I pit churches that exist to attack other churches

[j666]

But any organized social structure eventually starts attacking others, usually for power of some sort. Why should you expect churches to be any different?

@Snarky_Kong

You’ve been around here long enough to know that kanicbird is fucking loony tunes. Why so surprised?

@Lobohan

Or, conversely, you might be a crazy person.

Or could believe that religion is one thing, organized “churches” are another, and that the latter brings out the worst in people.

[Ludovic]

@j666

Or could believe that religion is one thing, organized “churches” are another, and that the latter brings out the worst in people.

Could. But that’s not mutually exclusive with the other possibilities, which I ensure you are also in effect.

[Nametag]

@Balance

In my experience, churches reproduce by fission, driven by internal strife. Two cliques in the congregation decide they can’t stand each other, and force everyone else to take sides. They snipe and feud for a while, then pick some petty point of doctrine to disagree over; they make this point the deciding factor as to whether or not the other side counts as Christian. Whichever side has less power–because they’re smaller, have less control over the purse strings, or have less pull with the priest/minister/whatever–gets pushed out and forms another church down the road. (Regrettably, this does not generally involve blackjack and hookers.)

They’ve already painted the other group as unbelievers in order to rationalize the breakup; this attitude gets reinforced over time, then passed along as tradition. Of course they’re going to malign each other.

Splitter!

[the_diego]

@DrFidelius

What country is that? Do you have links to any news stories about this plague of thefts? The rightness of others’ beliefs are not for us to judge, but criminal actions must be prosecuted.

Philippines, my good man. The population is roughly 80% Roman Catholic, 15% Mohammedan, and maybe 5% non-Catholic Christian denominations. The 5% is the most volatile in terms of growth and conversion rate. We all know the RCC is thinning out in many parts of the world (though poor Catholic countries still record high population growth.)

Regarding theft of the Blessed Sacrament, it has happened often enough. The last case was hyped up because it was a major parish in the national capital region, situated along a highway where one also finds the headquarters of a non-Catholic Christian church. I of course can’t say anything other than repeat accusations made by some Catholics. But one steals consecrated substances for no reason other than to humiliate a parish and maybe force its closure. Give me time to dig up all recorded cases of theft.

[the_diego]

addendum:

The news did not make clear whether or not the stolen monstrance in the major parish contained consecrated substances. But the monstrance was in itself a valuable relic, and even the Vatican has issued a comment regarding its theft.

[kaylasdad99]

People still say “Mohammaden”?

Also, just for clarity’s sake: is it the denominations in the 5% that you’re pitting (apparently for theft of consecrated substances, by which I presume you mean hosts)?

Or are some Catholic churches stealing from other Catholic churches?

[Guinastasia]

@j666

But any organized social structure eventually starts attacking others, usually for power of some sort. Why should you expect churches to be any different?

Or could believe that religion is one thing, organized “churches” are another, and that the latter brings out the worst in people.

You’re not that familiar with Kanicbird, are you?

[dropzone]

@the_diego

But one steals consecrated substances for no reason other than to humiliate a parish and maybe force its closure.

@Typo_Negative

That sounds like witch talk to me!

No, it sounds like somebody covering up the actions of witches! Who else has perverse uses for consecrated objects? :dubious:

@the_diego

The news did not make clear whether or not the stolen monstrance in the major parish contained consecrated substances. But the monstrance was in itself a valuable relic, and even the Vatican has issued a comment regarding its theft.

A large object made of solid gold? That could be worth stealing all on its own.

(researching)

No, it’s only gold plated, like a cheap necklace from WalMart. Not worth stealing at all. I’m back to the witch theory. They do have witches in the Philippines, don’t they?

[the_diego]

@kaylasdad99

People still say “Mohammaden”?

I’m trying to live my entire life without ever becoming PL.

Also, just for clarity’s sake: is it the denominations in the 5% that you’re pitting (apparently for theft of consecrated substances, by which I presume you mean hosts)?

Or are some Catholic churches stealing from other Catholic churches?

No, not just the 5%, and it’s not just about the theft(s). Catholic intra-church thieving? Why not? Not entirely impossible. Just not plausible.

[the_diego]

@dropzone

No, it’s only gold plated, like a cheap necklace from WalMart. Not worth stealing at all. I’m back to the witch theory. They do have witches in the Philippines, don’t they?

I don’t think it’s the one from Guadalupe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVaC8zq5dqM

There are supposed witches in the Philippines. Most legends center around a small island sub-province in the south. What’s known is that some of the folks there have a tradition of making potions, balms and other stuff. A lot of quack doctors and faith healers come form that place. However, later generations lost their courage and dignity and studied western medicine instead.

[dropzone]

@the_diego

I don’t think it’s the one from Guadalupe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVaC8zq5dqM

Yep, plated.

@the_diego

However, later generations lost their courage and dignity and studied western medicine instead.

Or wanted to actually cure people. And be paid in cash instead of livestock.

I still kinda wish the US had given the Philippines the option of statehood, even though my Spanish is lousy and the likelihood that I could learn Tagalog fades with each passing year. I’m still holding out for Cuba and have added Guyana to my wish list, imperial SOB that I am.

[the_diego]

I’m sure that’s what a lot of guys here would want that. And timing’s about right now. If done pre-war, there would have been some snarking about it, what with close to 1.0 million Filipinos killed during the American campaign to wipe out Aguinaldo’s forces.

But swerving back to the topic, I still think it’s a marketing game all-in-all. That in itself if not pittable but claiming you’re the Church of God because that’s what you call yourself, and that’s how the Bible calls it, makes me want to become a Soviet.

[kaylasdad99]

PL?

[Guinastasia]

@the_diego

I’m trying to live my entire life without ever becoming PL.

PL – is that like a new way of saying “PC” or something?

[the_diego]

Politically correct, yes that’s the term.

[Darth_Panda]

You are all going to hell.
When you see the Devil, tell him I’m a-coming.

[kaylasdad99]

@kaylasdad99

People still say “Mohammaden”?

@the_diego

I’m trying to live my entire life without ever becoming PL.

@kaylasdad99

PL?

@Guinastasia

PL – is that like a new way of saying “PC” or something?

@the_diego

Politically correct, yes that’s the term.

Oh. Well, thanks for the clarification. :dubious:

:rolleyes:

[Malleus_Incus_Stapes]

Adding another “Huh?” here.

Exactly how are you defining politically correct, anyway?

[kaylasdad99]

Evidently, if calling Muslims “Mohammadens” was good enough for his forbears, it’s damn well good enough for him, and he’s not going to knuckle under to the liberal, PC demand that he start referring to adherents of Islam the way they refer to themselves.

[DrFidelius]

What? Mussulman’s too hoity-toity for you?