12th February 2010
“Shepherds don't look after sheep because they love them – although I do think some shepherds like their sheep too much. They look after their sheep so they can, first, fleece them and second, turn them into meat. That's much more like the priesthood as I know it.”
February 12th, 2010 at 7:39
Not an interesting quote.Seems like nobody is interested.
February 12th, 2010 at 15:25
That actually is a gross quote, but given some of the happenings over the years, I can understand where that quote is coming from.
February 12th, 2010 at 16:57
I think that both parts of the criticism are inarguably true. On the fleecing part, the wealth of the Vatican is estimated at between 10 and 15 billion dollars. To do their “charity” work they don’t even have to dip into the principle. Many parishes pass the plate twice now which is handy because that way the parishioners themselves are paying the direct cost of the settled law suits raised in the second part of the criticism. I mean, after all, why should the central office have to pay for the indiscretions of its satellites? The SYSTEMATIC sexual abuse of children, much of it of a homosexual nature, inflicted buy this cabal of weird “celibates” is a blaring klaxon of this organization’s immorality and self interest. I heard it said recently that the Catholic churches fetishistic preoccupation with sex is akin to the fascination with food of the anorexic or the obese. I think that’s a great way to look at it.
February 12th, 2010 at 18:01
Plus, all these celibate male priests wear such pretty, expensive dresses and hats. The Catholic hierarchy are a bunch of seriously retarded 2 year old boys who think Daddy put them in charge till he comes home. I don’t agree with Hitchens on much of anything, but his take on this is spot-on.
February 12th, 2010 at 18:09
I don’t know much about the Catholic priesthood, but several evangelical organizations in the West certainly appear to treat their followers just like this quote. You can be saved, …just send money. I wonder if that Jesus character back 2000 years ago in Christian mythology ever went around bumming cash, goods and services off his flock? I guess it depends on what the author of the story intended.
February 12th, 2010 at 18:15
BTW . . . It’s Charles Darwin’s birthday today! So Happy Darwin Day to everybody!
February 12th, 2010 at 18:20
The authors of the Jesus story had their character expel the bankers from the temple and had him argue the merits of poverty. But they also had him say the rich would get richer and the poor poorer. They left it somewhat ambiguous as to what they were trying to get him to say. Nonetheless, I’m pretty sure they DIDN’T mean “give your hard earned cash to a guy in an embroidered moo-moo so he can pay off your neighbor after he diddles the neighbor’s kid.”
February 12th, 2010 at 18:28
Thanks for the reminder, Oxy! You know, I named my dog Darwin and so far I’ve only had a single person comment that it’s an ironic name since he’s the product of artificial selection, not natural selection. Ha! Happy Darwin Day, fellow hominids! May your evolution lead you to useful adaptations.
February 12th, 2010 at 20:31
That’s a great idea. Shouting “Darwin” at the top of your voice in public places must be so much fun!
I wonder if anyone has a rat named Pope 😉
February 14th, 2010 at 15:58
My dentist has a black lab names Darwin. Great dog! Growls at Christians though. lol
February 15th, 2010 at 17:33
In my lab theres a cripple mice named Dawkin’s.
February 16th, 2010 at 19:18
“in my lab…”
LOL! The only lab you’re ever likely to see, Solomon, is the one where they conduct experiments to see if there’s anything living inside your head.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:05
Dawkin….! Dawkin….! Where are you hiding? I’am bringing you a Cat friend.His name is Darwin.Come play together. The least is you’ll get eaten.