Defence Of Catholic Teaching

[Clydeside_Sheep]

@ Harcus - thank you kindly for those figures.

 

Dirty bastards.

I'd never trust a fully grown man who believes in Santa, the tooth fairy or fairies in general. Let alone a man who basis his whole life around a book about a man who looks vaguely like Santa that has a son who does magic tricks. Especially when they have a vow to not do the most natural and NORMAL thing on the planet....to procreate! It's no wonder they go crazy and shag kids.

 

A few points:

 

The report shows that in the timeframe, there have been 3 or 4 allegations of abuse (sexual, physical,. verbal, whatever) against clergy per year - and some of these are decades old. The release also says there are 706 priests in Scotland.

 

So, it is easy to determine that this figure corresponds to 0.42 - 0.57 % of all scottish priests accused of wrong doing per annum.

 

I am 100% confident that this rate of allegations is comfortably less than the comparable figure for (for example) teachers, police officers, other religions and the general public.

 

This from the US:

 

 

In New York City, for example, public school teachers are ten times more likely to abuse children than are Catholic priests. Teachers, Boy Scout leaders, foster parents, counselors, and physicians all have higher rates of child abuse than do Catholic priests.

 

 

http://dailycaller.com/2011/04/03/the-medias-sex-abuse-double-standard/

 

Of course, even one allegation of abuse is a bad thing, but it is very important to keep both well informed and a sense of perspective.

 

So, looking at the reality, I think calling priests "dirty bastards" is somewhat unfair, and the suggestion that celibacy can turn people could turn into child abusers is frankly absurd. Millions of ordinary people are celibate in society, for all kinds of reasons. Our knowledge of human biology shows that in no way is a sex life required for a normal, well adjusted life. If you think celibacy is harmful, you are essentially suggesting that everyone is a potential sex offender, until they lose their virginity.

 

It shows how f*cked up secular societys view of human sexuality is that:

 

- sodomy is normal and acceptable, (despite its mocking of human biology). and this disorientation is natural and cannot be changed for love nor money; indeed it is harmful to even to try to correct disordered sexual orientation

 

but at the same time:

 

- celibacy is deeply strange and unacceptable, (despite being the normal human state), is actually harmful and can even magically make the sexuality of otherwise heterosexual men suddenly turn into a desire for intergenerational homsoexual activity. Thats right men, you better keep having sex with women - because if you stop, you will suddenly want to stick your penis up a teenage boys bum! (teen boys being the main victim demographic in Catholic cases).

 

Its also worth noting that these Scottish figures do not exclusively refer to any particular age group. Though, we know that the main victim demographic in global terms has been (by far) sexually mature teenage boys, (not kids), which is a clear indicator of the main attractions leading to the abuse.

 

Note too, that the report shows that in the majority of the Scottish cases in the report, the Police / Fiscal choose not to take any action, presumably due to a lack of evidence or because the allegations are bogus.

 

An example of a recent bogus case, which - scandalously - got all the way to court:

 

 

 

May 2013

 

Two nuns have been cleared of assaulting girls in their care at an approved school in Renfrewshire.

Anne Kenny, 79, known as Mother Rosaria, and Agnes Reville, 77, known as Mother Martin, had been accused of hitting pupils at Dalbeth Approved School in Bishopton from 1969 to 1971.

 

Other former pupils came forward to say how the nuns had turned their lives around.

 

However, six of the former pupils - most of whom had criminal records for dishonesty - claimed that they were bodily dragged to the detention room and spoke of being beaten with a riding whip and a carpet beater.

 

It also emerged that the police officer in charge of investigating the abuse claims, DC Lesley McAuley, was caught wearing a "No Surrender" sticker on her uniform at a Rangers game.

 

DC Lesley McAuley, who drives a blue car with a RFC number plate, is also facing assault charges, including allegations of a racist attack.

 

The trial heard that during the investigation she gave phone numbers of alleged victims to other alleged victims and also encouraged them to go to lawyers to seek compensation.

 

This behaviour was described by DC Moira Fyffe, who was briefly involved in the investigation, as "highly unprofessional".

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22625363

 

Scotland was and is a very bigoted place for Catholics - and this bigotry routinely rears its head at all levels of scottish life, In Holyrood, at Sport stadiums, in the legal system (Findlay QC), in the Police in the example here, and most recently at the Armys visit to Ibrox. Scotland has trouble calling anti-Catholicism what it is though, we prefer decoy terms like "unprofessional conduct" as above.

