The Vicar of Rome

[AngryAmish]

[bvf]

1. That's not even interesting as a fetish. n/t

And what's with the spittoon?

[Demonaut]

2. you really don't need to piss on the OP's intent

[bvf]

3. And Frank doesn't need to piss on millions

of women, the entire LGBT community, AIDS victims worldwide, and thousands of victims of sexual abuse.

Who's doing the better job here?

(This is General Discussion, right?)

[pnwmom]

46. The Church isn't against condoms for AIDS prevention anymore, if that's what

you're referring to.

[bvf]

96. Have you actually read the words behind this

earthshaking revelation? Post them.

A more mealy-mouthed "dispensation" could not be imagined.

How about all those subsaharan African souls burning in hell for putting on a rubber before the old white guy said "OK," (if in fact he actually said that--see above)?

What the church is for or against matters little here. Religion (all religion) is nothing more than oppression based on delusion. Its survival depends only on believers in nonsense--usually brainwashed from birth--too afraid to question those in "power."

[pnwmom]

97. Then please point to your posts saying similar things about Muslims. n/t

[bvf]

98. I said and meant all religion.

If you're extra offended because (presumably) your own religion is being criticized, well, that should tell you something right there about how handy it is as a tool to control humans.

Fuck all imaginary beings.

Try saying that. Go ahead--it's really liberating.

[pnwmom]

99. Then when have you posted about Muslims in the way you have about Catholics?

You are very selective in your slurs.

[bvf]

101. What slurs are those?

Point them out.

And why are you seemingly more defensive about catholics, anyway? Are they less deluded than muslims? More?

Surely, you see your problem here.

[pnwmom]

102. You can't point to your slams about Muslims because you don't have any. n/t

[bvf]

104. Then you haven't been reading this thread.

Again, you're being awfully thin-skinned here. I think we both know why, too.

[brooklynite]

86. Why doesn't this belong in RELIGION?

[Bluenorthwest]

20. The OP's intent is to promote an anti choice and ravingly anti gay clergyman as some moral authority

and is an intention I need to counter for the safety of my community.
DU seems to believe that if bigotry is 'just' against LGBT or Jews that it is some charming and curated eccentricity we should all enjoy along with the posters who bring it here. Fuck that.

[msanthrope]

4. This atheist asks that for Good Friday, you might refrain. nt

[vanlassie]

5. +1,000,000

[pinboy3niner]

6. Celebrate the positive

[bvf]

7. See #3.

[mr blur]

12. "the positive"? What positive?

Would that be the child rape or the spread of Aids? Blank Frank will have to do more than wash feet and kiss the disabled to make up for the sheer misery and bigotry his dangerous cult engenders.

[pnwmom]

47. This Pope has changed the Church's position on condoms for AIDS prevention. n/t

[skepticscott]

13. The pope and his bigoted death cult

don't get a free pass on their crimes for even one weekend a year. Why should they? The negatives far, far outweigh the positives, especially when the "positives" are just photo ops staged to fool gullible people.

This little stunt doesn't change the enabling of child rape and the deprivation of human rights that the pope and his church continue in.

[kwassa]

24. Bigoted death cult? Such a reasoned response.

You reached a new level of silly.

[skepticscott]

27. Feel free to dispute either one

Let's start with "bigoted".

The catholic church opposes full human rights for LGBT persons, and actively campaigns against allowing same-sex couples to legally marry, even if they are not catholic. Is the catholic church guilty of homophobic bigotry?

Three possible responses:

Yes
No
Dodge, divert, deflect and do anything to avoid giving a simple, straight answer, and alert trolling on this post to try to cover it up.

Frankly, anyone who doesn't unhesitatingly give the first answer has no right to call themselves a progressive, and they don't belong on DU. But that's not where my money is. Don't disappoint me.

[kwassa]

33. They oppose same-sex marriage. That's about it.

So do hundreds of millions of people around the world. I hope that the RCC evolves on this issue, and changes, but they are a conservative organization. The acceptance of same-sex marriage anywhere is a historically recent phenomena.

Now, the death cult?

[skepticscott]

38. As expected, you choose option 3..win for me

Do you admit or deny that this makes the catholic church bigoted, along with every other person and organization who actively opposes same sex marriage? Do you acknowledge that saying "other people do it too" doesn't make it any less bigoted?

