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SOME OF THE GREAT DANGERS OF RELIGION.

PAT SAYS

I believe that SPIRITUALITY is freeing and that RELIGION is often very damaging.

Spirituality is the relationship between the human being and the “Great Reality” – God.

Religion is a man made structure which seeks to control a man or woman’s relationship with God.

197 replies on “SOME OF THE GREAT DANGERS OF RELIGION.”

Reading the intro to this blog screams of Valladolid to me, Bishop Pat.
I want the whole world to know, and nobody is going to stop me from exposing them all. Nobody! X

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This is inevitable due to the sacred charge and intensity placed on confectioning, which obliterates Jesus, Holy Spirit, Holy Scripture, and us, and results in the excesses of international head office and distorting the sense of person of much of the clergy and laity.

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6:37 If seminaries turn out bullies like you, you have rather made its point for it.

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6:37 am — Rejection is NOT a criminal offence; how can anybody be publicly exposed for simple rejection? Any attempt to expose simple rejection would be — on one level — childish. Crimes of great moral turpitude are indeed in want of exposure; in light of Christian ethics and behavior, another question may easily arise…
Your comment is flawed both morally and ethically (given the facts of Holy Mother church…).
Not to mention the possibility of your allusion to simple “rejection” being a criminal offence; what an obsurd allusion for any mature and caring adult to even entertain, nevermind openly allude to…

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Seminaries should come with a health warning. Enter at your own risk, basically. Your mind, soul and body are in danger in those places.

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9.32: Ex seminarians should also come with a health warning. What wars they carry out on this blog? Vicious, nasty, infantile, vengeful, back stabbing…..horrible behaviour.

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1:38 Thank you for doing so much to carry out your obvious mission of keeping the discussion calm and adult. May G*d reward you.

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“Seninaries, warnings… soul and body… And health…” I couldn’t agree with you anymore @ 9:32 am!
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

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11.21pm. Our Liverpool correspondent writes.

Do aggrieved ex-sems not realise that by obsessing (stalking?) and moaning and living in the past about their dismissal they confirm the right judgement of the formators in dismissing them? They are like an ex-partner who won’t accept it’s over after a break-up.

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10:16
Far from it. Their complaints provide the perfect opportunity for people like you to victim blame and flame them.
Exactly the point they’re making.
Logic not your strong suit, is it.

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@10:16: You self satisfied supercilious lot just don’t understand what has been said here many times in relation to ex sems. The vast majority, myself included, now look at the disgusting reality of the RCC, and bless the day we left. On that score, most of us chose freely to get out, yet your impoverished thought processes continues to brand us as ‘dismissed rejects.’
Some of us who follow the blog can see through your gratuitous attempts to lionise yourselves by denigrating others. What fools you are. We know it, but you don’t.
I rarely comment: there’s no point in “talking to the wall “…….

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3:34
Absolutely. However the repetition of stupid, abusive, racist, homophobic and hateful comments here could also indicate one or more trolls intending to start a row. In which case the opinions expressed are unlikely to be their own. If Pat understood this and moderated accordingly it would make it much easier for other people to comment here and have a sensible conversation.

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I think this post is relevant to younger priests in my diocese. One has spoken of his unhappiness under more senior clerics. He lives a most unhappy existence not true to himself.

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Leitrim’s Worst@ 3:34pm
Lenny you’re so bitter watch you don’t choke on your own bile your like all the other spoiled priests it’ never your fault you were rejected. Thanks be to God you were

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3.58: A very nasty response to 3.34 and unnecessary and uninformed. Len might say why he wasn’t allowed to priesthood so that we might make better assessments. I always felt sorry for the student(s) asked to leave the seminary. Some decisions were, I believe, a form of psychological bullying, some were right
for particular individuals. But sime who left for whatever reason still carry great hurt. Hope they find peace within.

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Bella seems to have problem coping with the truth of other peoples experiences.
Or maybe her capacity to comprehend is stunted…

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3:58 Anon. If you’re an example of a ‘non rejected one’ your inability to write legible cohesive English simply shows another aspect of your many failings.

