I think Joe is the right person for the jobs. His hardline policies will benefit mankind in the long run by decimating that cesspool of an organization call the Catholic Church. :rip:


He may drive away some Europeans and North Americans but the "backbone" of the Church is quickly becoming South American and African. These two continents seem to like a strong hand at the wheel.

While I rejoice with the Roman Catholics that they now have a new Pope, I am a bit concerned at the choice. Joseph Ratzinger was a very fundamentalist Catholic, very much a "hardliner" for the faith. I doubt that now he is Benedict XVI he will soften his position. He is very much against Homosexuals, the advancement of women in the Church, birth control, etc. etc. Some of these points have driven believers away from the RC faith.

He also said, sometime ago, that "other faiths are deficient." This does not bode well for ecumenicalism



He was the closest associate of Pope John Paul II, and undoubtedly shared the same views and stance concering the Catholic Church and its principle. Do you think that the difference with him will be his hardball approach?

He was the closest associate of Pope John Paul II, and undoubtedly shared the same views and stance concering the Catholic Church and its principle. Do you think that the difference with him will be his hardball approach?

Yes, I fear so. However, time will tell.

He may drive away some Europeans and North Americans but the "backbone" of the Church is quickly becoming South American and African. These two continents seem to like a strong hand at the wheel.

So if you can't fool the enlightened Europeans and North Americans with you conservative religious bs, then pounce on those ignorant Africans and South Americans. How much more misery can one organization foist upon a given population without being held accountable for their actions to the world. African and South American societies are the last place where more religion is needed. Conservative catholicism could only bring more grief and hardship to these already stricken societies.

So if you can't fool the enlightened Europeans and North Americans with you conservative religious bs, then pounce on those ignorant Africans and South Americans. How much more misery can one organization foist upon a given population without being held accountable for their actions to the world. African and South American societies are the last place where more religion is needed. Conservative catholicism could only bring more grief and hardship to these already stricken societies.

So would you be in favour of more liberal Catholicism?

So would you be in favour of more liberal Catholicism?

Yes! for my part! Cant speak for others!

So if you can't fool the enlightened Europeans and North Americans with you conservative religious bs, then pounce on those ignorant Africans and South Americans. How much more misery can one organization foist upon a given population without being held accountable for their actions to the world. African and South American societies are the last place where more religion is needed. Conservative catholicism could only bring more grief and hardship to these already stricken societies.

I am sure that by using the word "you" you were not speaking of me? I am not Catholic and if I was I would be far from conservative! . .

I agree with you the RC's conservative views are out of touch with the modern world. They need "up-dating." But don't look for that soon!

So would you be in favour of more liberal Catholicism?

I would be in favour of no religion at all Catholic or otherwise. We give too much credence to these intitutions which are inherantly problematic for modern societies. On the surface religious institutions appear to be benign to the untrained mind, but those of us who have studied and read up on religion know otherwise. Religions prey upon the weak and uninformed minds. Without this segment of the population who follow this foolishness so blindly, all religion would die out. Now, there are many religious persons who are well informed, but they manipulate their knowledge for personal benefit or remain silent for fear of upsetting the status quo. When enough people start to see religion for what it really is, a pyscological crutch, then perhaps most of the global problems we humans face on this tiny rock called earth, may just disappear.

A black pope, a white pope, a German pope, an Italian pope makes no difference. They are speak the same religious language. How much longer shall the world bear this 'cross' before we wake up to life realities. Religion is not going to solve our problems because IT IS THE PROBLEM.

A black pope, a white pope, a German pope, an Italian pope makes no difference. They are speak the same religious language. How much longer shall the world bear this 'cross' before we wake up to life realities. Religion is not going to solve our problems because IT IS THE PROBLEM.



Are you sure MANKIND isnt the problem? After all religion is an institution of mankind. Religion has the ability to effect alot of good, but with men and women, who are mortals and thus imperfect, at the helm, some of the bad will become mixed up with the good.

A black pope, a white pope, a German pope, an Italian pope makes no difference. They are speak the same religious language. How much longer shall the world bear this 'cross' before we wake up to life realities. Religion is not going to solve our problems because IT IS THE PROBLEM.

Religions "job" should not be to solve our problems. What religion should do is make us stronger, better people so we can solve our own problems. Religion does not do that these days! (except for Buddhism! ;) )

Can I just say that I am disgusted with the news coverage of this issue?

I do not need to see the 'chapel chimney webcam' on CNN. I do not need to know about the Vatican's anti-bugging sweeps. I don't need to know what the betting odds are that Cardinal X will win the title, like it was some sort of papal horserace.

Amazing that the Vatican will embrace modern technology like bug sweeping and webcams, but watch out if you want to put a latex sock on your member!

Bulletproof Pope-mobiles are for the protection of the pontiff, but who is protecting the children from the abuse at the hands of the Church?

Both homosexuality is bad and ordained women are bad in the eyes of the RC Church, but they allow homo/pedophelic priests to be protected by a Cardinal who's last name ironically is Law!

Maybe that's where the word 'pontificate' comes from - meaningless double standard dribble that isn't timely or important in the real world.

I just hope this media frenzy ends soon.

Religions "job" should not be to solve our problems. What religion should do is make us stronger, better people so we can solve our own problems. Religion does not do that these days! (except for Buddhism! ;) )

CG then please tell that to those religious phonies :liar: because I understand your point so well.

CG then please tell that to those religious phonies :liar:
I try!

because I understand your point so well.


I believe you do. :)

Religions "job" should not be to solve our problems. What religion should do is make us stronger, better people so we can solve our own problems. Religion does not do that these days! (except for Buddhism! ;) )

Don't forget us free thinking Christians they call heretics.