Christianity and problems within it

[Buddha]

I want to get off the subject of Buddhism and Asian religion to talk about westerm religion. Christianity and in particular the ever popular Catholic Church. I know that this is not somthing that one usually goes into a discussion about, but some stuff I have seen recently has piqued my interest. One thing I find interesting is how in the modern world we STLL have an institution of this magnitude and this damn rich. They are a billion dollar company (purgatory won't empty itself, eh Mr. Benedict?) and it's all filthy money. You know who they like the most? Mafiosi who really are afraid of their eternal soul's damnation. Point aside from the tangent is that you can't ignore this organization that calls itself a religion. What do you think is thier biggest crime against humanity and why? If you don't list these then maybe you should wake up and pay attention.

Problems of the Roman Catholic Church
1. Sexual Abuse by the clergy
2. Taking money for "services" that have no obvious value to a non believer
3. Using fear and the threat of Hell to get both money and the support of people.
4. Being "holier than thou art the messanger of God" and wearing it on their collective sleeve.
Did I leave anything out or not? This is a serious discussion and yes I am going to quit smoking which is why I might not be making much sense. I can breathe much easier by the way, thanks for asking. Back to the Catholic church...any questions?

[Dracofrost]

What about the Spanish Inquisition, various witch trials, and inspiring the Crusades, and legitmizing the rule of countless brutal monarchs? At one time they had their own army, and at least one Pope even rode to war himself. I think that rather led to a lot more needless death and destruction than the things you listed, which are really rather petty crimes in comparison.

I mean, it's not like the phrase "Kill 'em all, let god sort 'em out" came from nowhere.

[Superman]

I want to get off the subject of Buddhism and Asian religion to talk about westerm religion. Christianity and in particular the ever popular Catholic Church. I know that this is not somthing that one usually goes into a discussion about, but some stuff I have seen recently has piqued my interest.

Is this supposed to be sarcasm?

[Magus]

2. Taking money for "services" that have no obvious value to a non believer

I actually don't care about this one. Let people spend money on whatever the hell they want. Really, my big gripe is that the Church abuses their tax-free status to snap up real-estate dirt cheap. Since they aren't taxed on it, they can't lose money so long as they don't sell short. This gives them a ridiculous advantage over individuals and/or corporations who actually have to give a damn whether a land purchase might not generate enough revenue to offset the property tax to be paid.

[Kitsune]

How about if a Jewish child was "Baptized" knowingly or unknowingly, the would actually kidnap the child from their parents.....

There was a great special on PBS called "secrets files of the inquisition" which you might be able to get at your library or through Netflicks.....

[Zixinus]

How about the systematic denial of medicine and education for the general populace?

[Bounty]

How about the systematic denial of medicine and education for the general populace?

You can't posit that as an absolute. Maybe it's different where you're from, but in Western Europe the catholic church invested heavily in both primary and higher education. Granted, it was at least in part as a way to ensure the students grew up to be proper little Christians, but if it wasn't for the church, education in Europe wouldn't be anywhere near where it is today.

[mr friendly guy]

Mike has a page on what the Church did during Hitler's reign. While we are at it, how about them denying it and blaming pagans.

[Rye]

I want to get off the subject of Buddhism and Asian religion to talk about westerm religion. Christianity and in particular the ever popular Catholic Church. I know that this is not somthing that one usually goes into a discussion about, but some stuff I have seen recently has piqued my interest. One thing I find interesting is how in the modern world we STLL have an institution of this magnitude and this damn rich. They are a billion dollar company (purgatory won't empty itself, eh Mr. Benedict?) and it's all filthy money. You know who they like the most? Mafiosi who really are afraid of their eternal soul's damnation. Point aside from the tangent is that you can't ignore this organization that calls itself a religion. What do you think is thier biggest crime against humanity and why? If you don't list these then maybe you should wake up and pay attention.

Problems of the Roman Catholic Church
1. Sexual Abuse by the clergy
2. Taking money for "services" that have no obvious value to a non believer
3. Using fear and the threat of Hell to get both money and the support of people.
4. Being "holier than thou art the messanger of God" and wearing it on their collective sleeve.
Did I leave anything out or not? This is a serious discussion and yes I am going to quit smoking which is why I might not be making much sense. I can breathe much easier by the way, thanks for asking. Back to the Catholic church...any questions?

Those reasons are diddly-shit compared to the ongoing exacerbation of the AIDS crisis in Africa and South America (and presumably everywhere else too). Their teaching on condoms, and their various priests in shitty countries that spread myths like condoms can't stop HIV or are in fact laced with HIV contribute more to human suffering than the sex scandals or being a "holier than thou" hypocrite.

[Ghost Rider]

Changed title because the former was personal yabbering.

[Kitsune]

Those reasons are diddly-shit compared to the ongoing exacerbation of the AIDS crisis in Africa and South America (and presumably everywhere else too). Their teaching on condoms, and their various priests in shitty countries that spread myths like condoms can't stop HIV or are in fact laced with HIV contribute more to human suffering than the sex scandals or being a "holier than thou" hypocrite.

Pretty bad when the religious leadership of Iran supports the use of Condoms

[Frank Hipper]

How about centuries of perpetuating anti-Semitism?

These stories are typical, and quite similar to the ridiculous shit found in the much, much later Protocols of the Elders of Zion:
Little St. Hugh

St. William of Norwich