While I have zero respect for Maher, I have to hand it to him on this, he gets it.

Boy, that brave, brave Bill Maher, condemning a minority faith in America. Why Americhristians just love them Catholics, it's why the colonial governments and their descendants discriminated against them and Al Smith lost his bid for the Presidency. Bravo, Bill, I'm real fucking proud of you for taking on a group in something as American as Indian Wars and Latin American Interventions.

Please, people, look at how Americans have historically treated our Catholic minority and tell me this is a good thing. Oh, and if Catholics are all child molestors, all Muslims are suicide bombers.

Zenrage @ 4:

Why do people let the pope get away with this? Because people still believe they have "souls" which will live on forever and ever even though the human body has only gained the ability to digest milk in the past 3000 years.

Did you notice that when the current pope updated the deadly sin roster, child molestation was nowhere to be found?

The "soul" comes from the Greek philosopher Plato, it was not originally a Jewish, or for that matter Christian concept. History, my friend, is your friend.

Gary @ 6:

Turned it off after 2 minutes, Im sick of Maher and his generalization of religions. He's doing to christianity exactly what Michael Savage does to islam on the radio.

In all fairness, we Christians haven't exactly submitted to the examinations of our faiths we allow for Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews...

We should all be subject to the same ridicule, no matter what our religious persuasion. No one deserves any special treatment because of their particular "faith."

kobold @ 1:

While I have zero respect for Maher, I have to hand it to him on this, he gets it.

I'm curious why you have not respect for him??? I don't have cable, but watch the clips on C & L and find him to right on the money on most things.

Zenrage @ 10:

General_Rennenkampf @ 5:

Zenrage @ 4:

Why do people let the pope get away with this? Because people still believe they have "souls" which will live on forever and ever even though the human body has only gained the ability to digest milk in the past 3000 years.

Did you notice that when the current pope updated the deadly sin roster, child molestation was nowhere to be found?

The "soul" comes from the Greek philosopher Plato, it was not originally a Jewish, or for that matter Christian concept. History, my friend, is your friend.

Yes, I know that the Christ myth predates the promise of posthumous immortality. I'm just saying that there is no way for such a thing to have evolved when we're still not fully lactose tolerant.

That's true, but then I am a Christian that happens to accept evolutionary biology, holding to a mixture of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Namely, some species evolve faster than others, and I'm not thinking of Homo sapiens, here, but our more evolved (no joke, it's an actual study that says this) cousin Pan troglydytes.

Nicole Belle @ 12:

General_Rennenkampf @ 3:

Oh, and if Catholics are all child molestors, all Muslims are suicide bombers.

I've never understood this binary thinking. If you're Catholic you must be a child molester? Show me where Maher or anyone ever suggested that.

The fact is that the Catholic Church has sought to protect priests they knew were molesting children rather than protect the children. It doesn't mean all practicing Catholics are molesters any more than it means that all priests are molesters. The danger of the strawman that you created is that it dismisses a very real problem that the Church has not adequately dealt with.

<---lapsed Catholic, whose parish priest was one of those molesters.

Yes, it was a strawman, I apologize for it. But it's not just the Catholics doing it, some of the newer and worse cases are in my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. It was a bunch of incidents like this that cured me of the nastiness found in other SoBaps, and has made me apatheistically theistic.

Christopher Turkel @ 15:

It's not Pope Ratzinger, it's Pope Benedict. He gave up Ratzinger when he became pope.

You're 100% right and I've made the correction. My apologies.

He'll always be Ratzinger to me.

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

Juan Guapo @ 20:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

Okay, maybe as many in terms of congregation, but as many in terms of leadership? Many believe that children who were molested by priests had these urges to victimize and became priests in the hopes of controlling these urges, thus perpetuating the cycle of abuse that has been covered up.

seth @ 21:

General_Rennenkampf @ 3:

Boy, that brave, brave Bill Maher, condemning a minority faith in America. Why Americhristians just love them Catholics, it's why the colonial governments and their descendants discriminated against them and Al Smith lost his bid for the Presidency. Bravo, Bill, I'm real fucking proud of you for taking on a group in something as American as Indian Wars and Latin American Interventions.

Please, people, look at how Americans have historically treated our Catholic minority and tell me this is a good thing. Oh, and if Catholics are all child molestors, all Muslims are suicide bombers.

Huh? I thought catholicism was the most popular religion in the US?

O.o

What alternate reality are you from? Most Americans either believe Catholics are still medieval, heretics who will burn in Hell, or just dumb pagans. Catholicism is the largest denomination, but without the Mexican Catholics causing the new bulge in membership, it would be one of the smallest denominations. Catholicism is still outnumbered by the Protestants in America, just try being Catholic in the Bible Belt and getting witnessed to by idiots from groups like (shudder) the Charismatics or the Baptists!

As a Baptist, I'm well-equipped to testify under oath that at least 30% of the country believes Catholics will all burn in Hell along with Jews, Muslims and Mormons. And this is while Catholicism enjoys the most tolerance it ever has. Al Smith's 1921 bid for the Presidency was defeated mostly because he was Catholic.

