Pope Takes Pop At Games
Pope helpfully suggests putting millstones round necks of game makers...
When The Pope says he doesn’t like videogames, as he did this week, millions of his cult followers worldwide also decide they don’t like videogames. This is a problem.
Pope Benedict XVI's (otherwise known as former Hitler Youth Joseph Alois Ratzinger), in a message marking the church's World Communications Day, Pope had the following useful thoughts to “add” to the ongoing debate about the effect of videogames on ‘ver children:
[i]"Any trend to produce programmes and products - including animated films and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programmes are directed at children and adolescents.
“How could one explain this ‘entertainment’ to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse? In this regard, all would do well to reflect on the contrast between Christ who “put his arms around [the children] laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing” (Mk 10:16) and the one who “leads astray … these little ones” for whom "it would be better … if a millstone were hung round his neck" (Lk 17:2).
“Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family."[/i]
Condoms are also wrong says this Pope character.
Pope Benedict XVI's (otherwise known as former Hitler Youth Joseph Alois Ratzinger), in a message marking the church's World Communications Day, Pope had the following useful thoughts to “add” to the ongoing debate about the effect of videogames on ‘ver children:
[i]"Any trend to produce programmes and products - including animated films and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programmes are directed at children and adolescents.
“How could one explain this ‘entertainment’ to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse? In this regard, all would do well to reflect on the contrast between Christ who “put his arms around [the children] laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing” (Mk 10:16) and the one who “leads astray … these little ones” for whom "it would be better … if a millstone were hung round his neck" (Lk 17:2).
“Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family."[/i]
Condoms are also wrong says this Pope character.
Games:
Left Behind: Eternal Forces
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 36.
Rustman 25 Jan 2007 22:33
17/36
I prefer to punctuate arguments of this nature with a basic and understated:
"Yeah....and....so....what?"
Oh... and I've been taking a pop at Catholics for years. Fairs, fair.
"Yeah....and....so....what?"
Oh... and I've been taking a pop at Catholics for years. Fairs, fair.
Ditto 25 Jan 2007 23:35
18/36
realvictory wrote:
Another thing - what the Pope may not realise is, the impact that would occur if somebody decided to publish a Jesus game, for example. Also, Jesus' death was violent, so what's all that about?
I think that's a really, really good point.
One could argue the Bible could cause all sorts of violent behaviour.
Maybe violent books are next on the hit-list... Agatha Christie would turn in her grave.
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RiseFromYourGrave 25 Jan 2007 23:45
19/36
the bible is full of sickening depravity.
did you know that in the entire bible, satan kills only a handful of people, and even those he was told to kill by god. the rest of the deaths initiated by supernatural beings 'recorded' in the bible fall at gods feet. and thats in its millions!
a brilliant role model!
sieg heil, mein popen
did you know that in the entire bible, satan kills only a handful of people, and even those he was told to kill by god. the rest of the deaths initiated by supernatural beings 'recorded' in the bible fall at gods feet. and thats in its millions!
a brilliant role model!
sieg heil, mein popen
warbaby 26 Jan 2007 00:45
20/36
Well it seems nothing is sacred anymore, not even the Pope. While I don't agree with his statement, I don't feel the need to bring up that he was part of the Hitler Youth. I find that comment by spong to be of poor taste. I don't have to tell anyone that the Nazis didn't go about their business by "asking nicely". You didn't join the Hitler Youth, you were forced into it. Honestly, who wrote this article? Sure take a stab at the Pope, but why mock him for something he had no control over and is likely ashamed of.
I don't think he is really speaking of "violent games make violent people". As much as he speaks of games portraying real life atrocities.
Let's further the stereotype of half legible ignorant gamers spewing acid at eachother.
I don't think he is really speaking of "violent games make violent people". As much as he speaks of games portraying real life atrocities.
Let's further the stereotype of half legible ignorant gamers spewing acid at eachother.
DoctorDee 26 Jan 2007 07:12
21/36
warbaby wrote:
Sure take a stab at the Pope, but why mock him for something he had no control over and is likely ashamed of.
The pope may not have had a choice over whether he was in the Hitler Youth or not - membership was made obligatory in 1936, when the Pope was 9 years old.
But the Catholic Church certainly had a choice over who they elected Pope.
Many post war political figures were previously members of the Hitler Youth, even Anti Nazi activists.
