Daggah

Being faithful to erroneous beliefs is not something that deserves any of our credit, fcuk. Faith (at least, in the sense we're talking about here) is something to be ridiculed, not admired.

southernhybrid

I think Catholic clergy have the best costumes and those incantations and chants are way more interesting than the other Xian sects. They also have some pretty cool cathedrals, like St. Pat's in NYC. They use incense and lots of candles which adds a nice ambience to the decor. And what about those Rosary beads, Sainthood, and all those choral masses. If only they had kept the mass in Latin so we wouldn't know what nonsensical things were being told.

Amos

Exactly, then at least we would not be deceived by literalism.

Amie

Hi Mike
well regarding women priests I personally do not think it's going to happen anytime soon. I would venture to say the church would allow married priests before allowing female ones. I could be wrong though, one never knows...
I know that there is a group of nuns somewhere in chicago that has undergone all of the educational courses required to be a priest that way if and when the time comes when the Vatican allows it, those nuns can start as soon as possible. As for the celibacy I really do not think one has to deprive oneself of sex to serve God. Sometimes I think deprivation of anything can lead to obsession...
In all honesty at one point in my life I actually wanted to be a nun, it was a decision I made following some traumatic events in my life. I literally lasted 1 day at the Cabrini house before they asked me to leave and they said it "wasn't for me" ONE DAY! aww well it was really for the best. I like men way too much and I would have violated that pesky celibacy vow many times...
I am happy to share my beliefs with you Mike and answer any questions you may have for me regarding my thoughts, views, the catholic church...although sometimes I think I am my own little sect of catholicism. I am no bible literalist whatsoever and I am really liberal with my beliefs regarding religion...
All the best to you
sincerely~
Amie

Arrowman

I try to draw a distinction between the belief and the person, and between different people. Although it's hard sometimes.

While people are entitled to their beliefs, they are not necessarily entitled to have those beliefs taken seriously (respected). Laughing out loud at someone who believes, say, that the moon landings were a hoax, is more acceptable in our society than laughing out loud at a deluded Christian. And that is wrong. The same standard should be applied to both.

On the other hand, I do draw distinction between Gemma and Sabine. I do not share their beliefs, I think they're both deluded about their beliefs, and I think those beliefs are irrational. But...

Gemma is just a seriously deluded person who gives one no reason to do anything other than laugh, and her persistence on this board is a consequence of her dissociation from reality rather than some quality to be respected.

Sabine, on the other hand (in my experience, anyway), while she shares many of the same beliefs as Gemma, is generally a more reasonable person (she has a sense of humour, for a start, and is capable of self-deprecation) and I do give her credit for "sticking around". I don't agree with a lot of what she says, but I don't mind spending time in conversation with her. GT on the other hand is a waste of bandwidth.

Secular Pinoy

I like the catholics here in Manila myself. They are pretty indifferent to religion, don't care much for the papal bull(crap), and are really horny (must be all those years in a catholic school).

And my GF's a catholic, too. Though she's indifferent to religion herself.

echidna

I would never say such a thing.

Gemma Therese

Wow, a whole topic about me and I'm just now discovering it!

My faith is stronger than a thousand atheist arguments.

Gemma Therese

Eudaimonist

We know you are impervious to reason and reality. Thanks for reminding us why we aren't Christian.

Gemma Therese

Fidelity, Eudaimonist, not feeling. Fidelity.