In a nutshell, no, Catholicism isn't popular in the U.S., or in the Anglosphere.

Juan Guapo @ 20:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

What. the. Hell?

Atheism is a faith? Good God in the foothills, what alternate reality are you from? The one where Catholicism is the majority faith of the U.S.? I'd say atheists do hold to rules, as religious morality in some ways is less moral than atheist morality. Many, if not all religions encourage good behavior and right belief for an afterlife. What does atheism offer? Right behavior without a reward at the end.

So, atheism is in that way at least, superior to the Christianity I cherish.

Zenrage @ 10:

General_Rennenkampf @ 5:

Zenrage @ 4:

Why do people let the pope get away with this? Because people still believe they have "souls" which will live on forever and ever even though the human body has only gained the ability to digest milk in the past 3000 years.

Did you notice that when the current pope updated the deadly sin roster, child molestation was nowhere to be found?

The "soul" comes from the Greek philosopher Plato, it was not originally a Jewish, or for that matter Christian concept. History, my friend, is your friend.

Yes, I know that the Christ myth predates the promise of posthumous immortality. I'm just saying that there is no way for such a thing to have evolved when we're still not fully lactose tolerant.

Thanks, I haven't had that good a laugh in a good long while. I'll chuckle all day over your Lactose Intolerant analogy.

Bill Maher gives one man's opinion and it is refreshing. And many believe that too many pedophiles hide within organized religion. Just saying, do you really think that someone smart enough to create the universe and all the beasties and mankind too requires veneration?

California has a nazi governor, the U.S.A. has a nazi president and the world has a nazi pope, I thought we won the war!?

Consider the source. Also, if you have a strong belief about anything, it is inevitable that you will run into friction.

There is no god, you people are absolutely delusional, but I'm cool with it....just keep your white-trash religion out of my government.

wtlloyd @ 36:

There is no god, you people are absolutely delusional, but I'm cool with it....just keep your white-trash religion out of my government.

Amen ... (tongue planted in cheek here)

There is no observation that can prove or disprove the existence of god, so I refrain from judgement. I sometimes wish there was a loving deity though.

Juan Guapo @ 20:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

So Atheists shouldn't care when children have their lives destroyed? Is that what you're saying? Apparently talking about pedophile priests is a much more cardinal sin than actually BEING a pedophile priest.

here's an idea, jackass... how about instead of threatening Bill Maher you actually STOP priests from molesting children. This isn't fucking rocket science. Or maybe prosecute them. What a concept! Maybe then your religion wouldn't be on the decline and the eeeevil Muslim horde surpassing you as the world's biggest confidence scandal.

It's not Mahers fault that this religion likes to stick things in little kids. It's douchebags like you that enable pedophiles and then try to redirect attention from it by attacking the people who point it out. It doesn't matter if they wear shirts with funny collars, or big funny hats or fezzes child molesters are the scum of the earth.

It would be interesting to see how well a persons ability to deal with uncertainty and make decisions in the face of uncertainty predicts whether or not they belong to organized religion.

I've had my laugh, now it's time for breakfast.
Lactose intolerant ... hehe. .. love that.

Four principles

1. What you see is false.

2. Black is white.

3. Law is politics, and politics is law.

4. Worry about your situation. Focus on it. Keep your head low.

Karen @ 47:

Juan Guapo @ 20:

I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage).

You just have a gut feeling about this? Any evidence?

Besides, the point isn't to count the number of pedophiles who belong to any particular denomination, but to note that the Catholic Church, as an institution, sought to cover up the pedophilia happening in its jurisdiction, and to protect the perpetrators instead of the victims.

Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism.

That's insulting to all of us atheists. We don't need to have faith to have strong moral sentiments. For Maher, child rape is flat out immoral. As is covering it up. Does your faith compel you to disagree with that?

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. . . . He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

And if he were a black, muscle-bound man with small head, would you still want to commit these acts of violence against him for, ahem, having thoughts?

By the way, the word you seek is "comeuppance."

Karen, I just have to say hell yeah...you are on awesome poster

I am an atheist but....

Lets fu**ing stop picking on christianity will yah?

I realize that for the reason of political correctness, making fun of christianity has become de rigeur, but come off it.

When we are able to criticize the pompous dalai lama, buddhism, jewish faith, then perhaps I will get off my high horse.

But this assault on christianity lately stinks.

Again, I am very much a militant, in your face atheist, as witnessed in this article here...

Ignore Juan, fellas, he's the sort of Christian you can't reason with. I know the type all too well. The type that thinks he or she knows God's will, and that God uniquely blesses them, and who hate anyone they hate while claiming God's hatred (convienently) matches up with theirs while ripping off the poor and blowing their enemies to bloody shards of flesh and bones while ignoring "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (not that 60% of the country can really be persecuted by about 6%, at least Stalin had 30% behind him) and "resist ye not evil for evil," and hating Jews while ignoring that Joshua Ben Joseph was a dark-skinned Hebe who preached radical concepts and ignored social norms of the day.

