And the new pope is...

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:23 pm

*drumroll*

....the worst possible choice!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 349071.htm

Gah, just when you think things can't get any more rediculous....

One thing I am certain of: Protestant missionaries are now doing their own happy dance over this.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:47 pm

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:50 pm

Yep. The ex-Hitler Youth Conservative Right-Winger. That's certainly going to make people warm to the Catholic faith

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:54 pm

Shouldn't it have been Shockwave?

god · Post by **god** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:44 pm

well

i like him

i rather have a smart conservative pope then a dumb lefty one

he's a interim pope anyway, he can hold things togheter till a new acceptable one is ready

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:46 pm

so that's where Unique Ron got to...

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:50 pm

Why 'Benedict the 16th'?? All the commentators here are saying he wanted a unique name, well then why not call himself Pope Spud or something?

Pope Left Ventricle? Pope Boozlewortolafbiscuitbarrel?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:51 pm

Speaking from a purely canine point of view, he's a German Shepherd*, and there's nothing you can do about it!

Seriously, that's what some theology woman just called him on Newsnight.

*Alternative name for the Alsatian breed of dog used mostly for police and guard duty.

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:53 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:Why 'Benedict the 16th'?? All the commentators here are saying he wanted a unique name, well then why not call himself Pope Spud or something?

Pope Left Ventricle? Pope Boozlewortolafbiscuitbarrel?

Pope JackBoot I?

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:56 pm

i'm telling ya... it's Pope Ron 1st...

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:22 pm

"If you will not be turned....

..... you will be destroyed!"

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:30 pm

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:32 pm

An evil looking Pope named "Benedict": that's just what we need in the 21st century, as we collectively slide towards ARMAGEDDDON!!!!!

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:14 am

holy ****!

WTF is up with you relgious [composite word including 'f*ck']?...

dear god save me... err

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:13 am

Ya know Karl. The guy hasnt even been Pope for 24 hours and youve already decided you hate him. As an American Catholic, Im a little nervous about the direction he wants to point the church in. But I will at least wait to see what hes all about before I start throwing stones.

And as far as the Nazi thing goes, he only really had 2 choices at the time didnt he? And when he had the opportunity, he ran.

jboyler · Post by **jboyler** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:24 am

Optimus Prime Rib wrote: The guy hasnt even been Pope for 24 hours and youve already decided you hate him.

All this vitriolic Pope-bashing really is unwarranted, and I don't understand how you can be so opposed to someone just because the media has labeled him "conservative."

It seems to me that if a "liberal" Pope came in and suddenly re-worked the church to make it palatable to Western secularization, wouldn't that reflect noncommittal worshippers and an apathetic clergy? It just seems to me that if a Pope defends traditional Catholic practices then he is doing his job.

Somehow I always thought that religion was about devoting yourself to the service of something greater than yourself, not the other way around. If the church changed itself to serve me instead of the other way around, what kind of faith would that be?

-J

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:01 am

jboyler wrote: All this vitriolic Pope-bashing really is unwarranted, and I don't understand how you can be so opposed to someone just because the media has labeled him "conservative."

It's not just the media, it's the things he has said in the past about the role of women in the church which are very conservative. And his view on abortion/birth control/hiv.

But let's hope for the best.

What I don't understand is why they choose such very old men! I mean, on the news they said that he had a 'good age' and was 'not too young'. He is 78! Normal people have retired 15 years ago!

Can't they just let him have a nice old age and leave him alone?

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:21 am

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Ya know Karl. The guy hasnt even been Pope for 24 hours and youve already decided you hate him. As an American Catholic, Im a little nervous about the direction he wants to point the church in. But I will at least wait to see what hes all about before I start throwing stones.

And as far as the Nazi thing goes, he only really had 2 choices at the time didnt he? And when he had the opportunity, he ran.

If you want to hear my real opinions of him I'll happily oblige. I utterly loath religion. I've seen what it does and the people it can destroy based on 'My god says X Y and Z'.

You want to sit and 'see what he's like' you do exactly that. I see little point myself as its not like the chap has magically appeared from nowhere and nobody knows what his opinions are. His cards have been laid on the table for some time. Am I meant to give him a few months to preach them for a bit before I'm allow my view?

As to what I consider the utter claptrap of:

It seems to me that if a "liberal" Pope came in and suddenly re-worked the church to make it palatable to Western secularization, wouldn't that reflect noncommittal worshippers and an apathetic clergy? It just seems to me that if a Pope defends traditional Catholic practices then he is doing his job.

Somehow I always thought that religion was about devoting yourself to the service of something greater than yourself, not the other way around. If the church changed itself to serve me instead of the other way around, what kind of faith would that be?

So supression of women and homosexuals is perfectly alright as you're serving something greater than yourself in your view? I fundmantally disagree and don't see why that should in any way be considered a defence of a doctrine I consider to be as flawed as the repression of black people.

All this vitriolic Pope-bashing really is unwarranted, and I don't understand how you can be so opposed to someone just because the media has labeled him "conservative."

Because naturally its the buzz words the media use rather than the mans actual opinions which decide my opinions.

