The Hazards of Belief

I can resist anything, except...



According to that article the Anglicans already have two versions of the OF, normal and "traditional", imagine the confusion if they introduced a third, plus it'd look like they were taking the lead from Rome again and they don't like that

I did always find that wording confusing, but it was far from the most mind-boggling thing about catholic doctrine I was required to swallow as a kid (no sniggering at the back, there)

smacl wrote: »

I think they mostly worship the new gods at H&M and Debenhams these days. Not sure its much of an improvement though somewhat reminiscent on Neil Gaiman's American Gods.

I must admit that when I am forced to enter any kind of shopping centre my main concerns are where are the toilets? Are they clean? Are they free? Can I leave now???

With places of worship I go straight to the last question.

nozzferrahhtoo wrote: »

^ Ah the old Dave Allen sketch where he says he learned to bless himself the first time at a funeral when the priest said, as he thought, "In the name of the Father..... and of the son..... and into the hole he goes".

I would have thought one would have to be a native English speaker (and old enough to remember the "holy ghost") to get that one.

That joke absolutely kills over here when I use it on Germans. That... and the one with the pope head butting the queen.

Not familiar with that one and search isn't turning it up - got a link?

Was on a walking tour of Waterford earlier this year - the CoI and RCC cathedrals are practically next door to each other and were designed by the same guy. Some of the stone columns inside the RC one are decidedly off-vertical due to subsidence!

There's some fantastic medieval vestments in the museum in Waterford, too.

Lights, sound, colour, costumes - religion really was the rock'n'roll of its day.

Zub is correct. The denominations that practice door-to-door evangelism are perfectly aware that its a poor sales technique. It's not really about conversions for them; it's about witnessing.

Reminds me of the lengthy spam email I got a few years ago about islam, the purpose of which was not to convert me but to ensure that, as I knew what islam was, I'd be going to hell...

Edit: just seeing your post now Zub, great minds and all that

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Junior Cert Notice

If the pigeon remains in the exam hall tomorrow, the German exam will be moved to the study.

I have a daughter doing Junior Cert, and many of the subjects have moved towards more marks for work done during the year - Home Ec has sewing and cooking projects and the exam is only worth 50% of the total.

So I was asking her: "Why doesn't Religion have a practical component?"

Which earned me an excellent Dad Joke look.

The Burkes are in the news again:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/siblings-banned-for-life-from-nuig-societies-refuse-college-s-offer-1.3928544


Siblings banned for life from NUIG societies refuse college’s offer


Four siblings who claim their freedom of speech and religious expression was curbed by NUI Galway have rejected a call from the university to drop their legal case.

Isaac, Kezia, Ammi and Enoch Burke were banned for life from all student societies at the university on November 10th, 2014.

Before their ban, they had been distributing material and putting up posters relating to their Christian beliefs, including about gay marriage and abortion, on campus.

According to the Burkes, the university alleged they were suspended for misuse of funds.

The siblings deny the allegations that they misused funds and have alleged discrimination on the grounds of religion.

The university last week told the Burkes it was lifting their lifetime ban, and it offered to seek no order on costs if they discontinued their legal action against it.

“In light of the lifting in full of the societal ban our client wishes to make an open offer herein that in the event that the appellants agree to issue a notice of discontinuance in relation to the above proceedings (the remaining claims being all that are live between the parties) our client would be agreeable to the striking out of these cases and would seek no order as to costs against the appellants,” the university wrote in a letter to the Burkes.

However, the siblings have rejected the offer and are pressing ahead with their case, which is due to begin on Tuesday.

“It has been over four years and six months since we were banned for life from societies at NUI Galway,” Enoch Burke said. “Now, on the eve of the court hearing, that ban has been lifted. The university should never have imposed this ban in the first place and we are pressing ahead for justice.

“The whole point of going to court is that the equal status Acts are there to offer redress for those who have been discriminated against, and that is our claim against the university,” he added.

The Circuit Court hearing is listed for three days at Galway city courthouse, beginning on Tuesday.

The Burkes must prove that they were less favourably treated by the university, and that they were treated in such a manner because of their religious beliefs.

The Burkes, from Castlebar, Co Mayo, were unsuccessful in complaints previously heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, and maintain there were shortcomings in that process.