So, yeah, Juan's the type of Christian that doesn't get Christianity right, or even try to. Were I the Grand Inquisitor, much of the Christian Right would be either cowering or already destroyed by my Inquisition.

Shame on you, Juan, you make Christians seem like we're all nuts. Which, by any empirical evidence, we are, but that's not the point. You make us seem like the bullets-and-street fighters type of nut, not the feed the hungry and visit the prisoners type of nut.

americangoy @ 52:

I am an atheist but....

Lets fu**ing stop picking on christianity will yah?

I realize that for the reason of political correctness, making fun of christianity has become de rigeur, but come off it.

When we are able to criticize the pompous dalai lama, buddhism, jewish faith, then perhaps I will get off my high horse.

But this assault on christianity lately stinks.

Again, I am very much a militant, in your face atheist, as witnessed in this article here...

We Christians started this, so I don't mind the criticism of Christianity, it stirs thoughts about my faith, and helps me to solidify it. But, to hold off on criticizing us doesn't mean the radicals among my kind will stop criticizing ya'll. Much of what the media covers as American Christianity is nothing but a much larger version of Millerism and Jim Jones merged into one unholy behemoth anywho.

Numinous123 @ 57:

Ruthless People @ 49:

Juan Guapo @ 20:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin atheist. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

I'm sensing some of that good Christian love and forgiveness coming from you my brotha.

No, I think what pisses you off most is Maher calls religion on it's hypocrisy. Organized religion demonizes gay people, for example, for undermining "family values" and being "immoral" yet these holier than thou hypocrites turn around and have sex with underage girls and alter boys. You believe in a super natural non-existent deity who many use as a wedge to demonize others for political and financial gains. I think you should look at the log in your own eye before you try to call someone else out for the speck in theirs.

It's funny, the religious nut who pointed out that there are just as many pedophiles in other faiths (like that makes it O.K.) should take something into consideration...

The Catholic Church tired to cover it up. In fact, they tried to do so for a long time.

They knew about it and did nothing until they were forced to.

I have to say, if anyone supports the actions of any religious organization that knows about such acts, they just as guilty as the ones committing said acts.

Again, so does my denomination. I don't support it, and have condemned it before. But Southern Baptists are Congregationalists so tracking it down would be a logistical nightmare (or so says the Denominational leadership in excuse #45454545). I say, fuck the logistical nightmare, we're supposed to care about kids before their born, so how about after?

americangoy @ 52:

I am an atheist but....

Lets fu**ing stop picking on christianity will yah?

I realize that for the reason of political correctness, making fun of christianity has become de rigeur, but come off it.

When we are able to criticize the pompous dalai lama, buddhism, jewish faith, then perhaps I will get off my high horse.

But this assault on christianity lately stinks.

Again, I am very much a militant, in your face atheist, as witnessed in this article here...

I'm against any blind faith, especially if that same faith says that religious beliefs are more important that human lives.

I hope that satisfies you.

Nicole Belle @ 12:

General_Rennenkampf @ 3:

Oh, and if Catholics are all child molestors, all Muslims are suicide bombers.

I've never understood this binary thinking. If you're Catholic you must be a child molester? Show me where Maher or anyone ever suggested that.

The fact is that the Catholic Church has sought to protect priests they knew were molesting children rather than protect the children. It doesn't mean all practicing Catholics are molesters any more than it means that all priests are molesters. The danger of the strawman that you created is that it dismisses a very real problem that the Church has not adequately dealt with.

<---lapsed Catholic, whose parish priest was one of those molesters.

Maher equates the Catholic Church with members of a cult who commit buggery: "How does the Catholic Church get away with all of their buggery?"

He also equates the Church with the Pope and the hierarchy. This is false. The majority of lay Catholics and clergy were horrified by the prevalence of child abuse by clergy and the efforts of the hierarchy to cover it up. Not all American Catholics were pleased with the election of Benedict as Pope. Some of us remember fondly the leadership of John XXIII who made major efforts to bring the laity into governance of the church.

I realize Maher is a comedian and it is okay to make jokes about the Catholic church. But I dislike Bill's obvious misrepresentation of Catholics. (I also have stopped watching him because of his misogyny. He is only interested in "hot" women.)

The Church: a loaded topic. That was a stunning hat: bless his heart.

I do like the linked story about not attending the dinner in his honour. It'll be bu$h and Co. sitting around with shit-eating grins. The "seat of honour" empty.

63 Brad Says: If you can’t say anything nice about the pedophile-enabling church, just don’t say anything at all.

==>Ditto.

{{{6 Gary Says}}}: Turned it off after 2 minutes, Im sick of Maher and his generalization of religions. He’s doing to christianity exactly what Michael Savage does to islam on the radio.
=========================================
I think he's playing the gadfly. He's asking, "Where is the outrage?" There isn't any, not that I can see.

