NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090321/ap_on_re_af/af_pope_africa

LUANDA, Angola – Pope Benedict XVI appealed to the Catholics of Angola on Saturday to reach out to and convert believers in witchcraft who feel threatened by "spirits" and "evil powers" of sorcery.
On his first pilgrimage to Africa, the pope drew on the more than 500 years of Roman Catholicism in Angola, saying that Christianity was a bridge between the local peoples and the Portuguese settlers.
"In today's Angola," the pope said in a homily at Mass, "Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live in the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened, disoriented, even reaching the point of condemning street children and even the most elderly because — they say — they are sorcerers."
In Africa, some churchgoing Catholics also follow traditional animist religions and consult medicine men and diviners who are condemned by the church. People accused of sorcery or of being possessed by evil powers sometimes are killed by fearful mobs.
Benedict counseled Catholics to "live peacefully" with animists and other nonbelievers and urged Angolans to be the "new missionaries" to bring people who believe in sorcery to Christ.
Eighty percent of Angola's 16 million people are Christian, about 65 percent Catholic.
Benedict spoke at a Mass at the capital's blue-domed St. Paul's Church, where light streamed through stained glass windows onto veiled nuns and priests and bishops resplendent in white and lilac robes.
Before the invitation-only Mass for nuns and priests, Benedict was welcomed by a huge crowd.
Children screamed their excitement and held up cell phones to take photographs of the 81-year-old pontiff. Young girls prostrated themselves before him in a sea of pink veils.
People chanted and swayed to drumbeats and the rhythm of hymns in this tropical seaside capital. Many women wrapped their waists in cloth printed with photographs of the pope's face.
The pope lovingly caressed the faces of children and sketched the cross on their foreheads.
Security was unusually tight, with military sharpshooters atop buildings in the capital. The National Police said they have deployed 10,000 officers. Security agents blocked cell phones in the church, apparently by sending a signal.
Inside, veiled nuns and bishops resplendent in white robes with cerise belts and skull caps celebrated Mass with Benedict, who arrived in Luanda on Friday on the second leg of his tour of the continent with the fastest growing Catholic population in the world.
"This is a very emotional day for me, my first time to get a Papal blessing," said Sister Iliria Olivera, from Oaxaca in Mexico, among hundreds of foreign missionaries in the church. Olivera for nine years has been working with her Sisters of the Divine Pastor, teaching children and running a maternal health clinic outside Luanda.
After the Mass, the pope mounted a podium to bless the frenzied crowd of faithful who cheered him, crying out "Viva ao papa! Viva!"
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets to get the pope's benediction, and he waved signs of the cross from his glass-topped vehicle as he processed through the capital.
On Friday, Benedict lamented what he called strains on the traditional African family, condemning sexual violence against women and chiding countries that have approved abortion.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, who is traveling with the pope, told journalists at a briefing Saturday that Benedict in that speech was referring to abortion when used as a means of "population control."
Earlier in the weeklong trip, Benedict drew criticism from aid agencies and some European governments when he said that condoms were not the answer to Africa's severe AIDS epidemic, suggesting that sexual behavior was the issue.
In his remarks to diplomats, Benedict also called for a "conversion of hearts" to rid Angola and the rest of Africa of corruption.
Critics say last year's elections, which were swept by President Eduardo dos Santos' party, were marred by fraud and corruption. Dos Santos has been in power for 30 years.

I sometimes wish the religions of the world could co-exist without fear of being called a witch or possessed. What do you think of Pope Benny's message to the Angolans? What do you think this may cause in Africa, a country that is as diverse in religion as it is in flora and fauna?

You're a possessed witch!

Funny, I thought the bridge between the Portuguese settlers and the Africans was the slave trade.

Young girls prostrated themselves before him in a sea of pink veils.

Idk, why, But I chuckled at that...

so the current pope is a pimp? Damn

You're a possessed witch!

Shall we burn her?

You're a possessed witch!

Hush you! I will turn you into a toad!:mad:

Oh... shit...

Shall we burn her?

Only if she weighs as much as a Duck...

Only if she ways as much as a Duck...

:p I laughed.

EDIT: You aren't fast enough.

she is in white she looks like a duck to me.

she is in white she looks like a duck to me.

