Rodney Baxendale: It doesn't matter what our faith is, we all need the Pope

“Thank you Bill for your help in pointing out what the article is not about.
It is simply an appeal that we need thinkers of all descriptions to help us form our own opinions: we can violently disagree with someone, and then use our disagreement to help us work out what we think.
Mr Baxendale is not a Roman Catholic by the way, so he has no reason to promote the Pope or his ideas.”

“It seems, Bill, that Rodney is proposing that the Pope is an accurate, and god-given, source of deep and meaningful philosophy whereas we all know that the theology within the church is almost as bad as those of Saddam Hussain, the Ayatollah and other powerful despots around the globe; the results are the same: persecution and restriction of peoples' right to make their own choices. His morals are questionable.

I don't think we need people like the Pope to dictate to us about living morals. Our group morals guide us. We all have a varying sense of morals, of right and wrong, but the concensus usually determines the acceptable standards to which we live by. Not perfect by any means but that's what's being human is all about.”

“I dont see why this vile cult of pedophiles, homophobes, and purely backwards minded fools should be given any publicity from a local paper......let alone have the opinions of there members presented as `news`”

“_BillChapman

I see no need for it what so ever, let alone in the `news` section I am getting pretty sick of seeing opinion piece after opinion piece from a religious point of view in what is meant to be a section to report factual news matters.

If I wanted to be bombarded with religious bs id take out a subscription to an evangelical mag.....save it for church please.”

“I can't figger catholics out, for example why do they pray to Jesus's mum? Jesus never said to pray to anybody except to him and God.
Also catholics say Jesus was God, even though he himself said- "Only God knows when Judgment Day will be, I don't know myself" (Mark 13:32)
It's a rum do all round if you ask me..”

“Hehe....I do take your point but ultimately, I do not see this article being about the Pope, Catholicism or religion in general. I personally see this as being about the nature of moral philosophy and the importance of having people in public life (politicians, religious leaders, celebrities, I really don't care who) bringing up the subject of ethical issues for me to either consider, support or get wound up about.

If the author was just piously banging on about the wonders of Christianity in the 21st century, I would have no hesitation in agreeing with you. I see the fact that it uses a religious leader as an example and has been written by a member of the clergy as being pretty much irrelevant to the central argument. We can discuss the historical train wreck that is the backstory of the major religious institutions and I am pretty sure I would agree with much of what you say but I do feel that viewing this piece as shot of sycophantic simplicity from the pulpit may be a little off centre ?

For what it is worth, after many years of fervant, foaming at the mouth, Dawkinsesque atheism and a brief flirtation with evangelism, I think I would describe myself as an open minded agnostic with strong rational leanings so please do not think for one second I am defending the vatican or religion in general.

I also agree with you that the internet is a fantastic method of communication but surely it is just that, in essence a media - an opinion delivery system. Surely, without opinion, this page would merely be a menu bar and a few adverts ?”

“While I think a lot of your comment is good,Bill, I see no reason for the commentator to preach to the masses when it's his own house that needs reviewing. If any organisation is behind the times it's the Vatican.
For the atheists and agnostics among us, we believe that the increasing availability of knowledge afforded to us by the media and the internet, is proving to be a channel which enable public outrage and reform of wrongdoings, at all levels.
Remember it was the Catholic church that suppressed knowledge as a way to control the masses. Only stubbornness and publicity has cleared it away.
Rodney's views are not unique or new. The people already know.”

“Is the author asking us to convert to Catholicism ? No. Is the author defending paedophilia ? No. Is the author defending religion ? Not particularly. Could the same comments be made about atheist moral philosophers ? I would say so. Is that the point of the article ? I think so. Personally, I find many of the conservative views held by religious leaders totally abhorrent but that is not the point - the point is that my views have become stronger by listening to theirs. I want these people and institutions to challenge my views as that process will either solidify them or change them. Does this make me weak ? Well, the the ability to be able to change our minds is what has put us at the top of the evolutionary ladder (hehe...depending on your view of creationism).

To me, this article is about the positive connection between thinking something and then saying it with the belief that it will stimulate debate and may change people's minds. Without something to either agree or disagree with, how do we know if we are right ? The Pope will speak publically of his views, we will know about them and have the ability to appraise them and, as I stated before, our ability to be able to not automatically block new ideas is what has enabled us to survive.

A priest advised Voltaire on his death bed to renounce the devil. Replied Voltaire, "This is no time to make new enemies."”

“i dont even care about the pope and never will if im honest!!!”

“this must be the first pope where his bobblehead looks better than him”