I am sure that when he finally departs this life there will be many eulogies to his remarkable life. However, we should also remember that in many ways he was a social conservative who opposed the use of contraception and also refused to countenace changes to the celibacy rule for catholic priests. Both of these policies in my view have had consequences which, far from adding to the sum total of human happiness, have added to the sum total of human misery. These are just two examples of his social conservatism. I hope that when a new pope is chosen, he will be a pope for the twenty first century, with more enlightened and flexible views on these moral issues.

I would agree with your sentiments LordChaverly, but as the Catholic church is inherently conservative, I for one won't hold my breath. The Pope doesn't even approve of contraception!

Do you reckon he ever read "The Da Vinci Code"?

I think it's a shame that people are talking in such a way about an old man who consistently tried to do his best to teach the children of today some very serious morals.

How about, "No sex before marriage?" It would cut down on the abortion rates of every country in the world. Plus so many children are born to single mothers instead of in a stable relationship - and how many men take off from their partners leaving the woman to carry the load? If you're enthralled enough with your partner to get your feet wet, you should have the decency to marry her.

And why shouldn't people in marital relationships use the rhythm method? It's a lot healthier than taking pills, or having your passions curbed by condoms at the "most likely time of the month."

Originally posted by MovingOn
And why shouldn't people in marital relationships use the rhythm method? It's a lot healthier than taking pills, or having your passions curbed by condoms at the "most likely time of the month."

They can if they so choose, but only if they are prepared for the fact that at some point they will probably get pregnant because it doesn't work.

The Pope does teach and uphold some valuable moral points. However I do not agree that asking bishops in Africa to oppose financial programs to provide barrier methods of contraception to help curb the spread of the AIDS epidemic was one of them.

There's a lot to be said for RESTRAINT

Theres a lot to be said for using all methods available to stop an incurable disease. Why stop people from doing one when the Church is supposed to be compassionate?

Wilf

He was black, he was white. He was loose, he was tight. He was in, he was out. He drank wine, he drank stout. He liked girls, he liked boys. He liked quiet, he liked noise. He liked curls, he liked straight. He liked prunes, he liked dates. He farted in bed, he farted outdoors. He told jokes to silence, and to riotous applause. This balanced enough? My mum says I have to come off the computer now....

Originally posted by MovingOn


How about, "No sex before marriage?" It would cut down on the abortion rates of every country in the world. Plus so many children are born to single mothers instead of in a stable relationship - and how many men take off from their partners leaving the woman to carry the load? If you're enthralled enough with your partner to get your feet wet, you should have the decency to marry her.



An interesting proposition MovingOn. I'd consider marrying my partner, even though we will never have children together, but we are actually pretty much enthralled with each other. The Pope & the Catholic church are opposed to allowing us to wed though. Something to do with us being a gay couple I seem to recall. Any chance of you putting a good word in for us with the next Pope?

Originally posted by MovingOn
There's a lot to be said for RESTRAINT

It doesn't matter whether you use restraint or not, the method is not at all reliable! The only type of restraint that is effective is abstinence.

As far as I know, the only three methods of birth control approved by the Catholic church are:

abstinence;
the rythym method;
coitus interruptus (i.e. pull the kettle off the stove before it bolis over).

All of these carry substantial risks of pregnancy (in the case of abstinence, because it is unnatural and difficult to sustain - in fact, they are all unnatural and difficult to sustain).

Whether you agree with his point of view or not (personaly I don't but that's neither here nor there!) you have to have some respect for a man who will stand up for the ideals he believes will make the world a better place.

I think he has been a bit to conservative and would like to see some more flexability in a future pope, but I suppose as an ex catholic my vote probably shouldn't hold any sway!

MOD: Link to adult site removed.

MOD: Link to adult site removed.

Just been on your links kirky.........porn in abundance!!!!:o

could you shout up a bit i don't think the mods heard you:rolleyes:

but any how your only supposed to look at the pope bit:rolleyes:

Sorry kirky.

Just trying to assist those who may have kids who are members........like I have:thumbsup:

Anyhow, we must think about owdlad and his health!

Originally posted by saxon51
Just trying to assist those who may have kids who are members........like I have:thumbsup:

Anyhow, we must think about owdlad and his health!

lets just say he saw it before i did:D also i don't think you'd see any porn unless you click on it..i didn't see any,i'm sure sian will be along to remove the links shortly..she's very efficient you know.;)

Mod. Note

Back to the topic, gentlemen?

Cheers

Joe

He's gone. 9pm

Bless him.

Edit: 8:37 pm http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=CTSQS3B4TY1BMCRBAE0CF FA?type=topNews&storyID=8068129&section=news

Now for the runners and riders in the Pope stakes - 6 billion to one on Ian Paisley. Any takers?

Mod: Please use the main thread about The Pope.