Joe, cawen Dio! Qui faes guajo?!:mad:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090321/ap_on_re_af/af_pope_africa

I sometimes wish the religions of the world could co-exist without fear of being called a witch or possessed. What do you think of Pope Benny's message to the Angolans? What do you think this may cause in Africa, a country that is as diverse in religion as it is in flora and fauna?

I didn't see anything about Benedict calling the practitioners of local faiths witches or possessed, if that's what you're accusing. Rather, what a read suggested that he was simply speaking out against the killings and shunnings of individuals who are accused of sorcery. Of course (as one would expect), he's offering conversion to Christianity as a way out, but he has the right to do that.

I mean, its not like there isn't plenty to criticize about the Catholic Church as it is.

I didn't see anything about Benedict calling the practitioners of local faiths witches or possessed, if that's what you're accusing. Rather, what a read suggested that he was simply speaking out against the killings and shunnings of individuals who are accused of sorcery. Of course (as one would expect), he's offering conversion to Christianity as a way out, but he has the right to do that.

I mean, its not like there isn't plenty to criticize about the Catholic Church as it is.

I never made allusions to Benedict saying such a thing. I was just wondering if the religions of the world can co-exist. If you failed to read that, go back and re-read my questions.

Haha.



Oh wow.

:p I laughed.

EDIT: You aren't fast enough.

KAHN!!!

Curse my foeneticcally spelling...

I never made allusions to Benedict saying such a thing. I was just wondering if the religions of the world can co-exist. If you failed to read that, go back and re-read my questions.

If you have two different religions that say that there is only one God and that they are the true believers of him I think it is very hard to co.exist. You might be able, but it will be very hard especially if you call the other ones sinners.

If you have two different religions that say that there is only one God and that they are the true believers of him I think it is very hard to co.exist. You might be able, but it will be very hard especially if you call the other ones sinners.

Exactly. And it's a pity that these fail to reach a common ground. I think co-existing is possible. Am I deluded?

If you have two different religions that say that there is only one God and that they are the true believers of him I think it is very hard to co.exist. You might be able, but it will be very hard especially if you call the other ones sinners.

Well, if theyd stop their dammed sinning maybe it wouldnt be a problem!...




God, How can I reach these... kids?...*shakes head*

Especially when those of us in the know know that both of them are false religions >_>

Well, if theyd stop their dammed sinning maybe it wouldnt be a problem!...




God, How can I reach these... kids?...*shakes head*

I will tie your arms and legs. I'll toss you into the lake and if you float, God helped you reach the kids. If not, you failed.

I think that the author had a keen sense of irony. First, he reports the Pope asked people not to believe in superstition. Then he reports on the people and the Catholic Church carrying out intensely superstitious rituals of their own. The dissonance is marvelous to behold.

I guess it's a matter of which brand of magic a person selects...

I think that the author had a keen sense of irony. First, he reports the Pope asked people not to believe in superstition. Then he reports on the people and the Catholic Church carrying out intensely superstitious rituals of their own. The dissonance is marvelous to behold.

I guess it's a matter of which brand of magic a person selects...

The key here is tolerance.

Joe, cawen Dio! Qui faes guajo?!:mad:

Well come on its not like you are wear white because your "pure".How was I to know you weren't trying to be a duck ?

The key here is tolerance.

Screw that. I think the real key is that people get killed after being accused of witches every day, but Catholics haven't killed anybody for religious reasons in quite some time. I'll be super tolerent of Christianity, and even wiccans but I don't think I'll be quite so tolerant of Africian-style witchcraft.

Well come on its not like you are wear white because your "pure".How was I to know you weren't trying to be a duck ?

Looks like a cat, quacks like a spaniard so therefore is a duck? I approve of this logic.

Screw that. I think the real key is that people get killed after being accused of witches every day, but Catholics haven't killed anybody for religious reasons in quite some time. I'll be super tolerent of Christianity, and even wiccans but I don't think I'll be quite so tolerant of Africian-style witchcraft.

Then you can't claim to have any tolerance. Your very post contradicts you.

Looks like a cat, quacks like a spaniard so therefore is a duck? I approve of this logic.

thought it was a duck that some kid put cat ears on.

Looks like a cat, quacks like a spaniard so therefore is a duck? I approve of this logic.

Bite your tongue until it bleeds and you choke.:wink:

Then you can't claim to have any tolerance. Your very post contradicts you.