Or are you going to do more dodging? Everyone is watching, kwassa...this is a progressive web site...prove that you're not as bigoted as the catholic church. Prove that you have the courage to point out and denounce bigotry on a global scale.

We'll get to the death cult part in good time...but if you think that's going to go any better for you, don't delude yourself.

[kwassa]

88. It doesn't fit the definition of bigotry

Full Definition of bigot

: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

Pope Francis is definitely working on the hatred and intolerance of gays; is being opposed to same-sex marriage treating others with hatred and intolerance? Intolerance, yes, but I don't see signs of hatred.

[skepticscott]

94. By your "definition"

someone saying that blacks are better off as slaves because they are naturally inferior and need taking care of would not be guilty of bigotry, because no "hatred" would be involved. Probably not even intolerance.

That should tell everyone all they need to know about the intellectual bankruptcy of your post. And your need to excuse and enable bigotry.

I mean, seriously...is that how you judge whether something you hear of or encounter in your everyday life is bigotry? Do you go dig up a dictionary definition and run down the checklist?

[kwassa]

114. Not my definition, the dictionary definition.

someone saying that blacks are better off as slaves because they are naturally inferior and need taking care of would not be guilty of bigotry, because no "hatred" would be involved. Probably not even intolerance.

Oh, there is definitely hatred there. Absolutely hatred there.

That should tell everyone all they need to know about the intellectual bankruptcy of your post. And your need to excuse and enable bigotry.

The intellectual bankruptcy is with you, of course, as you make up your own definition for the word "bigot". Good luck with that.

You really have no argument at all. Not surprising.

[trotsky]

36. Response #3 was (totally unsurprisingly) chosen.

The response could ALMOST be excused if the RCC only cared about its own rules for its members and not being "forced" to marry couples it didn't want to.

But the proven and documented fact that, as you point out, they are actively working to deny equal treatment under the law to gays and lesbians AROUND THE WORLD regardless of whether they are Catholics or not, crosses the line into clear bigotry.

It's OK, though, because Jesus. Now shut up you religion-hating atheist.

[pnwmom]

48. Right. It's fine to slur Catholics in a way it's never fine to slur other religions.

[skepticscott]

53. The OP is about the pope and the rcc

so that's where the responses in this thread are directed. Sheesh.

As far as "slurs", feel free to quote one. And before you waste your time, pointing out bigotry and the enabling of bigotry don't qualify.

But saying that homosexuals are "inherently disordered" is a slur, wouldn't you agree?

[pnwmom]

54. Calling the Church a "bigoted death cult" is a slur. nt

[skepticscott]

57. See Post 15

The catholic church would rather see thousands and thousands of people die horribly, with no end in sight, rather than violate their insane doctrine on artificial contraception.

Sacrificing lives to preserve unjustifiable doctrine absolutely qualifies them as a death cult.

Now answer my question...every is watching. Is calling homosexuals "inherently disordered" a slur? Yes or no?

[pnwmom]

62. Under Pope Francis the Church has changed with regard to AIDS prevention

with condoms.

[Gomez163]

65. Some people here have some unresolved issues from their childhoods.

[trotsky]

67. Really? Critics of the pope and his church, with its anti-gay agenda, have unresolved issues?

That's slimy.

Women and homosexuals suffer because of the policies of this man and his church. Yeah, that's my "unresolved issue" - I actually give a fuck about that, unlike some evidently.

[skepticscott]

71. Yes, some people have been so

deeply indoctrinated from an early age into never questioning or criticizing the catholic church that they can't do it even when it is completely justified.

You're right...that's really sad. Especially when those people pretend to be progressives, while defending and enabling the worst kinds of homophobic bigotry.

[skepticscott]

70. Bullshit

You mean like this?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/30/pope-francis-condoms-aids-hiv-africa

Pope Francis has dismissed a question about whether condoms can be condoned in the fight against Aids by saying there are more important issues confronting the world, like malnutrition, environmental exploitation and the lack of safe drinking water.

Francis was asked about the church’s opposition to condoms while returning Monday to Rome from Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. Africa in general and Kenya and Uganda in particular have been hard hit by the Aids epidemic, and the Catholic church has faced criticism that its position has contributed to the problem.

Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, earned the wrath of healthcare professionals, gay rights activists and the United Nations by saying on a visit to Africa that condoms were not the answer to fighting HIV and could actually make it worse.

Francis has made scant reference to Aids in his speeches this past week. He did, however, visit HIV-infected children at a Uganda hospital and kissed each one, listened to moving testimony from a girl born with the virus and thanked the church’s healthcare workers for caring for those infected.

But hey, he kissed a few sick people for the cameras, so that changes everything.

That doesn't even address the people sacrificed to a horrible death by starvation because of overpopulation. The rcc believes those deaths are a small price to pay for the protection of holy doctrine. God forbid that anyone should be able to prevent themselves from having children they can't feed. So yes...death cult.

And did you think people didn't notice you dodging my question again? Pathetic.

Is calling homosexuals "inherently disordered" a slur? Yes or no? Do you have the courage to answer that question honestly? Because I think I'm just going to keep asking it until you do. You love flinging accusations of "slur" at others, all the while doing it yourself. I backed up MY statement. Let's see if you can do the same...tick tock.

[bvf]

8. Refrain from expressing an opinion?

Hoo boy. That's religion for you.

[msanthrope]

9. Yes. Refrain. nt

[bvf]

10. How does "no" work for you?

Someone posts a Fox-PR-approved pic of some old guy wiping his face on some other guy's shoes, and we can't talk about AIDS, women's reproductive rights, or the fact that the RCC continues to shield untold numbers of child molesters from justice?

Oh, right. Shh! Photo op.

[kwassa]

25. You don't even know what you are looking at.

Judging by your bizarre description of it.

And no one prevents you from talking about anything.

[bvf]

87. No, of course not.

Twelve years of catholic education and a brief stay in a Trappist monastery qualifies me to say I'm looking at nothing more than a circus act.

Since you brought it up, how's your knowledge?

Did you know, for instance, that the RCC actually maintains that you're really eating human flesh at communion? None of that bullshit, weaselly, metaphor stuff--no sir. Real meat.

[AlbertCat]

34. This song doesn't have a refrain

[Bluenorthwest]

14. If it's so Good, this Friday, why doesn't the RCC refrain from bigotry and misogyny on that day?

As a gay man, I ask that they do refrain and then remain so refrained.

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. This atheist says no, because that's dumb.

He's not going to stop hating on gays just because it's Good Friday. So fuck him.

[1939]

11. Correction

Bishop of Rome
Vicar of Christ

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Good Friday 2016 will see approximately 3,350 deaths from HIV/AIDS in Africa, RCC forbids the use

of condoms to prevent transmission of the virus and hinders health and sexual education. For example Uganda is 44% Catholic, 7.2% HIV infected, 13% of the people say they have used a condom and about 60,000 Ugandans die each year, that makes about 166 for Good Friday's toll in Uganda. Of course the massive death rate leaves many orphaned children, Uganda alone has over 650,000 AIDS orphans, on the continent the number is beyond proper estimation, as AIDS remains the #1 cause of death in Africa today. `

Knowledge = Life
Silence = Death

Who's side are you on?

[skepticscott]

16. But...but...

the faitheists want to be sure we don't hurt their feewings on their "holy" days.

Much more important than thousands of dead people to the DUers who support the catholic church with their posts and their money.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. None of them are able to discuss Africa and AIDS and maintain their adoration of Frank so what they

do is simply refuse to discuss or even acknowledge the entire subject matter. They can't face the facts of their faith. Well they can, but they don't want to so they don't.

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. Oh, they're able.

They'll tell you Frank is powerless to change fundamental Catholic dogma because the conservatives (you know, the ones who elected him) won't let him or will have him killed just like they (allegedly) killed that guy in The Godfather Part III.

Convincing, isn't it?

[Bluenorthwest]

21. But talking about Frank's Delima is not actually talking about AIDS in Africa, a subject they don't

even have the guts to attempt. DUers used to assert that the anti condom dogmas were of no concern to them because 'Americans all know better and we do as we wish'. So I'd mention the seven figure annual death toll in Africa, and they'd fall silent. It's not about Americans, not about affluent educated Westerners.

[Rainforestgoddess]

28. Those 166 should wait until tomorrow...

You know, out of respect.

[trotsky]

29. Quiet, you!

It's Good Friday, someone has declared that no negative aspects of Christianity (in particular the RCC) can be mentioned today!

