Organized Religion Discussion Thread

[Shintetsu]

And because I don't understand:

Definition of SANCTIMONIOUS: hypocritically pious or devout (Merriam-Webster)
Parochialism means being provincial, being narrow in scope, or considering only small sections of an issue. (Wikipedia)

And I concur with your statement.

[atdsutm]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/new...s-20120202

A word of warning: This article is potential rage fuel.

gotta love humanity!!!!

[Zefyr]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/new...s-20120202

A word of warning: This article is potential rage fuel.

Rage fuel indeed. I hate it when I read up on things like this. Humanity is going to stubbornly hold onto its outdated beliefs and force it onto others. I'd like to think I'm pretty religious, but when someone allows the discrimination of others based on religion and all that jazz it's just appalling. Accursed closed-minded hypocrites.

[Twin-Skies]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/new...s-20120202

A word of warning: This article is potential rage fuel.

Rage fuel indeed. I hate it when I read up on things like this. Humanity is going to stubbornly hold onto its outdated beliefs and force it onto others. I'd like to think I'm pretty religious, but when someone allows the discrimination of others based on religion and all that jazz it's just appalling. Accursed closed-minded hypocrites.

People like Michelle Bachmann and these bullies are among the few reasons I wish there was a real hell.

[NiX]

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02...-says.html

Italy to end tax breaks on Church.

I think this is awesome progress for the world. Here's to hoping that (somehow, someday) the PHL will follow suit.

[Grim]

This isn't "news", but it does fall under the whole religion category. I'd like to know, what do you guys plan giving up for Lent?

Personally, I'm giving up rice, smoking, and Ms. Mary Palmer. All three are difficult, which is the point. If I manage to make it through Lent without smoking I might be able to give it up for good.

[NiX]

Haha I think it's apparent that I don't believe in the custom any more, but I do see the value of using it as a catalyst for betterment/discipline. If anything, I ought to ween myself from procrastinating. =/

[Fox]

I still have a bit of faith, even though i'm a non-practicing Catholic by this point. I tried giving up pork and beef last year for Lent but failed halfway through. I'll see if i can give up softdrinks this year.

and prawns.

[Grim]

Haha I think it's apparent that I don't believe in the custom any more, but I do see the value of using it as a catalyst for betterment/discipline.

Yeah actually, this is exactly how I feel.

[NiX]

and prawns.

Why?! Sino nagsabing masama yun? Hindi masama yun kung walang nasasaktan.

[Serene]

and prawns.

Why?! Sino nagsabing masama yun? Hindi masama yun kung walang nasasaktan.

Oo nga. Sugpo o Kasamaan?

[Twin-Skies]

Italy planning to tax the Vatican.

About-fucking-TIME!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17072211

Italy's Catholic Church faces an annual multi-million euro bill over government plans to strip it of its tax-exempt status.

Prime Minister Mario Monti has announced the Vatican must pay taxes on non-religious property, from which it previously enjoyed an exemption.

The annual cost could be up to 720m euros ($945m; £598m) according to municipal government bodies.

Italy's Catholic Church has 110,000 properties, worth about 9bn euros.

It includes shopping centres and a range of residential property.

In December, the government reintroduced a tax paid by anyone who owns land or property in Italy - which the Church does not pay.

But a growing wave of Italians are opposed to what they see as special privileges in the face of a tightening economy.

Following their government's latest austerity measure package, more than 130,000 people signed an online petition calling for the Church's tax exempt status to be revoked.

Since 2005, church-run groups and organisations have not been classed as official commercial bodies and have been exempt from paying property tax.

According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, tax authorities will calculate how much of a property is used purely for religious purposes and tax it proportionately.

This means a church would remain exempt but a chapel which operates an hostel would pay tax accordingly.

Earlier this week, new figures showed Italy has entered recession, after two consecutive quarters of negative growth between July and December 2011.

[Mjting]

Hell, it's about time.

[Grim]

Umm, that was posted by Nix on the previous page. Still, signs of progress!

[Twin-Skies]

Archie Comics CEO's reply when told by Anti-Gay groups to drop a comic featuring the series' first gay wedding:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/02/29/o...toys-r-us/

We stand by Life with Archie #16. As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone. It’s an idealized version of America that will hopefully become reality someday. We’re sorry the American Family Association/One Million Moms feels so negatively about our product, but they have every right to their opinion, just like we have the right to stand by ours. Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate and narrow-minded people.

Freakin' awesome. It's like my childhood suddenly came back, all grown up and mature, in a good way