Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Josiah · 09-03-2002, 12:58 AM

<a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020902/ap_on_re_us/la_cathedral_6" target="_blank">New *$195 million* Cathedral</a>

Somehow, it really pisses me off that an institution with these kinds of resources would choose to waste them on what amounts to a tourist attraction devoted to worshipping their bloody little god, rather than, say, FEEDING THE PEOPLE WHO STARVE TO DEATH EVERY DAY.

Quote from the article: "Tod Tamberg, spokesman for the archdiocese, said the cathedral was mainly funded through private donations and "not one dime" was taken from church social service programs." Uh huh. So why didn't they solicit private donations to help alleviate human suffering, rather than squandering it on decadence? After all, Catholicism has huge influence. If the church wanted, it could bend that influence towards eliminating things like poverty and overpopulation in a heartbeat.

Before this, I was mostly ambivalent about Catholicism. "Eh, let them keep their silly rituals," was my general attitude. But I'm starting to think it's downright dangerous. Their opposition to birth control alone has probably caused more harm than I can imagine.

But then, I suppose that's what we should expect from an organization whose central text says the poor aren't as important as dumping oil on Jesus' head, because we'll always have them around.

Some people have some really messed up priorities.

(By the way, I'm Josiah. <waves> I've only posted a few times before when "the spirit moves me" [heh, the irony], and I'll keep watch on this thread if it goes anywhere. Questions, thoughts, accusations of hypocrisy?)

fanny666 · 09-03-2002, 02:33 AM

I always wish that Christians would ask themselves about that. How about the standard question: What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus say if he showed up at your church (as a white man with flowing locks of brown hair, wearing clean white robes and surrounded by very fluffy white lambs, no doubt) and he saw marble statues?

If He met up with the pope, what would He think about the solid gold images of Himself in the pope's hand and everywhere else?

If the real Jesus came back today, he'd take all of it to a pawn shop in the neighborhood where He lives, and buy clothing, housing, and food for everyone. But he'd probably get arrested. Ande if He ever ran for office, they'd call Him a "bleeding heart liberal."

09-03-2002, 04:30 AM

Nuns hold urns of burning incense during a ceremony and mass celebrating the opening of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral Monday, Sept. 2, 2002 in downtown Los Angeles. The cathedral opened Monday amid prayers and controversy as protesters condemned the $195 million cost and Roman Catholics continued to struggle with a national sex abuse scandal. (AP Photo/Beatrice Degea, Pool)

---------------------------

Can you believe that it's the 21st century and people are *still* participating in these silly rituals? It almost makes me ashamed to be human.

Walter_Mitty · 09-03-2002, 05:19 AM

Man, that picture looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie!

Abacus · 09-03-2002, 06:04 AM

In some ways, the human race is still stuck in the stone ages.

abe smith · 09-03-2002, 06:21 AM

Angh... what the fuck... humankind have always been pretty-generally messed -up, = 2 steps forrard, 1 step back, or wuss. MIIzz that, among others, good ole Voltaire mostly had it right (and practised what he preached, too) and that there are fair numbers of very quiet folks now also: doing something they CAN do to make things at least a little better for some of their fellow-ones. We might go & do likewise. And fuck the palaver....

slacker · 09-03-2002, 06:30 AM

All the comments above AND it's REALLY ugly.

09-03-2002, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fanny666:
<strong> How about the standard question: What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus say if he showed up at your church (as a white man with flowing locks of brown hair, wearing clean white robes and surrounded by very fluffy white lambs, no doubt) and he saw marble statues?

</strong>

Well Jesus ain't coming back and somebody has to take charge, or, why did you think the Church is infallible? Why do you think private donations built this Church if not to return to the Church from what they have received in abundance.

Ever thought that maybe Christ has come back to those who gave from abundance?

