All-Purpose Religion Thread

[bickster]

 

 

How long have you got?

You'd be here for a week if we went through their nefarious activities.

Ha, just pick a few.

Remember, it's corruption, not just immoral actions. That narrows the field down.

 

The fact that for an organisation allegedly based on the equality of men in the eyes of God, whose priests swear vows of poverty and chastity they have billions, and I mean billions in cash, property, art as well as a worrying penchant for **** choir boys.

The world would be a far finer place without them.

 

Add in their responsibility for spreading AIDS throughtout Africa with their do gooding missionaries preaching on the evils of condoms, the Catholic Church really does have the blood of millions on its hands.

[TrentVilla]

Yep all over the tips of their fingers.....and other extremities

[mjmooney]

The idea of an atheist church is an absurdity.

 

Atheism is merely the absence of belief in gods. No reason whatsoever why atheists should have anything else in common that requires the sort of happy clappy get-together that the churches indulge in.

 

We already have sports clubs, hobbies, pubs, etc. if we want to socialise. No need to invent a pseudo-church.

[regular_john]

The idea of an atheist church is an absurdity.

 

Atheism is merely the absence of belief in gods. No reason whatsoever why atheists should have anything else in common that requires the sort of happy clappy get-together that the churches indulge in.

 

We already have sports clubs, hobbies, pubs, etc. if we want to socialise. No need to invent a pseudo-church.

 

Having said that, I could definitely see the appeal of regular meetings to discuss different elements of science, rationalism, ethics, philosophy etc. in a secular manner. It would be a great way to learn and expand your horizons, particularly for those who haven't had the opportunity to pursue higher education. Look at the Brian Cox shows for example, they're hugely popular and I'd imagine the majority of the viewers aren't the typical physics/biology science nerds.

[mjmooney]

The idea of an atheist church is an absurdity.

 

Atheism is merely the absence of belief in gods. No reason whatsoever why atheists should have anything else in common that requires the sort of happy clappy get-together that the churches indulge in.

 

We already have sports clubs, hobbies, pubs, etc. if we want to socialise. No need to invent a pseudo-church.

 

Having said that, I could definitely see the appeal of regular meetings to discuss different elements of science, rationalism, ethics, philosophy etc. in a secular manner. It would be a great way to learn and expand your horizons, particularly for those who haven't had the opportunity to pursue higher education. Look at the Brian Cox shows for example, they're hugely popular and I'd imagine the majority of the viewers aren't the typical physics/biology science nerds.

Sure. Just don't call it an "atheist church", or ape other religious rituals like inane singsongs. 

[ArteSuave]

Athiest Church for feck's sake?

 

What we really need is a place where like minded people can meet up and talk about how they don't watch films.

 

 

"Did you see that new film?"

 

"No."

 

"Me neither."

 

*crickets*

[limpid]

We already have sports clubs, hobbies, pubs, etc. if we want to socialise. No need to invent a pseudo-church.

Very much this. I see no need for my third space to involve any (lack of) belief. There are plenty of other ways to find a social community and most don't involve conditioning.

[legov]

On a somewhat related note, I'm slightly surprised by the fact that some of my workmates believe in the power of the (Western) horoscope in predicting fortunes.

 

There's one who said that he didn't believe in the Chinese zodiac, but that the horoscope was okay. Wtf

[mjmooney]

On a somewhat related note, I'm slightly surprised by the fact that some of my workmates believe in the power of the (Western) horoscope in predicting fortunes.

 

There's one who said that he didn't believe in the Chinese zodiac, but that the horoscope was okay. Wtf

[mjmooney]

Keep your mouth shut in Kuwait

[CarewsEyebrowDesigner]

Is it wrong that I instanty go off a potential partner when they ask what my horoscope is? It is like my brain sends off warning signals, letting me know that a risky investment now could see me sacrificed in a crypt a few years down the line.

[mjmooney]

Very wise, CED.

[kurtsimonw]

Keep your mouth shut in Kuwait

What the ****!?

[Eames]

 

Is it wrong that I instanty go off a potential partner when they ask what my horoscope is? It is like my brain sends off warning signals, letting me know that a risky investment now could see me sacrificed in a crypt a few years down the line.

 

I always answer "Hump Back Bridge" when someone asks me what sign I am.

Muppets.

[snowychap]

What's the procedure for approaching you?

[Eames]

Buy me a drink.... tell me I've got nice eyes...... make me feel special and I'm all yours snowy. (I may be a slut)

[snowychap]

Buy me a drink.... tell me I've got nice eyes...... make me feel special and I'm all yours snowy. (I may be a slut)

Not the angle I meant - was sticking with the Alexei Sayle theme.

 

Nice to know we all have a fallback option, though.

[BOF]

A 12-century Irish saint reckons the next pope is the last

SAINT MALACHY is not the most high-profile of saints – but the oncoming vacancy in the office of pope has thrust him back into the limelight.

Malachy is the supposed author of the ‘Prophecy of the Popes’ – a list allegedly written in 1139, but ‘rediscovered’ in 1590 – which claims to have predicted the identities (or at least attributes) of each pope between the time of its writing and the end of the Church.

