The Pope condemns the climate change prophets of doom

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Given the Catholic Church's position on condom use, the Pope can be seen as actively helping the spread of HIV. How many thousands (millions?) of Africans will have contracted the virus because that's one continent where the Church still holds a great deal of influence. So yeah, I don't see the Pope as being much better than a murderer, drunk driver, or rapist.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3176982.stm

Well.....are all Africans Christian? Or Catholic for that matter? I think you are blaming the wrong people for that huge, complex problem.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Well.....are all Africans Christian? Or Catholic for that matter? I think you are blaming the wrong people for that huge, complex problem.

In 2004, there were 179 million Catholics in Africa (17% of the total population), allowing the Church to wield a great amount of influence there. By no means is the Vatican solely to blame, but their policies and comments are certainly aiding (no pun intended) the spread of HIV.

http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=10812

[4X4]

I thought that condoms aren't a reliable way to stop the spread of AIDS. I thought that the virus can still pass through a condom... Or was I just taught that b/c I went to a catholic high school...?

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

In 2004, there were 179 million Catholics in Africa (17% of the total population), allowing the Church to wield a great amount of influence there. By no means is the Vatican solely to blame, but their policies and comments are certainly aiding (no pun intended) the spread of HIV.

http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=10812

and do all catholics listen to exactly what the church says?
if they were listening to the church they also wouldn't be having any sex until married...

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I thought that condoms aren't a reliable way to stop the spread of AIDS. I thought that the virus can still pass through a condom... Or was I just taught that b/c I went to a catholic high school...?

Yeah, you were fed misinformation from your Catholic high school. From the BBC article I linked previously:

Catherine Hankins, chief scientific advisor to UNAids, condemned the Church's comments.

"It is very unfortunate to have this type of misinformation being broadcast," she told BBC News Online.

"It is a concern. From a technical point of view, the statements are totally incorrect.

"Latex condoms are impermeable. They do prevent HIV transmission."

[...]

"There is so much evidence to show that condoms don't let sexually transmitted infections like HIV through.

"Anyone who says otherwise is just wrong."

The aid agency Christian Aid also attacked the Vatican's attitude.

"Condoms are a straightforward and effective way of preventing HIV transmission and to suggest otherwise is dangerous," said Dr Rachel Baggaley, head of its HIV unit.

Obviously it's not a 100% guarantee of protection, since condoms can break or slip off, but widespread condom use is the single most effective method to control the spread of HIV.

[Cheese]

Dear Mr. Benedict...
When I want your f...ing opinion on anything other than being a Catholic, I'll give you a buzz.
Speaking of dubious ideology, how's the Roman Catholic Church?

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by TanguayFan

wow, I don't understand how people can have such hate for somebody they have never even met. The fact is that the pope is a very influential person. I wouldn't be surprised if half of you would classify the POPE in the same category as murderers, drunk drivers and rapists.


remember the crowds that gathered when john paul II died? yeah, the pope is definitely a worthless figure. not influential at all.

Large crowds gather at the Academy Awards too.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by TanguayFan

wow, I don't understand how people can have such hate for somebody they have never even met. The fact is that the pope is a very influential person. I wouldn't be surprised if half of you would classify the POPE in the same category as murderers, drunk drivers and rapists.


remember the crowds that gathered when john paul II died? yeah, the pope is definitely a worthless figure. not influential at all.

Don't forget pedophiles.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Dear Mr. Benedict...
When I want your f...ing opinion on anything other than being a Catholic, I'll give you a buzz.
Speaking of dubious ideology, how's the Roman Catholic Church?

I thought we weren't going to give them a hard time.

[psicodude]

Someone pass me the popcorn please. This thread has potential!

[Crazy Flamer]

LOL!!! Absolute hilarity!

[4X4]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, you were fed misinformation from your Catholic high school. From the BBC article I linked previously:



Obviously it's not a 100% guarantee of protection, since condoms can break or slip off, but widespread condom use is the single most effective method to control the spread of HIV.

I wonder what other lies I was fed... Is it true that the earth is 7000 years old?

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I wonder what other lies I was fed... Is it true that the earth is 7000 years old?

*clap*

Well played, sir.