His membership of the Hitler Youth is a fact, there's no reason why we shouldn't mention it when he is decrying an artform for depiction of violence without mentioning the tradition of actually performing violence and suppression by his own organisation - I am referring to the Catholic Curch, not the Hitler Jugend here...
TimSpong 26 Jan 2007 09:59
22/36
warbaby wrote:
Well it seems nothing is sacred anymore, not even the Pope. While I don't agree with his statement, I don't feel the need to bring up that he was part of the Hitler Youth. I find that comment by spong to be of poor taste. I don't have to tell anyone that the Nazis didn't go about their business by "asking nicely". You didn't join the Hitler Youth, you were forced into it. Honestly, who wrote this article? Sure take a stab at the Pope, but why mock him for something he had no control over and is likely ashamed of.
SPOnG writers wrote the story, I cleared it. And just hold your horses a second. In a story recounting the opinions of a major figure in world politics on the effects of stimuli on CHILDREN, it is of course relevant that as a CHILD the speaker was heavily affected by his environment. In this case, that was Nazi Germany. This is nothing to do with good taste.
warbaby wrote:
I don't think he is really speaking of "violent games make violent people". As much as he speaks of games portraying real life atrocities.
I do think he was. The value trying to re-tell what you think he said is empty. What he actually said is here.
warbaby wrote:
Let's further the stereotype of half legible ignorant gamers spewing acid at eachother.
The fact that you've taken the time to express your opinion in a clear manner, and others have to, undermines the view of gamers spewing acid at each other.
To finish, and on the subject of violence, taste and introducing 'selective' editing... in the speech we quoted, the Pope quotes Luke 17:2 in relation to the people who make violent content: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck".
However, he misses the end of that quote. Here it is in all of its non-violent lovingness...
Luke 17:2 wrote:
"It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
In short, "drown the bastards".
RiseFromYourGrave 27 Jan 2007 12:23
23/36
religous moderates have to selectively edit the bible and its meanings all the time, to reconcile their human morals with the twisted logic and intolerance found inside that ridiculous collection of yarns.
Richard Dawkins describes the god of islam, judaism and christianity very well:
'the god of the old testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully'
Richard Dawkins describes the god of islam, judaism and christianity very well:
'the god of the old testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully'
billson 27 Jan 2007 19:19
24/36
also, see south park "go, god, go" both episodes for more on Richard Dawkins, "Darwin's Rottweiler"
RiseFromYourGrave 27 Jan 2007 20:43
25/36
i wouldnt say South Park was the place to go to be informed on any subject
youll get more sense out of wikipedia, and thats saying somet :D
youll get more sense out of wikipedia, and thats saying somet :D
PreciousRoi 27 Jan 2007 21:06
26/36
Tim Smith wrote:
warbaby wrote:
Well it seems nothing is sacred anymore, not even the Pope. While I don't agree with his statement, I don't feel the need to bring up that he was part of the Hitler Youth. I find that comment by spong to be of poor taste. I don't have to tell anyone that the Nazis didn't go about their business by "asking nicely". You didn't join the Hitler Youth, you were forced into it. Honestly, who wrote this article? Sure take a stab at the Pope, but why mock him for something he had no control over and is likely ashamed of.
SPOnG writers wrote the story, I cleared it. And just hold your horses a second. In a story recounting the opinions of a major figure in world politics on the effects of stimuli on CHILDREN, it is of course relevant that as a CHILD the speaker was heavily affected by his environment. In this case, that was Nazi Germany. This is nothing to do with good taste.
Tim Smith wrote:
[
I do think he was. The value trying to re-tell what you think he said is empty. What he actually said is here.
Thanks for the link. Once again strongly agree.warbaby wrote:
I don't think he is really speaking of "violent games make violent people". As much as he speaks of games portraying real life atrocities.
I do think he was. The value trying to re-tell what you think he said is empty. What he actually said is here.
Tim Smith wrote:
[
Let's further the stereotype of half legible ignorant gamers spewing acid at eachother.
The fact that you've taken the time to express your opinion in a clear manner, and others have to, undermines the view of gamers spewing acid at each other.
To finish, and on the subject of violence, taste and introducing 'selective' editing... in the speech we quoted, the Pope quotes Luke 17:2 in relation to the people who make violent content: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck".
However, he misses the end of that quote. Here it is in all of its non-violent lovingness...