While its authenticity is not affirmed by the Church itself, and while it is impossible to know whether the list was written retrospectively before it was first published in 1595, it appears to have been successful in some ways – though of course its predictions are suitably vague so as to apply to most cases anyway.

The argument that the list is a hoax gathers further weight with the fact that for each of the popes mentioned before 1590, it describes something historical about their upbringing or background – but only makes vague references to events in subsequent pontificates.

Nonetheless, the whole point of Malachy’s list – which is occasionally attributed to Nostradamus, supposedly to give the latter a way of publishing a prediction without having it stained by association with his name – is that it claims to predict the existence of 112 popes from the time of its writing.

The first of those popes is Celestine II; the 111th is the current pontiff, Benedict XVI. (The full list is outlined in detail on Wikipedia.)

The prophecy refers to the 112th pope as…

Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end.

While no pope since the first (St Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples) has taken the name Peter, out of reverence for the man who brought the church to Rome, it is not unthinkable that the name could yet be taken on by another.

One of the frontrunners in the forthcoming election is Peter Turkson, a black cardinal from Ghana.

While there are many cities known as the ‘cities of seven hills’, Rome is the best-known one – though Jerusalem is also built on seven hills and could possibly be the city referenced.

[limpid]

The argument that the list is a hoax gathers further weight with the fact that for each of the popes mentioned before 1590, it describes something historical about their upbringing or background – but only makes vague references to events in subsequent pontificates.

Ha ha ha ha ha

[mjmooney]

Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, is stepping down as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

It follows allegations - which he contests - of inappropriate behaviour towards priests dating from the 1980s.

In a statement, he apologised to those he had offended during his ministry.

The cardinal confirmed he would not take part in the election

for a successor to the Pope - leaving Britain unrepresented in the

election.

The Scottish Catholic Church says Pope Benedict has accepted his resignation.

Cardinal O'Brien said in a statement he had already tendered

his resignation, due to take effect when he turned 75 next month, but

that Pope Benedict "has now decided that my resignation will take effect

today".

He said the pontiff would appoint an apostolic administrator

to govern the archdiocese in his place until his successor is appointed.

The cardinal also said: "I have valued the opportunity of

serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since

becoming a priest.

"Looking back over my years of ministry: For any good I have

been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologise to all whom I

have offended."

The resignation of Britain's most senior Roman Catholic

cleric in the wake of allegations of improper behaviour creates a crisis

for the Church in Scotland, and represents a heavy blow to the wider

Church as it battles to shore up its reputation ahead of the papal

election or "conclave".

The conclave is already expected to be difficult in the circumstances created by Pope Benedict's unprecedented resignation.

The Vatican is also struggling to deal with reports of internal corruption and mismanagement.

Cardinal O'Brien's resignation is also a personal tragedy for himself.

Allegations made

    

His role as Britain's only representative in the papal

election next month would have been one of his last acts before he

retired.

He said in a BBC interview on Friday that he found the

responsibility of helping to choose a successor to Pope Benedict "almost

frightening".

The Observer reported that the three priests and one former priest

- from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh - complained to the

Pope's representative to Britain, nuncio Antonio Mennini, in the week

before 11 February, when Pope Benedict announced his resignation, of

what they claimed was the cardinal's inappropriate behaviour towards

them in the 1980s.

The former priest claims Cardinal O'Brien made an

inappropriate approach to him in 1980, after night prayers, when he was a

seminarian at St Andrew's College, Drygrange.

The complainant says he resigned as a priest when Cardinal O'Brien was first made a bishop.

He reportedly says in his statement: "I knew then he would

always have power over me. It was assumed I left the priesthood to get

married. I did not. I left to preserve my integrity."

A second statement from another complainant says he was

living in a parish when he was visited by O'Brien, and inappropriate

contact took place between them.

A third complainant alleges dealing with what he describes as

"unwanted behaviour" by the cardinal in the 1980s after some late-night

drinking.

And the fourth complainant claims the cardinal used night prayers as an excuse for inappropriate contact.

Cardinal O'Brien missed celebrating Sunday Mass in St Mary's

Cathedral in Edinburgh, which marked Pope Benedict's eight years in

office, ahead of the pontiff stepping down this week.

Outspoken views

    

In resigning his post at the head of the Scottish Catholic

Church, Cardinal O'Brien blights the end of an illustrious career only a

few weeks before he was due to retire.

The development is understood to have been prompted by a

concern to protect the Church from further destabilizing speculation

during the papal election.

That process is already overshadowed by allegations against a

number of the cardinals who are taking part, over their connection with

their handling of the Church's sex abuse scandal.

Cardinal O'Brien will be remembered in particular as a

forthright defender - occasionally in outspoken and colourful terms - of

Catholic teaching on abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality.

Last week Cardinal O'Brien said he believed priests should be able to marry if they wished to do so.

He said the new Pope could consider whether the Roman

Catholic Church should change its stance on some issues, not of divine

origin.

"For example the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests should marry - Jesus didn't say that," he said.

The cardinal was named Bigot of the Year last year by gay rights charity Stonewall for his stance on gay marriage.

 

BBC