Jeezuz.. the Catholic Church is more medieval than I thought

shecky · 30th April 2004, 11:03 AM

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/s...t30apr30.story

I grew up in the post Vatican II Church with the notion that it could be a somewhat reasonable beacon of hope in the xtian spectrum that only got wackier. Eventually I left because I no longer needed to believe. But when I see news like this, I just wince. The church I knew that valued education, reason, and critical thinking has ceased to exist.

ceo_esq · 30th April 2004, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shecky
http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/s...t30apr30.story

I grew up in the post Vatican II Church with the notion that it could be a somewhat reasonable beacon of hope in the xtian spectrum that only got wackier. Eventually I left because I no longer needed to believe. But when I see news like this, I just wince. The church I knew that valued education, reason, and critical thinking has ceased to exist.

Er... why do you think that this article reflects a Church that values education, reason, and critical thinking less than the one you grew up in? According to the article, the Church you grew up in had an exorcism rite dating from 1614. One of the notable features of the new (1999) one, by most reports, is the emphasis on the desirability of recourse to modern, expert psychiatric, psychological and neurological diagnosis and therapy.

That sounds like an improvement to me.

Marc · 30th April 2004, 11:43 AM

Guess you didn't hear a couple years ago about how the Pope tried to do an exorcism. He failed though.. gee, if the pope can't get rid of a demon possession, then who the heck can?

Wrath of the Swarm · 30th April 2004, 11:53 AM

Psychiatry is about as fraudulent as the exorcisms are.

Now we're combining the two! Wonderful! Two woos for the price of one.

shecky · 30th April 2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ceo_esq
Er... why do you think that this article reflects a Church that values education, reason, and critical thinking less than the one you grew up in? According to the article, the Church you grew up in had an exorcism rite dating from 1614.

In the church I grew up in, exorcism was pretty much a chuckle. It was about little girls levitating and spinning their heads. IOW, it was mostly a Hollywood invention.

Quote:

Originally posted by ceo_esq

One of the notable features of the new (1999) one, by most reports, is the emphasis on the desirability of recourse to modern, expert psychiatric, psychological and neurological diagnosis and therapy.

That sounds like an improvement to me.

Yet despite this, the exorcist seems busier than ever, perfoming the ritual dozens of times a week. I don't get the feeling that his services really treat any psychiatric, psychological or neurological problems. Gabriele Amorth basically trots around giving a nice faith healing show. Smidgen of oil, sprinkle of water, and devil begone! No matter that the hoopla is ineffective. It's a dazzling display.

The whole thing is ridiculous. Plenty of priests know this stuff is bogus. I'll wager fewer and fewer are able to swallow this nonsense and go along with their duties.

I'll_buy_that · 30th April 2004, 12:42 PM

I found this quote a bit hypocritical..

" confused world engulfed in tragedy and chaos is turning increasingly to black magic, the occult and fortune-telling, he said, proof that the devil and his handmaidens are having a field day"

I have to believe in the devil, everyone else is crazy who believe in fairies.

My fairy can beat up your fairy.

does he do batchelor parties?

Ladewig · 30th April 2004, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Her symptoms were typical; the possessed experience a visceral, utter repulsion from all things holy.

Oh my god. I am possessed and didn't even know it.

Quote:

This year, one of the country's largest archdioceses established a special task force to handle the growing demand for devil detox.

"Who ya gonna call?"

EdipisReks · 2nd May 2004, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ladewig

Oh my god. I am possessed and didn't even know it.

"Who ya gonna call?"

"SMURFS!"

30th April 2004, 11:03 AM	#1
shecky Master Poster Join Date: May 2002 Location: Home of the Homeless Posts: 2,190	Jeezuz.. the Catholic Church is more medieval than I thought http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/s...t30apr30.story I grew up in the post Vatican II Church with the notion that it could be a somewhat reasonable beacon of hope in the xtian spectrum that only got wackier. Eventually I left because I no longer needed to believe. But when I see news like this, I just wince. The church I knew that valued education, reason, and critical thinking has ceased to exist.