 

The same time of sentiment which led the bigoted Police officer (and gang of liars) to try to frame those two innocent old women, is not dissimilar to the media sentiments which specifically focus on, exaggerate and sensationalise instances of abuse in Catholic insitutions.

 

After all, the Scots love nothing more than being titilated by stories about what those "dirty bastard" Catholics have been up to now. Its all many of them have - for an unacceptably large number of Scottish people, anti-Catholicism is the mainstay of their personal identity.

Edit - this initial Bishops report, in full, can be found at: http://www.bpsconfscot.com/Portals/0/AUDIT%20REPORTS%202006-2012.pdf

[Clydeside_Sheep]

So how do you guys choose which bits to take seriously and which bits to dismiss as allegory?

Their shamans tell them which parts to believe and which parts to ignore/treat as allegory/change the meaning of.

 

 

@ Jones -

 

Hi there; to begin I would say that that allegory is not to be dismissed simply because it is allegory. Allegories still have a point to them, they are to demonstrate a point or tell a story. Their real value is the point they express, not whether the details are historically true or not.

 

But certainly you are right, for Catholics, parts of the Old Testament (Jewish holy book) are ignored - parts regarding specifically Jewish laws and practices (we are not Jews), such as what they eat or wear, or how they worship etc.

 

As for how Catholics know how to interpret the Bible: It was the Catholic Church which compiled (Old testament) and wrote (new testament) the Bible. It is a work of the Catholic Church, which is precisely why it is able to speak authoratitively about how the contents should be regarded by Catholics.

 

It is very important that such a book is interpreted properly - for the results of misunderstandings, by people who have no authority on the matter - we can point to the 10s of 1000s of different types of protestantism, many of whom actively damage the reputation of Christianity via their beliefs and behaviour.

 

@ Kelt

 

Its protestants who have shamans, not us. They also have druids and witches.

 

You are on your hobby horse again above. You are again denying the Church the freedom of thought to assert - as author/editor - what the book it created means, and how it should be regarded.

 

You have to analyse / critique Christianity on (genuine) Christian terms, not Kelt terms. Accordingly the only reasonable conclusion as to how to regard a certain book or passage in the Bible, is by what the Church says about it, no-one else.

 

This is like you telling Terry Prachett that his Discworld novels are not actually quirky and enjoyable fantasy stories, but rather a maintenance guide fror Austin Allegros. And whats more, that he doesnt know shit about Ausin Allegros.

 

Terry would naturally protest and insist his books were indeed quirky and enjoyable fantasy novels and thats exactly what he meant them to be, when he created them. He would say:"Hey! I f*cking wrote it, not you!".

 

Once Pope Benedict XVI was badgered by a journalist over something in one of his books and he said: "Dont tell me what it says, son, I wrote it".

[Clydeside_Sheep]

I'm Catholic.

 

Hurrah, another pearl amid the dung-heap of atheism!

 

There will be rejoicing in Heaven.

 

Welcome, Brother.

 

But I don't go to church anymore.

 

Ach, who is perfect?

 

Stopped when I was about 16, much to my mother's dismay, especially when she works for the church. I ain't exactly a model catholic any way, 2 kids before marriage, married outwith a church, since separated and will be divorced sometime in the future. So I fairly went against the grain!!

 

I stopped at 16 too (and remember being quite smug about it). My sisters always went though - the modern church (regretably) is in the main very feminised, hence it appeals to women moreso then men.

 

I eventually went back aged 29 (6 yrs ago). I am glad I did

 

I dont think anyone is a model Catholic - I certainly am not, and the other day Pope Francis said hes not - thats the point of the Church. The Church has values, not admission requirements.

 

You know you are welcome anytime

 

But that is a decision for you, not to be influenced by others.

 

If you ever did think about it, I would urge you seek out Latin liturgy: the red meat of Catholicism, as opposed to the saccharine vernacular liturgy most common today.

 

What do you make of what the media call "The Pope Francis effect"? This is the media explaining the odd situation where the exact same values and teachings which had Benedict cast as Homophobic King Paedo-Nazi, has Francis cast as Jesus the 2nd. (all that has changed is the medias own tune - for now).