Roket @ 65:

As the Christianistas continue to deflect criticism by obfuscation and little white lies, they can’t for the life of them figure out why their membership is declining. Perhaps they need a refresher course on the teachings of, you know, Christ.

Not exactly correct. See http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=23906 on the rise in membership of all U.S. Christian churches and in the Catholic church. But I agree, many Christians, including Catholics, could use a review of the teachings of Christ.

52 americangoy Says: I am an atheist but….

Lets fu**ing stop picking on christianity will yah? ..................
===============================

As soon as they stop picking on others, and go back inside the churches, where they belong. I say that as a gay man. Fair enough?

Bush crony Gonzo having a hard time finding a job http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/12/alberto-gonzaels-finding_n_9638... Here's a pointer for Gonzo that could help him land a job. When the interviewer ask you the following the questions don't respond:

Q: What experience best qualifies for this position?
A: I don't recall

Q: Where do you see see yourself in 5 years?
A: I don't recall

Q: What qualities do you have that make you the best candidate for this position?
A: I don't recall

PAPAL Priesthood Association of Pedophile Alterboy Lovetoys.

How people STILL donate to this bunch knowing a part of their money is going to pay off court settlements for pedophile sex offenders boggles ones mind.

Well not really when you consider they believe Adam fathered a son when he was 130 years old... six thousand years ago! I can't even make up anything even close to that.

mcg @ 62:

Nicole Belle @ 12:

General_Rennenkampf @ 3:

Oh, and if Catholics are all child molestors, all Muslims are suicide bombers.

I've never understood this binary thinking. If you're Catholic you must be a child molester? Show me where Maher or anyone ever suggested that.

The fact is that the Catholic Church has sought to protect priests they knew were molesting children rather than protect the children. It doesn't mean all practicing Catholics are molesters any more than it means that all priests are molesters. The danger of the strawman that you created is that it dismisses a very real problem that the Church has not adequately dealt with.

<---lapsed Catholic, whose parish priest was one of those molesters.

Maher equates the Catholic Church with members of a cult who commit buggery: "How does the Catholic Church get away with all of their buggery?"

I'm not sure equates is the right word, but he does make that analogy, yes.

He also equates the Church with the Pope and the hierarchy. This is false. The majority of lay Catholics and clergy were horrified by the prevalence of child abuse by clergy and the efforts of the hierarchy to cover it up. . . . I realize Maher is a comedian and it is okay to make jokes about the Catholic church. But I dislike Bill's obvious misrepresentation of Catholics.

This strikes me as a semantic argument more than anything else. When he says, "Church," indeed he means "the Pope and the hierarchy." You would rather that "Church" be used in a more inclusive way to encompass the laity. Fair enough, but I don't think Maher's usage evinces a belief on his part that the laity also condoned the pedophilia.

Not all American Catholics were pleased with the election of Benedict as Pope. Some of us remember fondly the leadership of John XXIII who made major efforts to bring the laity into governance of the church.

Let me ask something sincerely. Please understand, I mean no offense, and I just wish to ask something: Given that the Church is not set up as a democracy, and the Pope is deemed infallible, how does one remain a good Catholic if one outrightly condemns the Pope's and/or the hierarchy's actions?

(I also have stopped watching him because of his misogyny. He is only interested in "hot" women.)

Heh, yeah, there are ways in which Maher is a sexist. (I think he'd cop to it.) I still think he's funny.

I disagree with him on many things. His latest denouncement of Western medicine is rife with pseudoscience; he seems less-than-enlightened when discussing the transgendered community; he derides the Fourth Amendment.

But I'll still watch him. He makes me laugh, and I like his take on many other issues.

John the Elder @ 77:

Maher is not the first anti-Catholic bigot Atheist and he won't be the last.

He's not an anti-Catholic bigot. I defy you to articulate why he meets the criteria for bigotry. Moreover, your inclusion of his atheism smacks of bigotry on your part, though I'm willing to extend to you the benefit of the doubt if you can convince me otherwise.

But the truth that really galls him is that the Catholic Church has survived all sorts of human screwups down through 2000 years. That alone is proof of its divine orgins which fools like Maher can't explain.

Heh, yeah, that makes sense. The Church has committed crimes against humanity, offers a self-contradictory dogma, and had generally screwed up for 2000 years. If not for divine help, how else could such an institution survive.

Is god nuts?

So Billy boy go on ranting and we will go on praying that some day God will show you the light. Maybe not in this life, but you can bet every thing on seeing it in the next life.

Empty appeals to fear are not likely to convince people who demand evidence before adopting belief.

