CARDINAL George Pell, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, is not a happy bunny.
Addressing an audience at Oxford University during a recent visit to the UK, the barmy cleric attacked a global campaign of “bullying and intimidation” by secular groups.
Cardinal George Pell
Some secularists, he said in this report, wanted a one-way street, and sought to drive Christianity not only from the public square but from providing education, health care and welfare to the wider community.
Modern liberalism has strong totalitarian tendencies.
Cardinal Pell said a Californian referendum – Proposition 8 – that rejected same-sex marriage had been a focus for demonstrations, violence, vandalism and intimidation of Christians.
He said “this prolonged campaign of payback and bullying” would have received much more attention if same-sex marriage supporters had been the victims.
He added that it was strange how some of the most permissive groups easily became repressive despite their rhetoric about diversity and tolerance.
Opposition to same-sex marriage is a form of homophobia and therefore bad, but Christianophobic blacklisting and intimidation is passed over in silence.
Cardinal Pell said discrimination laws had been used to redefine marriage and the family. Children could now have three, four or five parents, relegating the idea of a child being brought up by his natural mother and father to nothing more than a majority preference.
He also said last year’s Victorian law decriminalising abortion made a mockery of conscientious objection, which had been attacked as merely a way for doctors and nurses to impose their morality on their patients.
Cardinal Pell said Christians urgently needed to deepen public understanding about religious freedom.
But Pell is quite happy to have Islam subjected to close scrutiny and criticism.
The West, he lamented, had become scared to criticise Islam and accepts death threats by Muslim extremists as normal. Laws intended to promote tolerance were being used to stifle debate, which was:
Fermenting intolerance under the surface. Many in the West have grown used to practising self-censorship when it comes to Islam, just as we seem to accept that ex-Muslims who criticise Islam and extremism, such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, require round-the-clock police protection.
You can be persecuted for hate speech if you discuss violence in Islam, but there is little fear of a hate-speech prosecution for Muslim demonstrators with placards reading ‘Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas’.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
March 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
What is it with these crazy people and their insistence that we should respect them? As far as I am concerned respect is something that is earned, not exacted.
I have the utmost respect for Rolf Harris. Who doesn’t! He is a wonderful man who has brought joy into the lives of billions of people.
But if Rolf went around threatening people, telling them how to live their lives based on a zombie story, and was responsible for untold misery, massacre and mayhem I don’t think I would show him much respect. No matter how much he demanded it.
Do you see how it works Cardinal Pell?
March 16th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
So he thinks his imaginary friend is real, but not theirs? I thought they had the same one!
Honestly, if you’re going to discriminate at least do it consistantly. Fruitcake.
March 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Poor sod. It must be terrible to be a victim of persecution. Did you know that in certain countries in South America, where the vatican has a strangle-hold. Women who have, or are suspected of having had an abortion, can be given a life sentence, regardless of the circumstances of conception. Poor, Cardinal George Pell, it must be hell being a victim and not able to control legislation.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
in his defense, far left leaning liberals are highly intollerant of anyone’s opinion except their own.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
“far left leaning liberals” is an oxymoron. Socialists are far left. Liberals are middle of the road. “intolerant liberal” would also be an oxymoron. “tolerant” is part of the definition of a liberal.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
We keep hearing about Christian thinkers who could whip Dawkins’ ass in a fair debate etc, but when I read their outpourings they all seem really second-rate, or indeed third-rate. Wonder why that is?
March 16th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
In confirmation of Newspaniard’s comment check out the 23rd March,2009 edition of TIME magazine Annual Special Edition, page 12.
BRAZIL. A Catholic Archbishop has excommunicated the mother and doctors of a 9 years old girl whose twins were aborted after the child was allegedly raped by her step father. The actions of the Archbishop “were backed by the Vatican.”
March 16th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I think that we should view this incessant whining and persecution complex in a positive light. These people are really pissed off about losing their ability to boss everyone around and that is a very good thing.