Yes, I'm very intolerent of murder. Curse my eyes!

I don't have a problem with getting along with people of other faiths, and I welcome a good discussion on religion, but I will defend myself against attack on my faith.

I don't hold the pope in very high regard. This neither helped nor hindered that opinion. His expressed desire for peaceful coexistence(which is a message I approve of) is offset by the arrogance of endorsing conversion to his personal religion as a cure for the flaws in another religion.

however mass conversion to a religion that worships me is the cure for the current economic mess.

however mass conversion to a religion that worships me is the cure for the current economic mess.

Let any who challenge this Measure be cursed for their Sins!!!! :p

however mass conversion to a religion that worships me is the cure for the current economic mess.

No, they should worship the god called "death and greed". People that worship "greed and death" should be converted and killed.

I challenge anyone that object to a 30 year war!:p

Let any who challenge this Measure be cursed for their Sins!!!! :p

well the monument building will surge economic growth, and the stoning of the unbelievers will remove unproductive members of society.

http://skepacabra.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/pope-benedict-palpatine.jpg

Encouraging Angolans to abandon their native paganism and shamanism for the Dark Side. There's irony.

:D

http://skepacabra.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/pope-benedict-palpatine.jpg

Encouraging Angolans to abandon their native paganism and shamanism for the Dark Side. There's irony.

:D

My God...The resemblance is eery...


Lets hope he doesnt run into Hayden Christensen anytime soon...

As long as people listen to the Catholic Church, the chances for tolerance is virtually non existant.

As long as people listen to the Catholic Church, the chances for tolerance is virtually non existant.The catholic church of the last few decades has been substantially more tolerant than you'll ever be.

The catholic church of the last few decades has been substantially more tolerant than you'll ever be.


Which is why Ive declared homosexuality to be one of the world's great evils that good Christians must fight against, on par with terrorism and environmental destruction, right? Oh right, now I havent.

I also dont shield Nazi sympathizers. Nor do I see women as inferior.

Heres a hint kiddo. Disliking the Catholic Church, the institution that is the Church, is not intolerant. Its the same as hating a government.

The catholic church of the last few decades has been substantially more tolerant than you'll ever be.

In comparison to itself, or the rest of the Civilized World?


They have made great strides, but as far as actually being tolerant.....Im not so sure...

Which is why Ive declared homosexuality to be one of the world's great evils that good Christians must fight against, on par with terrorism and environmental destruction, right? Oh right, now I havent.

I also dont shield Nazi sympathizers. Nor do I see women as inferior.

Heres a hint kiddo. Disliking the Catholic Church, the institution that is the Church, is not intolerant. Its the same as hating a government.How about your tolerance of people you disagree with? The pope, in the speech metioned in the first post of this thread, mentions catholics being supposed to reach out to people of different faiths (And convert them, of course). Rather in the same way they're supposed to act towards homosexuals, actually.

When was the last time you reached out to a creationist or homophobe, as opposed to insulting them? Your posting history here suggests that it's been a while. When was the last time that you called for tolerance towards southern baptists in the same way that the pope has called for towards muslims (Yes, you'll tolerate muslims. That's en vogue for the pseudo-liberal, I-want-to-be-different! crowd. Not the point)?

Face it. You're every bit as hate filled and hypocritical as the people you detest, and you wouldn't know your own ideals if they were forcefed to you.

How about your tolerance of people you disagree with? The pope, in the speech metioned in the first post of this thread, mentions catholics being supposed to reach out to people of different faiths (And convert them, of course). Rather in the same way they're supposed to act towards homosexuals, actually.

You keep saying "tolerance" but I dont think you know what that word means. Having contempt towards a view or attacking it isnt intolerant.

When was the last time you reached out to a creationist or homophobe, as opposed to insulting them? Your posting history here suggests that it's been a while.

Because everything I say in NSG I also say irl.

When was the last time that you called for tolerance towards southern baptists in the same way that the pope has called for towards muslims

When was the last time southern baptists were being discriminated against?

(Yes, you'll tolerate muslims. That's en vogue for the pseudo-liberal, I-want-to-be-different! crowd. Not the point)?

Not only is this kinda baiting, but its fucking stupid. I tolerate Muslims just like I tolerate catholics. I think their views are fucking stupid, but I dont want to prohibit them from having them. THAT is tolerance.