You want to do a little jig about the new Pope you can go ahead and do it, I can't stop you. I refused to cry on principle when the last one died, and given this guy's views I fail to see why I should be happy in the slightest that values which I consider to be repulsive and oppressive are going to be further expounded and probably strengthened.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:38 am

Karl Lynch wrote:If you want to hear my real opinions of him I'll happily oblige. I utterly loath religion. I've seen what it does and the people it can destroy based on 'My god says X Y and Z'.

*hugs*

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:41 am

Nonetheless though, even though I'm highly dubious this will occur, we should at least give him a chance to become more moderate now that he's risen to power.

I think between their views on contraceptives, gender equality, homosexuality, and the ridiculousness that was Cardinal Law giving John Paul's Mass, the Catholic Church has got a lot on its plate.

Now I know that Benedict XVI probably stands on the wrong side of many of these issues, in my opinion. But I don't think the Catholic Church can continue to push these archaic views, at least not in their current form. The information and communication dam has burst, so to speak. And he will HAVE to address that.

And anyways, as Eline said, he's 78. They'll pick another Pope before we're all dead and gone.

All I'm saying is: Hope Springs Eternal.

But as far as the whole "religion is ridiculous" thread? Totally. totally.

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:30 am

{sigh} I guess you're right shanti. I get so angry at religious leaders... I've had to give up watching programs that include them, regardless of the faith they subscribe to, because it just puts my blood pressure through the roof.

{hugs emvee}

Bouncelot · Post by **Bouncelot** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:55 am

There is a fair chance that he will soften on a few issues now he's pope. The most likely are letting priests be married, and a slight shift on contraception to say that condoms are OK in cases of AIDS. Let him settle in for a bit before deciding he's going to be as ultra-conservative as you fear. Apparently in his younger days he used to be a bit more on the liberal side, there's a chance he might start goind back in that direction. Plus, he won't be there too long.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:21 pm

It's almost imaginable, isn't it?

The Pope dies.
They bury him.
The Cardinals use Conclave to choose the new Pope.
Overexcited at being told he's won the ballot, the ageing Cardinal-Pope keels over, his clogs well and truly popped.
The remaining Cardinals use Conclave again.
*Whittling down the Cardinals*

Maybe they should choose someone a bit younger next time, eh? Like they used to on Doctor Who*.

*Well, I always thought the successor was younger than his predecessor. Or looked younger, anyway.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:53 pm

I'll leave my religion bashing at the door and say just this:

The current Pope is a former Nazi.

NAZI!!!

Where's Ultimate Weapon? Get him in here to defend the NAZI POPE!

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:21 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:{sigh} I guess you're right shanti. I get so angry at religious leaders... I've had to give up watching programs that include them, regardless of the faith they subscribe to, because it just puts my blood pressure through the roof.

{hugs emvee}

Karl, you've got every right to be leary of this new pope, given his track record and statements about trying to have a "pure" church. Stuff like this makes me ashamed to have ever called myself a Christian and make me glad I ditched it.

*hugs just for the heck of it*

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:24 pm

Once again, he was a German boy in the middle of WWII. How many choices do you think he had? And all he really did before he ran from the war machine was act as a gopher. He was too young to fight.

Also, he was chosen as Pope as a short term interim Pope. The Cardinals and the current Pope all know that he will not be around much longer. The general idea was to get a Pope who would finish what John Paull II started.

The College of Cardinals fears change and know that should an American or Asian Cardinal, or even a young Cardinal be elected Pope then the church as a whole could change.

Like Ive stated before, American Catholics are kind of shunned because we are "corrupted by capitolism" or whatever the new cause is. The fact is, we still believe, we just dont necassarily agree with everything that is decreed.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:35 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Once again, he was a German boy in the middle of WWII. How many choices do you think he had?

So he was just following orders, eh? I seem to recall a certain trial that put that excuse to bed...

Bouncelot · Post by **Bouncelot** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:24 pm

Professor Smooth wrote:
Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Once again, he was a German boy in the middle of WWII. How many choices do you think he had?
So he was just following orders, eh? I seem to recall a certain trial that put that excuse to bed...

He was consripted into the Hitler Youth, along with every other boy of his age in the country. By your argument, pretty much every German of his age was a Nazi. If you're going to judge him, do it based on a criteria which is actually relevant.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:59 pm

Bouncelot wrote:
Professor Smooth wrote:
Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Once again, he was a German boy in the middle of WWII. How many choices do you think he had?
So he was just following orders, eh? I seem to recall a certain trial that put that excuse to bed...
He was consripted into the Hitler Youth, along with every other boy of his age in the country. By your argument, pretty much every German of his age was a Nazi. If you're going to judge him, do it based on a criteria which is actually relevant.

You're right. Just about every single German youth at the time was a nazi. Which doesn't make my point any less valid. The man who's serving as Pope was once a card carrying nazi! Not saying they're still nazis. I'm not saying all Germans are nazis. I'm not even saying the Pope did anything wrong. I'm just saying he's a former nazi. Not a big deal, but no less true.

Osku · Post by **Osku** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:10 am

Professor Smooth wrote:You're right. Just about every single German youth at the time was a nazi. Which doesn't make my point any less valid. The man who's serving as Pope was once a card carrying nazi! Not saying they're still nazis. I'm not saying all Germans are nazis. I'm not even saying the Pope did anything wrong. I'm just saying he's a former nazi. Not a big deal, but no less true.

You know, I thought it was more like a joke that people consider the new Pope an ex-nazi.

It seems not.