I don’t know that I speak for every one here, but my attitude to life has always been a fairly live and let live one. If someone is very different to me or disagrees with me about things in general that is fine as long as they are not hurting me or other people who can’t defend themselves. As for “Bullying and intimidation” I think you’ll find that all we are doing is pointing out to him that his entire worldview is built on sand and highlighting his bullying and intimidation of others.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
“Bullying and intimidation”…
Evangelical groups the world over choose to take a direct intense interest in other people’s lives (especially homosexuals’), believing themselves to be the God-appointed authority on how countless people that they have never met should be seen by others and see themselves.
Firestarters whining about the smoke, anybody?
March 16th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
As much as I understand that I will be taken to task over my comments, I will still write them. Everyone falls short of perfection and I always see humans condeming other humans. If you would just read God’s Word (has to be done with an open and true heart)and focus on Jesus, it will be revealed. Your eyes and heart are hardened and you do not understand. I do pray for the unbelievers that they will come to know. Don’t blame God for what humans do. He gave us all free will and free choice to either accept or refuse Him. I can not even imagine my life without the peace that He gives me. I can not understand the loneliness and emptiness the unbeliever feels as he lies on his deathbed thinking that his worth will be gone and no longer remembered. How very, very sad!
March 16th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I refuse to respect a dogma that’s used ceaselessly to abuse me and mine, as well as countless others worldwide. Screw them.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Please can someone answer me the question why the Catholics think they deserve to be automatically respected ??? They are a bunch of dress-wearing prada-shoe-showing fur-wearing bunch of anti-women, anti-gay peado-protecting layabout who never “practice” what they constantly “preach”.
And so for the poor misguided Julie Axe above …have you thought about seeing someone about your imaginary friend complex ?? most people grow out of their imaginary playmates when they are 6 or 7 ? You must have had some serious problems to still have them as an adult ? DId a catholic priest act inappropriately towards you in that happy clappy place ???
March 16th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Since God’s own official biography depicts him as the most sadistic, evil, insane serial killer in all fiction, anyone who regards him as a nice guy either has never read a bible or is him/herself dangerously, criminally, certifiably insane.
Is “Julia Axe” a one-shot interloper, or has the stalker troll adopted a new pseudonym? If she is serious, she must believe that the earth is flat, since her bible says so unequivocally in 14 places. If she believes that a snake and a donkey can talk, as her favorite fantasy novel says, does she also believe that Rat, Mole, and Toad of Toad Hall can talk, as a much better written fantasy novel says? As for the hunchbacked dwarf Jesus, she should read Luke 16:1-9 and, if she sees Jesus’ advice to cheat those who are no longer useful to you and use the stolen money to bribe those who are in a position to do you good as a valid guide to morality, she belongs in the cell next to Bernard Madoff.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Bullying and intimidation eh? Well the ring kissing Mary worshipers are experts at that, not to mention torture and murder. People deserve respect not stupid religion, that should be consigned to the rubbish bin.
Troll alert! Has Bob changed sex and become Julie Axe? Julie or whoever you are, there are no gods, santa claus or tooth fairy – grow up.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Angela, William, I can assure you that Bob has not slithered past our defenses. Julia Axe may be just as deluded as he is, but she at least is capable of presenting some sort of argument. Garbage of course, but of a slightly more lucid variety.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Julie Axe
I have read god’s word, I was infected with catholicism at the age of 4 weeks to cleanse me from my original sin. Your feelings of peace mean that you have not really read the bible, as it is full of infanticide, genocide, misogyny, fratricide, matricide etc. Even if god existed, which he does not, I would not want to be associated with such a revolting being. The new testament is fractionally better but Jesus said that he came to fulfill the Law, not set it aside. He also encouraged his apostles not to work for their living as they could parasitize their followers, there is always the widows mite to threaten out of some poor, fearful believer . How any female can accept the vile teaching that women are inferior and in some way sully the perfect males, as the Abrahamic delusions believe, is totally beyond me. Hard of heart? What do you call a bishop who excommunicates the mother of the pregnant 9 year old, and her doctors for performing the abortion to save the child’s life, after being raped by her (probably) catholic step father? You are looking at your religion through rose-coloured glasses. I do blame god for what humans do- if he had any love for us, he would have made it clear that the fanatics do not speak in his name. If he really loved us he would not be able to let us burn in hell for all eternity. Human parents forgive their children pretty quickly, but your god won’t, and he is supposed to be all-loving.
