Anonymous wrote:Just like every large corporation, and yes, the Catholic Church operates like a corporation (it's really a business), there will always be bad apples. So I would not impugn the Catholic Church for all of their misdeeds. It's the people who commit these indiscretions, not the Church. That being said, I would actually impugn the Church, any church or religion for squeezing as much money from their members to support their own agendas. Religion is really a business that stems from week minded people who want to believe there is life after death. They are so fearful that death is FINAL that they are willing to believe anything and give away their hard earned dollars to an idea or dream. In fact, if you read the bile, and I have and I continue to do so, including the old testament, which I think is the most BS, one can only conclude that these books (books of the bible) insult the intelligence of clear-thinking men/women. I mean…do you expect anyone to actually believe that man's demise stems from a simple apple and the temptation therein? OK for simple-minded but those stories and the burnt offerings and other cooky stories are silly. It's all so simple-minded. Fear and the idea that we could hedge our bets for that inevitable day when we pass away I believe is the hook for religion.

Did god really authorize the burnt offerings of his precious creatures…ludicrous! Did Moses' law authorize divorce but not the new testament? Why would god be so inconsistent on all of these points? Sounds man-made to me. God being pleased by the aroma of burnt offerings. Foolish stuff! Why would go love such stuff…again, sounds like man-made projections of human experiences. So many foolish things like that really makes me laugh at people who so strongly believe in this stuff. The only explanation that biblical scholars provide is that god allowed such things because of the hardness of humans at the time and he allowed for a transition period. I mean really? More silly explanations that insults my intelligence. Also the tithing baloney of 10%. Nothing in the bible says that members of a religion or church have to pay 10%, especially not in the New Testament. Of course it does mention this in the old Testament but that was only specifically required by the jews in the 12 tribes of Israel. However it is convenient I must admit to use those numbers/figures and ask true believers to tithe today at 10%. After all, religion is a business and we must grow our business! God bless you all. I now have to go and repent so all of my sins (writing this entry) are forgiven.

THe Bible can only insult your intelligence if you take it literally, as granted, some people do. But those who are educated in ancient literature know that the Bible is not menat to be taken that way. It's a book of mythology and ancient morals and wisdom used as the basis of religions formed 2-3,000 years ago. Unfortunately, most sincere curch goers, do not have this type of knowledge, nor is it encouraged by church leaders, who do have it. Instead, religious leaders encourage the communal aspects of religion, as well as fear of death, that encourage people to finanically support the institution. Let's face it, it's possible to find community outside of religion, but only religion can offer the promise of eternal life.

Anonymous wrote:Just like every large corporation, and yes, the Catholic Church operates like a corporation (it's really a business), there will always be bad apples. So I would not impugn the Catholic Church for all of their misdeeds. It's the people who commit these indiscretions, not the Church. That being said, I would actually impugn the Church, any church or religion for squeezing as much money from their members to support their own agendas. Religion is really a business that stems from week minded people who want to believe there is life after death. They are so fearful that death is FINAL that they are willing to believe anything and give away their hard earned dollars to an idea or dream. In fact, if you read the bile, and I have and I continue to do so, including the old testament, which I think is the most BS, one can only conclude that these books (books of the bible) insult the intelligence of clear-thinking men/women. I mean…do you expect anyone to actually believe that man's demise stems from a simple apple and the temptation therein? OK for simple-minded but those stories and the burnt offerings and other cooky stories are silly. It's all so simple-minded. Fear and the idea that we could hedge our bets for that inevitable day when we pass away I believe is the hook for religion.

Did god really authorize the burnt offerings of his precious creatures…ludicrous! Did Moses' law authorize divorce but not the new testament? Why would god be so inconsistent on all of these points? Sounds man-made to me. God being pleased by the aroma of burnt offerings. Foolish stuff! Why would go love such stuff…again, sounds like man-made projections of human experiences. So many foolish things like that really makes me laugh at people who so strongly believe in this stuff. The only explanation that biblical scholars provide is that god allowed such things because of the hardness of humans at the time and he allowed for a transition period. I mean really? More silly explanations that insults my intelligence. Also the tithing baloney of 10%. Nothing in the bible says that members of a religion or church have to pay 10%, especially not in the New Testament. Of course it does mention this in the old Testament but that was only specifically required by the jews in the 12 tribes of Israel. However it is convenient I must admit to use those numbers/figures and ask true believers to tithe today at 10%. After all, religion is a business and we must grow our business! God bless you all. I now have to go and repent so all of my sins (writing this entry) are forgiven.

Maybe not mainly weak minded, but imainly ndoctrinated as children, or hopeful and encouraged by a society that presents religious belief as reasonable and even preferable to common sense and evidence.

Just like every large corporation, and yes, the Catholic Church operates like a corporation (it's really a business), there will always be bad apples. So I would not impugn the Catholic Church for all of their misdeeds. It's the people who commit these indiscretions, not the Church. That being said, I would actually impugn the Church, any church or religion for squeezing as much money from their members to support their own agendas. Religion is really a business that stems from week minded people who want to believe there is life after death. They are so fearful that death is FINAL that they are willing to believe anything and give away their hard earned dollars to an idea or dream. In fact, if you read the bile, and I have and I continue to do so, including the old testament, which I think is the most BS, one can only conclude that these books (books of the bible) insult the intelligence of clear-thinking men/women. I mean…do you expect anyone to actually believe that man's demise stems from a simple apple and the temptation therein? OK for simple-minded but those stories and the burnt offerings and other cooky stories are silly. It's all so simple-minded. Fear and the idea that we could hedge our bets for that inevitable day when we pass away I believe is the hook for religion.

