Stephen Fry on the Catholic Church.

[little al]

Fantastic speech by Stephen Fry.

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[Gwylan]

Nice discovery, I hadn't seen this before. I think Christopher Hitchens' speech is better though, I thought Fry was a bit obtuse - who the hell these days knows who Ronald Knox is.

Hitchens was funnier, more angry and more to the point.

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

There were some very unhappy faces in that audience - but he is very, very good. You wouldn't want to be across a debating hall from Mr Fry! He makes some excellent points...

 

[burrish-gull]

Amazing speech, sums the Catholic Church up for me, I've personally known friends who've been totally screwed up by the ancient nonsense it pushes on them.

 

[GNF on Tour]

wow, thats the best 20 mins I have spent today. If what Fry quoted is true how on earth Ratzinger has the nerve to remain as Pontiff I do not know. The Pope has openly encouraged / ordered that child rape is covered up - what a bastard.

 

[bhaexpress]

I think the latest outburst from Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has cost the Catholic Church any credibility it had left. A truly ridiculous thing to say and only idiots will take him seriously. I wonder how a man who is supposed to be celebate can have an opinion about sexuality in any case. Well done Bertone you have let down millions of your followers by having a mouth that is far bigger than your brain.

 

[Simster]

I wonder how a man who is supposed to be celebate can have an opinion about sexuality in any case.

True. It's like expecting a man with no wife to preach and offer spiritual advice to a married couple.



Oh.

 

[little al]

If you have an hour to kill, you can watch the whole debate in 5 parts starting here. The figures at the end speak for themselves. Fry has been edited so I assume they all have.

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[bhaexpress]

True. It's like expecting a man with no wife to preach and offer spiritual advice to a married couple.



Oh.

Yes .... The real problem is that I know that many Catholics will take this as 'Gospel'. My other half (a Filipina) has a gay cousin. When I first met him he was rather surprised that I wasn't bothered about his sexuality in the slightest. There's no shortage of gay men in the Philippines (not a bad thing considering how over populated it is) but the Catholic Church there has a fair bit of power and clearly they don't approve of shirt lifters. I doubt that the Philipiines is the only predominantly Catholic country that will have it's bigotry reinforced.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

Amazing speech, sums the Catholic Church up for me, I've personally known friends who've been totally screwed up by the ancient nonsense it pushes on them.

I also know many many people who have had their lives hugely changed for the better through involvement in the Catholic Church. Doesn't excuse what has gone on, but is it necessary to tar the whole doctrine, organisation and its members?

 

[NMH]

I also know many many people who have had their lives hugely changed for the better through involvement in the Catholic Church. Doesn't excuse what has gone on, but is it necessary to tar the whole doctrine, organisation and its members?

Many people would have their lives changed by being told to "be good", and by joining an organization that says that they will have reinforcement by being among others telling of "the power" and propping the 'newly-good' person up daily with encouragement.
But - how much more important or different is the church from Alcoholics Anonymous, The Women's Guild, Dianetics, Lifespring, or even the local Working Mens' or Social Club? Are they above reproach because some people need to be told how to guide their lives and are taken aside (to be parted with their money) and spend time kneeling and making symbolic hand movements?
The recent issues regarding this organization are not beyond examination, and in response to the heads of it hiding and allowing gross conducts that break human morals and society laws, they've earned some time in the critical spotlight that might well tar their doctrine.

 

[Acker79]

I also know many many people who have had their lives hugely changed for the better through involvement in the Catholic Church. Doesn't excuse what has gone on, but is it necessary to tar the whole doctrine, organisation and its members?

I've not seen the videos in the post but it looks like something I've seen before in which Stephen Fry does mention the good aspects of the religion as well.

 

[herbicide]

But - how much more important or different is the church from Alcoholics Anonymous...

You get wine in church.

 

[little al]

You get wine in church.

Yeah, but only the priest and his favourite alter boy get enough to get pissed.

 

[Ding Dong !]

The Catholic Church/faith has been covering attocities for centuries.........SHAME ON THEM !!!!!

Take my hat off to you Mr Fry, a worthy speech.

 

[bhaexpress]

You get wine in church.

You're a Palarse fan, you have plenty to whine about.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

I found that speech both fascinating & (to a small degree) enlightening. Well done Mr Fry - you're a class act & a top banana.

ps Thanks for the heads-up there Lil' Al. In the interest of balance & fairness, I'll venture to watch the rest of the debate a bit later.

 

[Don Quixote]

He is a horrible dirty liberal who says he isn't prejudiced but obviously is...

 

[bhaexpress]

I also know many many people who have had their lives hugely changed for the better through involvement in the Catholic Church. Doesn't excuse what has gone on, but is it necessary to tar the whole doctrine, organisation and its members?

The problem with the Catholic Church or any church, religion, sect and so on is that many of their followers blindly follow what their leaders say and accept it as the truth. Currently the Catholic church is trying to ward off much deserved critisism but trying to throw muck back, the problem is it's hitting a wave of disgust and being blown back to sully them even more.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

He is a horrible dirty liberal who says he isn't prejudiced but obviously is...

What's up Don? Did he piss in your pint??