Face it. You're every bit as hate filled and hypocritical as the people you detest, and you wouldn't know your own ideals if they were forcefed to you.

Youre full of shit.

How about your tolerance of people you disagree with? The pope, in the speech metioned in the first post of this thread, mentions catholics being supposed to reach out to people of different faiths (And convert them, of course). Rather in the same way they're supposed to act towards homosexuals, actually.

When was the last time you reached out to a creationist or homophobe, as opposed to insulting them? Your posting history here suggests that it's been a while. When was the last time that you called for tolerance towards southern baptists in the same way that the pope has called for towards muslims (Yes, you'll tolerate muslims. That's en vogue for the pseudo-liberal, I-want-to-be-different! crowd. Not the point)?

Face it. You're every bit as hate filled and hypocritical as the people you detest, and you wouldn't know your own ideals if they were forcefed to you.

Oh god, not this tired argument again.

Being intolerant of intolerance is not intolerance.

...that made more sense in my head. :tongue:

How about your tolerance of people you disagree with? The pope, in the speech metioned in the first post of this thread, mentions catholics being supposed to reach out to people of different faiths (And convert them, of course). Rather in the same way they're supposed to act towards homosexuals, actually.

Have to stop you there, His version of "Reaching Out" consists of trying Convert them, making the person conform to his beliefs or, in the case of Homosexuals, change who they are entirely, because a core tenet of Catholicism states that Homosexuality is a Sin...

Thats Not Reaching out, and in many cases is insulting, and downright offensive...

Im not saying all Catholics are like that, that would be prejudice, but this particular Pope has time and again said the same message, and it is not in any way "tolerant" in the slightest...

Most traditional religions in Africa are harmless. Of course, some practices (which are thankfully rare) like killing people who practice "withcraft" (this mostly occurs in the CAR and DRC) should be discouraged.

Most traditional religions in Africa are harmless. Of course, some practices (which are thankfully rare) like killing people who practice "withcraft" (this mostly occurs in the CAR and DRC) should be discouraged.

Religious beliefs can only be moderated successfully by those already within the religion without resorting to discrimination or worse. The key to that is education. With some religions this is more difficult than others but the rewards of a robust educational system has already made great inroads in places like India and Turkey in encouraging religious tolerance. That being said, kudos to the Pope for advocating peace and tolerance to his followers. However, his opinion that his followers should try to moderate other people's religious beliefs through conversion to their own beliefs is unsurprisingly intolerant, arrogant and borderline offensive.

Religious beliefs can only be moderated successfully by those already within the religion without resorting to discrimination or worse. The key to that is education. With some religions this is more difficult than others but the rewards of a robust educational system has already made great inroads in places like India and Turkey in encouraging religious tolerance. That being said, kudos to the Pope for advocating peace and tolerance to his followers. However, his opinion that his followers should try to moderate other people's religious beliefs through conversion to their own beliefs is unsurprisingly intolerant, arrogant and borderline offensive.

That's what I mean.

That's what I mean.

That's what I thought. :)

My God...The resemblance is eery...


Lets hope he doesnt run into Hayden Christensen anytime soon...

Now here's someone's Photoshop that shows just how much the resemblance is creepy. Unlike most touchups, the face was entirely left alone:

http://crownofmartyrs.com/pope_looks_like_palpatine_02.jpg

Now here's someone's Photoshop that shows just how much the resemblance is creepy. Unlike most touchups, the face was entirely left alone:

http://crownofmartyrs.com/pope_looks_like_palpatine_02.jpg

Actually doesnt look like a bad job, although the Arm doesnt look right, makes it look like someone in the crowd is shooting lightening rather than the pope...

Shall we burn her?

She turned me into a newt!

I got better....

She turned me into a newt!

I got better....

Microbe, sweetie, I turned you into a microbe. Newt was the improvement.



KoL: it's funny. I am a Catholic, quite lax at that, but Catholic and I have no problem with the beliefs of others. I wouldn't dare impose what I hold to be true faithwise on others. People can worship their left big toe and I don't care. That doesn't take off of how good they may be.

But, being Catholic should mean that I am intolerant, right? Is that what you're trying to say? Because if it is, with all due respect, I call your assertion a huge pile of BS. *nod*

Microbe, sweetie, I turned you into a microbe. Newt was the improvement.