[edhopper]

22. Good Friday

the day some believe the mythical story a man named Yeshua was crucified after a big trial and condemned by the Roman ruler of the Provence himself.
Even though there is no collaborating documentation of this happening.

[Drahthaardogs]

23. I know Christ mythology is the new "in thing"

However, even G.A. Wells, who is pretty much the paragon of Christ mythology has now changed his position and has stated that the evidence pretty much shows that Jesus Christ was indeed a real person. Finding Pilot's plack and Ciaphas's ossuary were pretty big finds.

[edhopper]

108. I think Yeshua was a real man

I just don't think there is veracity to the stories in the New Testament except in the most tangential way.

[kwassa]

26. The religion haters are out in force today.

This seems to be a DU tradition on Christian holy days.

[trotsky]

30. Maybe it has something to do with the devout shoving the faith in everyone's face those days.

Some of us know all too well the ugly side, and don't appreciate the attempts to whitewash.

[skepticscott]

31. What's out in force are the apologists

who defend the virulent anti-gay bigotry of the catholic church and brush aside uncounted numbers of deaths resulting from their insane anti-condom doctrine.

[Act_of_Reparation]

32. We're not allowed to criticize the Pope on holy days of obligation?

Why? Because he's a religious leader?

Who else is off-limits today? Robertson? Manning? Graham? The Phelps clan?

[truebrit71]

51. Then perhaps they should put religious posts in the religion forum...

Just a thought....

[shrike]

56. Actually, I agree with you. No reason for them to be in GD. Put them in the Religious forum where

they belong.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

35. Some of the responses in this thread are proof positive that....

...just because you are on DU, it doesn't keep you from suppressing your inner jerk.

[skepticscott]

41. What's proven in this thread

is that there is a lot of barely concealed homophobic bigotry on DU. A lot of people whose blind devotion to the rcc overrides any devotion to progressive principles on that issue.

But of course, the religiously privileged think that pointing out and denouncing bigotry makes one a "jerk".

[rug]

89. What it demonstrates is there is a ready supply of assholery, not even barely concealed.

[skepticscott]

90. QED

[rug]

93. Res ipso facto.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

103. Jury results

On Fri Mar 25, 2016, 03:03 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

What it demonstrates is there is a ready supply of assholery, not even barely concealed.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7715320

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Calling other posters assholes is a personal attack. As usual, this poster tries to be clever and do it in a way that he thinks will avoid a hide, but it's shitty behavior and uncalled for.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Mar 25, 2016, 03:44 PM, and the Jury voted 2-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Abuse is never ok
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Rug didn't aim his commend at anyone in particular. If I feel it's aimed at me, perhaps there's a good reason for that. Anyway, not hide-worthy.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Meh. Poster is free to make an observation. I wouldn't have used those terms but whatever.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[rug]

105. Thanks for posting the results.

[shrike]

37. I don't know why anyone bothers with posts like this one

It draws out the usual shitstorm from the usual suspects. And in a way I understand: this is their playground, believers are more than likely a minority on this site. I would never post a religious picture in GD. Sometimes I wonder if people are just gluttons for punishment or if they like stirring up shit -- probably the latter.

[trotsky]

39. What do you think about the RCC's global effort to deny equal rights to homosexuals...

and deny reproductive choice to women?

[Orrex]

42. What the hell does that matter?

The pontiff knelt for a photo op, after all. Isn't that the most important thing?

[skepticscott]

43. I'm sure they think that's just fine

And that this thread is something much, much worse than the campaign by the rcc to deprive an entire segment of the world's population of their full human rights.

[shrike]

45. Didn't I say they shouldn't post this stuff in GD?

[shrike]

44. Your response proves my point. n/t

[trotsky]

58. Proves what point?

That you're more concerned about hurt feelings of religious believers than you are about the rights of women and homosexuals? Seriously?

[shrike]

61. No. Proves my point that these posts are a waste of everybody's time.

The same stuff gets said back and forth again and again. Nothing solved, nothing accomplished except for nastiness.

And I should run into some of the devout gay Catholics I know today. I'll inform them of your concern.

[trotsky]

66. Then blame the OP.

I don't like seeing bigots praised on DU.

Oh and there are devout gay Republicans too.

