A Matrix-style poster depicting a Catholic priest as Neo isn't a spoof. The Catholic Church really is distributing these things. It's part of their
new recruitment campaign:
The poster's creator, the Rev. Jonathan Meyer, 28, associate director of youth ministries for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, says pop culture is the key to attracting young men to an occupation that has gotten bad press.
"If we can get high-school youth to hang a picture of a priest in their room, that's huge in helping young men to answer the call to the priesthood," the cleric said. "Anyone who is a 'Matrix' guru looks at the picture and automatically gets it."
Crucifix in hand, Father Meyer posed for the poster, rated R for "restricted to those radically in love with Jesus Christ." Running time is "all eternity," and its title reads, "The Catholic priesthood: The answer is out there ... and it's calling you."
I'm wondering how far the Neo as Catholic priest analogy can be extended. In the second Matrix movie, Neo has sex with Trinity. So how are we supposed to interpret that? In one sense it seems appropriate (priests are dedicating themselves to God, or the Holy Trinity), but in another way it doesn't seem to be the message the Church intended. (via
Notes From the Lounge)
A Matrix-style poster depicting a Catholic priest as Neo isn't a spoof. The Catholic Church really is distributing these things. It's part of their new recruitment campaign:
Comments
For what I hope is the last time, I'll tell you AGAIN what I've been saying all along. The Catholic Church covered up the CRIME committed by priests who sexually molested children.
"God" claimed that that wasn't true. To "prove" his claim, he linked to articles which clearly said it WAS true. Sorry, but that's more than a little silly.
I NEVER SAID that the Church didn't "forgive" the molesting priests. OK, it did. So what?
What I said (which is 100% accurate) was that Cardinal Law and others in the Catholic Church hierarchy knew about the molestations and DID NOT report them to law enforcement or the families of the victims. As "God's" own links prove, that DID HAPPEN, which was the point of contention between us.
Now that he has been shown to be wrong on that point, "God" wants to change the discusion to whether or not the Church forgave the priests.
It doesn't matter if the Church forgave the priests. THE LAW says that if you have knowledge of a CRIME like sexual molestation, you are supposed to report it. Cardinal Law and others broke the law by NOT reporting the crimes. That is "obstruction of justice." There is no law that says if you "forgive" the molester, you don't have to report his crimes.
You know, I'm starting to feel like I'm watching a movie I've seen before.
Some time back, a person using a different name appeared on this thread. He followed the exact same pattern as "God." He, too, linked to articles which completely contradicted the point he was trying to make, which was identical to "God's."
When I pointed that out, his tone changed, his spelling got worse and he seemed to "lose it." Eventually, he was banned from the forum after lashing out incoherently and calling me names.
I'm sure you can guess what I'm thinking here.
"What the sites DID say was that a Cardinal gave a priest a second chance. Christianity IS about second chances."
Is Christianity also about breaking the law? As I've said repeatedly already, so what if the Church "forgave" the child molesting priests? Cardinal Law and others in the church's hierarchy BROKE THE LAW by NOT reporting their crimes to the police. "Forgiving" them is just a way to avoid doing what the law REQUIRED them to do. It added to the pain of the victims and created the possibility of causing MORE children to be sexually molested.
If that's acceptable to Catholics and the Catholic Church, I'm glad I'm no longer a member.
Ethan said:
"I still don't get how you did not understand "God's" position on this."
Oh, I understood it perfectly well. It was just irrelevant to what he was trying to argue with me about. I said that higher-ups in the Catholic Church had covered up the crimes of the priests who sexually molested children (and I was correct about that). "God" said I was wrong and then, to "prove" his point, gave us links to articles that showed me to be correct. Interestingly enough, Joshua did the exact same thing months ago.
"I bet you are a skinny, nerdy, little, white guy in his 40's that has nothing better to do than post stuff on here every day for the past 3 years or so."
Incorrect in every respect.