KoL: it's funny. I am a Catholic, quite lax at that, but Catholic and I have no problem with the beliefs of others. I wouldn't dare impose what I hold to be true faithwise on others. People can worship their left big toe and I don't care. That doesn't take off of how good they may be.

But, being Catholic should mean that I am intolerant, right? Is that what you're trying to say? Because if it is, with all due respect, I call your assertion a huge pile of BS. *nod*

You are one of the rare and elusive 'good Catholics'. I suspect it's because you worship Christ instead of the Church.

You are one of the rare and elusive 'good Catholics'. I suspect it's because you worship Christ instead of the Church.

Must be that, LG. :)

You are one of the rare and elusive 'good Catholics'. I suspect it's because you worship Christ instead of the Church.

Which of course means as soon as the pope finds out she will be excommunicated.

Hush you! I will turn you into a toad!:mad:

Oh... shit...

So I guess you have to get all inquisitorial on yourself now, let the burning commence!

So I guess you have to get all inquisitorial on yourself now, let the burning commence!

I was already burnt at the stake. Too late.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090321/ap_on_re_af/af_pope_africa



I sometimes wish the religions of the world could co-exist without fear of being called a witch or possessed. What do you think of Pope Benny's message to the Angolans? What do you think this may cause in Africa, a country that is as diverse in religion as it is in flora and fauna?

Par for the course since the 2nd century.

KoL: it's funny. I am a Catholic, quite lax at that, but Catholic and I have no problem with the beliefs of others. I wouldn't dare impose what I hold to be true faithwise on others. People can worship their left big toe and I don't care. That doesn't take off of how good they may be.

But, being Catholic should mean that I am intolerant, right? Is that what you're trying to say? Because if it is, with all due respect, I call your assertion a huge pile of BS. *nod*

Oh, so is this the part were you lose the ability to read and just see what you want to see?

In fact, on just the last page:
Heres a hint kiddo. Disliking the Catholic Church, the institution that is the Church, is not intolerant. Its the same as hating a government.

In this regard, youre not listening to the church, which is why youre being tolerant. If you obeyed the church's stance on everything, youd be a bigot. You obviously dont, so what I said doesnt apply to you. I stand by my original statement.

ITT: Pope visits Africa; speaks out against the West ignoring it and its problems; condemns modern slavery; preaches peace between different religions and ethnicities.*

Also ITT: Atheists on NSG condemning pope.

* His speech upon landing in Cameroon, to be specific

Sometimes, just sometimes, I'm tempted to rejoin the church just to avoid being counted among faggotry atheists-for-the-sake-of-it.

So what exactly is the difference between sorcery/witchcraft and a miracle? Look I have turned x into y - do I get burned at the stake or turned into a saint?

Pope: Christians should live peacefully with animists, and should speak out against the irrational fear of sorcerors that goes so far as to get people killed by mobs.

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: Yes, well, as my predecessors have repeatedly stated, the church has made mistakes in its past. This doesn't take away fro-

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: Please, listen. Alexander VI is a few centu-

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: *Sigh*

So what exactly is the difference between sorcery/witchcraft and a miracle? Look I have turned x into y - do I get burned at the stake or turned into a saint?

Depends on the size of your god's dick.

Depends on the size of your god's dick.

Hard to tell through all the spaghetti

Hard to tell through all the spaghetti

:eek:

That's Not Spaghetti!!!

:eek:

really funny to see the leader of one of the worlds greatest mythologies
actually wipping someone else for beliving in another mythology.

"don't live in fear of evil spirits, live in fear of the devil and hell instead!"

Oh, so is this the part were you lose the ability to read and just see what you want to see?

In fact, on just the last page:


In this regard, youre not listening to the church, which is why youre being tolerant. If you obeyed the church's stance on everything, youd be a bigot. You obviously dont, so what I said doesnt apply to you. I stand by my original statement.

I think we can say the same thing about you, can't we? If I lose the ability to read and "see what I want to see", you lost the ability to comprehend. What's worse, dear KoL? One way or the other, I don't care.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090321/ap_on_re_af/af_pope_africa



I sometimes wish the religions of the world could co-exist without fear of being called a witch or possessed. What do you think of Pope Benny's message to the Angolans? What do you think this may cause in Africa, a country that is as diverse in religion as it is in flora and fauna?