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Doesn’t it all depend in what you mean by spiritual? This word is almost a cliche now. We are tempted to dismiss the words religious or faith-filled lest we offend the non conformists or secularists. I am proud to say I have a religious/faith-filled view of life. I believe in God totally, am a professed follower of Christ and Catholic. The faith given to me has greatly enriched my life particularly the spiritual writings of St. Patrick, St. Therese, St. John of the Cross, St. Mother Theresa, Pope St. John 23rd, St. Francis etc…The above criticisms of religion are not 100% true. Modern secularism does not offer vision, hope or inspiration. Do we ever ask why modern society has so many wounded, hurt and broken people through drugs, alcohol, depression, homelessness, poverty? What is spiritual or life giving about secularism? I ponder these realities and seek answers. We say many people are spiritual seekers. What do we mean by this and, where, in the absence of meaningful religious experiences, do we find some hope, light, meaning, contentment and healing? Not in secularism or in any of the many psychics at street corners. Sadly, the beauty of Catholic spirituality, prayer, traditions and devotions are almost destroyed by the crises within the Church. God inspire us in his love. We need poets, peoole of vision, art and imagination to dwell among us.

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11:45 pm

See, ‘The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality’ ed. by Michael Downey for more info on definitions of spirituality,etc. It’s a great source/resource.

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11:45 Your comment genuinely made me lol. Now take a deep breath and have a go at seeing how your comment looks through the filter of the original post.

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1:06, complete nonsense by you.
11:45 is a wise man who has graced our presence on this day with his contribution.
Modern society for sure has many problems. They do not understand the meaning of life.
Pax.

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1.06: Really? Is this the shallowness of your thinking? Empty brain…we can do without your nonsense.

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@7:00.
Don’t you even realise how self contradictory your comment is?
‘spose that’s a mark of stupidity: inability to appreciate one’s own limitations.

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7:30
Bella, does your apparent defense of The Truth conceal a lack of faith?
Abusing people is not of the Christ Jesus.

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Pope Francis has suggested that couples who choose to have pets over children are “selfish”, arguing that their decision not to embark on parenthood damages civilisation.
Speaking to a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, he said: “Today … we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that’s it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality.”
https://m.independent.ie/news/couples-who-choose-to-have-pets-over-children-are-selfish-says-pope-francis-41212661.html

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The incredible irony of a man with no kids presiding over a bunch of notionally celibate virgins, saying that. 😂

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2.43
No irony at all. Your premise that a pope could speak only to those who shared his state of life is false. It would mean a married pope could speak only to married and a celibate only to celibates.
You can see how stupid that would be.

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The prophetic is far wider than “prescribed” and consists of sitting studying for long periods more often than something sudden. Jeremiah as paradigm shut the stable door after Josiah’s “Make Judah Great Again” horse had bolted. Understanding of tongues has disappeared so forget them. The gifts are not to be vetoed by the elite and each of us will have several to exercise in low key ways but each selection will be unique and will complement and not clone. Take no notice of how the gifts are defined by most churches.
THE WORSHIP OF GOD is to not stunt the growth of fellow adopted widows and orphans in Father’s firm.
I believe in shopping list prayer: THE PRAISE OF GOD is to show Him we know He is the one to go shopping from with out price
I believe in cafeteria Christianity: eat everything on the menu but not all at once: keep coming back.
“Destiny or bust” is the VD and seminary mentality: some of the geezers showcased said they weren’t going to be saved if they didn’t get ordained. Programming the malleable to beg you to do them an illusory favour to keep you in business?

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But single (and gay) people can’t get married, ergo: they can’t produce children. What the heck.
Is Papa Francis paying attention here?
Pets are the perfect addition to any household. They are God’s creatures and bring so much light, joy and happiness into many peoples lives; they are “God’s own medicine” if you like.
Having a pet(s) helps us grow in the sense that we are aware of the “other”; we have to feed, water and keep them safe and warm.
Anything which makes us less inward looking — inwardly focused — is good for our wellbeing. Not to mention our spiritual awareness… love for others etc.?
No… the Almighty, Our Creator, knew exactly what He was doing when he decided on creatures — especially cats and dogs.
And anyhow, my cousins are all grown up now, and boy am I glad of that (not really… but my pets bring a similar joy and happiness).
Humans are different from animals, for sure (but I would sooner be surrounded by tame animals than most humans!) — but both are worthy of love, care and respect.

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3:00,
On the subject of pets, one would think it is understandable that people must scoop the poop! Many dog owners in society struggle with basic concept. Wayward dog owners give dog owners a bad name.
Pax.

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3:00 Everyone who gets married is single. If you’re married you can’t get married.
Jaysus, you people are stupid.

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7.49: Whatever about the words of Pope Francis, the journal.ie is a vicious anti Catholic, anti establishment platform which allows repeated untruths, lies and poison against politicians and all things Catholic, like this blog.

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Da Fonz is busy making one minute videos answering questions on the second coming while flapping his hands about in the process. He needs a change in communications personnel or to retrain. His hand flapping is very distracting.