Did god really authorize the burnt offerings of his precious creatures…ludicrous! Did Moses' law authorize divorce but not the new testament? Why would god be so inconsistent on all of these points? Sounds man-made to me. God being pleased by the aroma of burnt offerings. Foolish stuff! Why would go love such stuff…again, sounds like man-made projections of human experiences. So many foolish things like that really makes me laugh at people who so strongly believe in this stuff. The only explanation that biblical scholars provide is that god allowed such things because of the hardness of humans at the time and he allowed for a transition period. I mean really? More silly explanations that insults my intelligence. Also the tithing baloney of 10%. Nothing in the bible says that members of a religion or church have to pay 10%, especially not in the New Testament. Of course it does mention this in the old Testament but that was only specifically required by the jews in the 12 tribes of Israel. However it is convenient I must admit to use those numbers/figures and ask true believers to tithe today at 10%. After all, religion is a business and we must grow our business! God bless you all. I now have to go and repent so all of my sins (writing this entry) are forgiven.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/

Vatican may well have some dodgy secrets. But many priests, nuns and Catholic parishioners are (despite your two disgruntled friends) wonderful people who find fulfillment doing wonderful work.

See the difference, my dear Scorpion?

I believe I'm the original Scorpion.

But again, there is more than one groundhog and scorpion on these threads.

You should watch the special. (Thank you, Second Scorpion, for sharing.)

It's eye-opening.

But why bother, I ask? Ignorant adults can't change.

btw - I hope you're getting joy from your bookmarking!

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/165/517170.page

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It just doesn't make any sense what you are explaining.
If that's true across the board in every situation then when a teacher molests a child all schools have to shut down.
Every principal and every other teacher is guilty.
Parents who continue to send their child to school are saying they think its ok.
Lawmakers who pass bills to fund these schools are guilty.
And on and on.

You can hate Catholics (and all Christians for that matter) but to keep railing on this (and look up about rape and the NYC synagogues while you're at it) just isn't making the point you think it is.

But schools don't protect such teachers and send them on to other schools to rape again, meaning that the principal and superintendent, with full knowledge of the teacher's crime, do nothing to protect that boy or other students.

See the difference?

Bullshit, asshole. There is no difference. Read the news. Cover-ups happen in lots of institutions. Doesn't make what happened with Catholic priests excusable, but your willful ignorance has to end.

Raping in the name of God is worse, I'd say . . . Even the new pope knows this.

Using any position of trust to harm children is reprehensible.

The vast majority of Catholic churchgoers found the abuse of children by priests horrifying. What those priests did is the antithesis of the message of Jesus. It is horrible. The coverups are not defensible. But I would expect they are more interested in trying to reform the institution and make it what it *should be* than in abandoning it. There is not only one choice here. Staying does not assume support of those horrible priests or the coverups, it speaks to a commitment to the teachings of Christ. Or maybe commitment to a local community. You can't speak for the intentions of other people and if you assume the worst, that is a reflection of your biases.

Yawn. Scorpion=Groundhog is really interesting news, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/

Vatican may well have some dodgy secrets. But many priests, nuns and Catholic parishioners are (despite your two disgruntled friends) wonderful people who find fulfillment doing wonderful work.

See the difference, my dear Scorpion?

I believe I'm the original Scorpion.

But again, there is more than one groundhog and scorpion on these threads.

You should watch the special. (Thank you, Second Scorpion, for sharing.)

It's eye-opening.

But why bother, I ask? Ignorant adults can't change.

There are at least three atheists on this thread - you, the one who posted the link and me. But there's only one venom spewer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/

Vatican may well have some dodgy secrets. But many priests, nuns and Catholic parishioners are (despite your two disgruntled friends) wonderful people who find fulfillment doing wonderful work.

See the difference, my dear Scorpion?

I believe I'm the original Scorpion.

But again, there is more than one groundhog and scorpion on these threads.

You should watch the special. (Thank you, Second Scorpion, for sharing.)

It's eye-opening.

But why bother, I ask? Ignorant adults can't change.

btw - I hope you're getting joy from your bookmarking!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/

Vatican may well have some dodgy secrets. But many priests, nuns and Catholic parishioners are (despite your two disgruntled friends) wonderful people who find fulfillment doing wonderful work.

See the difference, my dear Scorpion?

I believe I'm the original Scorpion.

But again, there is more than one groundhog and scorpion on these threads.

You should watch the special. (Thank you, Second Scorpion, for sharing.)

It's eye-opening.

But why bother, I ask? Ignorant adults can't change.

Anonymous wrote:I've bookmarked this page so whenever the identity and motives of Groundhog-Scorpion come up, we can have instant clarification.

Happy New Year, Groundhog-Scorpion!

Is that the royal we or does pp have inside info about this forum?