 

The thing that annoys me now after watching a programme is not letting priests marry. They did hundred's of years ago, but a pope stopped it. reason being was that the church couldn't support wives/children. But we are now in an age when wives can have a job that they don't need to rely on the church to help them out financially. So they should reverse this old rule and let them marry. They say there is a shortage of priests, and there is all this sex cases. it might help put a stop to it. makes so much sense in my mind.

 

Some parts of the Church do have married clergy, but not the latin (roman) rite which is by far the largest part. Deacons can get married in the latin rite, I am friends with a married deacon. Its funny as his general "uniform" is the same as a priests, and its hilarious to see people react when they clock his wedding ring. Loads of people asked me about him, with bulging eyes, at my wedding

 

I am against it for the following reasons:

 

- clergy / professed religious are giving their lives to the service of God and others (community) when they take their vows. You cant be 100% committed to this and have a wife and kids. You would not do either full justice. If you want to get married, dont become a priest etc. if they change their mind, they can always leave to get married.

 

- following on from this: what happens if (eg) there has been an accident and someone is dying and wants a priest to come. Are we to tell them they must die without seeing a priest, because hes helping a kid with homework or at the theatre with his wife?

 

- finance is an issue. There are over half a million priests and seminarians in the world. If they all had a family, the cost of their upkeep would multiply many times fold. The Church would probably start having to pay priests, rather than just feed and look after them. Suddenly the Church would need to maintain many millions more people - for no practical gain to its mission. In practical earthly terms, the Church is meant to look after the sick/needy etc. It does this quite impressively, but if it was faced with upkeep for millions of priests family members, its great global work in education, healthcare and development / disaster relief would have to be cut back. The main result would be that people who need the Churchs help most would receive less help, and the Church would become preoccupied with efforts to provide for its employees families (like Protestant Churches, who all have to pay salaries, pensions etc).

 

There is a shortage of priests in some places (though trends are upward) in other there is a surplus, in others still just the right amount. Traditional Catholic Orders (latin language worship) ordain far, far more (pro rata) than does the mainstream post Vatican II Church in many places. Traditional priests are still a small minority, but they will grow very quickly (they are doing) and eventually the Vatican will see the sense and revert to a more traditional / authentic expression of the faith, compared to what we have had in the last half century. Indeed, this has started already with Summorum Pontificum and other such indicators.

 

Also, celibacy is not connected to the abuse cases. Pedestary / homsoexuality is. If a typical / heterosexual celibate priest wanted to have sex, do you not think he would just go out on the pull or hire an escort, as opposed to try it on with an altar boy? What would you do? lol

 

Take it easy

Cheers

CS

[Ke1t]

I'm sure you mean 'The West Coast is a very bigoted place for Catholics", rather than Scotland as a whole is bigoted. The East Coast, save for a small minority of Jambos an Hibees, cares not one short shite about religion aside from viewing it as an amusing activity for the elderly. The West Coast is also a very bigoted place for Protestents... the source of that bigotry coming from the Catholics. Or, at least, those who claim to be Catholic.

 

Catholics aren't the only group suffering victimisation. I'm sure it's much worse for blacks, Asians, and Muslims.

 

Stop whining,

[Jings Crivvens]

CS,

 

I won't be going back to church unless for a wedding or Funeral. I was told due to getting married outwith a church I am not allowed to do certain things at church now, like coimmunion. Its those sort of rules that drive people away. Plus I just can't be bothered with it all to be honest.

 

With your points about marriage for preists. I know full well about Deacons being married. I also believe the chruch can make a simple rule. They let the priests marry, but they re clear that the churtch does not support them financially, they have to do that themselves. Plus i disagree about your whole thing of theatre etc. Vicars for the chruch of scotland/England manage just fine with being married and being availble for all those things you say.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

I was told due to getting married outwith a church I am not allowed to do certain things at church now, like coimmunion.

That isnt chiefly because you got married outside the Church, its because technically you would have been cohabiting and having sex outside of marriage (because you have never been married in the Church's eyes).

 

Of course, if you are not a practicing Catholic anyway, this should matter not a jot to you. But, if you change your mind someday, you can still have that Church wedding you are entitled to lol

Its those sort of rules that drive people away.

There has to be some kind of roolz, or it would just be a pointless carry on.

But you were obviously not interested the first place, if you chose to marry elsewhere.