Oy! Thar be a witch! Burn 'er at tha staike!

Oy! Thar be a witch! Burn 'er at tha staike!

Yes, I be a witch, yadda yadda yadda. Burn me for my long, black hair and devilish ways.

In that reagrd, every woman is one.:rolleyes:

I think we can say the same thing about you, can't we? If I lose the ability to read and "see what I want to see", you lost the ability to comprehend. What's worse, dear KoL? One way or the other, I don't care.
Oh, I lost the ability to comprehend? Really? Because you very clearly implied that I said all catholic were bigots.
But, being Catholic should mean that I am intolerant, right? Is that what you're trying to say?
Good try at "I know you are but what am I?" but it doesnt work when you actually said what I accused you of saying. So no, "we" cant say the same thing about me. You can but you might be the only one.
ITT: Pope visits Africa; speaks out against the West ignoring it and its problems; condemns modern slavery; preaches peace between different religions and ethnicities.*

Also ITT: Atheists on NSG condemning pope.

* His speech upon landing in Cameroon, to be specific
We're not condeming him for anything in the above. We're codeming him for saying basically, "You know, your problems might be solved if you all converted, because right now, youre all witches in thrall to Satan..."
faggotry atheists-for-the-sake-of-it.
I wonder if this is a flame...

Unlike most touchups, the face was entirely left alone:

http://crownofmartyrs.com/pope_looks_like_palpatine_02.jpg

Only the face?

*runs*

Which of course means as soon as the pope finds out she will be excommunicated.

"Execute Order 66!"

I wonder if this is a flame...

It most definitely is.

Pope: Christians should live peacefully with animists, and should speak out against the irrational fear of sorcerors that goes so far as to get people killed by mobs.

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: Yes, well, as my predecessors have repeatedly stated, the church has made mistakes in its past. This doesn't take away fro-

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: Please, listen. Alexander VI is a few centu-

Critic: OH HAI WITTY COMMENT ABOUT SUPPOSED CATHOLIC HYPOCRISY BECAUSE ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING THE POPE'S SPEECH IS BEYOND MY ABILITIES.

Pope: *Sigh*

So, do you actually have anything to contribute, or should I just report you for flaming/flamebaiting?

EDIT: On second thought, I know the answer. Reported.

Yes, I be a witch, yadda yadda yadda. Burn me for my long, black hair and devilish ways.

In that regard, every woman is one.:rolleyes:

Impalement was also used as a punishment for witches...
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/Sarothai/Smileys/EMOPOyes008HL3.gif

Impalement was also used as a punishment for witches...
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/Sarothai/Smileys/EMOPOyes008HL3.gif

Hm... what sort of "impalement" are we referring to, Dyako-kun?

That sleazy smiley gives me the hibbie-jibbies.

ITT: Pope visits Africa; speaks out against the West ignoring it and its problems; condemns modern slavery; preaches peace between different religions and ethnicities.*

Also ITT: Atheists on NSG condemning pope.

* His speech upon landing in Cameroon, to be specific

Sometimes, just sometimes, I'm tempted to rejoin the church just to avoid being counted among faggotry atheists-for-the-sake-of-it.

Perhaps you should have been more tempted not to flamebait?

Sometimes, just sometimes, I'm tempted to rejoin the church just to avoid being counted among faggotry atheists-for-the-sake-of-it.

You can't win as you would be surprised how many "faggots" go to church.

Yeah.... anyone else feeling the "Oh my god how off his rocker can this man be and why must he subject us all to this nonsense?" vibe?

<--- Faggot that would go to Church if one was withing walking distance.

We're not condeming him for anything in the above. We're codeming him for saying basically, "You know, your problems might be solved if you all converted, because right now, youre all witches in thrall to Satan..."Which he said in your imagination, and nowhere else, given that what he actually said was that believing in witches cursing you, and then having a supposed mob stoning them is wrong.

God forbid you actually reading the speeches. You'd probably have to be, like, fair to the catholic church and the pope. Can't have that, now can we? Polemics and baseless accusations are much more fun, anyway.

