Women are too fussy - Catholic priest

lionking · 7th May 2012, 01:19 AM

When it comes to male-female relationship issues, go talk to an expert:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/life...507-1y7l3.html

Quote:

The Catholic church has told women not to be too picky about their future husbands and marry early because there is a drought of eligible men.

Good PR Catholic Church.

geni · 7th May 2012, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

When it comes to male-female relationship issues, go talk to an expert:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/life...507-1y7l3.html

Good PR Catholic Church.

the only dirrect quote is:

Quote:

"I think many are setting aside their aspirations for later, but by the time they get around to it, they've missed their chance," Fr Kerin said.

"In trying to have it all, they end up missing out.

Which is pretty reasonable (well a bit cynical but eh). Please try and take into account how modern journalism works.

blobru · 7th May 2012, 01:42 AM

Let's just hope they don't give their clergy a similar peptalk re altar boys.

{first with the sex abuse joke!}

Safe-Keeper · 7th May 2012, 01:48 AM

What constitutes an "eligible" man?

blobru · 7th May 2012, 01:55 AM

from the article:

Quote:

...between 25 and 34 ...excluding those who were already married -, in a de facto relationship -, gay -, a single parent - or earning less than $60,000 a year.

At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)?

geni · 7th May 2012, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by blobru

from the article:
At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)?

Well you'd have to ask Bernard Salt (the guy who came up with the numbers) that.

blobru · 7th May 2012, 02:12 AM

Numbers which the church official cites and accepts (I assume he accepts the odd criteria for "eligible" as well; possibly having stipulated them).

lionking · 7th May 2012, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by geni

Which is pretty reasonable (well a bit cynical but eh). Please try and take into account how modern journalism works.

I also watched the news report where the priest in question repeated his "can't afford to wait" message.

I have great respect for Bernard Salt, an excellent demographer, but priests giving advice on when to and who to marry? Give me a break...

dirtywick · 7th May 2012, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by blobru

from the article:
At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)?

No single parents is because they are Catholic, who tend to frown on sex outside of marriage.

However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties.

Tsukasa Buddha · 7th May 2012, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Demographer Bernard Salt has calculated that of the 1.343 million men in the same age bracket, only 86,000 single, heterosexual, well-off, young men were available after excluding those who were already married (485,000), in a de facto relationship (185,000), gay (7000), a single parent (12,000) or earning less than $60,000 a year.

Hold up, let me whip out my calculator. It looks like the income requirement knocks off 568,000 guys, the biggest portion of them all.

To be fair, shouldn't we take the 1.3 million women and start whittling down their numbers? I'm sure the numbers of "eligible" people will match up nicely. They didn't even qualify if we are talking about single women! I calculated that the 25-34 age group has roughly 1.5 million women in Australia, so I am guessing they didn't knock off those first big ticket items of taken or gay. Obviously non-middle class single mothers need to be taken off as well

. And only .52% are gay? That seems too low. Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women?

I think marriage should be about loving someone, and not a set life stage for a certain date or because of a checklist of eligibility. And the Catholics say that I'm ruining marriage

.

blobru · 7th May 2012, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by dirtywick

No single parents is because they are Catholic, who tend to frown on sex outside of marriage.

Yes, and divorce. Still, there might be some widowers in there.

Quote:

However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties.

I would've jumped at it.

I suspect the cut-off is meant to manufacture the 'startling' "lack of eligible bachelors!" headline (see Tsukasa Buddha's post above) as much as anything.

geni · 7th May 2012, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha

Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women?

Men are worse off. Absent any worthwhile wars there will be more young men than woman around. This is to an extent countered by women marrying younger which expands the pool of marriable women.

Quote:

I think marriage should be about loving someone, and not a set life stage for a certain date or because of a checklist of eligibility. And the Catholics say that I'm ruining marriage

.

Well the official catholic position is that marriage is about loving someone and having kids.

blobru · 7th May 2012, 02:45 AM

Though gay couples can adopt, or hire surrogates.

I think God hates teh gay is the official catholic position.

Puppycow · 7th May 2012, 04:01 AM

Wasn't there a book a couple years ago that argued the same thing?

I believe the title was Marry Him: the case for settling for Mr. Good Enough.

Puppycow · 7th May 2012, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha

Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women?

