Pope Benedict stumped by Japanese girl's question about suffering - Polidicks

[quote][img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/4/22/1303488127608/Pope-Benedict-on-TV-007.jpg[/img] Pope Benedict ventured where no pope has gone before on Friday when he answered questions on an Italian television programme – and was stumped by the first. A Japanese girl asked the pope, who, she said, "speaks with God", why she was having to suffer so much as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that had struck her country. "I am very frightened because the house where I felt safe really shook a lot and many children my age have died. I cannot go to play in the park. I want to know: why do I have to be so afraid? Why do children have to be so sad?" said seven-year-old Elena. Benedict admitted: "I also have the same questions: why is it this way? Why do you have to suffer so much while others live in ease? "And we do not have the answers, but we know that Jesus suffered as you do, an innocent, and that the true God who is revealed in Jesus is by your side." Whether Elena was satisfied with that answer was unclear. But the studio audience gave the pope a hearty round of applause. The Japanese girl's question was one of seven fielded by Benedict in an unprecedented exercise. His predecessor, John Paul II, once made a surprise call to a television programme on the 20th anniversary of his papacy. And Benedict himself broke new ground with a Thought for the Day broadcast by BBC Radio 4 last Christmas Eve. But no pope has ever before submitted himself to questioning on television, or indeed radio, in the way Benedict did for a special Good Friday programme on the first channel of the state-owned RAI network. The presenter, Rosario Carello, initially addressed the pope as "holy father" and told him his presence on the programme "fills us with joy". But thereafter, the reverential tone Italian broadcasters usually employ for papal occasions was wholly lacking. The atmosphere was briskly professional as the show cut between the pope's answers – pre-recorded in his study in the Vatican – and comments from a panel of three studio guests who also replied to other questions from viewers. The pope's fellow guests added to the air of informality: one was a poet and columnist in an open-necked shirt; another, the founder of a charity for young runaways who sported a leather jacket and spiky hair. The usually retiring Benedict's participation was the latest sign of an apparently growing willingness to co-operate with the media. Carello told viewers the pope had initially agreed to answer only three questions, but so many were submitted that the programme-makers asked – and Benedict agreed – that the number be doubled. Then, he said, they received a question from a Muslim woman in the Ivory Coast that was so topical and moving that they were loth not to include it. So the number was raised to seven. Bintu, who greeted the pope in Arabic, asked him for his advice on how to put an end to the violence in her country. Benedict said he was "saddened that I can do so little", but said he had asked a senior Vatican official to try to mediate. Most of the other questions were about issues of Catholic faith, including one from an Italian woman who wanted to know if her son, who had been in a vegetative coma for two years, still had a soul. "Certainly," the pope replied. He urged her to keep up her vigil at his side, saying that her "presence enters into the depths of that hidden soul".[/quote] Source: [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/22/pope-benedict-stumped-japanese-suffering[/url] [highlight](User was permabanned for this post ("Alt of Perma'd User/News Dumping" - BANNED USER))[/highlight]

This is satisfying. Benedict's a dick compared to John Paul anyway.

John Paul from what I remember of him, was a pretty kicking rad pope. [editline]23rd April 2011[/editline] Benedict just scares me, he's got too much of a Darth Sidius "aged by lightning" look.

eh atleast he didn't say "god works in mysterious ways" thats the worst excuse i've ever heard people say

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370659]John Paul from what I remember of him, was a pretty kicking rad pope. [editline]23rd April 2011[/editline] Benedict just scares me, he's got too much of a Darth Sidius "aged by lightning" look.[/QUOTE] you mean he was better at hiding child rape

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370659]John Paul from what I remember of him, was a pretty kicking rad pope. [editline]23rd April 2011[/editline] Benedict just scares me, he's got too much of a Darth Sidius "aged by lightning" look.[/QUOTE] He believed in evolution and was against the war in Iraq. If it weren't for all the sex-related stuff, he'd be Liberal.

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370659]John Paul from what I remember of him, was a pretty kicking rad pope. [editline]23rd April 2011[/editline] Benedict just scares me, he's got too much of a Darth Sidius "aged by lightning" look.[/QUOTE] And he protects pedophiles, blaming it on homosexuality, AND he went to Africa and told them using condoms was wrong.

[QUOTE=archangel125;29370692]And he protects pedophiles, blaming it on homosexuality, AND he went to Africa and told them using condoms was wrong.[/QUOTE] Aged by lightning look still scares me more than that that's just stuff pissed off conservatives do, most conservatives don't look like they took a bath in lightning though

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370713]Aged by lightning look still scares me more than that that's just stuff pissed off conservatives do, most conservatives don't look like they took a bath in lightning though[/QUOTE] Doesn't matter. His worst crime against humanity was the thing about condoms. He went to Africa, the most AIDS-infested continent in the world, and told them using condoms was evil. Since then, how many women have been raped and impregnated in the name of God? How many have been infected with AIDS in the name of God? All thanks to that piece of scum, Benedict.

