So that's why we're atheists

oldrnwisr

A while back I came across the blog of a particularly nutty blogger called The Catholic Knight. I've kept an eye on the blog since then and it's always great for a dose of crazy. Anyway, he is currently carrying a story about a new Vatican book which presents a solution to the problem of Catholics losing faith.

Like, I suspect, most people in this forum I was raised a Catholic but early on I realised that it was all a load of bull****. The interesting thing about this post is that both he and the cardinals mentioned seem to think that the reason we're atheist is because the mass wasn't holy enough. He then presents a list of things which priests should do to regain lost sheep. It's well worth a look to see how badly our reasons for rejecting catholicism can be misunderstood.

http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2011/03/vatican-cardinals-explain-reason.html

Zombrex

No "Stop molesting children and then covering it up" I see.

But yes, I'm sure more incense will help :pac:

Galvasean

Wicknight wrote: »

But yes, I'm sure more incense will help :pac:

To be honest the incense is one of the better aspects of church. Covers up the smell of semen bull****.
That's why we left... the furniture arrangement was poor. :rolleyes:

What a load of superficial BS

Beruthiel

Perhaps if the incense was laced with some sort of hypnotic chemical agent, it might work.

Mark Hamill

Galvasean wrote: »

That's why we left... the furniture arrangement was poor. :rolleyes:

Well every time I went into a church I couldn't get over how misaligned their feng shui was :pac:

Shenshen

I'm not too sure if I should be more amused by the guy himself, or by the people posting comments telling him how right he is....

In fact, I'm strongly suspecting the whole thing to be a joke, somehow.

Galvasean

Let them waste their money on new furniture. It'll help them go bankrupt and that will be that.

Dades

No mention of astroturfing, canapés or the hypnotoad?

These people really need to start thinking outside of the box.

kylith

Personally I think that they should either go back to the "Fire and Brimstone" sermonising, or have a great big happy-clappy-singy mass, like the one in Blues Brothers.

It might not make me believe in things that don't exist, but it would sure as hells make sitting through it more entertaining.

oldrnwisr

Shenshen wrote: »

I'm not too sure if I should be more amused by the guy himself, or by the people posting comments telling him how right he is....

In fact, I'm strongly suspecting the whole thing to be a joke, somehow.

If only that were the case it might be even funnier. No, this guy is one of those "I'm more catholic than the church" type, you know like Bill Donahue.

There seems to be a lot of links to The Vortex as well. For anyone who hasn't seen it, The Vortex is a kind of underground "seriously catholic" movement in America. For example they think that only catholics should be allowed to vote because only catholics have society's best interests at heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYCsrhJPIfY

sbsquarepants

Only catholics should be allowed to vote?
This is the problem with religious fundamental types, they have no sense of perspective, they're so convinced of their "facts" that even the thought that they're wrong can not be entertained.
If it was suggested that muslims, or hindus, or pagans (or any group that is not them) only be allowed vote, that would beCLEARLY ridiculous and undemocratic, but only catholics is in everyones interests!:D

Merrick

If my local church spaced out the pews a bit more and angled them to face the tabernacle I'd soooo go back. Maybe a few pot plants with rounded leaves would also help generate good vibes in the room. :rolleyes:

nix84

Seriously?! That's actually the only word that came to mind. I had to turn it off half way through for fear my head would explode. I just cannot understand how people can actually think this way. I can't even express myself through typing which says it all really. I'll finish my mini rant now!

sensibleken

we should throw our support behind this 100%. The more they come up with this wacky crap the sooner we will be rid of these guys for good

goose2005

It's odd that a Mass invented 1,920 years after Jesus is illegitimate, but the one invented 1,500 years after Jesus is the right one. Never mind that the Gospel of John doesn't even mention the bread-and-cup thing, and seems to think the Last Supper was the day before Passover while the other three don't even say that there was wine in Jesus's cup. So it's odd that he insists on every bit being just so, when the Gospels are incredibly vague on exactly what Christians are supposed to "do in memory of me."

