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Why don't we talk about hell any more, asks the Pope »

Posted by: gatitabonitasen 2 years, 8 months ago

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For centuries it has been one of the Catholic Church's favourite topics. But the Pope has given a fresh reminder to his flock that Hell is hell and bemoaned the fact that it rarely gets talked about these days. The 79-year old pontiff used a Mass in the gritty Fidene suburb of Rome to put damnation back on the agenda. "Jesus came to tell us e

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Comments: 45

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uncleT
April 7, 2007, 9:33 a.m.
Wasn't the Catholic church the first to push the fear of hell and damnation on the flock during the dark ages to keep the church's domain? The Catholic church has been losing members all around the world and I can see their ploy in trying to retain and grow membership.
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pagey
April 7, 2007, 12:30 p.m.
I don't think people believe in hell as much as they believe in heaven, or something beyond death.
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BoxMonkey
April 7, 2007, 12:47 p.m.
Welcome to NYC or L.A. or New Orleans . Or how about Detroit or Flint .Actually Satan prances to and fro devouring who He can . If He can sidetrack you from the Hell discussion , He's done His job .
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kedirian
April 7, 2007, 1:36 p.m.
Hell, "Holy" Father?
How come you don't live among and serve the teeming masses in the slums of Calcutta, Jakarta, Capestad, the favellas of Rio de Janeiro, or the barrios in Mexico and the American Southwest?
How come you obsess about human sexuality and remain silent about the immorality of the corporate Boardrooms?
The effects of Global Warming, in no SMALL measure brought about by YOUR Churches' and predecessors' narrow view of human sexuality, will soon convict even more humans and other animals and flora to a Hell, which would make Dante's inferno look like child's play!
What is your Church, what are YOU with your worldwide (undeserved) prestige going to do about that, other than complaining that mankind no longer falls for your medieval threats?
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endero23
April 7, 2007, 1:56 p.m.
It really drives me crazy when people say they are "God fearing". That is a very catholic idea. The idea of a place full of fire just seems so....ur...outdated.
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lvrofwolves
April 7, 2007, 2:11 p.m.
On Sunday, the Pope upset the EU's 50th birthday party by suggesting that plummeting birth rates on the continent could send the continent to oblivion.
Is he serious??? maybe plummeting birth rates to those that are devout catholics.
I think people are more inspired by heaven and good will, of hope...who the hell wants to hear more about hell? especially when too many people already feel as tho hell is right now on Earth.
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lvrofwolves
April 7, 2007, 2:15 p.m.
for some odd reason I always think of that underdog cartoon and the villian Simon Barsinister-when I see the Pope..god help me!
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riverdalian
April 7, 2007, 2:40 p.m.
Hell? What does the Pope think living in this world is? Shangri-La? I'm roman catholic, but I don't think he should try to instill so much fear into society. The vatican itself doesn't exactly have clean hands y'know.
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Sloany
April 7, 2007, 2:44 p.m.
Another fundamentalist.
And what does he mean, delcining birth rates could send the continent into olivion. Last I checked many world problems like poverty, education, ect. are caused my having too many people to support. What we need are laws to stop people at having one kid for a while. China has the right idea.
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choppywatters
April 7, 2007, 2:48 p.m.
What in the Hell is he talking about?
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NelsonR
April 7, 2007, 4:18 p.m.
Do you know the definition of coercion, to enforce, to compel and this is what the church is promoting. Do as I ask or suffer the consequences. Yeah right, reminds me of the Bible thumping preacher proclaiming righteousness or Hell for eternity.
Its time for a new tactic. How about give me $100.00 or you will be sat upon by the fat lady.
It's time for change and a new tactic by religions!
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truthiness
April 7, 2007, 4:48 p.m.
the Jews (y'know Joseph, Mary, the Apostles, and oh yeah..Jesus) have no conc epst of Hell in the religion... when you die, you're dead. When judgement comes those who are deemed worthy are raised up to live forever in an eden-like paradise, and those who are not worthy stay dead.
the carrot and stick of behavior come in this life, much like Karma.
he word Jesus used for Hell in Hebrew refered to an area outside of Jerusalem that was used as a garbage dump and therefore also occupied by carrion eaters and the insane.
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NelsonR
April 7, 2007, 5 p.m.
Personally, I think a god is not a god since humans have corrupted that which is preached.
The one abiding question to me, my lowly self, is the same old question, Why. The universe is infinite and we are so used to a beginning and end that the question always arises. Why, When and where did it all begin and Why?
I cannot accept faith as it is practiced today since it makes no sense whatsoever. I do not dismiss a god but I question the relevence and the Why of the premise.
In conclusion, live a life of morality and do unto others as you would want done unto you and thats it!!! Being forced by a threat of hell is not a correct path for belief, or else a human then believes in the concept of evil and coercion.
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_Ang-EL_
April 7, 2007, 5:31 p.m.
The answer to the pope's qustion is:
The devil doesn't want us to know that this world, is hell. Therefor he does not want us talking about it (cause some people like me, would figure it out.).
He also wants us to think that the commandment is Thou shalt not kill - its NOT! It is "Thou shalt not MURDER!".
They are just 2 ways, that he protects his own.
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old-squid
April 7, 2007, 5:39 p.m.
The Pope's got "Hell"
George Bush has got "Terrorists"
And the Ol' Lady's got "Not Tonight, Buster!!"
It's all about power ;(
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gregis3
April 7, 2007, 6:05 p.m.
Religion has been bullied by atheists for quite a long time now. It is exactly the kind of propaganda being spouted in this thread that keeps people of faith from freely professing their faith. Keep in mind, it was atheists throughout the centuries who murdered people just for believing in Jesus.
Talk about abuse of power. "Profess yourself an atheist or we will chop off your head. Profess yourself an atheist or we will nail you to a cross upside down. Profess yourself an atheist or we will stone you to death."
You guys don't set a very good example. As many bad things as people have done while claiming to be Christians, there are 100 times that many evil acts done in the attempt to stamp out religion.
Every time someone posts an article about religion, especially Christianity, there are inevitably several comments posted that are filled with nothing but hate. It sickens me, but it has happened for centuries, you guys are just perpetuating the practice.
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KYRed
April 7, 2007, 6:16 p.m.
Ummm....profess yourself a Christian or we will burn you at the stake. Profess yourself as a Muslim or we will cut your head off. For many people here, hell is life on Earth.
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aceofspades1
April 7, 2007, 6:59 p.m.
There was an old song William Frawley from the Lucy Show sang it in some movie -I think it holds true today for so many so so pious people - the song?
"Everyone Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants To Die"
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keyfitter
April 7, 2007, 7:27 p.m.