March 17th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Barry Duke. What the fuck sort of argument has Julie Axe contributed?
Oh there’s poor old me, lying on my deathbed not having acknowledged Jebus Crisp. Oh fuck I’m gonna burn in Hull.
Just how lucid does lucidity have to get before one say’s ‘Lucy Lucid’ fuck off and shine your light elsewhere?
Strike a light!
March 17th, 2009 at 12:31 am
It’s “whinging” not “whingeing”…
March 17th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Beg to differ, Whinge. See http://www.thefreedictionary.com/whingeing
March 17th, 2009 at 8:31 am
It never ceases to amaze me how religious idiots or the Godphuqt ( you gotta love that word! ) assume that atheists are plagued with feelings of loneliness and emptiness, how presumptuous of them.
In reality, I have the love of my family and respect of many friends and acquaintances, all of which I have earned on my own merit and by my actions. I expect there are a few who cant stand me but hey, nobody’s perfect.
The point is that my life is rich and full but better than that, the feelings I have and any love or respect afforded me is genuine. I have no need ( or right ) to demand respect, or to pretend some dude in the sky loves me.
So Julie Axe, don’t feel ‘very very sad’ for me, I’m richer than you will ever know.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I, to a small extent, feel ‘very, very sad’ for the Julie’s of this world, who may miss out on the sheer fun that life is, due to a book. To go through life governed by ‘thou shall/shall not’ is missing out on the whole adventure. Ditch the bible, pick up the ‘adventures of winnie the pooh’ and learn to laugh again.
PS. The tired old argument ‘he gave us free will’ is wrong – why did he/she create the 10 commandments, which is rules to live by – that is not free will.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:52 am
If giving up the ‘comfort’ of going to fluffy cloud land after I die for a free mind while I’m still alive, I’ll stick with being a happy heathan.
I have a lovely life, hectic, but lovely. I have a gorgeous fiance and a beautiful, clever two year old daughter who I both love unconditionally. My family taught me how to think, not what to think and so I gained something precious; a free and active mind. I was a Christian for the best part of twenty two years and since I became an atheist I feel far more at peace. I’ve lost my fear of death and I know both my freedoms and limitations in the universe. By the time I get to my deathbed (where my toyboy Johnny Depp-a-like mourners will be playing lyres and singing about my triumphs in the sack) I doubt I’ll be in any condition to regret a damn thing. So there!
March 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Well said Rozi I’d like to be on my deathbed looking back at all the things I had done rather than thinking about all the things I wished I had done.
March 17th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I thought the whole point was that Christians DON’T want to provide public services to the ‘wider community’ – just the oddballs willing to go along with their bigotry.
On that basis, how can they object at being told they’re unfit to provide ‘services’ which they’re not offering anyway!
March 17th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
All that is spoken here is about the pleasures of this life. You all speak of what you can see and touch, which, of course, means that there is no faith. Some of you may blame God for what you perceive that he should have or should not have done in your life. When you say you were “Christian” and then left Christianity for whatever reason, ultimately means that you never believed in the first place. How does one explain faith to an unbeliever? It would be like explaining colors (with all due respect to you) to a blind person. You don’t see the wind, yet you see the results of it. The complexity of a human eye alone has confused many scientists. DNA and it’s coils show complexity and each and every one of us has our own unique DNA. And this was by chance? NO!! You have a Creator who loves you more than you realize. Whether or not you believe in God does not change the fact that He believes and loves each and every one of you. I know you understand that you are not really in control of your own lives as you may think you are. Which one of you can add one single second to your life? None! If I am wrong (by your standards) when I die, then I lose nothing. If you are wrong, then you lose everything for eternity. My greatest hope is that even one person among you will go into a quiet place, get on your knees and ask God to reveal Himself to you. You will be amazed and the peace that surpasses all understanding will come to you. May God touch each and every one of your hearts along with all of your family and friends. Peace to you all!
