the pope and his respect

why is it that theists are ridiculed publicly on television and the pope is not? this really confuses me; is it because the pope has a position of power that he is not considered a nut? or at least not called one to his face?

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why is it that theists are ridiculed publicly on television and the pope is not?

Because I don't have a television program.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why is it that theists are ridiculed publicly on television and the pope is not? this really confuses me; is it because the pope has a position of power that he is not considered a nut? or at least not called one to his face?

Anyone who dared ridicule the Pope in public would be hunted down and killed by the assassins of Opus Dei.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why is it that theists are ridiculed publicly on television and the pope is not? this really confuses me; is it because the pope has a position of power that he is not considered a nut? or at least not called one to his face?

For the same reason that many people will not ridicule Islam publicly on television:
1. fear of a backlash from all the followers.
2. respect for religion in general.

I would readily ridicule the pope (within reason) but probably not on television for reason 1. ie I might not be able to get a job in future.

I do not consider him a nut. He like politicians is willing to sacrifice personal morality either for personal gain or what he perceives to be 'the greater good.'

Originally posted by no1marauder
Anyone who dared ridicule the Pope in public would be hunted down and killed by the assassins of Opus Dei.

You know, depending on how severe the arrows were that flew from the mouth of the verbal attacker to the popes ears, I would almost have to agree with you.

There are over a billion Catholics on this pale blue dot.

And billions of dollars are collected each year. That kind of money is serious.
Anything serious enough to negatively affect the cash flow would surely be snuffed out.

Hey, I'm just saying...

the pope can say things like "katrina was punishment by god" and people may look at that same "hmmm. idk, maybe he is right." and then some random nut on the streets can say "katrina is punishment for our sins by god." and somebody listening would laugh.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
the pope can say things like "katrina was punishment by god" and people may look at that same "hmmm. idk, maybe he is right." and then some random nut on the streets can say "katrina is punishment for our sins by god." and somebody listening would laugh.

We laugh at the pope when he comes out with that rubbish too. Remember, it was just a couple of weeks ago he tried to blame the worst atrocities to have ever happened in history on atheists, despite, well, despite reality. I remember all the fun we had, ahh, happier days...

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
why is it that theists are ridiculed publicly on television and the pope is not? this really confuses me; is it because the pope has a position of power that he is not considered a nut? or at least not called one to his face?

He doesn't meddle openly in American politics. Thats why I don't talk about him much.

However the Catholics coming up from Mexico irritate me too. They just have little influence at this time, and what influence they develop will automatically remove the Pope from the process while exaggerating their Christianity American style.

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
He doesn't meddle openly in American politics. Thats why I don't talk about him much.

However the Catholics coming up from Mexico irritate me too. They just have little influence at this time, and what influence they develop will automatically remove the Pope from the process while exaggerating their Christianity American style.

Hispanics tend to vote Democrat.

Originally posted by rwingett
Hispanics tend to vote Democrat.

I don't like Democrats much, actually. They're just a little better than Republicans. The Gores and the Democratic stereotype of being "socialistic" bother me.

And I certainly don't like a religion with an official worldwide leader who has his own city sized country yet has all the flaws of being Christians...

There's a strong element of racialism among the Mexican population I've met (for example, my Nina). The Avenues are committing hate crimes on blacks regularly whether or not the person in question is part of the "gang world". I can easily see Hispanics absorbing into the oppressive elite. It's the Imperial Spanish/Mexican way.

There's a big difference down there whether you're the smoking hot blue eyed blond Mexican girl working down at the carniceria (my friend Jason used to call her "Carnitas" because he wanted to eat her delicious flesh...in a non Hannibal Lecter way) or one of the short, brown, stocky people who quietly stand outside of Home Depot looking for work.

When I'm around Mexicans, I feel like nobility simply because of my blue eyes and American accent. They're intimidated, uncomfortable, impressed, and rebellious...for no reason whatsoever.

Originally posted by EcstremeVenom
the pope can say things like "katrina was punishment by god" and people may look at that same "hmmm. idk, maybe he is right." and then some random nut on the streets can say "katrina is punishment for our sins by god." and somebody listening would laugh.

I do not recall the Pope ever decrying this. Can you provide a link to a speech in which he made this claim?

If the Pope did make this claim, I am sure he was subjected to much ridicule. If you remember his Regensberg speech in which he claimed that Muslim theology supports faith through violence, he was widely criticised. The most mild reports described his comments as "an embarassing gaffe."

Originally posted by scottishinnz
We laugh at the pope when he comes out with that rubbish too. Remember, it was just a couple of weeks ago he tried to blame the worst atrocities to have ever happened in history on atheists, despite, well, despite reality. I remember all the fun we had, ahh, happier days...

I assume you refer to Spe Salvi? If so, he does not blame atheism, per se. Rather the lays responsibility on the idea that "humanity can and must do what no God actually does or is able to do." The Pope observes that when an ideology supplants religious belief, violence can ensue. It is therefore not atheism which is the cause of the heinous atrocities of the 20th century, but rather ideological dogmas which have been formulated to replace theism. In regards to Communism, this can cleary be seen.

Originally posted by Conrau K
It is therefore not atheism which is the cause of the heinous atrocities of the 20th century, but rather ideological dogmas which have been formulated to replace theism. In regards to Communism, this can cleary be seen.

Are the Crusades carried out by the Roman Catholic Church another example?

Originally posted by Conrau K
I do not recall the Pope ever decrying this. Can you provide a link to a speech in which he made this claim?

If the Pope did make this claim, I am sure he was subjected to much ridicule. If you remember his Regensberg speech in which he claimed that Muslim theology supports faith through violence, he was widely criticised. The most mild reports described his comments as "an embarassing gaffe."

it was a long time ago and it would be impossible to dig up the link, i used an old example. it is true, although you dont need to take my word for it.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Are the Crusades carried out by the Roman Catholic Church another example?

No. They did not occur in the 20th century.