Pope sez put crucifixes everywhere!

[shecky]

It'll fix what ails us. (http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0504619.htm)

"The modern world believed that by putting God aside" and following man's ideas and desires people could "become truly free," but that did not happen, the pope said during his homily at Mass Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I'll say it didn't happen. Most folks never bothered to put God aside.

It is important that "God be present in the symbol of the cross in public places, (that) God be present in our communal life because only if God is present (will) we have a guide, a common path," the pope said.

Without God, people lose their "divine dignity" and become "only a product of a blind evolution," he said.

Only a product of a blind evolution?!? The horror!

[toddjh]

Originally posted by shecky
Only a product of a blind evolution?!? The horror!

I don't understand this. Our origins somehow magically change if we don't believe in God? Either we're a product of blind evolution or we're not...how does belief come into it?

Jeremy

[ceo_esq]

Originally posted by toddjh
I don't understand this. Our origins somehow magically change if we don't believe in God? Either we're a product of blind evolution or we're not...how does belief come into it?I think he was saying that in the absence of the idea of God, human beings can come to regard themselves and each other as mere products of blind evolution, which he obviously believes can encourage abuses of human dignity. I don't think he was suggesting that anything objectively changes.

[toddjh]

Originally posted by ceo_esq
I think he was saying that in the absence of the idea of God, human beings can come to regard themselves and each other as mere products of blind evolution, which he obviously believes can encourage abuses of human dignity. I don't think he was suggesting that anything objectively changes.

Ah, so a sociological rationale for promoting religion. That I understand, although it's strange to hear it coming from a pope. :) I would've expected him to be more concerned with immortal souls than worldly welfare.

Jeremy

[ceo_esq]

Originally posted by toddjh
Ah, so a sociological rationale for promoting religion. That I understand, although it's strange to hear it coming from a pope. :) I would've expected him to be more concerned with immortal souls than worldly welfare.Yes, although as a Catholic he no doubt believes that people's behavior toward each other has an effect on their immortal souls.

[Giz]

Originally posted by ceo_esq
Yes, although as a Catholic he no doubt believes that people's behavior toward each other has an effect on their immortal souls.

Yes, it must be easier to be a Calvinist. Then when you feel the urge to go to Hooters you can just think "why fight it?"

Ah well, we all have our cross to bear...

[ceo_esq]

Originally posted by Giz
Yes, it must be easier to be a Calvinist. Then when you feel the urge to go to Hooters you can just think "why fight it?"

Ah well, we all have our cross to bear... Heh heh. You have Hooters in London?

[tdn]

Originally posted by benny
It is important that "God be present in the symbol of the cross in public places, (that) God be present in our communal life because only if God is present (will) we have a guide, a common path," the pope said.

Thou shalt not commit idolatry, remember?

Although my personal commandment is thou shalt not commit American Idolatry, nor So You Think You Can Dancetry.

[toddjh]

I don't get the whole crucifix thing anyway. If Jesus had been killed by firing squad, would they wear little gold rifles around their necks?

Jeremy

[headscratcher4]

Originally posted by toddjh
I don't get the whole crucifix thing anyway. If Jesus had been killed by firing squad, would they wear little gold rifles around their necks?

Jeremy

More likely something that resembles a piece of swiss cheese....

[Giz]

Originally posted by ceo_esq
Heh heh. You have Hooters in London?

Nah. But then we don't have many Calvinists either so I don't know if there'd be a big market for them...

[shecky]

Originally posted by toddjh
I don't get the whole crucifix thing anyway. If Jesus had been killed by firing squad, would they wear little gold rifles around their necks?

Jeremy

Ha! This reminds me of the movie "Santa Sangre", where there's a saint cult centered around a girl who was raped and arms severed. The followers wear a patch depicting two interlocking dismembered arms.

http://www.hotweird.com/jodorowsky/holyblood.gif