30th April 2004, 11:18 AM	#2
ceo_esq Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 4,940	Re: Jeezuz.. the Catholic Church is more medieval than I thought Quote: Originally posted by shecky http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/s...t30apr30.story I grew up in the post Vatican II Church with the notion that it could be a somewhat reasonable beacon of hope in the xtian spectrum that only got wackier. Eventually I left because I no longer needed to believe. But when I see news like this, I just wince. The church I knew that valued education, reason, and critical thinking has ceased to exist. Er... why do you think that this article reflects a Church that values education, reason, and critical thinking less than the one you grew up in? According to the article, the Church you grew up in had an exorcism rite dating from 1614. One of the notable features of the new (1999) one, by most reports, is the emphasis on the desirability of recourse to modern, expert psychiatric, psychological and neurological diagnosis and therapy. That sounds like an improvement to me.
ceo_esq Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 4,940

30th April 2004, 11:43 AM	#3
Marc Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,165	Guess you didn't hear a couple years ago about how the Pope tried to do an exorcism. He failed though.. gee, if the pope can't get rid of a demon possession, then who the heck can?
Marc Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,165	__________________ So many cults, not enough comets. A child of 5 could understand this! Quick, someone fetch a child of 5! "Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill... (Scientology is) the world's largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy." Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia

30th April 2004, 11:53 AM	#4
Wrath of the Swarm Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,862	Psychiatry is about as fraudulent as the exorcisms are. Now we're combining the two! Wonderful! Two woos for the price of one.
	__________________ A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent. -- William Blake

30th April 2004, 12:22 PM	#5
shecky Master Poster Join Date: May 2002 Location: Home of the Homeless Posts: 2,190	Re: Re: Jeezuz.. the Catholic Church is more medieval than I thought Quote: Originally posted by ceo_esq Er... why do you think that this article reflects a Church that values education, reason, and critical thinking less than the one you grew up in? According to the article, the Church you grew up in had an exorcism rite dating from 1614. In the church I grew up in, exorcism was pretty much a chuckle. It was about little girls levitating and spinning their heads. IOW, it was mostly a Hollywood invention. Quote: Originally posted by ceo_esq One of the notable features of the new (1999) one, by most reports, is the emphasis on the desirability of recourse to modern, expert psychiatric, psychological and neurological diagnosis and therapy. That sounds like an improvement to me. Yet despite this, the exorcist seems busier than ever, perfoming the ritual dozens of times a week. I don't get the feeling that his services really treat any psychiatric, psychological or neurological problems. Gabriele Amorth basically trots around giving a nice faith healing show. Smidgen of oil, sprinkle of water, and devil begone! No matter that the hoopla is ineffective. It's a dazzling display. The whole thing is ridiculous. Plenty of priests know this stuff is bogus. I'll wager fewer and fewer are able to swallow this nonsense and go along with their duties.

30th April 2004, 12:42 PM	#6
I'll_buy_that Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 384	I found this quote a bit hypocritical.. " confused world engulfed in tragedy and chaos is turning increasingly to black magic, the occult and fortune-telling, he said, proof that the devil and his handmaidens are having a field day" I have to believe in the devil, everyone else is crazy who believe in fairies. My fairy can beat up your fairy. does he do batchelor parties?
	__________________ "Religion has convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll to to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...he loves you and he needs money! He's all powerful, all knowing, and all capable but he just can't handle money!" -George Carlin

30th April 2004, 01:08 PM	#7
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,803	Quote: Her symptoms were typical; the possessed experience a visceral, utter repulsion from all things holy. Oh my god. I am possessed and didn't even know it. Quote: This year, one of the country's largest archdioceses established a special task force to handle the growing demand for devil detox. "Who ya gonna call?"
	__________________ Is the JREF message board training wheels for people who hope to one day troll other message boards? It is not that hard to get us to believe you. We are not the major leagues or even the minor leagues. We are Pee-Wee baseball. If you love striking out 10-year-olds, then you'll love trolling our board.

2nd May 2004, 12:48 AM	#8
EdipisReks Custom Title Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The 'Nati Posts: 1,952	Quote: Originally posted by Ladewig Oh my god. I am possessed and didn't even know it. "Who ya gonna call?" "SMURFS!"
	__________________ "Candy to rot your teeth. Bible to rot your brain." --EvilDave (7-24-2003) "I read the Book Of Mormon once. Wasn't it about Uma Thurman, um, thrumming a Theremin?" --epepke (9-22-2004)