March 17th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Nice one Julie, hilarious! Pascal’s wager has never sounded so funny!
March 17th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Julie, do you not have the sense to realise that we have heard these arguments a thousand times before? These arguments have been refuted a thousand times as well, but no matter how many times they are shot down in flames, along comes another ignoramus to prop up their charred corpses and shove them in our faces one more time. The most that you can prove from the argument from design is Deism (Look it up!) And who designed this diety? Chance? I also suggest that you familiarise yourself with Pascal’s wager and the various refutations of it before returning here and making a fool of yourself again.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Believe me, Stonyground, I have not nor would I ever want to “shove anything into anyone’s face”. If I appear to be a “fool”, so be it.
All responses appear to be full of such anger and quick to try to prove there is no God. Why is the thought of God so frightening? My emails are sent with love and not finger-pointing nor malice.
Again, you can never say to anyone that you have not been told the truth. Will you at least try?
March 17th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Oh Julie, get a grip! No-one here is “frightened” by the thought of god, any more than we are frightened by thoughts of the tooth fairy, Odin, or the Invisible Pink Unicorn. What does scare us is the atrocious, cruel and inhuman behaviour of people who DO believe in a god. This blog exists to expose such behaviour, to warn people off religion, and – ultimately – to remove the clammy fingers of religion from the levers of state and education.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Barry,
In any of my emails, did you see any indications of “atrocious, cruel and inhuman behavior” on my part? If you did, then I apologize for any misunderstanding. As I said, I come with an open heart. If you rather not have any further discussions with me, please tell me and I promise that I will bother you no more. I have stated the truth and that is all I can do. I will, however, still pray for you! Peace be in your heart!
March 18th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Julie, like a lot of religious people, you are confused by straight forward statements. No one here has accused YOU of ‘atrocious, cruel and inhuman behaviour’. Only such stories are reported here and we comment on them.
How to explain atheism to a believer? You just cannot grasp the concept that there is no god; therefore, we cannot fear something that does not exist. We no more fear ‘god’ than we do the Easter bunny or Thor the Thunder God. Do you fear Thor the Thunder god? No you don’t; because you know that Thor does not exist (even tho you can’t prove it), and neither does your god exist (even tho we can’t prove it). Thus, no fear and no blame is attached to ‘god’ by atheists.
Science has shown the workings of the human eye and all its failings (blind spots, and degenerative ageing as the cells of the eye do not regenerate as we age, thus we lose our eyesight as we age; a fine design that one!) and the human eye is not in any way proof of the existence of your ‘god’. For all you know, you could have been created by a super-intelligent alien, and you now in fact worship an ET.
I suggest, Julie, that you do some learning outside of your own tiny sphere; read and research the vicious history of Christianity. the lies, fabrications, fraud, murder, and centuries of persecution of those who disagreed with the Church (by the ‘church’ I mean largely the Roman one). Study evolution and learn that it is not a matter of chance. Learn that atheists are not trembling on our death beds in fear of what will happen to us after death, as we know that nothing happens to us after death, save the natural decay of our physical bodies, which we accept as a fact of reality; we only live on through our DNA through our children. There is no place of eternal punishment, given to us by a ‘loving god’. For why, Julie, does your god seek to punish people with physical abuse for all eternity for rejecting him, when it was him who gave us the will to reject him in the first place? (or so you claim, now prove it.)
How can you claim god loves us when he created a place of vicious and eternal pain for those who do nothing more than ‘reject’ him? (But think you cannot reject something that doesn’t exist).