Biology.

paiute · 7th May 2012, 04:21 AM

Turning to a Catholic priest for marital advice is like giving a Breatharian their own show on the Food Network.

Puppycow · 7th May 2012, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by dirtywick

However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties.

Hell, I'm 41. I've been married for 17 years. 2 kids. 8 years into my mortgage. I don't make that much. Well maybe barely at current exchange rates. It's less than 70 K anyway.

Beerina · 7th May 2012, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by Safe-Keeper

What constitutes an "eligible" man?

It's what there's a shortage of, apparently, so women should settle for ineligible men w.r.t. marriage.

Zelenius · 7th May 2012, 05:14 AM

It seems the Catholic Church is in a lot more trouble in Australia than the U.S. This may explain the desperation of their clergy. Not only does Australia have lower church attendance rates than the U.S, it also lacks large scale hispanic(mostly Catholic) immigration.

It's always fun watching the Catholic Church become increasingly irrelevant.

aggle-rithm · 7th May 2012, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by Safe-Keeper

What constitutes an "eligible" man?

High sperm count and motility.

lionking · 7th May 2012, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Zelenius

It seems the Catholic Church is in a lot more trouble in Australia than the U.S. This may explain the desperation of their clergy. Not only does Australia have lower church attendance rates than the U.S, it also lacks large scale hispanic(mostly Catholic) immigration.

It's always fun watching the Catholic Church become increasingly irrelevant.

Very good points. I come from a staunch Catholic family with uncles who were priests, aunts nuns and even a father who was a novice Marist Brother. Yet when I went to an uncle's funeral the other year, with descendants of Irish Catholics everywhere, there was a Philipini priest. After the funeral I asked my cousins (most who would identify as Catholics) if they went to church regularly. None did.

ddt · 7th May 2012, 08:53 AM

What a load of BS. Apply those same calculations to the pool of women in that age group and you get a comparable number.

And why didn't they include the number of men who are ineligible because they chose RC priesthood?

pgwenthold · 7th May 2012, 01:02 PM

All I know is that I'm glad my Catholic wife settled...

Damien Evans · 7th May 2012, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

Hell, I'm 41. I've been married for 17 years. 2 kids. 8 years into my mortgage. I don't make that much. Well maybe barely at current exchange rates. It's less than 70 K anyway.

The current exchange rate has 1 US dollar converting to about 0.98 Australian Dollars.

Damien Evans · 7th May 2012, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by ddt

What a load of BS. Apply those same calculations to the pool of women in that age group and you get a comparable number.

And why didn't they include the number of men who are ineligible because they chose RC priesthood?

because 5 people isn't a significant number.

Caper · 7th May 2012, 11:31 PM

In this thread really about going after the catholic church? The advice is pretty good.... and really little to do with religion. I've heard this message (minus the marry early part) a few times over the last few years and it never really struck me as controversial. It's good advice. You spend alot of time seeking perfection, you might very well end up single wondering why you passed up certain people.

There is a lot of "real issues" in which a person can go after the catholic church for...... no need to go after a priest for fairly sound advice.

lionking · 7th May 2012, 11:49 PM

My point is that a celebate catholic priest is not qualified to provide advice in this area.

Eddie Dane · 8th May 2012, 12:46 AM

Although I think that the Catholic Church is a horrible institution, and I often fantasise about stampeding cattle through the Vatican (Thanks Mel Brooks), I think that starting a family early is good advise.

And whilst I think that priests shouldn't tell people how to shag, they can give practical advise like this.
Priests are community counsellors to a lot of people and they see a lot of families and can thus form opinions on what is a good or bad strategy.

Caper · 8th May 2012, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

My point is that a celebate catholic priest is not qualified to provide advice in this area.

I kind of agree. But I also don't necessarily agree. I don't think you have to be something in order to be able to give advice in an area. There are lots of experiences I have never had, but I'm sure I could deliver solid advice on. I think a father could give a daughter solid advice to his daughter on issues that may regard to only teenage girls (I watched Danny Tanner do it all the time.). Are they the best people to seek relationship advice from? Maybe not. But it doesn't mean the advice is bad. And in this case..... at least some of the advice appears solid.

This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings.