[shrike]

72. Yes, there certainly are, gay Republicans

There are also progressive gay Catholics. I know some. One thing I've had to learn, the gay community is a remarkably diverse group. (As is the African American community.) We can't assume all the members of one community hold the same opinion.

[trotsky]

73. "We can't assume all the members of one community hold the same opinion."

AND WHEN THE HELL DID I DO THAT?

I have insisted this entire thread that the pope and his church are officially opposing the rights of women and homosexuals around the world. Of COURSE individual Catholics might have different opinions but that doesn't change the FACTS about the official policies of the church. The opinions of those individual Catholics mean diddly-poo because the RCC is not a democratic organization.

HOORAY for Catholics who aren't homophobic, misogynistic bigots! Can we stop praising those who are?

[shrike]

74. Okay, we can agree on some things.

However, some of your compatriots are insinuating that those like myself don't belong here because we are Catholic. That we cannot be progressive and Catholic. (A bit of a shock to the progressive gay Catholic activists I know, but I digress.) If I mistakenly put you in that group, I apologize.

[skepticscott]

79. No one said that, either

Apparently you're now having to resort to just making shit up to try to win points.

What was said is that people who either directly or tacitly support and enable the bigoted policies and doctrines of the catholic church have no business calling themselves progressives. That includes a lot of catholics, including quite a few who think they're progressives, but it is not simply because they're catholic.

[shrike]

120. Actually, that's exactly what you said upthread. Oh well, I've got a busy weekend, don't have

more time for this.

[trotsky]

82. One can be progressive and Catholic. Just as one can be gay and Republican.

But you have to do your own calculations about what giving your time, money, and membership to an organization working very hard to deprive others of their rights means. And allow others to have an opinion on that as well. What would your opinion be of a DUer who gave money to Westboro Baptist because of charity work they did?

[skepticscott]

84. Gay catholics and gay republicans

take it a step further, incomprehensibly. They give time, money and membership to organizations working very hard to deprive THEM (not merely "others&quot of their rights. All of the "change from within" rationalizations in the world can't give sense to that.

[AngryAmish]

95. The OP's intent was to point out the hypocrisy of this asshole.

He leads the nation with the most restrictive immigration policy on earth and that nation has literal walls surrounding built because of Islamic sacking of that nation, but uses a press opportunity to piously lecture nations who do not want to be overwhelmed by an alien civilization.

[skepticscott]

50. Sheesh, it's sad

NOT ONE of the people these questions are put to can provide a straight, honest answer.

Sad and, on a progressive web site, disgusting.

[shrike]

52. I've changed my mind. You love these posts. There should be more of them.

[Orrex]

40. Frank is great at PR & at making bold statements about stuff he can't change

He's happy to grab the mic to tell us all about global warming, economic inequality or endangered species, which is terrific but he has no authority to do anything about those.

But anti-gay doctrine? Nope.
Anti-woman dogma? Nope.
Decades of institution-wide enabling of sexual predators? Nope.


Funny how he has great ideas about matters that he can't directly affect, but he's curiously slow to act when it's a policy that he can actually change.

[pnwmom]

49. Thank you. He's trying to influence millions of Catholics in a positive way.

And most people here just take it as an opportunity to insult him and Catholics in general.

Because we're all such paragons.

[skepticscott]

55. Yes, teaching people that homosexuals are "inherently disordered"

as the pope and his church do, sure is positive!





Yes, I'll see your bullshit sarcasm and raise you.

[trotsky]

59. Look at it this way.

Let's say when Fred Phelps was alive, that his church ran a soup kitchen. And someone on DU posted a picture of Rev. Phelps working in his soup kitchen, handing out meals to the homeless.

In that situation would you be equally opposed to anyone calling out Phelps for his rabid anti-homosexual hate?

Or is your outrage reserved only for when the bigoted leaders of YOUR church are called out?

[pnwmom]

60. When do people here ever slur all Muslims the way they feel free to slur all Catholics?

[trotsky]

63. That's funny, because there have been many threads lately complaining about the smearing of Muslims.

Here's just one. More are easy to find. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027711738

So, do you have an answer to my question? Would you object to people pointing out Phelps' bigotry?

[Gomez163]

64. We have the most liberal Pope in history

but yet some people are not satisfied. Its them not him.

[trotsky]

68. No, I'm not satisfied.

Not until his church stops trying to restrict the rights of people around the world.