It is you, Julie, who fears death so much, not us; which is why you cling so sadly to your silly invisible god. why are all gods invisible Julie? Because they don’t exist. Thor is just as invisible as Jesus, who is just as invisible as Shiva, who is just as invisible as Allah (and every other ‘god and goddess’ that mankind ever invented); all invisible because they are fabrications of the human imagination, are mythological beings, and do not exist in the real world; they are not a fact of reality, but reality fictionalised. thus there is nothing to fear.
You say you come in peace, and I say you come in ignorance and patronisation. Go away and learn something and stop praying to something that’s not listening to you on the grounds of his non-existence, for really, if ‘god’ gave me free will, why are you trying to change his plan? your god might send you to hell for trying to interfere with his grand design. Atheists exist; that’s what you have to learn to deal with and turn the other cheek.
March 18th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
No Julie, I will pray to Satan that you might be saved from spending eternity with Mary Whitehouse, Anne Whitacombe, Cliff Richard and the Jonas Brothers.
Come join the Heathen party! We serve better drinks AND we have awesome music.
March 18th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Julie. Do you ever wonder (course you don’t!) what age you will be when you join your god? How will you see or hear or smell without these organs? What about all the other religions? Are they banned for failing to “know” Jesus? If the bible is the very word of god, which bible? which translation? and how do you reconcile the contradictions?
And what about dogs? I think Socrates said the dog has the soul of a philosopher and he didn’t mean your kind of soul or the usual kind of philosopher. And Socrates was one smart guy.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Callisto,
I do not think that I was “confused by straight forward statements” from Barry. He said, “What does scare us is the atrocious, cruel and inhuman behavior of people who DO believe in a god”. Well, I am a person who believes in God, therefore I took it as if he was speaking to me directly. When you look at the human eye, I noticed that you listed all of the things that can go wrong with the eye rather than it’s complexity in allowing you to see. Obviously, we age and our bodies decline. By the way, Jesus is not a fictious person and history and historians have agreed. I also notice that you give lots of examples of the failings of the Church without any comment whatsoever on the wonderful works it completes. I agree with you that there are many, many (what I call false prophets) people in the Church that deceive and their actions prove it. We ask for discernment about these people. I have witnessed Evangelical preachers on tv that make my skin crawl because they are only interested in money, planes and the luxories of this life. (However, I am called not to judge) Instead I focus on Jesus and His words which only speak of love and forgiveness. I was hurt to read that you feel that I do not come in peace, rather I come in “ignorance and patronisation”. That is a false statement. Please, if you want me to leave your blog, say so, but do not resort to name calling as I am only interested in honest dialog.
Rozi, If you say that God does not exist, what proof have you that Satan exists as you say you will pray to him. I am assuming you were jesting, and believe me, Satan is no one that you want to allow into your heart and head.
Broga,
Only complete happiness is what I look forward to in Heaven. If you do not seek God, you will not know these things.
All,
Again, if you rather have me leave your blog, please just say so and I will respect your decision. As I said, I am not interested in the name calling or finger pointing, only true and honest dialog with anyone interested with an open mind and heart. Thank you!
March 18th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Julie. You do seem to be of a more gentle disposition then many of your co religionists. I doubt if you will, or could, consider the implications of you “looking forward” to “complete happiness.” The old “treasure in heaven” con. I suppose that means that you are sacrificing a happy present for a euphoric future of very doubtful provenance – to say the least. I, as it happens, am happy enough at the moment. I don’t “seek god” and I don’t “seek happiness” but I do enjoy getting whatever pleasure and fun I can from the here and now.
Suppose you are seeking the “wrong” god? There are so many. And suppose you have put your life in the hands of that god and another god is offended and decides to punish you?
Or perhaps the bible is a test? The “real” god has decided that those who abuse his greatest gift – as he might see it – being rational by succumbing to arrant nonsence spewed out by priests and the like have failed. They end up in hell. The atheists – bit self serving for me is this Julie – have the courage to say “this is crap” and they go to heaven?
What really pisses me off is the smug, self satisfaction of some of the most mean minded, tight arsed people I have ever come across and they are Christians. They go with the crowd, safety in numbers, try to censor what they don’t like and whine when they don’t get respect. And they never think for themselves.
