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Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
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A word to the faithful.
Oct 3, 2009 2:49 AM
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
Firing a million accusations per second and then highlighting just one of them poorly (limited to the church of england).
Rantrantranting for the sake of the rant.
This barely rises above the level of right-wing propaganda. I don't care how true it is.. the mechanism employed here still blows imo.
Rantrantranting for the sake of the rant.
This barely rises above the level of right-wing propaganda. I don't care how true it is.. the mechanism employed here still blows imo.
By: wadadde
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
I thought this was actually quite calm compared to his other rants.
You need to realize that this guy is speaking from a very different context, usually in response to a recent event which happened in the UK.
Still, though, I agree with pretty much everything he said. Religious leaders are usually some of the most corrupt and hypocritical people in our societies, much like the Pharisees were in the story of Jesus. Instead of teaching compassion and following one's own heart, they demand obedience to their rules and dogma.
You need to realize that this guy is speaking from a very different context, usually in response to a recent event which happened in the UK.
Still, though, I agree with pretty much everything he said. Religious leaders are usually some of the most corrupt and hypocritical people in our societies, much like the Pharisees were in the story of Jesus. Instead of teaching compassion and following one's own heart, they demand obedience to their rules and dogma.
By: chronomitch
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
...and money, don't forget the money. Oh, and sweet-fleshed, virgin children to slake their unspeakable thirsts.
By: galliard
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
You have managed to tar a lot of people here with a very broad brush stroke (if you will excuse the mixed metaphor.)
Whilst I do concede that there are a number of clergy members from a whole host of religions that bring those of a similar ilk into disrepute; to say that they are typically corrupt is simply incorrect.
Yes, religious institutions ask for money, but then again so does every other secular institution in this world that proffers an ideal to work for the good of humanity.
Yes, some (perhaps many) religious figures try to bilk, swindle and misdirect funds from their congregations and contributors, but then again so do governments in my honest opinion – the current corporate bail-out rorts being a perfect example.
Again, I concede that many religious institutions have some work to do to redeem their reputations, but you cannot simply dismiss the good that many of their agents and the clergy do. I hasten to add that I am not a clergy man myself, and I always question how my contributions are spent; but I find that I am more inclined to give to a faith based charity than a secular one and I find that any vitriol that is vented towards all clergy members to purportedly be as myopic in nature as those believers that you so readily asperse.
By all means, question religion and the bodies that represent them, just adopt a measured approach or you run the risk of being as blithe as those religious sorts that are totally given themselves over to their pious convictions with no real consideration or meditation on the presented facts and religious dogma.
Furthermore, if you were to delve deeper into the new testament gospels, you would find that a Christian religious authority cannot compel a person or subordinate a believer in any way. One must come to Christ, not be dragged towards him by the collar. Faith by coercion is not the example set by Christ and so obviates any right for a mere man to do so or to demand money, observance of religious tenets. This is where the Catholic and Anglican Church has erred for centuries, and has besmirched the faith to no end; but to say that all clergy members are corrupt and hence believer ignorant – sorry, you must qualify your arguments a bit better.
By: JimJam2
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
Pat Condell is a bigot, pure and simple. I don't mind the other atheist videos this site promotes, but I can't stand him. Just because a majority of religions are corrupt, doesn't mean they all are.
By: digitalprime
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
He uses harsh words and a blunt style to convey his sentiments. I usually like it. His rants hang together and flow quite nicely. There are plenty of pro-religion rants around here too. The only difference is the comments they draw from M&C users, and the funding they get from Rupert Murdoch. That, and when Pat Condell cites facts they are both correct and relevant to illustrating his points.
He goes out of his way to say that he has no problem with religious people living their lives in delusion, so long as they don't try to impose it on others. Try finding an anti-atheism ranter who does that for non-religious people.
He goes out of his way to say that he has no problem with religious people living their lives in delusion, so long as they don't try to impose it on others. Try finding an anti-atheism ranter who does that for non-religious people.
Re: Pat Condell: The Arrogance of Clergy
I never said that ALL clergy were corrupt. I merely said that they are USUALLY SOME of the most corrupt and hypocritical people in our societies. I suppose I should put it this way: some of the most corrupt people in our society are religious leaders.
I grew up in the Catholic Church, and my priest was a pretty nice guy. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the current pope, considering he issued a secret Vatican edict in 2001 (while he was still a Cardinal) which tried to cover up the sex scandals. What conclusion am I supposed to draw from this, other than that the Pope (and those who elected him) are corrupt? Throw me a bone here.
If religion had made this world a better place (promoting peace, love, social justice, etc) or its adherents were more moral and loving than the average person, then maybe I might have more respect for it. Unfortunately, though, it seems to have a nasty tendency to do the exact opposite. Just take a quick glance at the Christian Right. Ignorance, fear, and hate run rampant.
I'm sorry if my lack of respect for religious authorities offends you, but as far as I'm concerned, respect has to be earned at this point.
I grew up in the Catholic Church, and my priest was a pretty nice guy. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the current pope, considering he issued a secret Vatican edict in 2001 (while he was still a Cardinal) which tried to cover up the sex scandals. What conclusion am I supposed to draw from this, other than that the Pope (and those who elected him) are corrupt? Throw me a bone here.
If religion had made this world a better place (promoting peace, love, social justice, etc) or its adherents were more moral and loving than the average person, then maybe I might have more respect for it. Unfortunately, though, it seems to have a nasty tendency to do the exact opposite. Just take a quick glance at the Christian Right. Ignorance, fear, and hate run rampant.
I'm sorry if my lack of respect for religious authorities offends you, but as far as I'm concerned, respect has to be earned at this point.
By: chronomitch