Flo · 8th May 2012, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Eddie Dane

Although I think that the Catholic Church is a horrible institution, and I often fantasise about stampeding ~~cattle~~ enraged elephants through the Vatican (Thanks Mel Brooks),.

ftfy

Quote:

I think that starting a family early is good advise.

Only if it doesn't mean an end to any plan for higher education or a professional career.

Quote:

And whilst I think that priests shouldn't tell people how to shag, they can give practical advise like this.
Priests are community counsellors to a lot of people and they see a lot of families and can thus form opinions on what is a good or bad strategy

^^ this

Originally Posted by Caper

This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings.

^^ and this.

ponderingturtle · 8th May 2012, 03:23 AM

Originally Posted by Caper

This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings.

Which aid and abed child molesters.

Skepticemea · 8th May 2012, 03:35 AM

So women wanting to "have it all" are waiting to snag a bloke on more than A$60k? The Roman Cathodes really know how to patronise the hell out of a demographic, hey?

"Settle for less sooner!"

How inspirational!

lionking · 8th May 2012, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by Skepticemea

So women wanting to "have it all" are waiting to snag a bloke on more than A$60k? The Roman Cathodes really know how to patronise the hell out of a demographic, hey?

"Settle for less sooner!"

How inspirational!

Exactly. Start rooting low paid losers now for the good of the one true church.

Eddie Dane · 8th May 2012, 04:02 AM

Anyway, I think it was very Christian advise.

That way, ordinary men who earn less than me can sometimes have sex too.

Skepticemea · 8th May 2012, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

Exactly. Start rooting low paid losers now for the good of the one true church.

I can see the wedding song charts changing as we speak:

"What's Love Got To Do With It" - Tina Turner (ineligible due to divorce)
"I Need A Dollar" - Aloe Blakk
"The Kids Are Alright" - The Offspring (Whoops! How'd that get in there?*)

*as the bishop said to the... never mind.

TragicMonkey · 8th May 2012, 06:39 AM

What a great combination of instructions: "Settle for somebody and marry early" along with "never get divorced"! What a great recipe for happiness! And of course, since birth control is a sin, have lots of children in this wonderful marriage. Settled for "good enough"? How's that going to feel plus eight kids, and stuck with it for the rest of your life? Don't forget, suicide's a sin also!

Call me a cynic, but the Catholic Church has given up on hoping to convert anybody these days. The only way to get more Catholics is to breed them.

Jorghnassen · 8th May 2012, 06:42 AM

Women are too fussy? Finally, the Catholic Church recognizes a fundamental truth!

sgtbaker · 8th May 2012, 07:14 AM

In short; go back to the kitchen.
Yeah, I did that. 12 years later, I was borderline suicidal and just short of tearing my skin off to escape who I was. For the record, he was just as unhappy. No one should stop hoping and settle...ever!

I just want to be clear, by settling, I don't mean I settled for someone beneath me. We both settled for a situation that did neither one of us any good.

pgwenthold · 8th May 2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Eddie Dane

I think that starting a family early is good advise.

Why?

When my wife and I were married, I was 24 and my wife was 22. I was in graduate school. She just graduated with a General Studies major and was working in the library at the university.

After graduating, I got a post-doc and my wife was working customer service. I got a tenure track faculty position, and my wife went back to library work. We moved institutions and I was still an assistant prof and my wife went to vet school. I got tenured while she was in vet school, and then she graduated and got a job. Three years later she got fired from that job and she got pregnant the night we moved out her things. She started her own business and works part-time on her own schedule, I have tenure and therefore have flexibility in my schedule. Our first child was born after we had been married 16 years, and she was 38 years old.

You tell me, when should we have started our family? When I was in grad school? A post-doc? An assistant professor trying to get tenure? When she was in vet school? Immediately after she got out of vet school?

How many of these things would have not come to pass if we had started our family earlier? And why would that have been preferable to what did happen?

Silly Green Monkey · 8th May 2012, 09:39 AM

I'd prefer more people had children later, just in case the pattern of later births meaning longer-lived children holds true for humans too.