Funny how "Gods word" can be twisted around to
suit some self-serving purposes, many of which
has to do with making more money.
'
The Popes "Hell" is similar to The Shrub and his
terrorist fear tactics. They both are meant to
control and manipulate by fear.
'
So, everyone here in the U.S. needs to give more
to the church, and check under our beds every night
for terrorists.
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truthiness
April 7, 2007, 7:33 p.m.
politics-faith that my theory is the best way to run society
science-faith that my method is the best way to find truth
religion-faith that I know how the universe operates
faith- an unswerving, unprovable belief that I understand a certain topic.
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Morginie
April 7, 2007, 7:47 p.m.
This pope sucks, I want John Paul II back.
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keyfitter
April 7, 2007, 8:10 p.m.

All of this talk about Hell at Easter time!.
Happy Easter everyone!
'
http://strangecosmos.com/content/item/4447.html
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tryingtofindmyway
April 7, 2007, 8:39 p.m.
The word hell appears in the gospels 15 times, including Matthew 5:22,29, and 30, Luke 10:15 and 12:5, and Mark 9:45,47. I don't know what Bible you're referring to, but I haven't read it!
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_Ang-EL_
April 8, 2007, noon
To the wealthy this world is Heaven: to the poor, hell!
And the wealthy want to keep it that way(or they would do something about it).
Jesus said feed my sheep! The wealthy say brain dirty the sheep, "Dont' feed em, teach em!". The pope takes money from the poor, when he should be giving money to the poor.