Comments on: When will I ever learn?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:42:52 +0000

Well it’s more than a little bit disingenuous to be a member of a cult which goes to extraordinary lengths to label me “evil” and one of the greatest threats to mankind, and then react by calling someone who disagrees with this stance a “hater”. Pot to kettle: “You’re black!”

As to the “flaw” in my argument… Does religion not promise reward and punishment? If Catholics’ motivation has naught to do with Heaven and Hell, then I assume you have no fear of going to Hell, and do not look forward to going to Heaven one little bit. Would you care to confirm your complete indifference to your fate for me, please?

Why should charity be connected to having a “personal” understanding of the situation? I certainly don’t need to live on the streets for 6 weeks in order to understand there is homelessness. (6 weeks being the length of time which it took your friend to finally understand that poverty exists in one area of the world… does he need to also spend 6 weeks)

You say “Charity is closely connected to having a personal understanding of the situation”. Well you seem to be making a big exception for “Charity”, as personal connection has little to nothing to do with any other Catholic doctrine or practice…
For example, if I agreed with you (which I don’t) that you have to have a personal understanding of a situation to be aware of it, then surely you’re saying that the Pope is either (a) unqualified to lecture about the “evilness” or homosexuality (since he has no personal understanding of it), or (b) are you saying the Pope is bisexual or just a big poof in a frock?

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:17:59 +0000

Wow Jonathan, way to be a hater.

Your argument structure is completely flawed, as your premise that religion is about greed and hatred is based upon a hypothetical situation that is unlikely to occur.

I think the main problem with getting people to assist in charity work is that the average church-goer is too far removed from the actual situation.

For example, my best friend had little to no understanding of the poverty and issues facing people in Malawi and did not lift a finger in response to calls for aid. However after he completed a 6week mission trip to Malawi, he has spent much of his time raising awareness and funds for the region.

Charity is closely connected to having a personal understanding of the situation.

Loving your work Father Bob, keep it up.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:15:59 +0000

Here’s a little experiment I propose:

Ask your congregation to write letters to the Government in opposition to gay marriage, and I’ll bet you get 200 responses post-haste!

And you’re *really* surprised they won’t lift a finger to help feed the poor?

It just goes to show that most religion is more about greed (attaining a personal reward in Heaven/evasion of punishment in Hell), and being nasty to those you just don’t like (bashing the gays).

How long have you been a priest? And you’ve only just worked out what’s blindingly obvious to those of us raised outside of your death cult?

Shame, Father Bob!

By: christina Aitken

christina Aitken — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:26:30 +0000

I think that the problem is that we have contracted out caring for the poor. I am a social worker employed by a large parachurch organisation. The denomination represented is more likely to put a few bucks in the plate than actually interact more personally with what it means to care for the poor. I do think these organisations are beneficial, and certainly when they first formed, were powerfully used to champion the needs of the disadvantaged. But your average church goer is too removed, or would rather leave it to the experts. Even a simple tin of food can be too much. Its sad really.