Plus I just can't be bothered with it all to be honest.

Fair doos.

They let the priests marry, but they re clear that the churtch does not support them financially, they have to do that themselves.

Or why not, if people want to marry, they just choose not to become priests?

 

You know, its OK not to get married. its not mandatory. The people who talk most about married priests are non-Catholics. If the priests wanted it in large numbers, I am sure they would let us know.

 

How would it be perceived if a priest and his family were struggling financially and the Church would or could not help them. Imagine the headlines.

 

Rather than local charities etc, the money the congrgation donated every sunday would be going straight into the pockets of Mr and Mrs Priest. And then imagine the rivalries, if the Parish women dont like Mrs Priest etc, you know what women are like......

Plus i disagree about your whole thing of theatre etc. Vicars for the chruch of scotland/England manage just fine with being married and being availble for all those things you say.

These Protestant Churches are not comparable - they either do not have access to the Christian sacraments, or actively deny them (to suit their worldly lives).

 

They do not have sacraments to offer people, such as (eg) the last rites, or reconciliation, and so in the case of a dying person, they would probably not even be called as they have no real role to fulfill in such a circumstance.

 

Even speaking generally, one of these protestant ministers is available much less to the general public, as they obviously have responsibilities towards their wife and kids to fulfill. This is shown by the fact that Protestant churches typically offer just one service a week (sunday) and yet Catholics are able to go to mass every day, if they so desire (I would if it was practical/realistic).

 

Cheers

CS

[Clydeside_Sheep]

I'm sure you mean 'The West Coast is a very bigoted place for Catholics", rather than Scotland as a whole is bigoted.

 

No I mean Scotland as a whole, though I would conceede that the west coast is where it is most pronounced.

 

The West Coast is also a very bigoted place for Protestents... the source of that bigotry coming from the Catholics. Or, at least, those who claim to be Catholic.

 

Thats absolute rubbish. There is not / was not comparable discimination the "other way". For a start, Catholics are only 16% of the population, a small minority - and so however could they exert any power or influence over anyone else, even if they wanted to?

 

The Catholic Church has never attacked any section of Scoittish society as being "racially inferior", in the same way the Church of Scotland spoke of Catholics.

 

You didnt get job adverts, in the recent past, saying "Protestants need not apply" - like you did with jobs Catholics were openly excluded from.

 

No major sports teams ever had a proud and public policy of refusing to sign protestant players.

 

The British Monarchy and Government never had / still maintian - in the 21st century - anti-protestant rules and restrictions.

 

There were not existing anti-protestant penal laws existing as late as the 20th century.

 

Edit - over 50% of Scottish Catholic go on to marry non-Catholics. Including me, my youngest sister, my mum and my gran. There no bigotry for anyone, amongst us.

Made yourself look silly on this one fella.

 

Catholics aren't the only group suffering victimisation.

 

I didnt claim they were.

 

I'm sure it's much worse for blacks, Asians, and Muslims.

 

And again you are wrong. By far, Catholics are the most likely in Scotland to suffer violence or discrimination based on their identity.

 

You are obviously badly out of the loop, living in the US.

 

Look at the contrast - anti-Catholic bigots, the Orange Order is allowed to parade on the streets, escorted by the Police at taxpayers expense.

 

Yet, when Anti-muslim bigots (ELD/SDL) try to congregate - they are not allowed to march / demonstrate and are generally coralled by the Police.

 

Stop whining,

 

I am not whining, I am trying to better inform those contributing to this post - you included

 

This "its a two way thing" is simply an escape route for those who dont like their fantasy of Scotland being an accepting, tolerant and welcoming place to be disturbed by reality. Scotland is small minded, parochial and intolerant.

[StandFree1982]

CS, are both your parents Catholics?

 

If so, do you think you'd have turned out a Catholic if your parents were Atheists?

[fatjim]

Why do they call Glasgow city council the catholic mafia?

 

Isn't there a lot of catholics in the council?

 

I remember hearing that when I lived there.

 

It is in the main a west coast problem. It overspills to other parts of Scotland mainly because of the weegies who have moved there.

 

Thankfully christianity on the whole is in decline and through better education it will continue to decline.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

CS, are both your parents Catholics?

 

No. My mother is, my father is not.

 

My father is not religious and never has been. Hes from Govan, orignally

 

If so, do you think you'd have turned out a Catholic if your parents were Atheists?