In short, "drown the bastards".
Ah yes, but drown them for their own good, 'It were better for him...' since with alla the ebil sinning the'll get the hellfire and the damnation and whatnot. So game devs are in league with the Debil and firmly in the path of the Jebus.warbaby wrote:
Let's further the stereotype of half legible ignorant gamers spewing acid at eachother.
The fact that you've taken the time to express your opinion in a clear manner, and others have to, undermines the view of gamers spewing acid at each other.
To finish, and on the subject of violence, taste and introducing 'selective' editing... in the speech we quoted, the Pope quotes Luke 17:2 in relation to the people who make violent content: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck".
However, he misses the end of that quote. Here it is in all of its non-violent lovingness...
Luke 17:2 wrote:
"It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
In short, "drown the bastards".
Pope has never been sacred, except to Catholics, and not always them. Hell look at what Sinead O'Connor did to the picture of John Paul Jones II on Saturday Night Live, and this new guy, he's no JPJ II. How many countries has he helped liberate from Communism? How many times has he been shot?
Yeah, I thought so...
What about the affects the Catholic Church on children? I say 'better a millstone...' right back atcher Popemeister. Better your entire organization crumble into dust than another one of your clergy 'offend one of these little ones'. For your protection of and concealing of accused clergy in the US I think they need their tax-exempt status threatened, if not revoked.
RiseFromYourGrave 27 Jan 2007 23:54
27/36
it should be revoked, why they are given preferential treatment for being delusional is quite beyond me.
we should start giving massive rebates to the local asylum residents by that logic
we should start giving massive rebates to the local asylum residents by that logic
billson 28 Jan 2007 02:50
28/36
yeh probably, im wasted right now, (as was majin dboy) so i have a rare moment of clarity, i personally believe that while the big bang theory and the THEORY of evolution is very plausable, i suggest that it could be the answer to "how" and not the answer to "why" as per young stanleys observation and i dont see any reason why science and religeon cant co-exist and prove each other right. what was this subject about again, i forget. hooray for spong!
zoydwheeler 28 Jan 2007 10:27
29/36
Science and religion cannot co-exist. (You must have been REALLY wasted!)
All religion is based on unprovable superstition, whereas science is based on provable facts. There is just no way you can believe in any god WITHOUT basing your belief on FAITH not proof.
What's more - despite science and modern philosophy since Darwin urging us to be rationalists instead of believers - is it not fair to argue that the fundamental (and fundamentalist) disconnect between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is currently the major reason or excuse for wars across the world today?
These are just my opinions, which I try to base on facts. If you can prove me wrong then I'm willing to change my opinions.
I've just read Dawkin's latest book - The God Delusion - which I highly recomment to anybody, whatever their personal religious belief, or lack of it, may be. Check - http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1878706,00.html
All religion is based on unprovable superstition, whereas science is based on provable facts. There is just no way you can believe in any god WITHOUT basing your belief on FAITH not proof.
What's more - despite science and modern philosophy since Darwin urging us to be rationalists instead of believers - is it not fair to argue that the fundamental (and fundamentalist) disconnect between Islam, Christianity and Judaism is currently the major reason or excuse for wars across the world today?
These are just my opinions, which I try to base on facts. If you can prove me wrong then I'm willing to change my opinions.
I've just read Dawkin's latest book - The God Delusion - which I highly recomment to anybody, whatever their personal religious belief, or lack of it, may be. Check - http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1878706,00.html
RiseFromYourGrave 28 Jan 2007 11:39
30/36
and may i add, that we humanists know that all thw worlds problems wont melt away with the demise of religion, but its a big step toward global peace.
because pro-religion people always say, when you mention all the wars caused by difference of religion and how good it would be to be without them, that we will still have war without religion. yeah but we wont have half as much!
religion requires irrationality to subscribe. when irrational people get into positions of power, wether the leader of an armed unit, the head of a school, an imam or a president, youve got problems.
because pro-religion people always say, when you mention all the wars caused by difference of religion and how good it would be to be without them, that we will still have war without religion. yeah but we wont have half as much!
religion requires irrationality to subscribe. when irrational people get into positions of power, wether the leader of an armed unit, the head of a school, an imam or a president, youve got problems.
PreciousRoi 28 Jan 2007 18:14
31/36
Isn't Dawkins a Pastafarian?
