in the dark ages there was the pope.

now we have anchorpersons.

In the dark ages, this was done by hindering class mobility and literacy at every turn. Today, the methods may alter slightly, but the motivation and intent remains the same (albeit better dressed and more politically savvy).

My question is — why is anyone surprised? It is not as if this is a new method, or much changed from all that went before in the halls of history.

It is said history repeats itself because no one listens. I’ll go you one further — history repeats itself because ever generation deludes itself into thinking they have progressed intellectually.

Funny, the lies we live, isn’t it?

Particularly since the final conclusion for each branch of the thread was ‘I don’t know’. But you can drop the Catholicism/HIV argument from my original post and the rest still stands.

Technically I’m a provisional hard-determinist (which is one of those positions that you shouldn’t mention in polite company). So, I find it even more difficult than most people to think about personal responsibility without giving myself a brain aneurysm If I were to talk about where ‘blame’ goes in that worldview, it would only invite further head-injury, though external, ie inflicted by the general population.

I had a quick look in the forums at your ‘fuck-you hedonist’ posts but still can’t quite figure out what it’s all about. I understand the hedonist bit but the ‘fuck you’ part is confusing me

Catholicism has a solution for such things, down through ages, to stop such human sorrows. It’s to be in a monagamous relationship in a marriage in the Church, to stay with the one partner so you don’t get diseases by fucking around. If you would prefer fucking around, there’s a simple option: don’t be in the Catholic Church! Especially if you want to practice a gay lifestyle. Nobody makes you stay in the Catholic Church and follow its rules. It sets an example and puts out a way of life, take it or leave it. To try to blame AIDS spread on Catholic policies is idiotic — like I said even poor people in Swaziland need to think of where they are putting their dicks. They don’t get a pass from personal responsibility just because they want sexual pleasure.

There’s nothing wrong with sexual pleasure. But if you want it, take the consequences like a man and don’t whine about the Pope. The oppressive leaders of some African countries who refuse to provide public education about the causes and preventions of AIDS are just as much to blame for the spread as any Catholic leader.

Honestly, you don’t have to do the Catholic thing. It’s out there, but it isn’t forced on you. It’s an example. Individual Catholic priests and nuns caring for the sick all over the world, including those with AIDS, without prejudice, have done far more good than all the moralizing of fuck-you hedonists whose morals are entirely questionable.

I think you could argue that there are few figures on this planet as absurd as the pope and as valid a target for lampoonery.

Every day, people all over the planet make sworn depositions at murder trials. They swear at an event that could not be more serious. And they do it with their hand on a book that contains talking snakes, demons, and magic fruit-trees.

As many have pointed out, the pope was declared infallible in matters of faith by the Council of Trent but nobody had ever declared the Council of Trent infallible.

Most people are well aware of Catholicism’s role in the Spanish Inquisition (“Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms”), their persecution of Galileo for claiming that the earth was not the centre of the universe, and their role in burning Giordano Bruno at the stake for heresy.

The Pope has convinced a number of people in Swaziland and other African countires not to use condoms (“Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is good”). Swaziland is a country where 38.6% of the population is infected with HIV. Without condoms you’ve got STDs AND unwanted pregnancies. And then abortion is a no-no too. Because of this stance, you have dying parents giving birth to orphaned HIV babies.

Then there’s the Catholic Church’s stance against homosexuality and even the odd flirtation with absurdery like a ‘cure for gays’.

When any person dies it is a serious occasion but it is also an opportunity to reflect openly on how they have lived and what they represent – as absurd, tragic or humorous as that may be.

Ya know, there are alot of fun articles in the Herald that encourage good humor, & a good time. but once in awhile there is something Serious, and I wish the majority of your readers were mature enough to Distinquish between the two.

with that said.

Thank you papal, for all you have done for us. We pray for you. God Bless.

Prokofy > No. As should be evident from a cursory glance at the universe, nothing is immune to lampoonery. All that matters is whether or not it is funny.

But if it makes you feel better, I think John Paul II did some great things (and I rate his offering forgiveness to his would-be assassin way higher than any moves he made on Communism), which I respect even though I’m not a believer.