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I think people who say they are spiritual but not religious feel a need or desire for God but don’t want the moral code that comes with Him.

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Joe, according to Matthew Fox, spiritual theologian, what distinguishes spirituality from religion is spirituality concerns our direct experience of the Divine or God. Religion, on the other hand, is defined primarily today as a sociological category, a matter of buildings,
bums on seats, finance, clergy, hierarchy and institutional one-upmanship.

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Seamus don’t underestimate that there is a shift to the unchurched who far from being drifting have never had any contact with organised religion of any sort. The future is incredibly positive.

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3:05,
Don’t underestimate after drifting that there will be an understanding of community and traditions. Some man made ivy might need to be shed. Not all man made ivy is so bad either.
Pax.

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4:25 Don’t underestimate that nobody can understand anything you post here. 😂
But then that’s your intention.

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Spirituality is more personal, like prayer and your relationship with God.
Religion, on the other hand is more about structures; an orginisation, even. Groups of people expressing their spirituality who follow a set system, creed or dogmas.
You can have spirituality without religion, it’s slot more healthier. Trust me x

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3:55,
The individual spirituality you describe is like the guy who buried his talent.
A spiritual community do have a structure. That’s understandable for any community or tradition. A healthy community will have discussions about what is right.
Pax.

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The catholic church is a vile oppressive medieval monarchy that excels at the emotional abuse of it’s followers.

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When I came out at 15 my parents took me to see the priest who told me I was given homosexual tendencies by God to work through and get over them and he urged me to find a gf and get married and that my feelings would sub slide which of course they never.

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Who are you?! You wouldn’t say that to my face you coward, I’ll take my slipper off to the lot of you

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Don’t let them rile you. I came out early too. I was only 13 when i fell in love eith a girl in my class. To be honest i thought i was trans cos girls weren’t supposed to fall in love with girls and i thought it must mean that i was a lad. But in the end i turned out to be a very happy lesbian. Happier now than ever that i met my Roberta. Love is love is love xxxx

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https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14873/childless-society-gone-to-the-dogs-warns-pope Anybody else see the irony (and hypocrisy and arrogance) of a celibate, fatherless Pope telling everybody else to have children and adopt ? Can’t they see how stupid they look lecturing us like this ? I guess they are blind to this as they are to all the other things that ail the clerical culture – hypocrisy, lack of integrity, unaccountability, double standards, abuse of the young and the vulnerable, financial crimes, secret lives and relationships etc. etc.

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It’s even being discussed at the moment on Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 ! Oh, they are not happy about the Pope wading in to when and how to have children ! I’m with them. He should keep his big donkey face out of things that don’t concern him and of which he has no investment or experience. I’m afraid it’s another example of clerical instant wisdom, whereby priests and bishops and popes think that they have a a view of everything and anything that we should take as gospel. Well, those times have changed, Frankie !

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Frank just talks off the cuff incessantly, in a torrent of words. He does not think or reflect, but just talks, talks, talks.

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Considering that most of the production crew and listeners of that programme are lesbians, they don’t have a dog in the fight.

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9:09,
There is nothing wrong with the Pope voicing his opinion. As I’ve said in a previous comment, maybe married clergy is a solution to be an example for society.
The Pope has fairly ask people to think about what he has said and not to be afraid to choose the path of adoption.
The Pope in respect of his opinion did speak well and fairly:
1. There is spiritual fatherhood for those who consecrate themselves to God and spiritual motherhood.
2. Those who live in the world and get married must think about having children, about giving their life.
3. If you can’t have children, think about adoption.
4. A man and a woman who voluntarily do not develop a sense of fatherhood and motherhood are missing something main, important.
5. Many spouses wish to be fathers and mothers but fail for biological reasons; We must not be afraid to choose the path of adoption.
6. Yes, dogs and cats take the place of children. Yes, it’s funny, I understand, but it’s reality.
The Pope has fairly ask people to think about what he has said and not to be afraid to choose the path of adoption.
Pax.

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Couples who have pets instead of children are doing the world a great favour it’s over populated as it is. Roll on the Muslim run world in 30 years time

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Yeah, the Pope would be better of saying something about the abominable and hateful way in which Muslims treat women and people of difference. All in the name of ….well, better not say, because there will probably be a fatwa put out on me ! Seriously, though, in Western Europe in 50 years time there will be a preponderance of Muslims (simple fact of exponential birth rate in that culture and religion) and there will be trouble once other communities realise, perhaps too late, what is happening within their midst, namely a nation within a nation, and one intent on having dominance. There is, sadly, trouble ahead. I’m glad I won’t be around. It will not be pretty.