 

This question is now defunct, given the above!

 

I dont think Its strange that Catholic parents might produce Catholic kids, the same way atheist parents might produce atheist kids.

 

At least the Catholic parents have something to offer their kids, other than sneering and an arrogant sense of superiority.

[fatjim]

Isn't your ad hominem attacks on atheists a bit hypocritical?

 

You clearly think that by offering superstition to your children makes you superior.

[Clydeside_Sheep]

Hi fatjim,

Why do they call Glasgow city council the catholic mafia?

I dont know, I have never heard anyone call the Council this. (I have lived in and around glasgow all my life).

 

Who is the "they" you refer to?

 

Most people call it "the f*cking council" or "those incompetent w*nks" or something, in my experience.

Isn't there a lot of catholics in the council?

I dont know, I am not privvy to information regarding any religious affiliation of Council members.

 

I would expect the amount of Catholics in Glasgow Council would be similar to their numbers in general society.

I remember hearing that when I lived there.

I suppose the kind of things you hear, depends on the quality of company you keep.

It is in the main a west coast problem. It overspills to other parts of Scotland mainly because of the weegies who have moved there.

Its present everywhere because the main protagonist in the demonisation of Catholics was traditionally the Church of Scotland, (and its myriad of offshoots), which is a national organisation.

Thankfully christianity on the whole is in decline

Actually, globally the Catholic Church grows every year and the 2011 scottish census showed growth in Scotland too. But then, by now we know that your opinions are generally unreliable and do not reflect reality.

 

From the 2013 Pontifical yearbook:

The number of Catholics worldwide rose from 1196 in 2010 to 1214 million in 2011, an increase of 1.5%

http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/107736.htm

Catholics in Scotland, census figures:

 

2001 - 803,732

 

2011 - 841,053

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Scotland

 

God save Poland!

 

Certainly, other Christian denominations are failing - and no wonder.

through better education it will continue to decline.

Atheists dont half say some stupid things.

 

The Catholic Church:

 

- is the oldest provider of education on the planet

- invented Universities and founded many (included the first 3 in Scotland)

- is the largest non-Governmental educational body in the world

- has made an ongoing and unrivalled contribution to science over 2,000 yrs.

 

And yet you portray it as an organisation which has something to fear from educated people?

 

You're some laugh, I will give you that

[Clydeside_Sheep]

Isn't your ad hominem attacks on atheists a bit hypocritical?

No.

 

I would say that most atheists are not boorish loudmouths and are generally tolerant of other.

 

It is a minority of them who are sneering / superior types.

You clearly think that by offering superstition to your children makes you superior.

I am not superior to anyone, its not healthy to be regarding oneself as superior.

[spamspamspam]

its not healthy to be regarding oneself as superior.

 

 

yon Jesus dude must've had cancer then and that god fella, well...

[fatjim]

Perhaps you can enlighten us to the science that the catholic church has contributed to.

 

Putting Gallileo under house arrest for suggesting the earth revolved around the sun wouldn't be one of course.

 

 

Only a rise of 40k Catholics in 10 years how does that equate as a percentage of the population?

[fatjim]

A wee google of "Glasgow City Council Catholic Mafia" would seem it's not just about the company I keep as it is something that is said.

Perhaps you just lead a sheltered life in your wee christian bubble.

 

 

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/07/rang-j01.html

 

Whether there is any agenda in that name or something else but it is not an agenda I have.

[StandFree1982]

 

No. My mother is, my father is not.

 

My father is not religious and never has been. Hes from Govan, orignally

 

 

This question is now defunct, given the above!

 

I dont think Its strange that Catholic parents might produce Catholic kids, the same way atheist parents might produce atheist kids.

 

At least the Catholic parents have something to offer their kids, other than sneering and an arrogant sense of superiority.

 

Brainwashing your children to believe in the same old fashioned, defunct lies views of the world?

 

Give me sneering superiority any day of the week.

[Ke1t]

 

@ Jones -

 

Hi there; to begin I would say that that allegory is not to be dismissed simply because it is allegory. Allegories still have a point to them, they are to demonstrate a point or tell a story. Their real value is the point they express, not whether the details are historically true or not.

 

But certainly you are right, for Catholics, parts of the Old Testament (Jewish holy book) are ignored - parts regarding specifically Jewish laws and practices (we are not Jews), such as what they eat or wear, or how they worship etc.