But I guess that's just me, not him.

[Gomez163]

80. When the facts change and you don't change

You become a caricature. We will be laughing at you.

[trotsky]

81. I can't wait for those facts to change.

Until then, I will speak my opinion about your homophobic, misogynistic pope and the men who share his agenda.

[Bluenorthwest]

69. The context of this place is politics. Drag your sacred things into politics and others will treat

them as political objects and persons. That's our right and that is without question. If you want to keep things which are sacred to you sacred do not use them as objects of political trade. Do not come to me in a political context and say 'My bigoted anti choice priest is a good man'. If you want to do that in your Church or home or in a religious forum that's super great.

I see no reason why the OP should be allowed to promote bigots with the excuse that they are religious when this forum is political and claims to oppose bigots and to support reproductive choice, which the bigot opposes, he is actually the world's leading anti choice and anti gay activist.

He's a bigot. He's anti choice. I'm gay and pro-choice. I don't like anti choice bigots. What are you going to do about it, force me to convert at gunpoint?

[Orrex]

76. The only thing that you left out of your post...

was the mic-drop.

[Gomez163]

77. If you can't see that this Pope is different,

There is something deeply wrong with you. Seek help.

[edbermac]

83. Jury results

On Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:34 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

If you can't see that this Pope is different,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7714528

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Alleging that another poster is not mentally healthy and needs to seek psychological "help" is way over the line. The poster could have made their point with facts, but they chose to fling a mental health smear instead, which is totally uncalled for.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Mar 25, 2016, 01:41 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Another butthurt alert. Grow up crybaby.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I think this is a borderline hide, I will leave it this time but next time I may not.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Borderline post. Not quite offensive enough to hide IMO.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: You broached mental health and psychological "help". Either you are projecting, or it's all in your head.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Orrex]

85. I'd say that about 20% of my hidden posts have been for exactly that insult

Funny how the sentiment seems to hinge on whether the insult is pro-religion or con-.

[NYC Liberal]

111. "liberal" in what way?

He holds the exact same positions on women's rights, LGBT rights, social issues, and economics as pretty much every pope in a very long time.

No I am not satisfied by an anti-gay, anti-women, bigoted pope.

[yuiyoshida]

75. I wonder where this came from...

the idea of kissing the foot. I don't mean the photo, I mean the tradition. Human kind has a lot of strange ideas sometimes, but I guess no more strange than examples found in other religions.

[rug]

91. It foreshadowed the kiss of Judas.

John

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants[d] are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread[e] has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.[f] 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

The gesture of a kiss was a sign of welcome and amity. One he willingly accepted even from Judas.

[yuiyoshida]

109. I am Buddhist so I am not that

familiar with all the bible names... but thanks.

note: "has lifted his heel against me." this sounds like an Islamic thing, don't Muslims find under the foot insulting? Isn't that why they threw shoes at George W. Bush?

[pnwmom]

100. From the story in the Bible of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

Since the 12 disciples were all Jewish men, it is significant and ground breaking that the Pope has been washing the feet of women and non Catholics.

Of course some conservative Catholics have been strongly objecting. People within the Church see it for the strong message of inclusion that it carries.

[AngryAmish]

107. Actually he is just reenacting the song Universal Corner by X.

[yuiyoshida]

110. I wonder who could strongly object to washing feet

its not like dirty feet are any better.

[nichomachus]

78. Just for accuracy sake, he's not the Vicar of Rome

He's the bishop of Rome. Catholics consider him the vicar of Christ, but not the vicar of Rome.

[bvf]

113. Thanks for clearing that up.

It's an important but often overlooked distinction, much the same as the one between sprites and fairies.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101101164425AAQRiYA

[hrmjustin]

92. Lovely photo.

[bvf]

115. It would probably benefit you to read this thread

in its entirety before complimenting the OP. You might have missed something, but that was to be expected.

[hrmjustin]

116. I did read through it.

[bvf]

117. Just didn't *understand* it, huh? OK.

[hrmjustin]

118. Why do you say that?

[bvf]

119. !

[JohnnyLib2]

106. Thread is either sad, or some return to normal for DU.

Must-ponder-longer.

[NYC Liberal]

112. Well, a pope thread doesn't have 200 recs...

so I guess that's progress.