I wonder if this is a flame...No more so than your fetish with accusing the collective catholic church of pretty much everything you hate. Difference is, I don't bother bawwwing to the uninvolved.

to the title of this thread: that's his problem, and he's none of mine.

So what exactly is the difference between sorcery/witchcraft and a miracle? Look I have turned x into y - do I get burned at the stake or turned into a saint?


I liked Frederic Jameson's suggestion that the sorcerer utilised personal charismatic power to motivate people whilst the prophet made use of both charismatic power and institutional power thus bridging the gap between sorcerer and priest and servicing the social role of both until the conflict between the two roles was eased.

Of course he was mostly just using this as an example to showcase his ideas for the vanishing mediator, I wonder how the people talking about tolerance and intolerance would view such a role? Does what I’ve tried to describe sound as heavy handed (in theory) as having the head of an institution attempt to negotiate peaceful change?

Hm... what sort of "impalement" are we referring to, Dyako-kun?

The smiley I chose should be a hint...

God forbid you actually reading the speeches. You'd probably have to be, like, fair to the catholic church and the pope. Can't have that, now can we? Polemics and baseless accusations are much more fun, anyway.

If you feel like getting into my issues with the Catholic Church, this is not the thread for it. My issues with his speech is simply a symptom of the larger issue.

But youre probably one of those people who thinks that the Church doesnt really shelter what amounts to an elite army of child molesters, and that all those kids are just making it up.

No more so than your fetish with accusing the collective catholic church of pretty much everything you hate.

Collective Church? Can you read? My problem lies in the Church leadership and establishment, not the everyday Catholics. Ive said that again and again. Who is the one not paying attention and who apperantly cant comprehend what is being said?

Difference is, I don't bother bawwwing to the uninvolved.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! I got in trouble for clearly violating the forum rules!"

Grow the fuck up.

The smiley I chose should be a hint...

Yeah, I thought as much. :tongue:

"Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live in the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened, disoriented, even reaching the point of condemning street children and even the most elderly because — they say — they are sorcerers."

Indeed. It's about time that these people put behind them the worries of sorcery and witchcraft and started living in fear of the homosexual masses..

:rolleyes:

If you feel like getting into my issues with the Catholic Church, this is not the thread for it. My issues with his speech is simply a symptom of the larger issue.

But youre probably one of those people who thinks that the Church doesnt really shelter what amounts to an elite army of child molesters, and that all those kids are just making it up.Still issues with reading, huh? Lets see..."In today's Angola," the pope said in a homily at Mass, "Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live in the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened, disoriented, even reaching the point of condemning street children and even the most elderly because — they say — they are sorcerers."From the article.We're not condeming him for anything in the above. We're codeming him for saying basically, "You know, your problems might be solved if you all converted, because right now, youre all witches in thrall to Satan..."You.Which he said in your imagination, and nowhere else, given that what he actually said was that believing in witches cursing you, and then having a supposed mob stoning them is wrong.Me.

There are, essentially, two possibilities. You didn't read the speech, and just made up what you thought the pope said 'cause it fits your 'THE CHURCH IS EVIL!' worldview.
You read the speech, and plain lied about what the pope said, because it fits your 'THE CHURCH IS EVIL!' worldview.

And, following up to that, upon being called upon your, well... Hate-speech is the appropriate term, really, you just plain distract from the issue, 'But the church does many evil things!'. That's not the point, it wasn't what I commented upon, and consequently, for the purpose of this thread, and the pope's speech, doesn't matter.

Though I suppose that judging by your and other's reaction to the speech, maybe the church should just stop trying to play nice at all? You don't appear to be willing to reward anything positive it does, you're just into endlessly harping on what it doesn't.

Collective Church? Can you read? My problem lies in the Church leadership and establishment, not the everyday Catholics. Ive said that again and again. Who is the one not paying attention and who apperantly cant comprehend what is being said?Unfortunately, that's whom I was referring to - bishops, priests, etc.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! I got in trouble for clearly violating the forum rules!"

Grow the fuck up.Where did I say- Oh, wait. I forgot. You love making up stuff, no matter whether it's the pope or me.

Oh well. If it gets you hard, more power to you.

Look, you're both right.

Linker Niederrhein is right about how not all of us read articles as thoroughly as we ought before responding, and Knights of Liberty is right about how the Catholic Church is fundamentally a dating service for child molesters. Can't we all get along?

:D