7th May 2012, 01:19 AM	#1
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,653	Women are too fussy - Catholic priest When it comes to male-female relationship issues, go talk to an expert: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/life...507-1y7l3.html Quote: The Catholic church has told women not to be too picky about their future husbands and marry early because there is a drought of eligible men. Good PR Catholic Church.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

7th May 2012, 01:42 AM	#3
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	Let's just hope they don't give their clergy a similar peptalk re altar boys. {first with the sex abuse joke!}
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny Last edited by blobru; 7th May 2012 at 01:44 AM.

7th May 2012, 01:55 AM	#5
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	from the article: Quote: ...between 25 and 34 ...excluding those who were already married -, in a de facto relationship -, gay -, a single parent - or earning less than $60,000 a year. At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)?
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny Last edited by blobru; 7th May 2012 at 02:06 AM.

7th May 2012, 02:12 AM	#7
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	Numbers which the church official cites and accepts (I assume he accepts the odd criteria for "eligible" as well; possibly having stipulated them).
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny Last edited by blobru; 7th May 2012 at 02:30 AM.

7th May 2012, 02:13 AM	#8
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,653	Originally Posted by geni Which is pretty reasonable (well a bit cynical but eh). Please try and take into account how modern journalism works. I also watched the news report where the priest in question repeated his "can't afford to wait" message. I have great respect for Bernard Salt, an excellent demographer, but priests giving advice on when to and who to marry? Give me a break...
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill Last edited by lionking; 7th May 2012 at 02:31 AM.

7th May 2012, 01:42 AM	#2
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,564	Originally Posted by lionking When it comes to male-female relationship issues, go talk to an expert: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/life...507-1y7l3.html Good PR Catholic Church. the only dirrect quote is: Quote: "I think many are setting aside their aspirations for later, but by the time they get around to it, they've missed their chance," Fr Kerin said. "In trying to have it all, they end up missing out. Which is pretty reasonable (well a bit cynical but eh). Please try and take into account how modern journalism works.

7th May 2012, 01:48 AM	#4
Safe-Keeper Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sogndal, Norway Posts: 7,112	What constitutes an "eligible" man?

7th May 2012, 02:08 AM	#6
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,564	Originally Posted by blobru from the article: At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)? Well you'd have to ask Bernard Salt (the guy who came up with the numbers) that.

7th May 2012, 02:24 AM	#9
dirtywick Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,719	Originally Posted by blobru from the article: At least it's not Catholic only (though conversion's always a possibility); but why only late twenties to early thirties (okay, it's for women in the same age bracket, but still...); and why no single parents, or no one earning less than 60 thousand (seems a somewhat arbitrary figure)? No single parents is because they are Catholic, who tend to frown on sex outside of marriage. However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties.

7th May 2012, 02:27 AM	#10
Tsukasa Buddha Other (please write in) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NeverLand Posts: 9,904	Quote: Demographer Bernard Salt has calculated that of the 1.343 million men in the same age bracket, only 86,000 single, heterosexual, well-off, young men were available after excluding those who were already married (485,000), in a de facto relationship (185,000), gay (7000), a single parent (12,000) or earning less than $60,000 a year. Hold up, let me whip out my calculator. It looks like the income requirement knocks off 568,000 guys, the biggest portion of them all. To be fair, shouldn't we take the 1.3 million women and start whittling down their numbers? I'm sure the numbers of "eligible" people will match up nicely. They didn't even qualify if we are talking about single women! I calculated that the 25-34 age group has roughly 1.5 million women in Australia, so I am guessing they didn't knock off those first big ticket items of taken or gay. Obviously non-middle class single mothers need to be taken off as well . And only .52% are gay? That seems too low. Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women? I think marriage should be about loving someone, and not a set life stage for a certain date or because of a checklist of eligibility. And the Catholics say that I'm ruining marriage .
	__________________ As cultural anthropologists have always said "human culture" = "human nature". You might as well put a fish on the moon to test how it "swims naturally" without the "influence of water". -Earthborn Last edited by Tsukasa Buddha; 7th May 2012 at 02:32 AM.

7th May 2012, 02:36 AM	#11
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	Originally Posted by dirtywick No single parents is because they are Catholic, who tend to frown on sex outside of marriage. Yes, and divorce. Still, there might be some widowers in there. Quote: However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties. I would've jumped at it. I suspect the cut-off is meant to manufacture the 'startling' "lack of eligible bachelors!" headline (see Tsukasa Buddha's post above) as much as anything.
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny Last edited by blobru; 7th May 2012 at 02:37 AM.

