The Pope has passed away

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

I recall at one point he laid a lot of blame on the worlds ills on "atheism" - which I think, was a euphamism/synonym to him for communism. Still, replace that noun with a more familiar one, and it was hate speech pure and simple.

Well, as someone who is gay, I can say in no uncertain terms that I felt at times that what he said was hurtful and disappointing. But I also realize that this came from what his religion taught him. I really couldn't expect him to go against his faith. Likewise, it is hard to imagine the leader and spokesperson of his religion saying "I'm cool with atheists not believing what I think is the most important factor of human existence." He believed that those that didn't believe were subjecting themselves to eternal torment and suffering. If that is what you believe, you are going to do your best to change people because you truly think that is what is best for them. Now, I don't have to believe the same thing and I don't. But I can understand that, in his view, he wasn't coming from a place of hate, but rather of love.

I remember when my grandfather told me at the dinner table one night that "The Beatles are responsible for destroying this country with their music and their drugs." He was telling this to someone who had already worn out most of my Beatles albums from hundreds of listens. I realized though that we only have our own life experiences in which to base our decisions on things. He came from a very different time and place than I did. As uninformed as he may have been, in his heart, he believed his position was correct. That had a profound effect on me to learn that I could respect someone and still think that some of their opinions are totally out of touch with reality. ( Hi scaeagles! )

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

I remember when my grandfather....(snip).... had a profound effect on me to learn that I could respect someone and still think that some of their opinions are totally out of touch with reality. ( Hi scaeagles! )

Well, I guess I'll choose to be flattered that thinking of your grandfather would remind you of me rather than pointing out it is because you thought he was out of touch with reality.

And those Beatles did ruin our country, dag nab it!

[MickeyLumbo]

Originally Posted by AllyOfTheDolls

Now, in the please don't-let-me-go-to-hell department, did anybody happen to witness the Fr. Thomas Williams coverage on NBC? Two words: Sweet Lordy. Hotness in a Clerical Collar.

Father, please forgive me.

i hear ya, sister

[MickeyD]

Originally Posted by MickeyLumbo

i hear ya, sister

In high school, we always called priests like that "Fr. Whatawaste".

[BarTopDancer]

I must see a photo of Fr. Whatawaste!

I think MBC has pretty much summed up everything I'd like to say perfectly.

[FEJ]

While I may not agree with him or the church all the time, I do have respect for the position he held, much the same way I do for the president or other leader of a large group. It is not always an easy job, and the decisions he made affects many people. I happened to be with my parents at a catholic church function yesterday, and seeing how the Pope's condition affected them reinforced that point.
My thoughts are with those that are touched by this loss.

[AllyOops!]

Originally Posted by MickeyD

In high school, we always called priests like that "Fr. Whatawaste".

In High School, one of my Religion instructors was Fr. Moore. Or, as I called him, Fr. "Gimmee Moore". I would always attend his Masses, and dreamily swoon. He was young and muscular, with a dark tan, and had piercing blue eyes. His nickname was "Clark Kent" because he looked exactly like Christopher Reeve in the Superman movies.

He was my first "grown-up" crush. I was so smitten that I almost joined the FISHING CLUB because he was head organizer. How romantic for us two, swept out to sea? Surely he would swoon right back when he saw me handle a tackle box ( and then proceed to stab myself to death with various, colorful hooks since I've never been fishing in my life ) When it came to Confession, I would avoid him at all costs. How could he fall in love with me if he knew all of my sins?

A schoolgirl crush on a Priest seems so taboo! I suffered from awful, awful guilt. A man of the Cloth is totally forbidden. There was absolutely no way I could ever entertain that thought without thinking I was a terrible person. Thornbirds much?

BarTopDancer~ I looked for pictures of Fr. Thomas Williams! If I find one, I'll post it for you, me & Mickey Lumbo!

I'm so sorry for derailing. I have been watching the Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II in the Dowtown Los Angeles Cathedral on KTLA, and catching whatever news I can. I'm sure there will be much more news at eleven o' clock.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by AllyOfTheDolls

I'm so sorry for derailing. I have been watching the Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II in the Dowtown Los Angeles Cathedral on KTLA, and catching whatever news I can. I'm sure there will be much more news at eleven o' clock.

CNN has PLENTY of coverage if you want more. I don't think they have covered anything else today.

[MickeyLumbo]

Originally Posted by AllyOfTheDolls

In High School, one of my Religion instructors was Fr. Moore. Or, as I called him, Fr. "Gimmee Moore". .

[Name]

Originally Posted by AllyOfTheDolls

When it came to Confession, I would avoid him at all costs. How could he fall in love with me if he knew all of my sins?

[Derail cont.]If the "sins" were juicy enough, you may have been doing him a favor, but that is just my state of mind right now. [/derail]