born into a muslim family your brought up a muslim, if your born into a christian family your brought up a christian, Hindu's the same etc, etc....its not freedom of choice , oh yes some people " find god" in adult life, but its getting fewer and fewer.
If any religious people DARE to read up on the history of their religion, they will be shocked.
not only is it all Plagerised from Pagan gods and other religions, that share EXACTLY the same Birthday of their Lord thousands of years before Christ Or Mohammed , same number of deciples, same Star in the sky, same 3 kings, same reserection, same commandments, in almost every aspect the same things were written thousands of years before the bible.
Also the atrocities and rule by fear by these " god faring" people recorded in time, its History that cannot be denied.
ALL religion is EVIL , its rule by fear for the stupid.
now as the Human race "wakes up" become more educated about the universe and how thing are created we dont have to listen to the shit spewed from the mouths of these Popes, and other religious muppets.
Its nothing to do with my Plasma Tv, its nothing to do with Big brother or x factor, were not dumbing down , quite the opposite !

In a 5 thousand years time i hope the human race looks back in shame at our brief existance on this planet and vows never to go back to the Evil warring between religions and we have evolved to be free of this doctorine .

That will do for me. Well said mate.

 

[levets]

The reason why a lot of English do slag off Catholicism is because the country has been subjected to it and so directly affected by it. For hundreds of years Europe was oppressed by the Catholic church, and whilst small sections of it did good and kept their holy vows, a whole lot of others did not and are still not. The whole reason (apart from a King's selfish desire to get rid of a wife) why England seperated from Rome was because it was oppressive and corrupt, particularly at the higher levels. They burned heretics, took money to excuse sins, sired children. After the reformation, things took a better turn so obviously a lot of people are going to think that Catholicism is still a bad thing.

Now we are in modern times and things have changed massively. Some religions have changed with the times, others haven't. Islam and Catholicism are ones who refuse to change, and whilst I have no respect for either of their practises and beliefs, I am more likely to target Catholicism because it is situated in Europe where things have progressed vastly yet they still refuse to change with the times. I think it's disgusting that the Pope does not back the ideas of using condoms in Africa, if he knows people are going to be promiscous on a continent where HIV is prominent, what's more important, the life of the person now or the life of someone that might not ever be? I'm not even going to discuss peadophilia in the church, you just can't defend it!

Have you heard the story of the little girl in Brazil who was raped by her stepfather? She was pregnant with twins and had to have an abortion, but the Catholic church condemned those involved for killing a life, when if they hadn't have done the little girl would have surely died. Not only that, but one Bishop said that those who performed the abortion and the girl's mother had committed more of a serious crime than that of the father who had raped a child.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1883598,00.html

Now I have no problem with every day Catholics, nor do I with Muslims, at the end of the day if it makes them happy to practise their religion and it does not interfer with my life, I don't really care. But I absolutely despise the institution of religions that allow such horrible things to happen. And I know that a lot of religions have bad apples, but the Catholic Church tries to cover it up, and it's just sickening.

Where do you stand on jehova's witness's?

 

[meeesh]

City just been represented in front of the Holy father....with Brian Kidd
Anyone just see that ?