I have no wish for you to leave. And it isn’t my decision anyway. You do seem dangerously innocent and you might, I suppose, even start thinking about some of these matters. Your co religionist, Lily, is beyond hope.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Broga,
I thank you for your kind words. I understand completely what you are saying about some religious people; however, remember they are not the people you should be listening to anyway. They are only looking for their own glory rather than the glory due to the Lord. Broga, please believe me when I say that I have total peace in my life. This does not mean that I do not have the same troubles as other people, it just means that I handle it differently. I am saying this to you in all humility. I have a wonderful husband, wonderful children and the best grandchildren in the world….spoken like any other grandmother, or what we call in Italian, Nonie! Broga, please try not to judge all Christians by some of the self-seeking people you may have met or spoken to in your life. True Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ with love and respect for all individuals no matter what their belief system may be. We are all brothers and sisters. Just think if everyone lived by that love and respect, there would be no wars, homelessness and heartache in the world. Yes, maybe there would be heartache, but we would all work together for the common good of humanity. There is so much greed and arrogance in this world, it is sickening. I am by NO means a perfect Christian because I fall as many others do, but I ask for forgiveness and is forgiven. By the way, I have no idea who you are talking about…..who is Lily?
March 18th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Julie Axe. I do not doubt that you are a genuinely decent person. But I would question where you think that decency comes from. Does it really come from a god, or are you inherently a good person anyway?
If you had been born 4 millennia ago, before Christianity or the concept of a monotheistic deity had been created, would you still have the same outlook/attitude? I realise this is hypothetical but so is the existence of a deity in the eyes of many of us on this site.
You also raise the issue of ‘a perfect Christian’. What is this? Can there be a perfect Hindu, a perfect Muslim, a perfect Buddhist?
Can there even be a perfect atheist?
March 18th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I thought that I should come back on and apologise to Julie as I feel that my last post was unnesessarily hostile and somewhat uncalled for.
But then in her response to me she failed to address the points that I made about Deism And Pascal’s wager. Constantly learning new stuff is one of my favourite aspects of life. If someone draws my attention to something that I don’t know about I am always eager to investigate, and now that knowledge is just a mouse click away not even feeling a bit lazy is an excuse. I think it is a little sad that believers like to visit us to preach at us but seem to have no desire to learn from us.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Julie. I have a wife, children etc but none of them are “perfect.” And I don’t want them to be any more than they want that from me. In fact, the grit in the oyster adds spice.
Remigius’ questions/comments are worth an answer and not a dismissal. To add just briefly: what do you think your religion or belief system would be if you had been born in the midst of the Amazonian Rain Forest, or the Congo or whatever, and never heard of Christianity, never mind Jesus?
Lily is a rather simple minded nuisance who plagues atheist or sceptical web sites in what seems to be a ludicrous attempt to convert non believers by virtue of the fact that she and the Pope know best. She has a dog, or had, unless it perished under the weight of her sanctimony. She is convinced that I am headed for an infinity of hell fire and will not accept that whatever my sins i.e. slagging off Mother Theresa and the Pope they cannot justify an infinity of extreme torture.
There is a rumour, but I really cannot confirm this and would not want to besmirch her reputation to this extent, that she is a fan of Cliff Richard and attends his concerts.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Remigius,
Thank you as well for your kind words. Decency (or lack of) comes from a choice that we have all been given. Yes, I believe all free will and choice come from God. You know, I have always wondered what type of person I would have been if my dad did not die when I was 7 years old, if I had an opportunity to have a relationship with my grandparents (my mother was an orphan at the age of 2) who had immigrated from Italy not knowing the language. Tragically there has been much sickness and death in the family. Had it not been for my faith in God, I would probably ended up a basket case. Again, I am only speaking of myself here. I can not explain faith as it is impossible to explain to anyone if they have not experienced the gift. Yes, it is a gift given freely from God. You ask if there is a “perfect Christian” and the answer is absolutely not. We all try to live by the 10 commandments; however, we all fall short, but the Lord is always there to forgive….forgive anything! Can there be a “perfect” Hindu, Muslin, Buddist,atheist, in my opinion. “no”, because they are only human as we all are. You would need to ask them yourself for their opinion. I do have one suggestion (with all due respect) for you when dealing with Christians. Do not engage in any battles with them or allow them to harrass you. If they do not speak of love and forgiveness, they are self-righteous, self-loving individuals that should be dismissed; however, in a loving way. Peace to you always!