DoctorDee 28 Jan 2007 18:30
32/36
PreciousRoi wrote:
Isn't Dawkins a Pastafarian?
Aren't all sane people?
PreciousRoi 28 Jan 2007 19:14
33/36
May You Be Touched By His Noodly Appendage And Bathed In His Sauce Forever.
RAmen.
O Mighty Hunger-Quelling Grail
I Know Your Powers Will Not Fail
Your Great Maker Now Has Pass'd
But Without Water You Will Last
For Centuries and a Day
You Comply With Y3K
Boil, Pour, Close, and Seal
Three Minuites Pass, Voila! A Meal!
RAmen.
Mofoku Ando 1910-2007
RAmen.
O Mighty Hunger-Quelling Grail
I Know Your Powers Will Not Fail
Your Great Maker Now Has Pass'd
But Without Water You Will Last
For Centuries and a Day
You Comply With Y3K
Boil, Pour, Close, and Seal
Three Minuites Pass, Voila! A Meal!
RAmen.
Mofoku Ando 1910-2007
PreciousRoi 28 Jan 2007 19:32
34/36
correction:
Momofuku Ando 1910-2007
Inventor of Instant Ramen Noodles and Cup Noodles
Momofuku Ando 1910-2007
Inventor of Instant Ramen Noodles and Cup Noodles
OptimusP 29 Jan 2007 10:01
35/36
Religions don't start wars, they do offer a secondary layer of motivation and an extra excuse to justify their war, but is always a after thaught.
The real reason for any war is mankinds irrational group-conscience in terms of nations, cultures, city's and so on. The self-fabricated feeling that you belong to a certain group that has self-constructed properties. Religion is one of the many means to fill in those properties, which are illusionary. Thus creating a we-them dichotomie that can turn real violent when that group-feeling is abused by the people in power.
Also science isn't 100% sure, science is the art of being 99.99999...% sure that things will be that way. Seeing how brain-research is more and more uncovering that the reality that we experience is actually a filtered constructed in-put sensitive "something" done by our brain, that art of science is getting very plausible...and at the same time very debatable.
Also i would like to say that bhoedism is a neutral religion since it doesn't have a "god" but more a belief in a "force"...like Star Wars. Also bhoedists believe that anyone, no matter what belief can achieve Enlightement by his own means.
The real reason for any war is mankinds irrational group-conscience in terms of nations, cultures, city's and so on. The self-fabricated feeling that you belong to a certain group that has self-constructed properties. Religion is one of the many means to fill in those properties, which are illusionary. Thus creating a we-them dichotomie that can turn real violent when that group-feeling is abused by the people in power.
Also science isn't 100% sure, science is the art of being 99.99999...% sure that things will be that way. Seeing how brain-research is more and more uncovering that the reality that we experience is actually a filtered constructed in-put sensitive "something" done by our brain, that art of science is getting very plausible...and at the same time very debatable.
Also i would like to say that bhoedism is a neutral religion since it doesn't have a "god" but more a belief in a "force"...like Star Wars. Also bhoedists believe that anyone, no matter what belief can achieve Enlightement by his own means.
PreciousRoi 30 Jan 2007 06:23
36/36
OptimusP wrote:
Religions don't start wars, they do offer a secondary layer of motivation and an extra excuse to justify their war, but is always a afterthought.
Ballocks! They do too. Especially back in the day. And that so-called secondary layer of motivation is the one that makes wars happen...Everyone wants to take everyone else's stuff and rape their women, its religion (and certain fantastical philosophies which aim to take the place of religion, Nazism and Marxism-Leninism, I'm looking at you) that tells us its OK to exterminate whole races. And you can't convince me that the Catholic Church itself never started no wars, cuz I just don't buy that.
Religion becomes ESPECIALLY dangerous when adulterated with pseudo-science or a judicious amount of real science taken out of context. Nazism an excellent example of a potent amalgam. Eugenics and Teutonic mysticism were two of its cornerstones. Communists of various flavors, while nominally areligious, have certainly been devout enough in their devotions to make a case for Communism AS religion. They have hymns and mantras and everything. And Communism has spawned further amalgams. The Khmer Rouge were certainly fanatical in their beliefs...
But finally I can think of one case incontrovertible case of religion being the primary, actual, and proximate cause of a war. The First Jewish-Roman War.