L31mr0d

oldrnwisr wrote: »

the cardinals mentioned seem to think that the reason we're atheist is because the mass wasn't holy enough.

heh, reminded me of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb93R1O6rCo

kylith

Yeah... Disassociating your congregation and promoting gender inequality are great ways to get people flocking to your church...

5huggy

It always amuses me when church leaders wonder why they are losing attendees at mass and then you come across an article like this. How any of those "improvements" would influence more people to attend services is beyond me. If they are truly serious about attracting younger audiences then they should go for a Sister Act type renovation to the whole system. Make it fun, not duller than it already is...;)

Galvasean

5huggy wrote: »

If they are truly serious about attracting younger audiences then they should go for a Sister Act type renovation to the whole system. Make it fun, not duller than it already is...;)

Don't worry dude. Xtreeme Church has got yo' back.

5huggy

Galvasean wrote: »

Don't worry dude. Xtreeme Church has got yo' back.

I'm almost tempted, bbuuuttt......NO... Ill take a pass on that. It does actually sound creepy.

celtictiger32

still confused am i an atheist, agnostic, both or none of the above....... dont believe in god, believe the bible was wriiten by the church to manipulate people into believing and abiding by their ways. was born catholic like op. in fact have more belief in the likes of the da vinci code than catholicism. anybody????

Zillah

I just want to laugh and shake my head at the same time. Staggeringly disassociated from reality.

celtictiger32 wrote: »

in fact have more belief in the likes of the da vinci code than catholicism. anybody????

What the hell does that even mean?

If you don't believe in God you're an atheist. If you believe in the stories from Dan Browne's terribe books you're...er, I can't finish that sentence without getting in trouble.

celtictiger32

Zillah wrote: »

I just want to laugh and shake my head at the same time. Staggeringly disassociated from reality.



What the hell does that even mean?

If you don't believe in God you're an atheist. If you believe in the stories from Dan Browne's terribe books you're...er, I can't finish that sentence without getting in trouble.

im just using it as an e.g that something like that has more credibility than what the bible tries to spout

mikhail

Zillah wrote: »

If you don't believe in God you're an atheist. If you believe in the stories from Dan Browne's terribe books you're a bit dim.

FIFY.

ShooterSF

Galvasean wrote: »

Don't worry dude. Xtreeme Church has got yo' back.

Church like you've never seen it before....

Come along and hear what God has to say about himself, us and the world we live in, as the Bible is clearly explained. Enjoy great live music from some of Ireland’s best Christian bands, delicious pizza and a free night out that will still have you home on time for the X-Factor results show!

Find us on facebook too. Search for "xtreme church malahide"

At least they have a better idea of what might bring back the non-believers

sbsquarepants

Yeah, bribe them with pizza!:D

liamw

celtictiger32 wrote: »

still confused am i an atheist, agnostic, both or none of the above....... dont believe in god, believe the bible was wriiten by the church to manipulate people into believing and abiding by their ways. was born catholic like op. in fact have more belief in the likes of the da vinci code than catholicism. anybody????

Atheist.

Agnostic atheist to be more precise, unless you have absolute knowledge that god doesn't exist. If you do, please share it...

sbsquarepants

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Yeah, bribe them with pizza!:D

Nom, I have pizza in the oven right now

ironingbored

oldrnwisr wrote: »

A while back I came across the blog of a particularly nutty blogger called The Catholic Knight. I've kept an eye on the blog since then and it's always great for a dose of crazy. Anyway, he is currently carrying a story about a new Vatican book which presents a solution to the problem of Catholics losing faith.

http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2011/03/vatican-cardinals-explain-reason.html

I really like the sound of Hunting the Whore of Babylon in the Why Be Catholic? section.

Might make being a Catholic worth it.

Improbable

bluewolf wrote: »

Nom, I have pizza in the oven right now

There better be olives on that pizza!

Improbable

Improbable wrote: »

There better be olives on that pizza!

yuck