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10:26 You are so right – he would also be embodying the church teaching that ‘When you’re caught out in crime, deny everything, pretend you didn’t know it was a crime and start ranting about other people before wailing that you’re being persecuted’. (CCC 4756)

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What about the gay cake ruling, Bp Pat. As same-sex marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland (I think), will Ashers Bakery still be able to refuse, for example, to make a gay wedding cake? I wonder.

‘Gay cake’ complaint ruled inadmissible by European court – The Irish News

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Sure most gays can bake cakes themselves they are so creative and flamboyant and most don’t even buy their own clothes as they all have sewing machines and make their own

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The man who brought the case needs to lay off cakes, full stop. Have you seen the cheeks on him?

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11.03: A sensible, reasonable and correct decision. The gay man need not have gone a legal route. Many a baker would have been delighted to bake a cake with whatever wording or slogans he wanted. His human rights were not denied him. All a political and anti religious agenda. Common sense won, T. God.

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While the views of the bakery are not correct and do reel of inequality based in deeply rooted religious values, they have a right to express them and run their business as they see fit. It is called freedom of expression and it doesn’t just go one way! That freedom is a 2 way street, long held beliefs will cross paths on that 2 way street regularly and both sides need to be able to accept that!

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11:03 What you miss by only reading the headline is that the court didn’t actually say that – it’s only inadmissible because he and his legal team (who he should obviously fire) haven’t exhausted legal recourse at home.

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It’s not his legal team, so not hiscto fire. They were engaged by and paid for by the UK taxpayer via the NI Equality Commission, who squandered half a million on this futile persecution of a Christian baker by a gay activist.

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Every trader should be free to turn down a piece of business without stating a reason but should have someone to transfer it to for immediate icing if already baked (I’m not sure whether it was that time?) Or stick to set patterns. Icing is so Dickensian. And should state order can’t be amended after placed.

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4.53 the idea is that one should establish that there probably apparently isn’t a reason if none is given. I’ve had my business turned down by some traders, maybe I don’t frequent cake shops enough. In this case the decoration was sprung at the last moment? Fill me in with the details if I got that wrong. You can’t deny I suggested lots of alternative ways round at 4.41, you even posted it. Advertise dentist-friendly or a range of chic plainer or abstract styles. Advertise that you don’t do bespoke, I bet they would get custom that likes their styles. Cater to Muslims (10.22)? Recommend a competitor warmly if there is one (shopkeepers often do so anyway). Advertise a deadline for amendments and / or don’t accept orders much in advance. If someone is angling for a scene I’ve even suggested at 4.41 having an icing subcontractor on hand to forestall it tactfully (check 4.41 above), but that has snags. A customer can’t complain about which personnel did what. The bakers concerned may have been lacking in imagination but that doesn’t alter the fact that I always accepted that my trade may be turned down by any trader, and is, and I’ve accepted that they signalled adequately that it was not ad hominem. If cakes are different from the wide range of imaginative suggestions I’ve given at 4.41 and here, let it be said. What about 2.10 below? The bakers concerned probably simply hadn’t thought ahead enough. The bakers wishing to take up these constructive and tactful ideas, such as developing a range of designs, will be a small proportion of the whole. Are traders in the wrong in turning down my trade? Everyone that deals with me (outside a subset of religious entities) has a tactful procedure with everybody. In the case of people who claim religious beliefs for themselves, everything doesn’t have to be head on (personally I like business like traders more than gushing ones). I suppose the clients sensed these bakers were the head-on types, but that doesn’t alter that turning down trade in most trades is not normally considered ad hominem. Maybe cakes are different that’s all. The way you combine issues in your “Pat Says” is a “talking point” in your old tradition and I suppose that’s what you are doing here. HTH ! 😉

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4.41 icing is so Havisham 😉 ! When I get hitched (before I’m 80) I’ll do like my friend, there was a huge Chinese buffet with over 100 varieties.

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4.53: The decision was neither racist or homophobic. Get over yourselves. Your agenda is extremist and nasty. The new virus…intolerance.

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I am definitely not an atheist, but my god actually exists and I have proof, my God is Cher.

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Pat do you have evidence of Daisy Chain NI? Or is it rumour only? It would make sense for it to be operational

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@ !!:59am
Cher? I’ve never knew she was a Deity, but glad to hear you’re not a atheist. However I don’t think you’ll find salvation their. That old has been is well by her sale by date.

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Catholic Church is an organised religion that caused wars, crime, covering up for the nazi via ratlines routes after WII.