"Oh and I'm an atheist by the way so what now??????? My standing on this situation? I'm with 'God'"
"Sorry I had to. And yes I know I said I was a evangelical but know what? I'm not anymore after hearing what everyone here has written in "the name of God" Quite frankly I'm disgusted."
And I'M the one who should look up "cognitive dissonance?"
1."Judge lest not ye be judged"
2. "Let he whom has not sinned cast the first stone"
3."...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
...Or for you non-Catholics-
1. Don't judge people because of their faults etc... or you too will be judged just as if not more harshly than you judged.
2. Who are you to criticize one persons faults or errors for you to have made mistakes and not always done the right thing.
3. No one is perfect so why do you insist on judging people whom have made errors at a moment in their past, for you have too, and if you truly want to judge these priests please Cranky- tell me your most horrible sins/errors in judgement.
In conclusion either get a life or quit judging people for errors they have made in their past.
OK, for what I hope will be the last time, I'll explain this. I don't care if the Church "forgave" the child molesting priests. Under the law, those in the Church hierarchy had a REQUIREMENT to report what they knew to the police.
The fact that Cardinal Law and others "forgave" them for this sins in no way changes the fact that they broke the law by not reporting those crimes. Spritual forgiveness does NOT relieve you of your responsibility under the law.
Besides, don't you find it disgusting that Law and others allowed the priests to continue to be in contact with children AFTER THEY KNEW (by Law's own admission) that boys had been sexually abused?
You don't need to quote the Bible to me, thank you very much. I'm aware of that scripture; it isn't relevant to the legal situation.
"Do you even have kids and if so why would you lie to us about them being molested? That's not cool man."
Yes, I have two grown children. What exactly is it you imagine I "lied" about?
"You are more narrow-minded than those people who think the Beatles are actually good singers- but then again you probably do like that band."
And the irrelevancies begin.
"Anway to get back on topic... In the Bible and Qoran (If that is how you spell it) and Torah, or whatever etc...- All of them mention at LEAST once that God is above the law."
Uh huh. So what? This may come as a surprise to you, but America is NOT a theocracy, nor is it a "Christian nation." Priests and other clergy can be and have been arrested on more than one occasion. NOTHING in America says that a member of the clergy is above the law.
"So in other words the Church did what it felt was right and did what was the Biblically correct thing to do- they made the Church the final authority and when they deemed it necessary for those priests to got to jail- after giving them a second chance as "God" says best "...a Cardinal gave a priest a second chance."
Again, completely irrelevant to the law of the United States.
Apparently, in your fantasy world, a priest could murder someone and it would perfectly OK for the higher-ups in the Catholic Church to have knowledge of that and withhold it from the authorities. Fascinating. Also completely wrong.
"sorry for all of you non-christains out there but Jesus told us to give second chances and to forgive one another."
Uh, yeah, he did, but Jesus was speaking about SPIRITUAL forgiveness, not protection from civil penalties.
It's very sad that you think that a priest should be able to sexually molest many children and receive NO punishment for those disgusting acts.
I don't think that's "Christian." I think it's deranged.
"WOW- THANK YOU- APPARENTLY YOU ARE TOO IMMATURE TO HEAR THE TRUTH. end of discussion."
Well, you sure told me! (You WERE talking to me, right?)
I'm surprised you didn't go with, "I'm rubber, you're glue."
Some of you guys make me feel like a Major Leaguer playing Tee Ball at the Special Olympics.
1. For you information Cranky, America was FOUNDED by CHRISTIANS. This country was founded and based on Christian priciples and if you don't believe so you need more of that medication you're taking - whatever it is.
2."Yes, I have two grown children. What exactly is it you imagine I "lied" about?" Let me restate the question so you can understand me. Were your children ever molested and is this how you have this twisted view on this priest pedohilia situation?
3.You also said "NOTHING in America says that a member of the clergy is above the law." No that's true it does not but it also doesn't say people can't be in cults like the KKK, Or for example the Scientologist faith, and other cults most featuring suicide as a means to salvation. Just because American Laws have not covered EVERYHTING in the world regarding religions etc... does not mean that they are AGAINST their beliefs or in some cases FOR their beliefs (Like for instance the KKK's hanging and harassing of Jews, Catholics and Blacks.)