Ruthless People @ 75:

Bush crony Gonzo having a hard time finding a job http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/12/alberto-gonzaels-finding_n_9638... Here's a pointer for Gonzo that could help him land a job. When the interviewer ask you the following the questions don't respond:

Q: What experience best qualifies for this position?
A: I don't recall

Q: Where do you see see yourself in 5 years?
A: I don't recall

Q: What qualities do you have that make you the best candidate for this position?
A: I don't recall

HAHAHAHAHAHA

If lying about the Catholic Church or the Pope makes you feel good, then you have issues you need to deal with. Stating that the Catholic Church is some kind of cult shows true ignorance of the history of Christianity.

Bill Maher actually commits defamation by saying the Pope instructed Bishops to cover-up for criminal priests until the statute of limitations was reached. Then Cardinal Ratzinger actually increased the statute of limitations to 10 years after the victims 18th birthday (for minors). The previous limit was 5 years after the incident. The only instruction for secrecy was regarding internal hearings and investigations.

If you keep buying the lies about the Catholic Church without doing research of even basic facts, you are doomed to ignorance and maybe much worse.

Paul @ 86:

I'm too lazy to read all the posts to see if someone else has mentioned this, so apologies in advance...

I normally like Bill, but that little shot at the end is a bit much. Surely Maher is not equating homosexuality with pedophilia. Buggering little boys is done more frequently by heterosexuals - it's just a fact. Anyone equating the two is simply ignorant. Bill's usually NOT ignorant, so perhaps he just went for the cheap joke (he does do that pretty frequently). It just perpetuates a stereotype that was long ago disproved. I expect better from Maher.

Why do people think Maher was equating pedophilia and homosexuality? Seriously, I don't get it. Was it because of the "We're here; we're queer; get used to it" phrase?

Indeed, Maher was not genuinely equating homosexuality and pedophilia.

Lucy @ 88:

I agree with much of what Maher says, but I have to wonder what those nuns did to him back in school to make him so hostile to religion - Catholicism in particular.

I suppose you're likely being facetious, but I would like to point out that most of us anti-theism folks got to where we are simply by thinking. Our atheism and anti-theism is a consequence of our thought process, not a reaction to mistreatment by religious people.

actually all religions are a load of horseshit!

tyree @ 91:

actually all religions are a load of horseshit!

Volume, volume, volume.

Pope 'obstructed' sex abuse inquiry
Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/24/children.childprotection

The pope is just a man in funny clothes, not an infallable guy with a heavenly connection to a deity.
There's no more reason to believe in the christian god, allah, jehva than zeus. Religion is man made. Case closed

Bill was spot on regarding the catholic church and its saintly leader.

It is hard to imagine how so many priests in so many places have virtually "gotten away" with the repeated molestation of children - both male and female - for so many years. Hard to imagine, until you realize that there has been a massive cover up of the situation reaching the highest levels of the church.

The payouts to the victims of such abuse by the church over the past several years are not enough. One cannot buy absolution, no matter what one puts into the collection plate on Sunday. These guilty priests, bishops and archbishops should be sent to prison for a lifetime of fear and buggery.

Organized religion, of any stripe, is bad for just about everyone except those who reap financial windfalls by instilling fear into the gullible and weak. This country is in a hell of a mess, and we have, in part, religion to blame...

the puritans were run out of england so they came to america for religous freedom and to steal from the indians then when they couldnt infect thier minds with thier drival they killed them ! god helps him that murders in his name!amen brother !

bobbyjoe @ 98:

I think the reason some people are saying Maher equates homosexuality with paedophilia is the use of the gay activist line "We're here, we're queer, get used to it" toward the end. It is a bad choice of words by Maher, and unnecessary to make his point.

I agree. I noticed and was put off by it.

#24 LStep wrote, "I gotta blame it on the Jews, since they were the ones who didn’t finish Jesus off soon enough, and Peter then became the first Pope. If it were not for that crazy Messianic stuff in the Apocalypse and the Book of Daniel the world would have been a better place. Too bad that Joshua wasn’t picked off by a Canaanite arrow…"

For your information, there are many Rabbis who have been accused of child molestation, not just Catholic priests. And I am sure we could find child molesters in every religion, and even in people who are non-religious.

There are good people and bad people in every religion and I take EXTREME offense by your comment about 'not finishing Jesus off soon enough' and the other disparaging comments regarding my Catholic faith. Why is what you wrote not considered hate speech? It is extremely offensive to me. And if I had written something similiar against the Jewish faith, I would probably be in jail right now and labled an anti-semite for the rest of my life. So why is it ok to attack Jesus and the Pope and the Bible the Catholic faith, but we cannot say ANYTHING about the Jews and Neo-cons and Zionists and Israel? Please explain that to me. [deleted]. I just really don't get it. [apparently, you really don't. - site monitor]

As a FORMER CATHOLIC, I say Bill nailed it!

Gary @ 6:

Turned it off after 2 minutes, Im sick of Maher and his generalization of religions. He's doing to christianity exactly what Michael Savage does to islam on the radio.

Christianity: Hypocrites live here

Gary, it's Bill's opinion. I'm A Christian, but I'm sick of it because Cheney, Bush, and the religious nutjobs in the right have hijacked it. To be honest, I'm seriously considering finding another religion, or none at all.

