Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?

[mendacium remedium]

You believe we are caused through random mutation and natural selection.
That the universe is the one of an infinite number.
That we are primarily 'evolved' to spread our genes - that is to have sex and raise off-spring.
There is no transcendent reality to have caused anything.(God)


I just think of what an atheist must be thinking, in light of the above.

Perhaps if we go away from the 'religion' and look at the practical side. Perhaps having an organisation which donates a lot of money to the poor, a new pope committed to doing that, could have a benefit to humanity.

Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?

[Plu]

The topic title seems to be mixing up two things, and then the topic itself mixes in a bunch more.

Breaking it down:

The concept of a pope, who is the voice of god: bullshit
News about the pope: obviously meaningful because millions of people will listen to this fellow and his archaic ideas, so it could have a real physical effect on the world
Charitable organisations that are based on dumb beliefs but do good: great, I wouldn't mind having some of those around.
Is the catholic church one of those? doubtful, considering the amount of traumatising going on in there, plus the fact that the pope sits on a throne made of gold, so obviously a lot of that money they drain from people who might need it doesn't actually end up with other people who need it.

I think that's about it.

[Jason78]

You believe we are caused through random mutation and natural selection.
That the universe is the one of an infinite number.
That we are primarily 'evolved' to spread our genes - that is to have sex and raise off-spring.
There is no transcendent reality to have caused anything.(God)


I just think of what an atheist must be thinking, in light of the above.

Atheists don't believe in gods.  I think you've got atheists confused with whoever believes those 4 things.


But to answer your question, yes.  I found the idea of electing a new pope completely ridiculous.

Why can't they just pray for a new one?

[leo]

Another post for me !

[BarkAtTheMoon]

The topic title seems to be mixing up two things, and then the topic itself mixes in a bunch more.

And you do this in every freaking thread you start, MR. It gets tiresome.

None of what you said atheists believe, which isn't exactly accurate but that's beside the point, has anything really to do with a specific leader of one particular religion. Evolutionary biology and cosmology aren't even remotely on topic in a discussion about the pope. But yeah, the deluge of news about Palpatine retiring and the new guy getting elected is little more than a minor distraction and something to crack jokes about, but as Plu said, the actions and statements from these guys have wide ranging effects around the world regardless of your beliefs or lack thereof so it's worth paying some attention.

[Brian37]

The fact that humans do good, is label independent. Our species has always had the capability of being cruel and compassionate. All god claims do is give humans a fictional excuse to claim superiority.

"The New Atheism" by Victor Stenger. And the God Delusion explain quite well why we make up gods and why we don't need them.

[_Xenu_]

While I obviously reject his claim of speaking to any god, the CC does indeed work to lift many out of poverty and that should be praised. Unfortunately, their social policies re: birth control makes things much worse.

[widdershins]

Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?

What means and what ends?  Money donated to the poor is the means?  Christianity existing is the ends?  Is that what you're saying?  I have no problem with Christianity or any religion existing.  I don't care if you believe a worm infested dog crapped out the universe.  It's when your religion starts hurting people or forcing itself on others that I don't like it.  I could not care less about the pope and whether he exists or not.  I don't want to see organized religion destroyed for the sake of destroying organized religion.  I want to see organized religion destroyed for the damage it does to society.  Mistreatment of gays, mistreatment of racial minorities, restricting access to medical procedures and medicines, mistreatment of women and children, systematic rape of children, wars, violence, theft, scamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience, fostering ignorance and mistrust in proven science, holding back discovery and technological and medical advancement....these are just a few things religion has done over the years and most of them it is doing right now.  Does "a few dollars to the poor" justify "continued spread of hatred, mistrust, violence, inequality, mistrust of science, restriction to medicine and abuse of children"?  Does that really need an answer?

[hrdlr110]

scamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience

I'm less bothered by this aspect of religion. If those in power at religious headquarters around the world are able to use what they pull from their ass (the bible) to bilk millions out of people in the information age we live in today - hats off!

[hrdlr110]

Need to iron out some of my quoting kinks! Y'all make it look so nice, then I come in and spread my manure over the occasional thread! I must have the lowest post count for length of time served than any other poster!

[mendacium remedium]

Even if you believe Christianity is non-nonsensical, the means surely justifies the ends?

What means and what ends?  Money donated to the poor is the means?  Christianity existing is the ends?  Is that what you're saying?  I have no problem with Christianity or any religion existing.  I don't care if you believe a worm infested dog crapped out the universe.  It's when your religion starts hurting people or forcing itself on others that I don't like it.  I could not care less about the pope and whether he exists or not.  I don't want to see organized religion destroyed for the sake of destroying organized religion.  I want to see organized religion destroyed for the damage it does to society.  Mistreatment of gays, mistreatment of racial minorities, restricting access to medical procedures and medicines, mistreatment of women and children, systematic rape of children, wars, violence, theft, scamming of the populous by promising eternal life in exchange for money and obedience, fostering ignorance and mistrust in proven science, holding back discovery and technological and medical advancement....these are just a few things religion has done over the years and most of them it is doing right now.  Does "a few dollars to the poor" justify "continued spread of hatred, mistrust, violence, inequality, mistrust of science, restriction to medicine and abuse of children"?  Does that really need an answer?

Christianity = gives people a spiritual impetus to donate to charity i.e purpose of life as Jesus pbuh lived, to give to chairity, to help. Ofcourse, you don't need Christianity for this, but having a spiritual affiliation can make you more likely follow whatthat particular set of beliefs says you should do.

Ends = planet earth with human inhabitants looking out for one another , through charitable means.

[mendacium remedium]

While I obviously reject his claim of speaking to any god, the CC does indeed work to lift many out of poverty and that should be praised. Unfortunately, their social policies re: birth control makes things much worse.

A well balanced response.

There is nothing wrong with birth control , and adequate protection can help lower the spread of infection. Surely a healthier society where less children are born with HIV, where children are born out of 'wedlock' or perhaps 'unplanned' could only potentially be good , surely?

[Jmpty]

I don't see what all the fuss is about.

[the_antithesis]

Do atheists find news about the Pope nonsensical?

Who's she?

[Johan]

Perhaps if we go away from the 'religion' and look at the practical side. Perhaps having an organisation which donates a lot of money to the poor, a new pope committed to doing that, could have a benefit to humanity.

By 'donating to the poor' do you mean the estimated $3.3 billion the church has paid out to molested kids over the last 15 years in return for non-disclosure agreements? Yeah, no. You lose me on the benefit to humanity thing right there.

When the church starts castrating then turning in priests who molest kids to the police instead of promoting them and paying off the kids as they've been doing, then and only then we can talk about the good things the church does. Until then, the catholic church is nothing more than a safe haven for pedophiles that needs to go away as far as I'm concerned. And no amount of good deeds justifies that or offsets it or makes it ok.