Its a political organisation as well which you can’t have both ways re political and religion, very odd bedfellows.

Frankie off the cuff comment re dogs and family yesterday doesn’t do him any favours at all. It suggests that he’s out of touch with the realities that many families face – money, work, their responsibility to their spouse.

He should be focusing on religious aspects, not dog and family selfish comments.What I’m saying was that frankie the rigid comment Pope, should be focusing on tackling clerical sexual abuses, double lives of priests and bishops/cardinals, restoring things to god etc.

3 out 8 Catholic bishops in Scotland sexually active, what ls frankie going to do about that, despard issue and the legacy of KOB?

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@1:01pm
His humbleness will do feck all about the degenerate Scotties. He’s too busy persecuting other Catholics who rightfully will not follow his heretical rigid views. But on a good note The Catholic Church saved thousands of Jews and Allied Soldiers during the war. So I wouldn’t concentrate on nazi ratlines, remember all the good things too. As regards Kitty O’Brien and her legacy that’s long forgotten.

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Anon at 1.59pm
Persecution of other Catholics, you mean the die hard Traddies such as Fssp, SSpx, CTS, Taylor Marshall, mother Burke et al? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
Legacy of KOB won’t be forgotten by CTS aka Patricia as that’s for sure I think. KOB was v v damaging to image and reputation of Catholic Scotland as a whole.
Then we started to ask ourselves, is there another KOB in Ireland or England or other Catholic countries such as Africa or Philippines?
Regarding the history of Nazi ‘ratlines’ see here Dr Mengle and Vatican👉
https://constantinereport.com/the-pope-eichmann-and-the-nazi-ratlines/

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Bella has developed a persecution complex thinking the Pope is out to get him and his like minded catholic friends.

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@1:01
Good points, DG.
Did you know, before Christmas Frankie called on clerical abusers to hand themselves over to police authorities. What are the chances of the effectiveness of such an approach to CSA? I’d say zilch!

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Anon at 2.19pm
I didnt know that or didn’t see it regards to frankie calling out to clerical abusers.
Clerical abusers won’t give themselves up to the police, period. It takes an abused person a lot of efforts to go all the way though to ensure justice is served on them without any leg up from rcc in most cases. Rcc obstruction and dragging etc on many cases is to be seen as NOT christ like behaviour . Such was their sheer hypocrisy and denials, which was a total affront to many Catholics alike. 🙈🙈🙈🙈

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@ 2:56pm

So you think it’s all right for the people you mention with your usual insult to his Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke to be persecuted. Regarding the History of The Vatican during WW11 you should read Vatican Pimpernel Mgr. Hugh O’Flaherty

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@ 3:05
DG, probably a PR exercise for the gullible or politically naive. When the church was willing to cover up abuse of innocent children they are hardly going to be concerned for people who come forward as adults.Of course this behaviour is not of Christ. It seems to me Christs Gospel is used instrumentally for money, social status, positional advancement within the church as well as power and control. Those abused by the church are shunned sheep.

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Anon at 4.55pm
Its your beloved Frankie who’s persecuted Mother Burke by removing him from important positions in the curia. Burke isn’t exactly pals with your beloved Frankie cos of his dubia submission along with 3 other cardinals. This was an insult to Frankieas it wasn’t well received. To date up to now, frankie the gaslighter hasn’t responded to mother Burke dubia. So Burke was insulted not by me but your beloved Frankie🤣😉
Interesting that he consecrated a Bishop in Scotland named Philip Tartaglia back then.

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Oul Gossip Alert @ 7:55pm

Wrong again Nettie we don’t feel persecuted by that oul bollox nor any of you polly’s, We will keep the flame alive until the Great Return.

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9:22 pm . Bella, keeping the flame burning until the Great Return by abusing people is NOT of Christ Jesus. Christian’s are called to. love their enemies.

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DG @ 8:55
Are you for real my beloved Frankie I can’t stand the bollox. You might call him Frankie I prefer Fanny how you could possibly think he was beloved by me if you’ve read my posts. I have no idea, I know you’re deaf you’re never done telling us but I didn’t know you were dumb as well. I am no great supporter of Cardinal Burke either a bit too modern for my taste he celebrates the NO but he does not deserve the insult you constantly give him just because of your dislike of that magnificent vestment the Cappa Magna!

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11:45. Your arguments against secularism could be also used against the RCC. Have you ever asked yourself why there are so many people hurt because they have been abused, mistreated by the RCC. If these abusers are meant to be servants of Christ, what hope does this give those abused? Do they find hope, light or healing when their abusers are protected and shielded or simply moved on?