Karen @ 79:

This strikes me as a semantic argument more than anything else. When he says, "Church," indeed he means "the Pope and the hierarchy." You would rather that "Church" be used in a more inclusive way to encompass the laity. Fair enough, but I don't think Maher's usage evinces a belief on his part that the laity also condoned the pedophilia. . .

Let me ask something sincerely. Please understand, I mean no offense, and I just wish to ask something: Given that the Church is not set up as a democracy, and the Pope is deemed infallible, how does one remain a good Catholic if one outrightly condemns the Pope's and/or the hierarchy's actions?

Its more than semantic--it is definitional. But I will accept your argument that Maher may not have meant the laity when condemning the coverup of clergy pedophilia. (He merely said Catholics are members of a cult.)

Yes, the Catholic church is certainly not a democracy, but the doctrine of papal infallibility has not been used in over 50 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility#Instances_of_papal_infa... When it was used, popes were said to be infallible when they announced they were speaking "ex cathedra." Popes are human. They err and should seek forgiveness for sins, as should the clergy and hierarchy. We all have free will and are responsible for our actions.

On a more personal note, I have always felt sorry for Catholics, but if they are happy, who am I to say anything?

mcg @ 109:

Karen @ 79:

This strikes me as a semantic argument more than anything else. When he says, "Church," indeed he means "the Pope and the hierarchy." You would rather that "Church" be used in a more inclusive way to encompass the laity. Fair enough, but I don't think Maher's usage evinces a belief on his part that the laity also condoned the pedophilia. . .

Let me ask something sincerely. Please understand, I mean no offense, and I just wish to ask something: Given that the Church is not set up as a democracy, and the Pope is deemed infallible, how does one remain a good Catholic if one outrightly condemns the Pope's and/or the hierarchy's actions?

Its more than semantic--it is definitional.

To me, that sounds like saying, "It's more than a three-sided polygon -- it's a triangle."

But I will accept your argument that Maher may not have meant the laity when condemning the coverup of clergy pedophilia.

I really don't think he was. But hey, I've been wrong before.

(He merely said Catholics are members of a cult.)

Yes, but if it's any consolation, he contends likewise of Baptists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Jews, Mormons, Hindus, Muslims, Pagans, etc.

Yes, the Catholic church is certainly not a democracy, but the doctrine of papal infallibility has not been used in over 50 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility#Instances_of_papal_infa... When it was used, popes were said to be infallible when they announced they were speaking "ex cathedra." Popes are human. They err and should seek forgiveness for sins, as should the clergy and hierarchy. We all have free will and are responsible for our actions.

Okeedoke. Thanks for the answer.

Karen @ 113:

mcg @ 109:

Karen @ 79:

To me, that sounds like saying, "It's more than a three-sided polygon -- it's a triangle."

It seems to me like Maher is calling an angle (a two sided polygon??) a triangle. (We've beat this discussion to death. Good night.)

Juan Guapo @ 21:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

Umm....see the thing is if you're a know it all, then you have a right to speak your mind. I think what you mean is you don't like the fact that someone makes strong arguments in the vein that Maher does. Guess what pallie? This is America and while you don't have to be intelligent to make public remarks...say, like you do.....or George Bush does.....it's generally considered a good thing when you do. You should consider that your upbringing may have made you believe in things that if you look at them in a particular light, don't really make much sense. Maher has a way of shining a light in that particular way. You may not like it but your belief system wouldn't stand a chance against a mind like his. And if he's an atheist what business is it of yours? You have your right wing fascist christian nut jobs ranting away in the pulpits and talk radio. The rest of us sane Americans want a voice like Maher's to counter the vitriolic bile that people like you enjoy and believe in.

.

About the Catholic Church; he gets it.

About Magic Johnson; it would be a joke if Maher were alive had he'd been living with HIV as long as Johnson has... YES?

.

I have been drinking milk all my life. What exactly does that mean. Maybe I am 3000 years ahead of humanity.

Geno in Ptwon @ 107:

Gary @ 6:

Turned it off after 2 minutes, Im sick of Maher and his generalization of religions. He's doing to christianity exactly what Michael Savage does to islam on the radio.

Christianity: Hypocrites live here

Gary, it's Bill's opinion. I'm A Christian, but I'm sick of it because Cheney, Bush, and the religious nutjobs in the right have hijacked it. To be honest, I'm seriously considering finding another religion, or none at all.

I agree, Christianity has many hypocrites and many morons, and then christians-out-of-convenience like the republican party. Its just when Maher, Hitchens and co speak about religion, they have a way of doing it so that it appears there are no rational christians and that i'm a complete moron because I happen to think there might be an after life.

Brad@120:

Catholic church says No to condoms. Think of the children.
____________________________________________________________

Simple. The bigger the family, the least chance to educate them, therefore remaining ignorant, and then the easier to handle the masses, ie...Mexico, Brasil, Latin America for that matter. I ask the head of a Panamenian family with 12 children why he had so many children knowing how poor his condition was. He reponded that he was Catholic and that, therefore that was "God's will."

