Jacques, this makes me think about all the wonderful masterpieces that might have been created by free thinkers had the church not been around to stifle and restrict the freedoms of artists. History only tells us what was, not what could have been. I’m sure you find as irritating as I do the arrogance of believers about what was accomplished by the church. We must not forget, as well, about the great works of art that have been destroyed by the believers of various religions over the centuries.

Oh, hang on a minute. These people, making decisions about women, children and other men, they ARE men, right? I mean really, could this church hate women any more than they do? Don’t mistake my meaning, they like little boys, just not woomen.

I was raised catholic, and I despise the brainwashing they perfected hundreds of years ago. Someone in my family once said to me (I paint and love music) ‘Look at all the great works of art achieved by the church”. My reply: I’d destroy every single one for the life of one single person killed as a witch, a heretic, possessed, black, yellow, whatever the changing criteria of that church. And I still would.

That 9 year old child is worth more than every single inhabitant of the Vatican, or Mecca, or Llasa or any other holy place/organisation, because she was innocent.

I reserve special animosity for the catholic church, mainly because it leaves celibate, unmarried men in charge of our youngsters. It’s just not right.

Nothing in our ’so-called’ spiritual life is worth what that child went through. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

I know how you feel.

I have had similar reactions – particularly when I mention to my RC relations that everything that Pope Ratzo says and stands for is nothing but a pack of outrageous goddam lies. We can get all pissed off about which sin is worse from the RC perspective but we have to keep in mind that the ultimate sin is not to fuck with the fairy tale and the cash flow.

Oh really?…or maybe…O’Reilly?

One more once?…Something relevant?…
I don’t know how many times I’ve linked this article; but I think it sums up a whole lot on the subject. It’s the old story (”Cherry picking”?) of Xtians NOT knowing what the hell is in their oh-so-precious Babbles. OR…
claiming something that really ISN’T there! [So much for total fucking insanity!]
at Freedom From Religion Foundation:
“What Does The Bible Say About Abortion?”
http://ffrf.org/nontracts/abortion.php
[a personal 'Fav' for passing on to any still communicating relatives & (soon to be former) friends?]

And the Catholic Church [which I was 'raised' in] has always claimed prime responsibility for the (4th Century?…at the Third Council of Carthage in 397) original “official” assembly of the (ever-so-contradictory) “New Testicle”!
The “update”, for Catholics, being the (1582) Douay-Rheims Bible…
[or is it more like the Don't-aye? version...or "Wood-eye?" (old joke!)]
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douay-Rheims_Bible

Of course, we all know how controversial all this shit is…like…
Protestant babble vs. Catholic vs. Eastern Ortho-cock vs. “WTF!”
[I don't know about youse guys...that'd be all you "Young'ns"..."but at age 69 (nice #, huh?) I'm really getting fucking tired of all the bullshit arguing! Yeah...The old, insane, Merry-go-round of human absurdity.]

Remember, Christians are moral people, really, I heard a guy say it once.

I really just can’t get over this. Ah well, fuel for the fire next time missionaries show up at my door.