4. You also said "Apparently, in your fantasy world, a priest could murder someone and it would perfectly OK for the higher-ups in the Catholic Church to have knowledge of that and withhold it from the authorities. Fascinating. Also completely wrong." No not wrong. Completely Right actually. For as I stated before the Churches in countless religions believe that The Church is the final authority. And once again this Nation WAS founded on Christian principles so it is not wrong, they are not withholding it from the authorities they are simply dealing with it on their own, having no need to ask the authorities for help (except for when they desire it), because The Catholic Church founded by Christ himself believes that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church into the direction HE wants it to go. Thus the Church working under the guidance of The Holy Spirit does what they HE feels is best and so that is why they gave the priest's second chances. Because "Christianity is about getting second chances."
5."You said : "Uh, yeah, he did, but Jesus was speaking about SPIRITUAL forgiveness, not protection from civil penalties." I'm not talking about civil penalties. As molestation is a sin the Church "spiritually forgave" the piests, not with the intention of breaking the law or "protecting them from civil penalties" but with the intention of trying to be like Christ in every single aspect of life and once again hopefully for the last time they did this because Christiantiy IS about getting second chances.
"For you information Cranky, America was FOUNDED by CHRISTIANS. This country was founded and based on Christian priciples and if you don't believe so you need more of that medication you're taking - whatever it is."
Ah, personal insults: the last refuge of those who don't know what they're talking about.
No, sorry to break it to you, but American was NOT "founded and based on Christian principles."
If it was, wouldn't the Ten Commandments be the law of the land? You may not be aware of this, but it isn't illegal to NOT honor your father and mother. It is NOT illegal to "put another God before" the Christian God. Nor is it illegal to "covet another's wife" or "covet another's goods."
Yes, SOME (not all) of the Founding Fathers were Christians. They spent a very hot summer in Philadelphia working on the Constitution, arguing over every detail. Interestingly, they didn't include a single references to Jesus. Don't you think they would have if they really intended this to be a "Christian nation"?
The only official document of the U.S. government to my knowledge which actually addresses the notion of America being a "Christian nation" is the Treaty of Tripoli. The Treaty says that the "United States is in no way founded on the Christian religion."
By the way, just for laughs, you should do a little research on what some of the Founding Fathers had to say about religion in general and Christianity specifically. Some of the quotes are VERY amusing. Hint: they aren't what you'd like to believe they would be.
I realize that FACTS are of no interest to you in this case since they would disprove your no doubt deeply-held beliefs, but for many of the rest of us (especially those of us who don't like superstitious nonsense), they're pretty important. The facts don't support your opinions.
Let's see if I can predict what will happen next. You will either bring up the "In God We Trust" thing and the Pledge of Allegiance thing OR you will call me some names, say you're going to pray for me and stomp off.
Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli reads:
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
See, that's one of those "fact" things that you dislike so much. OK, what document of the United States government can you come up with which contradicts that quote?
Remember, it has to be an official document of the U.S. government which says that America is a "Christian nation" or words to that effect. No, personal opinions, no matter whose they may be, do NOT count.
Good luck chasing that chimera.
What I've been saying from the beginning of this discussion is that the LAW requires a person who has knowledge of child abuse to report such to the police. I never said anything at all about the Bible.
The fact is that what the Bible says is completely irrelevant to the laws of the United States. Priests can be, and have been, arrested. If what the Bible says was relevant, then one could get away with any crime, including murder according to I'm Not, by simply quoting it in one's own defense.
Saying "I'm not guilty because God has forgiven me" ain't gonna work in a court of law. Feel free to test your theory if you ever get into trouble.
May God help you all who do know know the truth- It's been staring at you in your face all these years just go to "www.protestanterrors.com" or google "catholic treasure chest" if you want to seek out more info on the catholic faith also see "newadvent" on-line and "ask-a-franciscan" if you have any questions regarding anything Catholic. They are very kind people and respond quickly!
