wafer kidnapping

sionnach commented on the word wafer kidnapping

My current favorite story of the week

July 14, 2008

sionnach commented on the word wafer kidnapping

transubstantiation or consubstantiation?

July 14, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word wafer kidnapping

You've got it all wrong. Sheesh. It's Christnapping, folks.

July 15, 2008

sionnach commented on the word wafer kidnapping

I wouldn't go that far. Christclonenapping maybe, and not even that if you're one of them lowchurch, lollard-y kind of believers. (heretics, that is to say)

July 15, 2008

skipvia commented on the word wafer kidnapping

I love the fact that the wafernapper in sionnach's link received threats to his afterlife.

July 15, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word wafer kidnapping

No, can't agree. To a Catholic (which I'm not, as I'm nontheist), a Eucharist is the actual body of Christ. Ask any believer of that denomination, as I did – I asked my Christian friends. They truly, honestly and sincerely believe that that little bit of wafer they are given is the actual body of Jesus Christ. If it weren't, then what would be the point of eating it?

I personally believe that the whole thing is blown way out of proportion. How are we better than those Muslim fundamentalists who got upset over those silly cartoons? If the Christians have got the right to be upset and discomfited over a piece of food (they're calling it a hate crime now!), then they've got a right to be upset over an ugly drawing.

July 15, 2008

chained_bear commented on the word wafer kidnapping

Well, people, I am Catholic, though not devout (I'm actually a terrible Catholic). The act of stealing the host is offensive beyond measure, regardless of whether a person believes—or simply respects the Catholic doctrinal belief—that it is truly the body of Christ. To turn and make fun of that belief rather than of the person who denigrated an entire religion, I think, is almost as offensive.

If this were any other religion that were the target of this kind of flagrant and public disrespect, there would be a huge outcry by liberals—of whom I am one (and not a terrible one either)—rather than some stupid-ass people mocking a faith followed by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Well, I guess we are all targets at least some of the time. *shrugs*

I do not mean to start a flame war, and I'm not as angry as maybe this post makes it sound, so this is my last post on the subject. But I don't like to see Catholics made fun of, even if I'm a terrible one.

July 15, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word wafer kidnapping

We have a right to have our own opinions, and I usually avoid engaging in discussions on religious issues in places where it's not explicitly invited (I do participate in debates in some LiveJournal communities which where created specifically for this purpose).

So, no worries. I've just encountered too many Christian people with whom it is impossible to reason or debate, because they do not follow basic logic, and have not read the Bible in its entirety as I have. They discard one set of rules laid down in Bible, then pick and choose another set of rules to follow, even though the Bible clearly is meant to be understood literally (not cleverly interpreted), and all the rules apply. It's all mind boggling, and it's completely turned me off religion.

As to the matter in question – true, the person who "stole" the Eucharist acted very inconsiderately, yet I refuse to believe that he harbored any malicious intent when doing that. Does he deserve to receive multiple death threats against his person? Or to have his future ruined with expulsion from school? No, I don't believe he does.

Why do (radical) believers get away with beating their children bloody in the name of God, or those Mormon people with sexually abusing and marrying off their pre-pubescent daughters to old geezers as their religion "stipulates"? Way to many people excuse outrageous behaviour if it's done in the name of God.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to continue to discuss it here – after all, Wordie is meant to be a fun place to hang around, so why spoil this with serious, not to say irrelevant, discussions on controversial subjects? (I'll delete this comment on request).

July 15, 2008

bilby commented on the word wafer kidnapping

$5,500 fine in Sydney for Catholic-baiting, this week only. Welcome to the Safer Wafer society.

But back to the story, "holding it hostage for one week in a plastic bag before returning it." Was that some bad pun on host or what?

July 15, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word wafer kidnapping

You mean, holding a host hostage? Doesn't sound like a fun pun at all. However, it does give a whole new meaning to the phrase hostage situation.

July 15, 2008

palooka commented on the word wafer kidnapping

I understand irreverent humor, but in this case it may be best to back off the subject altogether. A sacred religious symbol is sacred & important to the followers of that faith.

I think the point c_b was making was what if it was a Jewish sacred object that was brazenly mistreated by some miscreant. That person would be labeled an anti-semitic & would be condemned by the internet community.

Again I understand irreverent humor.

July 15, 2008

mialuthien commented on the word wafer kidnapping

While I hold a genuine respect for all kinds of people, regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliations, until they prove that they are not worthy of this respect, I loathe religion in all its forms, and it may come across as "irreverent humour", as you said. It's not. It's anger, tempered by tolerance, and weary resignation.

"...in this case it may be best to back off the subject altogether" – I agree, because this is not a place to discuss religion. Still, this exchange of views have been interesting, so time is not wasted (much) :)

This will be my last comment on this theme.

July 15, 2008

palooka commented on the word wafer kidnapping

A lot of religious people these days have given religion a bad name MiaLuthien. I think Christ would cringe at the way His name has been drug through the mud of hatred and violence and intolerance.

But I respect the spiritual belief that most people seem to have, a belief in living as morally and ethically, as compassionately & lovingly as they can.

I fully understand how a loathing toward religion arises, but perhaps we need to look beyond religious dogma & into the hearts of the gentle believers who use their faith as a motivation to love more. Perhaps we focus too much (maybe necessarily) on the horrifying antics & violence of the religious totalitarians, whether they be Muslim, Christian, Hindu, or whatever.

Faith, religion, is what the person makes of it & is not inherently good or bad.

Next week's sermon will focus on how to lovingly and compassionately issue military commands. Bless you all! The Right Reverend palooka.

July 15, 2008