 

As for how Catholics know how to interpret the Bible: It was the Catholic Church which compiled (Old testament) and wrote (new testament) the Bible. It is a work of the Catholic Church, which is precisely why it is able to speak authoratitively about how the contents should be regarded by Catholics.

 

It is very important that such a book is interpreted properly - for the results of misunderstandings, by people who have no authority on the matter - we can point to the 10s of 1000s of different types of protestantism, many of whom actively damage the reputation of Christianity via their beliefs and behaviour.

 

@ Kelt

 

Its protestants who have shamans, not us. They also have druids and witches.

 

You are on your hobby horse again above. You are again denying the Church the freedom of thought to assert - as author/editor - what the book it created means, and how it should be regarded.

 

You have to analyse / critique Christianity on (genuine) Christian terms, not Kelt terms. Accordingly the only reasonable conclusion as to how to regard a certain book or passage in the Bible, is by what the Church says about it, no-one else.

 

This is like you telling Terry Prachett that his Discworld novels are not actually quirky and enjoyable fantasy stories, but rather a maintenance guide fror Austin Allegros. And whats more, that he doesnt know shit about Ausin Allegros.

 

Terry would naturally protest and insist his books were indeed quirky and enjoyable fantasy novels and thats exactly what he meant them to be, when he created them. He would say:"Hey! I f*cking wrote it, not you!".

 

Once Pope Benedict XVI was badgered by a journalist over something in one of his books and he said: "Dont tell me what it says, son, I wrote it".

 

Of course the Catholic Church has Shamans, and necromancers.

 

Your shamans and necromancers chant incantations, as do all good Catholics, imploring their dead and undead 'god' to bless them with his bountiful kindness, when he's not slaughtering the living.

 

And when something happens that can be attributed to their undead god, Catholics will say that said undead god has performed magical deeds, often at the behest of the incantations, chants, and ceremonies performed by their necromancers.

 

So, you have shamans, necromancers, incantations, arcane ceremonies, an undead god, and magical powers all in effect, all at the forefront and the foundation, of the Catholic church.... regardless of the semantic games you want to play by calling them priests instead of necromancers, or miracles instead of magic, et al.

 

As for Catholics in Scotland suffering more than ethnic minorities, no. Racial profiling is far easier than identifying whether someone happens to be Catholic or Protestant, therefore instances of casual racism is going to be far higher in the case of minorities.

[fatjim]

Hi fatjim, I dont know, I have never heard anyone call the Council this. (I have lived in and around glasgow all my life).Who is the "they" you refer to?Most people call it "the f*cking council" or "those incompetent w*nks" or something, in my experience. I dont know, I am not privvy to information regarding any religious affiliation of Council members.I would expect the amount of Catholics in Glasgow Council would be similar to their numbers in general society. I suppose the kind of things you hear, depends on the quality of company you keep. Its present everywhere because the main protagonist in the demonisation of Catholics was traditionally the Church of Scotland, (and its myriad of offshoots), which is a national organisation. Actually, globally the Catholic Church grows every year and the 2011 scottish census showed growth in Scotland too. But then, by now we know that your opinions are generally unreliable and do not reflect reality.From the 2013 Pontifical yearbook: http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/107736.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ScotlandGod save Poland! Certainly, other Christian denominations are failing - and no wonder. Atheists dont half say some stupid things.The Catholic Church:- is the oldest provider of education on the planet- invented Universities and founded many (included the first 3 in Scotland)- is the largest non-Governmental educational body in the world- has made an ongoing and unrivalled contribution to science over 2,000 yrs.And yet you portray it as an organisation which has something to fear from educated people?You're some laugh, I will give you that

The percentage of Catholics stayed the same in Scotland according to Wikipedia (not an overly reliable source)

I stated Christianity was in decline and the figures prove that.

 

No religion on the census went up as well. As usual you are disingenuous with your comments and don't address the issues correctly.

 

Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Africa but worldwide it is in decline.

[Ke1t]

As for Terry Pratchett, his books haven't been quirky or funny since Equal Rites... Which is about 4 books into the Discworld series.

 

You may as well read a technical manual on Austin Allegros if you're seeking laughs than reading Soul Music or Carpe Jugulum.