"Don't you have anything better to do than reply to people for the last two years spreading hate, lies and decieving everyone whom has seen this site."
Yup, look at me "spreading hate and lies" by saying that priests--trusted authority figures--who stuck their penises into the anuses of underage boys for their own sexual pleasure should be prosecuted for those crimes. I must be INSANE to even suggest such a thing!
Clearly, they should be protected from punishment by the upper levels of the Church so that they can repeat their molestation of young children with impunity. After all, they were "forgiven" by the Church and that should supercede the law.
Here's a couple of thoughts. Perhaps the Catholic Church should make anal rape a sacrament. Then the Church could claim protection under the First Amendment right to worship as one sees fit whenever a priest gets into trouble for rape of a child.
Also, the Church should acquire a list of sex offenders to start a recruitment drive for the priesthood. After all, I keep hearing that the Church is having trouble getting men to become priests. Clearly, the Church is overlooking a treasure trove of likely candidates.
Accusing me of those things is bearing false witness against your neighbor as I have done none of them. That accusation violates one of the Ten Commandments. You will, of course, confess that sin as soon as possible.
Would you please do us the favor of letting us know what penance you receive for that sin? Thank you.
http://www.wisn.com/news/15193608/detail.html
In a surprising twist, this one's a FEMALE!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7227629.stm
"Were you raped by your mother as a child because you are seriously one screwed up person- and I'm not even Catholic."
You aren't Catholic and you aren't rational, either. So, your "logic" is that because I pointed out, factually, that higher-ups in the Catholic Church covered up for priests who sexually molested young kids, I must have been raped by my mother? Wow, just wow.
What's the color of the sky on your planet?
Just curious, James, is that how a Christian should act?
So, ARE you a Christian? Remember, if you are, it's a sin to lie. Jesus said there would be people who would deny knowing him.
So, James, you think my sources are all making up the news stories about priests who have sexually molested young children and the higher-ups in the Catholic Church who covered that up? Don't you wonder why the priests accused of such a horrible crime and the Church haven't sued for libel and slander? I certainly would if I was incorrectly accused of such a thing.
Sorry, James, those things DID happen, even though you desperately want to believe they didn't.
If you have any actual EVIDENCE that they didn't, you need to contact the police and/or the FBI as soon as possible.
Please stop covering up for sexual predators. There's been enough of that already.
I've told the truth and backed it up with actual EVIDENCE. YOU have things you want desperately to believe and since you can't support them with FACTS, you have to resort to personal attacks.
"I didn't deny that the molestation/sex abuse cases never happened I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciated how you always show us the biased gay a*s reprts made by ifiots like yourself."
I guess you're referring to the NEWS "reprts" in reputable outlets like the Boston Globe. Yeah, it's just TERRIBLE that they tell the truth about how trusted authority figures like Catholic priests molested young boys. Why can't they just pretend they don't know about that?
OK, sarcasm off. If you're aware of any bias in the reporting of those crimes, why don't you tell us what it is, instead of making unsubstantiated accusations? What do you claim to know that the press didn't?
Has it occurred to you that, if you have actual information that might exonerate some of those priests, by not saying something, you're preventing justice from being done?
Of course, that would only be true IF you weren't just bitching for no reason.
Here's a shocking reality: not every news story you don't like is "biased."
Seriously, James, you have NO facts to back up the non-argument you have.
If you were intelligent (a BIG "if"), you would realize that and re-examine your position on child-molesting priests.
You aren't so you won't, though.
For the record, while you may THINK you're a good Christian, you aren't.
In all sincerity, I hope you never have children who find themselves in the sad position of being molested by an authority figure. It would be terrible for them to realize that, on top of having been abused, their parent made excuses for the person or persons who did it to them.
Assuming that what you say is true, to me it's just one more argument against organized religion in general.