7th May 2012, 02:36 AM	#12
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,564	Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women? Men are worse off. Absent any worthwhile wars there will be more young men than woman around. This is to an extent countered by women marrying younger which expands the pool of marriable women. Quote: I think marriage should be about loving someone, and not a set life stage for a certain date or because of a checklist of eligibility. And the Catholics say that I'm ruining marriage . Well the official catholic position is that marriage is about loving someone and having kids.

7th May 2012, 02:45 AM	#13
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	Though gay couples can adopt, or hire surrogates. I think God hates teh gay is the official catholic position.
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny

7th May 2012, 04:01 AM	#14
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,757	Wasn't there a book a couple years ago that argued the same thing? I believe the title was Marry Him: the case for settling for Mr. Good Enough.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

7th May 2012, 04:14 AM	#15
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,757	Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha Men tend to have married later than women and don't seem to be all the worse off. Why is it a problem for women? Biology.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

7th May 2012, 04:21 AM	#16
paiute Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Smack in the middle of a de Broglie wavelength. Posts: 1,140	Turning to a Catholic priest for marital advice is like giving a Breatharian their own show on the Food Network.
	__________________ A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of Cadaverine Organic chemistry, vengeful ghosts, and high explosives. What could possibly go wrong? Now free for download! http://www.scribd.com/doc/36568510/A...-of-Cadaverine

7th May 2012, 04:26 AM	#17
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,757	Originally Posted by dirtywick However, the 60 thousand figure is probably why his numbers are so low. That's a pretty good job for a guy in his early to mid-twenties. Hell, I'm 41. I've been married for 17 years. 2 kids. 8 years into my mortgage. I don't make that much. Well maybe barely at current exchange rates. It's less than 70 K anyway.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

7th May 2012, 04:52 AM	#18
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	Originally Posted by Safe-Keeper What constitutes an "eligible" man? It's what there's a shortage of, apparently, so women should settle for ineligible men w.r.t. marriage.
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right?

7th May 2012, 05:14 AM	#19
Zelenius Muse Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East coast, U.S Posts: 622	It seems the Catholic Church is in a lot more trouble in Australia than the U.S. This may explain the desperation of their clergy. Not only does Australia have lower church attendance rates than the U.S, it also lacks large scale hispanic(mostly Catholic) immigration. It's always fun watching the Catholic Church become increasingly irrelevant.

7th May 2012, 05:25 AM	#20
aggle-rithm Ardent Formulist Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 14,150	Originally Posted by Safe-Keeper What constitutes an "eligible" man? High sperm count and motility.
	__________________ To understand recursion, you must first understand recursion. Woo's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be adequately explained by aliens.

7th May 2012, 05:36 AM	#21
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,653	Originally Posted by Zelenius It seems the Catholic Church is in a lot more trouble in Australia than the U.S. This may explain the desperation of their clergy. Not only does Australia have lower church attendance rates than the U.S, it also lacks large scale hispanic(mostly Catholic) immigration. It's always fun watching the Catholic Church become increasingly irrelevant. Very good points. I come from a staunch Catholic family with uncles who were priests, aunts nuns and even a father who was a novice Marist Brother. Yet when I went to an uncle's funeral the other year, with descendants of Irish Catholics everywhere, there was a Philipini priest. After the funeral I asked my cousins (most who would identify as Catholics) if they went to church regularly. None did.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

7th May 2012, 08:53 AM	#22
ddt Mafia Penguin Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,323	What a load of BS. Apply those same calculations to the pool of women in that age group and you get a comparable number. And why didn't they include the number of men who are ineligible because they chose RC priesthood?
	__________________ Proud member of the Solipsistic Autosycophant's Group

7th May 2012, 01:02 PM	#23
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 12,068	All I know is that I'm glad my Catholic wife settled...
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7th May 2012, 11:09 PM	#24
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,295	Originally Posted by Puppycow Hell, I'm 41. I've been married for 17 years. 2 kids. 8 years into my mortgage. I don't make that much. Well maybe barely at current exchange rates. It's less than 70 K anyway. The current exchange rate has 1 US dollar converting to about 0.98 Australian Dollars.
	__________________ WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? - Death "Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies." - Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of Yothu Yindi

