Catholics and Rabbits

[Big Guy]

The Pope has just stated that "Catholics don't have to breed like rabbits."

http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/world/article/Pope-Catholics-don-t-have-to-be-like-rabbits-6025352.php#/0

This religious leader has a tendency to speak his mind to the chagrin of many of the top clergy in Rome. I do not agree with the Catholic approach to contraception but do enjoy how this Pope is acting in his role.

[-TSS-]

A bit obsolete as a statement as at least in European catholic countries such as Spain, Italy and Portugal etc the birth-rate has been very low for years, which indicates that religion no longer plays a significant role in people's lives.

Even in countries such as Ireland and Poland where abortion is banned pregnant women just travel to neighbouring countries to get abortion.

[-1=e^ipi]

Dumb statement by the pope from a religious survival perspective.

Breeding like rabbits is one of the few ways religion can be sustained in the long run, be it Islam, Catholocism, Mormonism, etc.

[Mighty AC]

Dumb statement by the pope from a religious survival perspective.

Yes and no. I think the RCC used the 'every sperm is sacred' approach to increase its numbers and power in the past, but this Pope has a better grasp of the present than most of his ilk. He has been aggressively creating a more humble, compassionate, intelligent and less magical version of the church. Though this new policy may potentially lead to a lower Catholic birthrate, his reinvented church image will likely retain far more existing Catholics and even lead many of the lapsed variety back into the fold. I think the actions of this Pope will significantly slow the long term decline of the RCC.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Mighty AC

[Shady]

A very obsolete statement indeed.

[-1=e^ipi]

Yes and no. I think the RCC used the 'every sperm is sacred' approach to increase its numbers and power in the past, but this Pope has a better grasp of the present than most of his ilk. He has been aggressively creating a more humble, compassionate, intelligent and less magical version of the church.

You mean like how the pope normalizes violence against those that criticize religion?

Or how about how his opposition to contraceptives, which have helped spread aids throughout the world?

[Mighty AC]

I'm not a fan of or apologist for the RCC or any religion by any stretch. In fact, I am a blunt critic. I'm simply pointing out that Franky has been leading the church in a more progressive and humble direction which will likely lead to the retention of more Catholics....especially in the developed world. High total membership counts are great, but retaining members with money is even better.

[The_Squid]

On a recent visit to the Philippines, they rounded up all the homeless children (of which there are lots) and put them in cages so His Excellency didn't have to see them.

Meanwhile, the RCC amasses wealth in the billions and the stodgy old virgin priests live in their palace...

[Guest]

What's his view on birth control? I think it's even more ridiculous than his view on rabbits. What a pratt!

[overthere]

Yes and no. I think the RCC used the 'every sperm is sacred' approach to increase its numbers and power in the past, but this Pope has a better grasp of the present than most of his ilk. He has been aggressively creating a more humble, compassionate, intelligent and less magical version of the church. Though this new policy may potentially lead to a lower Catholic birthrate, his reinvented church image will likely retain far more existing Catholics and even lead many of the lapsed variety back into the fold. I think the actions of this Pope will significantly slow the long term decline of the RCC.

Translation: the Vatican marketing campaign is effective. The Church has lost ground in their traditional markets because of the exposure given to all the child raping activities. In the past, the same horrors happened routinely, but the facts were much easier to suppress and dismiss as 'a bad apple' or ' vicious rumours spread by the Protestants'. In this age of the Internet very little can be hidden.

But that works both ways, so of course the Vatican will use the Internet/social media to advantage in spreading the word of a kinder, gentler Pope and Church. In reality, most Catholics adopted modern birth control long ago so the message from the Pope has little relevance except as a marketing tool. In WEstern Europe and North America the birthrate is already low, so little is lost.

[Mighty AC]

Translation: the Vatican marketing campaign is effective. The Church has lost ground in their traditional markets because of the exposure given to all the child raping activities.

But that works both ways, so of course the Vatican will use the Internet/social media to advantage in spreading the word of a kinder, gentler Pope and Church. In reality, most Catholics adopted modern birth control long ago so the message from the Pope has little relevance except as a marketing tool.

Good translation. It's the same reason he reconfirmed that the RCC still accepts evolution as scientific fact, 50+ years after it had originally made that proclamation. Religion in general is losing ground and the RCC has the additional rape rep problem. That's why he is presenting the more modern front. Like I said, I bet this Pope will slow the decline, especially in the first world where the money lives.