Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

[plwk]

phpBB .

Citing advanced years and infirmity, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic world on Monday by saying that he would resign on Feb. 28 after less than eight years in office, the first pope to do so in six centuries. More here

[tiltbillings]

It will be interesting to see if there are more sex scandals, or such, that will come to light. That stuff has to have been an unbelievable burden to contend with.

[LonesomeYogurt]

Does he get to keep the hat?

[tiltbillings]

Does he get to keep the hat?

No. That and all other -- as Bishop Fulton J. Sheen called them -- glad rags get retired.

[Polar Bear]

He is going to keep living in the Vatican though.

[LonesomeYogurt]

A friend of mine posted on Facebook the Vatican's new Help Wanted ad:


WANTED:
Someone to replace a former Hitler youth as Vice-President for a large multi-national organization.

MUST HAVE:
1. A strong work ethic
2. Indifference toward a history of violence and oppression
3. Antiquated and bigoted belief system
4. Ability to look the other way at widespread violations of office policy on sexual harassment.
5. Strong communication skills (commands from the head office may be non-existent, and/or vague to the point of fractious disputes over interpretation)

Familiarity with Latin and/or Microsoft Excel is considered a plus.

[Jay1]

As I have mentioned many times before, the disrespect of other faiths that I have observed from some of the members in this website is disturbing. I am not a Catholic, by the way.

Edit: If I weren't convinced of Buddhism before I cam to this site, I would've never become a Buddhist because I would've said:
"See, (insert real name), they are no different from other religious groups." The heaven, hell and devas wouldn't have helped either.

[DNS]

As I have mentioned many times before, the disrespect of other faiths in this website is disturbing. I am not a Catholic, by the way.

Edit: If I weren't convinced of Buddhism before I cam to this site, I would've never become a Buddhist because I would've said:
"See, (insert real name), they are no different from other religious groups." The heaven, hell and devas wouldn't have helped either.

If you see an offensive post, you can report it to the moderating team. It is the ! above each post.

Just because one person from (insert group) may have written something offensive, it would be inappropriate to generalize all participants of said group as if all are offensive.

In the same way, if we encounter a criminal from (insert group, race) we don't generalize all members of that group or race as criminals.

[LonesomeYogurt]

As I have mentioned many times before, the disrespect of other faiths in this website is disturbing. I am not a Catholic, by the way.

Edit: If I weren't convinced of Buddhism before I cam to this site, I would've never become a Buddhist because I would've said:
"See, (insert real name), they are no different from other religious groups." The heaven, hell and devas wouldn't have helped either.

I apologize if I caused any hurt to Mr. Benedict or anyone who believes that he, a bigot and a liar, is the chosen agent of God on Earth. I'm still waiting on the apology from Mr. Benedict to the gays, lesbians, HIV/AIDS victims, marginalized women, and abused children that he hurt. But hey, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

I don't think we disrespect other religions. I think we criticize, perhaps irreverently, those who use religions, Buddhist or otherwise, to bandy about archaic prejudice and superstition at the expense of vulnerable and weak human beings. We also occasionally poke fun at supposedly all-powerful, benevolent Gods who endorse and/or personally perform hideous acts of genocide, rape, slavery, slaughter, racism, homophobic violence, and deep, unrelenting misogyny.

[Bonsai Doug]

Doesn't effect me, but as this has not occurred in about 600 years, I wonder what a retired/resigned Pope does? Will he go back to being a Cardinal? An adviser to the newly elected Pope? This might prove to be interesting to see unfold, as it will be played out in the world press.

[Jay1]

As I have mentioned many times before, I am not a Catholic, by the way.

Edit: If I weren't convinced of Buddhism before I cam to this site, I would've never become a Buddhist because I would've said:
"See, (insert real name), they are no different from other religious groups." The heaven, hell and devas wouldn't have helped either.

If you see an offensive post, you can report it to the moderating team. It is the ! above each post.

Just because one person from (insert group) may have written something offensive, it would be inappropriate to generalize all participants of said group as if all are offensive.

In the same way, if we encounter a criminal from (insert group, race) we don't generalize all members of that group or race as criminals.