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The hurt, hurt people. You are the one that comments continuously about Fr O’Neill and the parish of St Patrick’s, so you can hardly go on about the damage the church has had on people.

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Why is this priest mentioned every day on this blog? You people are obsessed with him.

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1:06
Recently Bill Mulvihill mentioned the most dysfunctional relationship in Irish life was priest
to laity. A great example of such dysfunctionality is exemplified when a person abused by Church discloses this to a priest.The response ranges from total silence, to extreme discomfort to ignoring communications. What pastoral response has been issued by the Vatican in dealing with survivors of abuse? I don’t know of any. In my experience hope, light and healing is not to be found through the Institutional Church- certainly not at the moment.
The clerical fraternity are far too busy protecting the fraternity, in more ways than one.

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1.06: You cant blame the Church for the brokenness, addictions and misery of those in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s: many of these generations ceased their connections with official religious groups long ago. Modern society or growing secularism is very spiritually empty. I work with a recovery group (25-35 age group) whose lives are very broken by drugs/alcohol. Nothing to do with the Church but they speak about the emptiness of modern life. You cannot blame the church for all society’s ills. Also, there are some wonderful support groups for many who are struggling and suffering which were founded by religious: Sr. Stan: Brother Kevin: Fr. McVerry: Sr. Consilio: Merchants Quay Project: St. Vincent de Paul: HOPE House and Aisieri Centres for recovering addicts: Vincentian Partnership: Justice Ireland – all these wonderful charities and services are provided by church religious and personnel…Credit where credit is due.

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Produce evidence for the existence of God and the virgin birth. You lot have lynched on less evidence.

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1:56: I like it! Your direct challenge will go unanswered, just as so many other searching questions to +Pat’s blog are ignored by the cathbots. ‘cos they can’t!
And anyway:
Even if possible/proven, human birth from a virgin is no proof of Divine intervention.
Proof that someone called Jesus existed, walked on water, multiplied loaves & fishes, rose from being dead etc, etc is no proof that, ……..well, really all that other codology cathbots put forward as truth, absolute truth, and something to be blindly accepted as such.
Really the whole edifice of Christianity is a huge con trick.

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Well put Thomas. Thanks.

Conniving clerics mouth mythology, ….while
Clueless Cathbots cant codology
Wot a wonderful world we live in.

Bonking bishops’ glaucous glance, ……while
covert clerics take their chance.
Easy living, easy life, no need worry or please a wife.
Wot a wonderful life THEY live in

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Sammy 10.51:
Your words well rhyme, they really do.
Quite sublime and oh so true.
Not just words, for they convey
what every man and dog can say.
Roman rule is on its knees.
enough’s enough of greed and sleeze.
Roman clerics, here’s a tip,
get out quick. Abandon ship.
Peter’s barque has lost its ‘mast.’
Going down. Sinking fast.

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8.47
Are you a Dominican living in Cork whom God has not gifted with good looks, intelligence or wisdom? There can’t be two such individuals in the country.

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While I absolutely think the bakers are wrong in their views, I do believe in their right to not bake the bloody cake. I’m a gay, social democrat, atheist BTW. If we’re accepting of all religions, then this is part of the deal. Find another baker and don’t give these people your money or publicity.

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Bakers have refused to make chocolate biscuit cake because they feel it is beneath them. Nothing to do with the customers sexual orientation. Bakers must have a right not to bake. Their right not to bake however must be respectful and not discriminatory.

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It isn’t all sore at all, it’s actually very pleasurable, maybe you should try it with someone who knows what they are doing next time.

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2.16
Are you familiar with what a woman recounts about childbirth or what her partner may relate ? It is the mode in which we all come into the world. Pain and pleasure, philosophically speaking, admitted by the splendid thinkers of history, are of the same. Your point anatomically speaking is quite redundant . I do not speak from experience!

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Your obsessive “are you investigating an NI diocese, Pat?” is boring. Say what you have to say like a man and stop this dance of the seven veils shite.

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My ex husbands guncle (gay uncle) is a priest and was quite open about being in a relationship with a fellow priest whom we met a few times and they made a lovely couple. You are very naive to think that these men are superhuman and do not have urges, wants and needs like their lay men peers.

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3:43 Quite. Such emotionally stunted fraudsters are incapable of relating to anyone.

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4.30: Who are the emotionally stunted? You and your partner?? I think you need a psychology lesson followed by therapy. That hatred will poison you.