March 18th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Dear Stonyground and Broga,
My apologies, I did not see your response until just now. You both appear to be very decent and intelligent people and I thank you sincerely for allowing my chatter. If I was born in the rain forrest?? Well, I believe that God touches absolutely everyone in His own way. I can not explain how or when because I am a simply person. To me, the world screams of His existance. In the sky, the mountains and nature itself. I am by no means a theologian, scholar or even in their league of knowledge. I am a simple person who loves the Lord with her whole heart, soul and strength. This may sound foolish to you and I understand that completely. As a note, Mother Theresa only spoke of love in her life which demonstrated through her work with the poorest of the poor. It was not about “her”, it was about love. That is what I was talking about earlier. You will know these people through and by their actions…not what they just tell you. Lily, from what I have read from you, may be a sincere person (I do not know her heart), but she is never going to convey her beliefs through such angry words and malice gestures. I am sorry for that! Peace!!
March 18th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Julie, so far I have been patient with the all the tosh you’ve been spouting on this blog over the last few days, but your latest ignorant blathering about Mother Teresa – get her name right, if you insist on using it – was the last straw. Teresa was a horrible hypocrite and a shameless old fraud who did nothing – I repeat NOTHING – but harm to the people of India.
Teresa’s hospitals for the indigent in India and elsewhere turned out to be hardly more than human warehouses in which seriously ill persons lay on mats, sometimes fifty to sixty in a room without benefit of adequate medical attention. Their ailments usually went undiagnosed. The food was nutritionally lacking and sanitary conditions were deplorable. There were few medical personnel on the premises, mostly untrained nuns and brothers.
But when tending to her own ailmentsTeresa checked into some of the costliest hospitals and recovery care units in the world for state-of-the-art treatment.
Not once did the Albanian Prune utter a critical word against social injustice, and she maintained cozy relations with the rich, corrupt, and powerful.
She claimed to be above politics when in fact she was pronouncedly hostile toward any kind of progressive reform. Teresa was a friend of Ronald Reagan, and an admiring guest of the Haitian dictator Baby Doc Duvalier. She also had the support and admiration of a number of Central and South American dictators. This is a woman who railed against birth control and abortion, and once said that it was better for an unwanted child to be born and thrown into a garbage can, rather than be aborted.
You can read some more uncomfortable truths about you heroine here: http://mostlywater.org/mother_....._hypocrite
Go educate yourself, Julie, and until you do so, don’t bother coming back here. You are showing signs of becoming a troll, and we don’t tolerate trolls here. Bye…
March 18th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Barry,
This is your blog and I will respect your decision that I leave and not return. But, sir, you are very mistaken about Mother Theresa (spelled several ways due to the area one is coming from). I know FIRST HAND of the works of Mother. You depend upon what you read in the secular paper rather going to India yourself and witness FIRST HAND. If you went during her time, you would have been awe struck. This is not something I read about…THIS IS WHAT I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WITNESS! My eyes were not deceived and the witness testimony of many who she had comforted, are you telling me that they lied to me?
Again, before I leave, I want to thank all who I had an open and honest dialog with.
Peace and good bye!
March 19th, 2009 at 1:45 am
I must admit that I have been moved by Julie Axe’s words..
…’Had it not been for my faith in God, I would probably ended up a basket case’.
I tried so hard to empathise with her, to put myself in her position. But upon reading this I laughed so hard I did a little pee.
Lesson learned. Those who are beyond help are beyond help.