[chaos_defrost]

CS - What's the church's stance on Catholics marrying non-Catholics?? Thought that didn't go down well...

[Guest]

Catholics are the worst type of pious fanatics for the very reason displayed by this cunt here - dogmatism.

 

They just can't see outwith their sick little heads.

 

Maps. Of reference. Points and boundaries where their imaginations end. So defined. So sad.

[chaos_defrost]

He's started a thread called 'Defence of Catholic Teaching' and has only gone on to do a fine job in highlighting just how ridiculous, bigoted and backwards the religion really is. There's no point in having this thread because he'd attempt to argue that pigs could fly if the catholic church said they could.

[Ke1t]

I notice the Pope's saying the Catholic Church is in dire need of 'Radical Change'.

 

And "He also warns that rising global economic inequality is bound to explode in conflict."

 

Hilarious coming from an organisation that hoards gold and wealth like Scrooge McDuck.

 

 

 

 

 

Pope Francis Fails To Mention The Vatican Billions As He Gives Speech Denouncing Wealth

[fatjim]

I have been to St Peters a few times and although architecturally it is awesome it is disturbing how much money has been put into it.

It's no wonder that the Catholic church puts so much effort into educational establishments.

It needs an outlet for it's dogma and what better subjects for that indoctrination than young children. Not to mention the potential fucking of aforementioned children also.

[Guest]

Nails on head right there. Catholics = inequitable distribution of wealth + abusing kids.

 

All religions are control mechanisms. The kafflicks the most sordid and hypocritical.

[Ke1t]

Maybe some Catholic would be kind enough to explain the imagery behind this demented throneroom that Benedict had built at the Vatican... over 60 feet by 40 feet of brass whatever the fuck it's supposed to be... and whatever it is supposed to be I imagine I'm not the only person who finds this throneroom to be pretty fucking disturbing on several levels.

 

[fatjim]

is it imagery of his time in the Hitler youth?

[Guest]

The good thing about that crass monstrosity of pomposity is that it makes the pope look small.

 

Tiny pope. Tiny penis. Tiny pope penis. There's one for the proddies.

 

David Byrne was once asked why he wore the jacket with the massive shoulder pads.

 

Because it makes my head look small, he said. No coming back from that.

 

I'm going to go to Bellahouston Park and hold up a bed sheet.

 

I can't decide on the colour of paint.

 

I was thinking of red for the third word but in hindsight Black for all three.

 

TINY POPE PENIS

[Henry]

Not really Catholicism, but here'll do:

 

The owners of a Christian guesthouse who were ordered to pay damages for turning away a gay couple have lost their UK Supreme Court fight.

Hazelmary and Peter Bull refused to let civil partners Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall stay in a double room at Chymorvah House in Marazion in Cornwall in 2008.

Mr and Mrs Bull had already lost cases at Bristol County Court and at the Court of Appeal.

The couple say they regard any sex outside marriage as a "sin".

The Bulls denied discriminating against Mr Hall and Mr Preddy, who are from Bristol.

Sixty-nine-year-old Mrs Bull and her 74-year-old husband said their decision was founded on a "religiously-informed judgment of conscience".

Five Supreme Court justices ruled against them on Wednesday after analysing the case at a hearing in London in October.

In 2011 a judge at Bristol County Court concluded that the Bulls had acted unlawfully and ordered them to pay a total of £3,600 damages.

The following year the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by the Bulls following a hearing in London. The couple had asked the Supreme Court to overrule the Court of Appeal.

Mrs Bull said: "We are deeply disappointed and saddened by the outcome.

"We are just ordinary Christians who believe in the importance of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

"Our B&B is not just our business, it's our home. All we have ever tried to do is live according to our own values, under our own roof."

Lady Hale, deputy president of the Supreme Court, said: "Sexual orientation is a core component of a person's identity which requires fulfilment through relationships with others of the same orientation."

Mike Judge, from the Christian Institute, said after the hearing: "What this case shows is that the powers of political correctness have reached all the way to the top of the judicial tree, so much so that even the Supreme Court dare not say anything against gay rights."

Gay rights group Stonewall said in a statement: "We are pleased that the Supreme Court has defended the laws protecting gay customers that Stonewall fought so hard to secure.

"Some might suggest that, rather than pursuing this case, a far more Christian thing to do would be to fight the evils of poverty and disease worldwide."