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3:05. I don’t believe anyone is condemning a priest/bishop for being gay. It is the hypocrisy that goes with it. Preaching one thing whilst doing the opposite is what people find nauseating.

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Who is gay? Name them, there are no gay priests or bishops In Northern Ireland apart from the allegedly Rory Sheehan

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I have been a Catholic and attended Mass and many other Church events for seventy years. I have yet to receive any direct teaching on hear any mention of any aspect of sexual morality in any homily or at any other time. That includes when I was a pupil at a Catholic school with the exception of one biology lesson in the course of which the teacher touched on sexual morality as well as the mechanics of reproduction. What I know of Church Teaching on the subject I have sought out for myself or been fed by the popular press.
It is more accurate to say the Church has teachings on the “statute book” than to say that she actively teaches. IMHO that is a large part of the reason people are deserting the Church in droves.

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If the pope really thinks not having children is selfish he could altruistically disband the whole priesthood so they can have children. Obviously this would have to be by donating sperm.
Can you imagine when the prospective mother is choosing the dad?
Donor’s interests: Latin, lace, totally not being gay, and bitching at alleged ex-seminarians on the internet.

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Hahaha that actually made me lol – plus you all single out vulnerable priests like Fr O’Neill and prey on them for your own ego boasting psychopathic benefit

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The frogs, who believe in total immersion, are launching Save The Crocodiles Crusade.
Rumble from the jungle: the monkeys have started a Save The Humans Campaign!
The newest martial art: Tick Boxing. Keep that environment hostile!
Watch for the latest trend: coming out about going back in the closet.

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Pierce Walsh, the Very Rev. Father on the Liffey ( Sinecure) and Barry Coffey have been “tolerated” by the Archdiocese of Dublin for how long ? Why ? Barrys sister was astounded doing her ironing years ago, listening to prayer at bedtime on RTE to see ….yes thats right…..hes a priest !!!!! Why, oh Why ? And Walsh moralises about the building next door in its construction…..butter wouldn’t melt……

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There is a very good article in the Tablet about spiritual abuse. I really worries me that naive lay volunteers will be sucked into a dark world that they don’t understand

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I think you’ll find that ‘among the ‘Lay Volunteers’ there;’ll be some very dodgy characters who volunteer for the opportunity that it gives them to come into contact with potential victims. Cardinal Nichols was grilled about that, and the RCC’s failure to ‘vet’ such volunteers, at one of the IICSA Hearings

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His Holiness has been most unfairly criticised and his comments taken out of context. Marriage and priesthood are different vocations. Priests selflessly give up having children and married couples selflessly have children. Although if they have sinfully used contraception they can still perform reparation in other ways such as giving the money saved to their parish priest.

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Hypocritical priests, bishops, cardinals, popes, imams, mullahs and ayatollahs.....and others.says:

There has been some comment about Islam and Muslims on the blog today. I have nothing against Islam or Muslims, except in so far as it is based on pretty dubious foundations of myth and story, much as is Christianity, which no right thinking or rational person could take to be true in the real sense of true – ie reality and fact. Both may, for various purposes, install good feeling and warmth and give a person some framework within which to make sense of themselves and the world, and in that both have, I suppose, a purpose. However, the truth about ourselves, the world, the universe and everything truly beyond us is exactly that, beyond us. However, my main trouble with both Islam, Muslims, Christianity and Christians, and indeed any religion that professes that it holds the truth, is what I observe so often – especially in Islam and Christianity – namely, a fundamental hypocrisy amongst its leaders and its adherents. So often, upon observation, as evidenced by this blog, people of religion, and in particular its leaders, say one thing but when out of sight do another thing. This is particularly a phenomenon in Islam, where it appears that as long as the public image is of adherence to its rather dubious attitudes to things like personal behaviour, people of difference, women, non-Muslims etc, then it does not matter what you do in private. The same so often applies to Christian, especially the clergy.. And, in both religions, this is seen so starkly in the leadership. So, both can go to Hell (if there is one !) in a hand cart as far as I am concerned, because where there is hypocrisy and double standards, that is where you see the truth about people. We see this so often on this blog, and particularly in the leadership of the Catholic Church. I’m pretty sure it is the same with the Mullahs, Ayatollahs and Imams of Islam (in fact I know it is !) or indeed of any organised religion. So, I say, plough your own furrow, speculate for yourself, imagine on your own about who you are, what the world is about, what the universe is about. Because at least you will control your own thinking, rather than being fooled, misled and lied to by priests, bishops, cardinals, popes and the clerical hierarchy of other religions like Islam.