09-03-2002, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by abe smith:
<strong>Angh... what the fuck... humankind have always been pretty-generally messed -up, = 2 steps forrard, 1 step back, or wuss. </strong>

Hi abe, it is because humankind is messed up that mankind can tower above humankind. The struggle is between these two and just be glad somebody makes two steps forward because otherwise we'd all be hungry.

recovering xtian · 09-03-2002, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atheist_in_foxhole:
[QB]

[QB]

Missus Gumby,
I think a nekkid smoking geezus would go well with the decor on the table.

09-03-2002, 12:58 AM	#1
Josiah Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 9	The world is truly messed up <a href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020902/ap_on_re_us/la_cathedral_6" target="_blank">New $195 million Cathedral</a> Somehow, it really pisses me off that an institution with these kinds of resources would choose to waste them on what amounts to a tourist attraction devoted to worshipping their bloody little god, rather than, say, FEEDING THE PEOPLE WHO STARVE TO DEATH EVERY DAY. Quote from the article: "Tod Tamberg, spokesman for the archdiocese, said the cathedral was mainly funded through private donations and "not one dime" was taken from church social service programs." Uh huh. So why didn't they solicit private donations to help alleviate human suffering, rather than squandering it on decadence? After all, Catholicism has huge influence. If the church wanted, it could bend that influence towards eliminating things like poverty and overpopulation in a heartbeat. Before this, I was mostly ambivalent about Catholicism. "Eh, let them keep their silly rituals," was my general attitude. But I'm starting to think it's downright dangerous. Their opposition to birth control alone has probably caused more harm than I can imagine. But then, I suppose that's what we should expect from an organization whose central text says the poor aren't as important as dumping oil on Jesus' head, because we'll always have them around. Some people have some really messed up priorities. (By the way, I'm Josiah. <waves> I've only posted a few times before when "the spirit moves me" [heh, the irony], and I'll keep watch on this thread if it goes anywhere. Questions, thoughts, accusations of hypocrisy?)

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09-03-2002, 02:33 AM	#2
fanny666 Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Boulder CO Posts: 177	I always wish that Christians would ask themselves about that. How about the standard question: What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus say if he showed up at your church (as a white man with flowing locks of brown hair, wearing clean white robes and surrounded by very fluffy white lambs, no doubt) and he saw marble statues? If He met up with the pope, what would He think about the solid gold images of Himself in the pope's hand and everywhere else? If the real Jesus came back today, he'd take all of it to a pawn shop in the neighborhood where He lives, and buy clothing, housing, and food for everyone. But he'd probably get arrested. Ande if He ever ran for office, they'd call Him a "bleeding heart liberal."

09-03-2002, 04:30 AM	#3
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	Nuns hold urns of burning incense during a ceremony and mass celebrating the opening of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral Monday, Sept. 2, 2002 in downtown Los Angeles. The cathedral opened Monday amid prayers and controversy as protesters condemned the $195 million cost and Roman Catholics continued to struggle with a national sex abuse scandal. (AP Photo/Beatrice Degea, Pool) --------------------------- Can you believe that it's the 21st century and people are still participating in these silly rituals? It almost makes me ashamed to be human.

09-03-2002, 05:19 AM	#4
Walter_Mitty Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: . Posts: 467	Man, that picture looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie!

09-03-2002, 06:04 AM	#5
Abacus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Dakota Posts: 2,214	In some ways, the human race is still stuck in the stone ages.

09-03-2002, 06:21 AM	#6
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	Angh... what the fuck... humankind have always been pretty-generally messed -up, = 2 steps forrard, 1 step back, or wuss. MIIzz that, among others, good ole Voltaire mostly had it right (and practised what he preached, too) and that there are fair numbers of very quiet folks now also: doing something they CAN do to make things at least a little better for some of their fellow-ones. We might go & do likewise. And fuck the palaver....

09-03-2002, 06:30 AM	#7
slacker Regular Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hoboken, NJ USA Posts: 177	All the comments above AND it's REALLY ugly.

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