Aneirin
Posts: 6121
Joined: 3/18/2006 From: Tamaris Status: offline
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Although I was not particularly welcoming of the idea that the pope was coming to Britain, I have to say since watching his arrival and drive through the streets of Edinburgh on the tv, I was quite pleased the event appeared to be pleasing a lot of people, those people that turned out to wave him by. Understandably the security services are a bit jumpy what with the internet traffic and threats that are going around, but aside from those arrested for whatever reason, the visit appears to be peaceful and with that I am welcoming of peaceful events, for they instil happiness in people. As to the protests raised regarding ratzinger, well, he is the head of an ancient organisation that works very slowly, undoubtedly the wrongs done will be corrected in time, for the church learns slowly and with that slowness, comes much thought as to ensure it's future survival. Perhaps the speed at which the catholic church moves is the correct speed, as it is considered speed controlled by depth of thought, as we all know knee jerk reactions achieve very little in the line of positive action that actually works in the long term. I personally am for what the pope has suggested of Islam, the separation of church and state, but I will go further than his ideas about Islam and extend that notion to all beliefs, the separation of church and state for all countries would be a massive step in the right direction. With that, such things as paedophile priests, they are dealt with by the authorities of the country the offender is in as a common criminal not someone who is controlled by another in a land far far away. Religious workers should not have diplomatic immunity from common crime, as what they are, are basically workers for an organisation, they commit crime, they suffer the consequences. If such an action would be taken up, the Vatican will understand quickly that if their religion is going to continue, it must work harder to rid the undesirables in their ranks. Just think, no references to god as a means of justifying something, as what is happening in reality, in invoking the name of god, it controls thought, which is illogical, may as well invoke the name of the tooth fairy or Mickey Mouse as to unbelievers it means just the same, someone pushing through their ideals and silencing the believers who may protest, as if that person has an even better lifeline to god by view of their political position. But as for the pope in the UK, as long as peace prospers, I now have no problem.
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Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone
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