Pope’s first 100 days well finished ...

By Nicole Winfield
Vatican City: For someone who joked that becoming pope was like having a guillotine fall on him, Benedict XVI has plunged headfirst into the job, reaching out to other Christians and China while holding fast to church doctrine. But in his first 100 days, Benedict has also stumbled, offending Israel by neglecting to mention a suicide bombing in a list of countries recently hit by terrorism, an apparent oversight that is unlikely in the long term to tarnish his otherwise strong record on improving relations with Jews. Benedict has acknowledged he’s still learning the ropes, and his spokesman asked that he not be judged at the traditional 100-day mark, which arrives on Thursday, noting that popes aren’t elected in four-or-five year terms the way politicians are. But when asked this week whether the last 100 days had been difficult, Benedict did respond, saying: “In a certain sense, yes. I had never thought about (assuming) this ministry. But people have been so good to me and have been supporting me.’’ By all indications, though, his toughest test still lies ahead, his return to his native Germany for World Youth Day in Cologne, next month. He will visit a synagogue and meet with Muslim leaders, and be closely watched to see if he can connect with young people to the same degree his predecessor Pope John Paul II did. “No one expects him to be a superstar like JP II, but how well can he communicate with them?’’ asked the Rev Thomas J Reese, the former editor of the Jesuit weekly America magazine.Reese was quite possibly the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s last victim from his days as guardian of church doctrine. He was forced to resign shortly after Ratzinger became pope April 19 because of complaints that his magazine published opinions contrary to church doctrine. Because of such incidents, many believed that as pope, Benedict would be a stern, authoritarian leader with little flair for the pastoral. Over the past 100 days, though, he has tried to shed that reputation. He has delved into church crowds to greet the faithful, joked that he felt like a “guillotine’’ was falling on him when he realised the votes were going his way during the conclave, signed autographs and even posed for photos with stunned tourists atop Mont Blanc during a recent impromptu visit during his Alpine vacation. Indeed, unifying Christians and reaching out in particular to the Orthodox seems to be an early hallmark of his papacy. During both his first homily as pope and his first papal trip, Benedict pledged that healing the 1,000-year rift with the Orthodox would be a “primary’’ commitment of his papacy, and so far it has been.he gestures seem to have been well received: Orthodox leaders confirmed in June that the theological dialogue between the two churches that was interrupted four years ago can resume. Reuters

anti-semitism ...

how cud the early christians hate jews?

Jesus was a jew too
how cud the Vatican remain silent as millions of jews were gassed ?

The absurdity of the Old Testament, and why Jesus gave us the New Testament ....

Letter to George.W about Homosexuality etc

Dear President Bush,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev.21:20 states that I may ! not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though Lev. 19 expressly forbids this: 27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.


(Thanks Phoenix ;) )
posted by Caraf @ 5:21 AM

An open letter to Bhaalu ...

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the Lord

'My shit dont smell'
'My ass is redder then yours'

when u preach / teach
u must be prepared to learn too

i tot the Bible was the last word on God
until i chanced to read Spirituality /
the speaking tree on TOI

i also read Bhaalu and Cyno to read about Indian spirituality
and i learned a lott

i tank u guys
But bhaalu mostly talks theory


Hinduism is a way of Life
not a religion in the conventional sense

Hinduism allows u to explore
which few religions allow