It is not offensive, just unskillfully written. There are different levels of ill conduct and I have no intention to remove or to support the removal of a post that is not malicious. That post was not malicious, I even giggled at the Latin part. I am simply pointing out that this is not a way a Buddhist should respond. I think. I could be wrong but it does say something that I could find atheist's forums with less radical views on theists.

I am sorry for my sweeping statement, though. I'll edit it from "the disrespect of other faiths in this website is disturbing." to "the disrespect of other faiths that I have observed from some of the members in this website is disturbing."

[Jay1]

As I have mentioned many times before, the disrespect of other faiths in this website is disturbing. I am not a Catholic, by the way.

Edit: If I weren't convinced of Buddhism before I cam to this site, I would've never become a Buddhist because I would've said:
"See, (insert real name), they are no different from other religious groups." The heaven, hell and devas wouldn't have helped either.

I apologize if I caused any hurt to Mr. Benedict or anyone who believes that he, a bigot and a liar, is the chosen agent of God on Earth. I'm still waiting on the apology from Mr. Benedict to the gays, lesbians, HIV/AIDS victims, marginalized women, and abused children that he hurt. But hey, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

I don't think we disrespect other religions. I think we criticize, perhaps irreverently, those who use religions, Buddhist or otherwise, to bandy about archaic prejudice and superstition at the expense of vulnerable and weak human beings. We also occasionally poke fun at supposedly all-powerful, benevolent Gods who endorse and/or personally perform hideous acts of genocide, rape, slavery, slaughter, racism, homophobic violence, and deep, unrelenting misogyny.

The website is biased.

[LonesomeYogurt]

The website is biased.

The website doesn't exist to give a comprehensive overview of all events in the Bible. It simply showcases, quite effectively, I might add, the depths of cruelty to which Jehovah sinks to on multiple occasions. No amount of positives on the other side could give pardon.

[Modus.Ponens]

PC sometimes is BS.

[daverupa]

"By failing to live by the letter of the texts, while tolerating the irrationality of those who do, religious moderates betray faith and reason equally."

Sam Harris

[Kim OHara]

"By failing to live by the letter of the texts, while tolerating the irrationality of those who do, religious moderates betray faith and reason equally."

Sam Harris

Once I worked out what that meant , I agreed with it ... mostly, anyway.
Terry Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax said much the same sort of thing (in Carpe Jugulum, IIRC), berating the Omnian [read 'Christian'] missionary for being too milk-and-water when he should have been fire-and-brimstone if his faith were wholehearted.
Aussie philosopher Tamas Pataki said it too, more formally and at greater length, in Against Religion.
Are they all correct? Yes, but we are better off not saying it too loudly or too often because the more relaxed the monotheists become regarding the letter of the texts, the more reasonable they can become in dealing with those who don't share their beliefs.

Getting back to the topic: I think it's a good thing that Benedict has retired. Two reasons: (1) he was always a reactionary and the world needs a more progressive Pope, and (2) his retirement breaks another shackle-of-the-past and the Catholic church needs to get better at that.
But let's be polite to each other - it's a small planet.


Kim

[m0rl0ck]

A friend of mine posted on Facebook the Vatican's new Help Wanted ad:


WANTED:
Someone to replace a former Hitler youth as Vice-President for a large multi-national organization.

MUST HAVE:
1. A strong work ethic
2. Indifference toward a history of violence and oppression
3. Antiquated and bigoted belief system
4. Ability to look the other way at widespread violations of office policy on sexual harassment.
5. Strong communication skills (commands from the head office may be non-existent, and/or vague to the point of fractious disputes over interpretation)

Familiarity with Latin and/or Microsoft Excel is considered a plus.

[Kim OHara]

The website is biased.

The website doesn't exist to give a comprehensive overview of all events in the Bible. It simply showcases, quite effectively, I might add, the depths of cruelty to which Jehovah sinks to on multiple occasions. No amount of positives on the other side could give pardon.

Just how can a non-existent disembodied intelligence be cruel?

Kim

[manas]

I'm disappointed with how he dealt with (or rather, didn't deal with) the abuse of children that has brought warranted disgrace to the Catholic Church. But I must admit, I find his letter of resignation to be quite moving, and to my mind, it sounds quite humble and sincere. And, there is a softer, more kind expression in his eyes now; as if something has changed in him.

[Ben]

I won't be shedding any tears for pope ratzinger.
And, I get my name back.