They had been active members of two college groups, the Christian Union and Life societies, which promoted “teachings of Christianity” and “sanctity of human life”.

The siblings have claimed they were the subject to organised campaigns of opposition on campus, the most visible signs of which were sustained ripping-down of posters they put up.

They have claimed that this and other incidents amounted to a campaign of harassment and intimidation, and that they had submitted numerous complaints to the college authorities as far back as March 2013.

They previously wrote to then tanaiste France Fitzgerald concerning the case, and called for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality to investigate their case.

NUI Galway declined to comment.

In local news, this is interesting. I wonder where the head'll show up again:
Head removed from statue of archbishop Leahy in Thurles:


https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2019/0628/1059060-statue/

Not quite sure why this is turning up in the news now. The guy was appointed to his present post about four-and-a-half years ago. We noted it in this very thread.

https://www.rte.ie/news/newslens/2019/0701/1059441-social-media-jesus/

Use Jesus as guide on social media - Church of England

The Church of England has urged Christians to follow the example of Jesus when interacting on social media, as it launched a new charter to create a "positive atmosphere" online.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby visited the British headquarters of Facebook to launch the digital charter, which asks individuals and churches to pledge to be truthful, kind and welcoming online.

"Social media has transformed the way we live our lives. As Christians we are called to engage in a way which is shaped by the example of Jesus," he said in a statement before the visit.

He added: "Each time we interact online we have the opportunity either to add to currents of cynicism and abuse or to choose instead to share light and grace."

Archbishop of York John Sentamu also offered his support to the effort, saying people should take more time to think before posting comments.

"Sometimes it's about counting to ten and asking whether a spiteful statement on social media will change a situation for the better," he said.

He added: "The church wishes to be present in the digital sphere, and the same force for social cohesion which it strives to be in the real world", working alongside social media companies.

Jesus was crap at social media though - only had twelve followers :pac:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/priests-have-feelings-as-well-as-votes-cleric-responds-to-d%C3%A1il-sinning-priest-comment-1.3946539

‘Priests have feelings as well as votes’ – cleric responds to Dail ‘sinning priest’ comment

The co-founder of the Association of Catholic Priests has said political parties would “do well to remember that priests have feelings as well as votes” following Taoiseach Leo Varakdar’s comments comparing Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to a secretly sinning priest.

During tetchy exchanges on questions about the cost of capital projects in the Dail on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar said: “I am always amused and bemused that Deputy Martin likes to accuse me of being partisan and personal yet as is evidenced by his name-calling today, he is very capable of being partisan and personalised himself.

“He kind of reminds me of one of those parish priests who preaches from the altar telling us how to avoid sin while secretly going behind the altar and engaging in any amount of sin himself.”

Fr Brendan Hoban said priests, along with their parishioners and friends have feelings and votes, and that “an apology might be advised.” Speaking to The Irish Times he wondered if Mr Varadkar would have said such a thing about a Church of Ireland minister.

The bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan , described the Taoiseach’s comments as “very hurtful.”

Bishop Cullinan said the comment was unfortunate and it was ironic that it should come the day before a structured dialogue meeting, involving Mr Varadkar, Government members and representatives of the churches of other faiths and of non-confessional bodies, takes place at Dublin Castle.

“Now we have one particular religion being singled out for crass treatment.”

He said he was standing up for priests around the country. “I am saying well done, you’re doing a great job, keep going.”

Speaking on RTE Radio’s Today with Sean O’Rourke Show, the bishop said the vast majority of priests work “so hard” and ordinary people are deeply offended “by the comment from the head of parliament.”

It was not balanced treatment, he said. When asked if the Taoiseach should apologise for the comment, Bishop Cullinan said it was up to Mr Varadakar to clarify.

The situation was very unfortunate and he hoped it would not be repeated. Bringing in the church “out of the blue” when speaking about the Fianna Fail leader, was “unprovoked.”

“I don’t know why he did that.”

He urged priests not to be upset by the comment as “the majority of people love their priests.”

It seems like the remark cut a bit close to the bone for the clergy here. It's almost like they're ashamed of themselves. Almost.

robindch wrote: »

Monster drink is - well - monstrous.

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1159534722655096832

The comments on Twitter were screamingly funny. And, helpful - I'd never heard of Gail Riplinger before. Love it when the 'devout' eat each other. No, Riplinger is not the woman in the video.