American contrasts at its best. That's where Maher get my recognition.

The Bible: The most beloved book in America.
Pedophylia: Secretly buried at every level of American culture, and the dream of every man over fifty.
Sex: Check the super market magazine racks when you're about to pay your groceries. "How to please your woman", " How to perform better in bed", "108 secrets to satifies him", and it goes for forever.

In Europe, people fuck each other to death, and the scandals and sexual crime are minimal. We enjoy sex in the Continent, and it is nobody's business.
(Except for the Belgians -Marc Dutroux 1998 - where I'm positive, high ranking officers of the Government itself are involved and sanction pedophilia).

America is a sexual obsessed society tearing itself apart due to the frustration and repression of its religions.
Babylonians and Sumerians went to the temples to idolized statues, got drunk, offered a few human sacrifices, and them fucked each other to death, literally. Now days, the only difference is, that we use Jesus and religion as an excuse. Then the law comes after these "sinners" , law enforcers who themselves, in a few months or years will be in the front pages of main American papers accussed of the same "deeds" for which they incarcerated others. I found the whole thing very amusing. There are a few juicy sex scandals coming in the next few months. You're going to love it.

After 9/11, visit controls to the White House became as tight as ever. How come, Jeff Gannon, who entered the White House one hundred ninety six times, and stayed overnight twelve nights, but the MSM has not investigated this event and reamained mute about it.

Was Lewinski at fault for not being a lesbian prostitute?

americangoy @ 53:

I am an atheist but....

Lets fu**ing stop picking on christianity will yah?

I realize that for the reason of political correctness, making fun of christianity has become de rigeur, but come off it.

When we are able to criticize the pompous dalai lama, buddhism, jewish faith, then perhaps I will get off my high horse.

But this assault on christianity lately stinks.

Again, I am very much a militant, in your face atheist, as witnessed in this article here...

Let's stop picking on Christianity? Are you insane? Christianity is waging a FULL-ON WAR against other faiths, and in America against Atheism. Christianity is not the victim, here you loon. The assault on Christianity isn't what stinks - it's Christianity itself.

Atheists aren't the ones who've been killing in the name of a divine being for thousands of years. We're not the ones who have a policy of hiding pedophile leaders from the public. We're not the ones involved in trying to subvert foreign nations to our beliefs, or forcing our beliefs on everyone else in our own country.

Attacking Christianity is NOT politically correct - if anything this current presidential campaign should have shown you exactly how important Christianity is to even having a chance of being "elected" in America. You are completely wrong on all counts, and I am convinced you're not an Atheist.

more at my blog...

General_Rennenkampf @ 13:

Zenrage @ 10:

General_Rennenkampf @ 5:

Zenrage @ 4:

The "soul" comes from the Greek philosopher Plato, it was not originally a Jewish, or for that matter Christian concept. History, my friend, is your friend.

Yes, I know that the Christ myth predates the promise of posthumous immortality. I'm just saying that there is no way for such a thing to have evolved when we're still not fully lactose tolerant.

That's true, but then I am a Christian that happens to accept evolutionary biology, holding to a mixture of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Namely, some species evolve faster than others, and I'm not thinking of Homo sapiens, here, but our more evolved (no joke, it's an actual study that says this) cousin Pan troglydytes.

Have you read "The Pagan Christ" by Tom Harpur? It's very good!

I Use My Brain @ 103:

#24 LStep wrote, "For your information, there are many Rabbis who have been accused of child molestation, not just Catholic priests. And I am sure we could find child molesters in every religion, and even in people who are non-religious."

You're missing the point entirely. The point is not the child molestation, but rather the cover up. There is not another major religion that has systematically tried to cover up the crimes of its priests, rabbis, ministers, etc. like the Catholic church has. The cover up is almost always worse than the crime itself.

capnmike @ 134:

Religion is bullshit. This lying parasite should not be allowed in the country.

yet we allow one to continue his tenure in the White House...?

Juan Guapo @ 21:

Bill Maher is a scroungy little white guy with a big freakin head and should be stepped on for his thoughts not only about catholics. I refuse to watch his show based on the fact that I respect other human beings which he continually trivilizes and belittles. Sure the catholic church has been wrong by covering up some off the wall pedephiles however it is probably true that there are just as many pediphiles in other faiths as there are in the catholic faith ( by percentage). Maher doesn't have to worry about that since he's a freakin athiest. He can't allow himself to be held to any rules therefore he choose to belong to the faith that has no rules, atheism. He's nothing but a know it all litttle puke and one of these days he'll get his come-up-ins!

Juan Guapo @ 21:

Come Up Ins - how interesting

While it is certain that you will enjoy Bill Maher's com-up-ins, most thinking individuals will agree that come uppance has no in place in discourse.

You reduce the discussion to I'm right, he's a jerk...

It seems the opposite is quite obvious.