Hey, maybe the Vatican could use that as a slogan:
"27% fewer child molestations than any other major religion."
Actually, since you say these "stats" are on CNN, Fox and BBC, why don't you give us some links to them so we don't have to hunt all over?
It's obvious by your pathetic excuse at using Hebrew/Chaldea reverse Welsh Gaelic Bible Scripture's to cover your '2nd Chance for Nazi Peado Industry, that you are using this as a mean's of excuse for your ritual child abuse, just because of a Scripture regarding The Fire Of Chemosh, and putting your children throught he fire, ie; your Bohemian Grove play act that's suposed to be the art of Metempsychosis and killing off your stupid, pathetic immature childish selve's, you fucking bunch of wanking idiot half brained Pavlov's, becaus ethere's no where in the entire Bible does it state, 'Fuck your kid's is the Fire Of Chemosh', you fucking half brain, and that's because you onlyu have the capacity to use half a fucking brain, you incoherent dick fuck priest!!!! You have no concept of any form of Metempsychosi mentioned in the entire Bible, and I can't wait for you to claim publically to the whole public planet that you use the Prophet Mohammed's Text's as a Scapegoat for your underground Nazi Peado Industry, that You headed an International Ketamine Experiment via the Military Defence System's involved in Freemasonry in every country on this planet, and YOU think the whole planet dosn't know it!!! Here's the latest new's that you should tell your pathetic half brained Ratzinger, that Bedlam's in their own praverbial shit pit with Belldame, and you cartainly wont get an Orange out of me!
#1) Father Meyer is a man that loves the Lord
#2) His purpose in making this poster was to take advantage of a popular icon in our culture and to establish interest in the youth to consider whether or not they are being called to a priestly vocation.
#3) He is a man who was deeply influenced by the teachings and example of John Paul II, who in my opinion is one of the most influential humanitarians of the modern era.
#4) I sense that many on this post have some pent-up angst against the Church. I don't know they are using the Church as a whipping post for their more general hatred of "organized religion" due to its membership totals (1 Billion worldwide) or if it's some other reason.
However many of you seem to be unwilling to be rational about your criticism by conflating the priestly sex abuse scandal with a parish priests attempt to do his vocation, which is to call all of God's people to fulfill their vocation (be it marriage or religious).
Next time, try responding to what I've actually said instead of making up a bunch of nonsense about me. I've never said any of the things you're trying to put in my mouth.
Here's the funny thing: mischaracterizing my position will NOT change the fact that there HAVE been a number of priests who DID molest young boys and whose crimes were covered up by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. You can't make that go away by distorting what I've said. Why don't you spend your time more productively by actually helping the victims? I think that's called "Christian charity."
"So yeah I'm pretty sure I WAS right."
Oh, I'm certain you think you're right. Funny thing, though, you're NOT. Don't let that get in the way of your belief, though.
"I'm simply stating that You "along the way getting really arrogant and believing that everything YOU believe is right and 1.3 billion Catholics are wrong because some priests decided to fall from God's grace and molest a couple boys, then decided to be naive and think only Catholics had this problem", is wrong."
Please show me where I've ever said anything like that. OR you can apologize for attempting to put such ridiculous words in my mouth. I won't hold my breath waiting for THAT to happen, of course.
You can't disprove the things I've said so you mischaracterize them by wildly exaggerating them and then attacking the things I've never said.
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20080221.html
Here's a paragraph from the middle of the article:
"And here is the result of this fabulous example of self-policing: If we're talking about protecting the Church from scandal, defrocking was good for the Church, generating some positive publicity and making the Church appear to be taking action. However, it was disastrous for everyone else's children, as no one seems to know where Sicoli is now. Because the Church never turned him into the authorities, he's not in jail, he's not on any Megan's Law list, and he's free to continue his predatory ways."
Since the defenders of the Catholic Church hierarchy which continues to cover up for priests who force themselves sexually on young boys have NO way to respond to this with FACTS, I predict that I am about to be attacked irrationally. Let the personal attacks begin!