[MRCboicgy]

Don't forget that he just hit us with the "Gays threaten world peace" blast

http://www.pr-inside.com/pope-says-r...ly-r342105.htm

I honestly don't mind the family values part, strong families do create a strong society, I owe everything to my family. Having said that, with everything going on in this world, do a bunch of poofs really affect world peace? I know we can be catty and bi***y but at last look there haven't been too many lispy guys or butch chicks yelling "death to breeders" before they set off the bomb vest...

[Cheese]

wrong post

[peter12]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Given the Catholic Church's position on condom use, the Pope can be seen as actively helping the spread of HIV. How many thousands (millions?) of Africans will have contracted the virus because that's one continent where the Church still holds a great deal of influence. So yeah, I don't see the Pope as being much better than a murderer, drunk driver, or rapist.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3176982.stm

While I do partly agree with that statement, there is a myriad of reasons in regards to the spread of HIV. The main ones don't even concern the Catholic Church, although they would be doing alot of people a favour if they reversed this silly position.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

wow dude, classy.

Ok, explain his worth please?

He and the Catholic Church are nothing more than the largest magicians trick in history. The foundings were pure, the current incarnation is nothing less than disgusting to those of us who truly believe in the KJB.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Thats not a very nice thing to say about someone who is infallible.

(the Pope I mean)

Thats funny, if anyone knew bothered to actually read anything about religion more than what was read to them by some holier than though bs artist they would know that the whore near the saddle dome has a better chance of getting into heaven than the pope does.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Thats funny, if anyone knew bothered to actually read anything about religion more than what was read to them by some holier than though bs artist they would know that the whore near the saddle dome has a better chance of getting into heaven than the pope does.

and when was the last time you actually read the words of the Pope, and not some crack reporter's take on them with their own agenda.

This is the link where the Pope speaks about the environment.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/be...-peace_en.html

This is what he says:

The family, the human community and the environment
7. The family needs a home, a fit environment in which to develop its proper relationships. For the human family, this home is the earth, the environment that God the Creator has given us to inhabit with creativity and responsibility. We need to care for the environment: it has been entrusted to men and women to be protected and cultivated with responsible freedom, with the good of all as a constant guiding criterion. Human beings, obviously, are of supreme worth vis-à-vis creation as a whole. Respecting the environment does not mean considering material or animal nature more important than man. Rather, it means not selfishly considering nature to be at the complete disposal of our own interests, for future generations also have the right to reap its benefits and to exhibit towards nature the same responsible freedom that we claim for ourselves. Nor must we overlook the poor, who are excluded in many cases from the goods of creation destined for all. Humanity today is rightly concerned about the ecological balance of tomorrow. It is important for assessments in this regard to be carried out prudently, in dialogue with experts and people of wisdom, uninhibited by ideological pressure to draw hasty conclusions, and above all with the aim of reaching agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances. If the protection of the environment involves costs, they should be justly distributed, taking due account of the different levels of development of various countries and the need for solidarity with future generations. Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken, decisions aimed at strengthening that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying.
8. In this regard, it is essential to “sense” that the earth is “our common home” and, in our stewardship and service to all, to choose the path of dialogue rather than the path of unilateral decisions. Further international agencies may need to be established in order to confront together the stewardship of this “home” of ours; more important, however, is the need for ever greater conviction about the need for responsible cooperation. The problems looming on the horizon are complex and time is short. In order to face this situation effectively, there is a need to act in harmony. One area where there is a particular need to intensify dialogue between nations is that of the stewardship of the earth's energy resources. The technologically advanced countries are facing two pressing needs in this regard: on the one hand, to reassess the high levels of consumption due to the present model of development, and on the other hand to invest sufficient resources in the search for alternative sources of energy and for greater energy efficiency. The emerging counties are hungry for energy, but at times this hunger is met in a way harmful to poor countries which, due to their insufficient infrastructures, including their technological infrastructures, are forced to undersell the energy resources they do possess. At times, their very political freedom is compromised by forms of protectorate or, in any case, by forms of conditioning which appear clearly humiliating.

He does not take sides. He says that ideologies should not direct the debate. He says the experts must help us find a model of sustainable development. He says the enviroment must be respected.

The venomous hatred being spewed from some posters says a lot more about the posters than it does about the Pope or the Catholic Church.

[Thor]

I love the pope, he does more to convert people to anti-theism than anything else in this world.