This one is hard to beat. I downloaded it.

Gary @ 123:

Geno in Ptwon @ 107:

Gary @ 6:

Turned it off after 2 minutes, Im sick of Maher and his generalization of religions. He's doing to christianity exactly what Michael Savage does to islam on the radio.

Christianity: Hypocrites live here

Gary, it's Bill's opinion. I'm A Christian, but I'm sick of it because Cheney, Bush, and the religious nutjobs in the right have hijacked it. To be honest, I'm seriously considering finding another religion, or none at all.

I agree, Christianity has many hypocrites and many morons, and then christians-out-of-convenience like the republican party. Its just when Maher, Hitchens and co speak about religion, they have a way of doing it so that it appears there are no rational christians and that i'm a complete moron because I happen to think there might be an after life.

Not that there are no rational Christians, but that faith in the metaphysical and supernatural tenets of Christianity is itself irrational. We all have some irrational beliefs, but that does not mean that, overall, we are irrational people.

You're certainly not a complete moron because you happen to think there might be an after life. But if you are certain that there is one without evidence to back up your certainty, and you happen to know the precise nature of this afterlife, you hold an irrational belief.

By the way, Sam Harris seriously entertains the hypothesis that consciousness can exist without a body. He just wants the issue explored scientifically.

Verdillac @ 132:

I'll leave this discussion on this note:

http://www.tomharpur.com/visionstatement.asp

Seven Principles of Cosmic Spirituality

1) The entire cosmos is the manifestation of Divine Mind-every molecule, every cell, every creature, every rock, tree, mountain, planet, blazing star, whirling galaxy and universe of galaxies.

How do you know? How does the author know? What is the evidence for this claim?

2) We are all an integral, interconnected part of the whole cosmos and our own inner world is a holograph of the cosmos within us.

How do you know? How does the author know? What is the evidence for this claim?

3) One basic datum underlies every religion under the sun, the principle of Incarnation. The Word or Logos, God's self-expression made manifest, has given the light of its divine spark to every mind/soul coming into the world. Christians call this the Christ or "Christ in us." Other faiths have different names or modes of expression for this same inner reality.

4) Every religion whose ethical core is summed up by the word "compassion" or "loving-kindness" to all other creatures without exception has a vision of the truth and is a valid "way" to Transcendence.

5) No one faith or religion-whatever its claims may be, alone has The Truth.

What about the ways of life that embrace something different altogether? This seems like an attempt to be inclusive, but to me, it comes off as condescending, as if the author has glimpsed this "Truth" in some higher form, and now deigns to tell everyone else about her own respective and relative glimpses.

6) True cosmic spirituality is steeped in, flows from, and derives its most powerful analogies and metaphors from the natural world -- from the tiniest bit of dust to the spiraling stars above.

I honestly have no idea what that means.

7) The core aim of cosmic spirituality is radical transformation, both personal and societal.

One need not embrace anything supernatural for such transcendence.

I like Bill a lot and find his acerbic humor delightful in most instances. Did not like this segment too much. Before anyone can criticize the catholic church, he/she must be ready to delve deeply into both protestantism and the federal government. For example, the 400 plus children being held by the Texas department of justice are as much hostage to government as alterboys are to the few heinous priests--and that is just a start. For any government to seperate children randomly from mothers without individual proof of mistreatment is grossly intolerable. I am living outside the U.S. right now and have acquaintences here who are aghast at what is happening.

All major world religions profess allegiance to the Golden Rule. To the extent it is practiced they merit respect and tolerance. To the extent they deviate from it they warrant ridicule and sanction.

Verdillac @ 131:

General_Rennenkampf @ 13:

Zenrage @ 10:

General_Rennenkampf @ 5:

Yes, I know that the Christ myth predates the promise of posthumous immortality. I'm just saying that there is no way for such a thing to have evolved when we're still not fully lactose tolerant.

That's true, but then I am a Christian that happens to accept evolutionary biology, holding to a mixture of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Namely, some species evolve faster than others, and I'm not thinking of Homo sapiens, here, but our more evolved (no joke, it's an actual study that says this) cousin Pan troglydytes.

Have you read "The Pagan Christ" by Tom Harpur? It's very good!

No, but to presume that early Christians despite being a sect based around a rabbi named Yehoshua who was supposed to be Messiah would escape both being influenced by and influencing the other faiths is rediculous, to say the least. Particularly when Satan in the Christian sense is an Abrahamic version of the Zoroastrian Ahriman, the soul comes from Neoplatonicism, the Incarnation seems extremely like Hindu avatars, and Christian morality is in many ways indistinguishable from Buddhism, the Eucharist is from Mithraism, and the Trinity resembles the Osiris-Isis-Horus triad, and also the Trimurti.

Christians have been immune from this sort of comparison for so long that we presume it means something it doesn't. Personally, I believe human nature and the attractive nature of the old faiths, plus the natural result of converting entire populations means that a Christianity that didn't have these influences would be flat-out impossible.