7th May 2012, 11:10 PM	#25
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,295	Originally Posted by ddt What a load of BS. Apply those same calculations to the pool of women in that age group and you get a comparable number. And why didn't they include the number of men who are ineligible because they chose RC priesthood? because 5 people isn't a significant number.
	__________________ WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? - Death "Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies." - Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of Yothu Yindi

7th May 2012, 11:31 PM	#26
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946	In this thread really about going after the catholic church? The advice is pretty good.... and really little to do with religion. I've heard this message (minus the marry early part) a few times over the last few years and it never really struck me as controversial. It's good advice. You spend alot of time seeking perfection, you might very well end up single wondering why you passed up certain people. There is a lot of "real issues" in which a person can go after the catholic church for...... no need to go after a priest for fairly sound advice.
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946

7th May 2012, 11:49 PM	#27
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,653	My point is that a celebate catholic priest is not qualified to provide advice in this area.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

8th May 2012, 12:46 AM	#28
Eddie Dane Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,420	Although I think that the Catholic Church is a horrible institution, and I often fantasise about stampeding cattle through the Vatican (Thanks Mel Brooks), I think that starting a family early is good advise. And whilst I think that priests shouldn't tell people how to shag, they can give practical advise like this. Priests are community counsellors to a lot of people and they see a lot of families and can thus form opinions on what is a good or bad strategy.

8th May 2012, 12:59 AM	#29
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946	Originally Posted by lionking My point is that a celebate catholic priest is not qualified to provide advice in this area. I kind of agree. But I also don't necessarily agree. I don't think you have to be something in order to be able to give advice in an area. There are lots of experiences I have never had, but I'm sure I could deliver solid advice on. I think a father could give a daughter solid advice to his daughter on issues that may regard to only teenage girls (I watched Danny Tanner do it all the time.). Are they the best people to seek relationship advice from? Maybe not. But it doesn't mean the advice is bad. And in this case..... at least some of the advice appears solid. This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings.
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946

8th May 2012, 01:08 AM	#30
Flo Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Massongy, France Posts: 2,798	Originally Posted by Eddie Dane Although I think that the Catholic Church is a horrible institution, and I often fantasise about stampeding ~~cattle~~ enraged elephants through the Vatican (Thanks Mel Brooks),. ftfy Quote: I think that starting a family early is good advise. Only if it doesn't mean an end to any plan for higher education or a professional career. Quote: And whilst I think that priests shouldn't tell people how to shag, they can give practical advise like this. Priests are community counsellors to a lot of people and they see a lot of families and can thus form opinions on what is a good or bad strategy ^^ this Originally Posted by Caper This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings. ^^ and this.
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8th May 2012, 03:23 AM	#31
ponderingturtle Orthogonal Vector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tarrytown, NY Posts: 26,424	Originally Posted by Caper This might actually be a surprise to you and a lot of other "skeptics" out there.... but not all catholic priests are child molesting monsters. Some are actually very good human beings. Which aid and abed child molesters.
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8th May 2012, 03:35 AM	#32
Skepticemea Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,277	So women wanting to "have it all" are waiting to snag a bloke on more than A$60k? The Roman Cathodes really know how to patronise the hell out of a demographic, hey? "Settle for less sooner!" How inspirational!
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8th May 2012, 03:57 AM	#33
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 29,653	Originally Posted by Skepticemea So women wanting to "have it all" are waiting to snag a bloke on more than A$60k? The Roman Cathodes really know how to patronise the hell out of a demographic, hey? "Settle for less sooner!" How inspirational! Exactly. Start rooting low paid losers now for the good of the one true church.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

8th May 2012, 04:02 AM	#34
Eddie Dane Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,420	Anyway, I think it was very Christian advise. That way, ordinary men who earn less than me can sometimes have sex too.

8th May 2012, 04:12 AM	#35
Skepticemea Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,277	Originally Posted by lionking Exactly. Start rooting low paid losers now for the good of the one true church. I can see the wedding song charts changing as we speak: "What's Love Got To Do With It" - Tina Turner (ineligible due to divorce) "I Need A Dollar" - Aloe Blakk "The Kids Are Alright" - The Offspring (Whoops! How'd that get in there?) as the bishop said to the... never mind.
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