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7:29,
What about hypocritical politicians as has been shown through the pandemic from Golf Gate, RTÉ gatherings and Department of Foreign Affairs champagne parties? Power corrupts. Lawmakers seem to think they are above the law. Does this mean that society must give up on society and embrace lawlessness?

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– an umbrella academy is where they can’t afford roofs on the classrooms (because the bosses siphoned the lolly off to their cronies)
– why is it called the Curia? Because it gets curier and curier.

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7:52 It means society, ie, citizens, need to sack hypocritical politicians, lawmakers, media personnel, et al, while making necessary structural changes and/or reorganization. It does not mean embracing lawlessness. No individual or group is above the law.

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Deck at 7:33. Pot, kettle, black. ANYONE who is a bully and then feels bullied knows what it is like

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Dear Pat,
I think you are very right. Spirituality is a personal connection to God through Jesus our Saviour.
Organised religion is nothing more than a mere economic entity. The few live well from it.

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A perceptive comment Fly.
Religion is indeed a construct: “man” made, tho’ acquiescently followed by many women.
It has been, so far as Christianity goes, constructed initially by naive impressionable uneducated Jews. At that time, they were hopeful for rescue from Roman oppression and susceptible to a prevailing mythological belief in earthly salvation through an expected Messianic leader.
Whoever Jesus was, (and certainly by N. Test accounts, he was probably an impressive character), he became an iconic figurehead, especially after Roman emporer Constantine endorsed his relevance. And the rest is history, namely the creation of a huge male dominated hierarchical institution promulgating increasingly complex religious beliefs and requirements, ……..to maintain the edifice, and of course, the wellbeing of its priestly caste who have positioned themselves as centrally vital purveyors of religious interpretation, understanding, grace, forgiveness, and possessor of the all important “heavenly keys.”

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Minor Carta: Your ‘big brother’ used seem well informed on biblical matters. Maybe you are too. So here’s a query. He might be able to help you on it.
How do believers in Christianity’s origins, authenticity and earthly significance explain the poverty of reliable authenticated objective contemporary historical information concerning Christ? In independent records contemporary to his alleged existence, there’s hardly any mention of him and his alleged significance. By contrast, other extant verified contemporary historical records relate other significant events of the same era without even mentioning this allegedly significant Messianic figure of Christ. And the Romans did keep a lot of records.
In objective terms, virtually all information concerning Christ comes from existing “believers/followers”, who were clearly highly selectively influenced to add to his “Messianic ” status.
And further: What was so significant in that time to induce a “supreme Creator” to descend to a scarcely literate tribal world? He’d already waited around hundreds of thousand years since humankind’s origins, so another couple of thousand years wait for reliable communication systems to promote his alleged salvation of us all might seem a more sensible and effective tactic. It’s all very strange.🤨

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2.03
By way of preface, the older brother of Minor (perhaps, more correctly, Parva) Carta only seemed to be informed on biblical matters. For example, he never referred to primary sources in their original languages. He showed no awareness of the chief methods of biblical interpretation etc.

One of the main non-christian corroborations of the historical Jesus’ existence is the letter of Pliny the Younger (61 – c.113 C.E.) Roman governor of Bithynia and Pontus to Trajan requesting advice on how to deal with the early Christians.

As (one of) the earliest pagan accounts to refer to Christianity, the letter is valuable.

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HOW-HI FLY
How’s it going hi fly and a happy New Year
to you and all the hi fly family.
I’m playing catch up fly.
Bethehokeys all this trauma talk abusiveness and
religious terrorism would make the Devil green with envy.
I thought religion was meant to bind us all back to God.
God must be centre stage otherwise there’s more than double trouble.
Meanwhile keep the faith and pass the ammo…
May the Lord Bless us…+
Bye bye fly hi.

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Anon @ 4:38: Have you actually read the historical writings you referred to? I have. I don’t think they provide anything concrete concerning Christ’s existence and activities: just that he had a “following.”
Pliny’s letters refer to Christian believers and seeks advice from fellow Roman administrators on how to deal with them. They are referred to almost as nuisances requiring ” sorting out”.
In essence, Pliny’s correspondence simply confirms existence of followers of a Christ, but nothing of worth in terms of Christ’s alleged activities and their significance.
Perhaps Pliny’s correspondence is valuable, as you suggest, but only as confirmation that at that time , the “Christ-cult” was in existence.

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11.02
What are the historical writings (plural) you claim to have read?
What letters (plural) of Pliny ‘refer to Christian believers’?
The younger Pliny’s reference to Christians occurs in a single solitary extant letter to Trajan.

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