-[QUOTE=archangel125;29370743]Doesn't matter. His worst crime against humanity was the thing about condoms. He went to Africa, the most AIDS-infested continent in the world, and told them using condoms was evil. Since then, how many women have been raped and impregnated in the name of God? How many have been infected with AIDS in the name of God? All thanks to that piece of scum, Benedict.[/QUOTE] In all seriousness, I knew about that and thought it was just as terrible as you do. Just making a joke about how god damn similar a real monster is to a fictional monster

[QUOTE=archangel125;29370743]Doesn't matter. His worst crime against humanity was the thing about condoms. He went to Africa, the most AIDS-infested continent in the world, and told them using condoms was evil. Since then, how many women have been raped and impregnated in the name of God? How many have been infected with AIDS in the name of God? All thanks to that piece of scum, Benedict.[/QUOTE] it's all part of his plan for the darkside

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370759]- In all seriousness, I knew about that and thought it was just as terrible as you do. Just making a joke about how god damn similar a real monster is to a fictional monster[/QUOTE] Well, he does look more like Palpatine than I thought any real person (save the actor) could.

I thought Benedict said it was alright to use condoms if the person had an STD?

[QUOTE=archangel125;29370769]Well, he does look more like Palpatine than I thought any real person (save the actor) could.[/QUOTE] and the actor had to use makeup lol

I think the fact he was able to say, "I don't have a fucking clue" truthfully gives him a few bonus points.

[release]"And we do not have the answers, but we know that Jesus suffered as you do, an innocent, and that the true God who is revealed in Jesus is by your side."[/release] jesus was nailed to a cross for treason or some shit. japanese people have had their way of life including education destroyed with people around them, including those close to them, dead. great comparison pope!

Am I the only one who likes Benedict? I think he came in with some pretty shitty conservative preconceptions about the world but he's open to having his policy changed about things which is a hell of a lot better than people who come in with shitty values and have them set in stone. [QUOTE=MagicBurrito;29370882]I thought Benedict said it was alright to use condoms if the person had an STD?[/QUOTE] He did, I hated what he said about the Africans and I think when he came to be pope he was pretty despicable, but I think he's slowly getting a better grip on how things should be. [QUOTE=Leaf Runner;29371196][release]"And we do not have the answers, but we know that Jesus suffered as you do, an innocent, and that the true God who is revealed in Jesus is by your side."[/release] jesus was nailed to a cross for treason or some shit. japanese people have had their way of life including education destroyed with people around them, including those close to them, dead. great comparison pope![/QUOTE] I think you're digging pretty desperately to find something to get him on there - The comparison he's making is that jesus died innocently and so did these people, it's actually a very valid comparison for the purposes that he's using it for. I'm part of the majority of non-religious FPers but I think FP digs a little deeply to find stuff to shit on Christians about at times like this. All the guy is trying to say is "I don't know why you suffer either, it sucks balls but just remember that the true value of a person is brought out when they suffer" which is a pretty good response in my opinion

[QUOTE=killerteacup;29371244]Am I the only one who likes Benedict? I think he came in with some pretty shitty conservative preconceptions about the world but he's open to having his policy changed about things which is a hell of a lot better than people who come in with shitty values and have them set in stone. I think you're digging pretty desperately to find something to get him on there - The comparison he's making is that jesus died innocently and so did these people, it's actually a very valid comparison for the purposes that he's using it for. I'm part of the majority of non-religious FPers but I think FP digs a little deeply to find stuff to shit on Christians about at times like this. All the guy is trying to say is "I don't know why you suffer either, it sucks balls but just remember that the true value of a person is brought out when they suffer" which is a pretty good response in my opinion[/QUOTE] He did say condoms were evil to use in an aids infested region to a highly gullible community invested in his power, namely, most of Africa's christian population

I don't like Benedict. He looks like Emperor Palpatine. Emperor Popatine.

[QUOTE=Chernzobog;29371457]I don't like Benedict. He looks like Emperor Palpatine. Emperor Popatine.[/QUOTE] That joke got old the moment someone said it.

And finally shivan was banned.

Who was Shivan anyway?

[QUOTE=killerteacup;29371244]Am I the only one who likes Benedict? I think he came in with some pretty shitty conservative preconceptions about the world but he's open to having his policy changed about things which is a hell of a lot better than people who come in with shitty values and have them set in stone. He did, I hated what he said about the Africans and I think when he came to be pope he was pretty despicable, but I think he's slowly getting a better grip on how things should be. I think you're digging pretty desperately to find something to get him on there - The comparison he's making is that jesus died innocently and so did these people, it's actually a very valid comparison for the purposes that he's using it for. I'm part of the majority of non-religious FPers but I think FP digs a little deeply to find stuff to shit on Christians about at times like this. All the guy is trying to say is "I don't know why you suffer either, it sucks balls but just remember that the true value of a person is brought out when they suffer" which is a pretty good response in my opinion[/QUOTE] Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with anyone who practices a religion, but the pope is a power-abusing asshole.

[QUOTE=Swilly;29371653]Who was Shivan anyway?[/QUOTE] Some shitty poster who likes crossdressing in little girls bathing suits.

[quote]we know that Jesus suffered as you do[/quote] Oh cool, don't worry guys, all the dead innocent kids that died are going to be resurrected.

I don't like Benedict I was watching the live feed of John Paul dying in his home. :-(

[QUOTE=redBadger;29373510]I don't like Benedict I was watching the live feed of John Paul dying in his home. :-([/QUOTE] HOLY FUCK THAT'S SO AWESOME! l DIDN'T KNOW THE VATICAN MADE SNUFF! :buddy:

Some guy in a Darth Vader costume should pick him up and throw him over a ledge or something.

problem of evil and suffering motherfuckers existed for a fucking age and they still haven't solved it.

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29370659]Benedict just scares me, he's got too much of a Darth Sidius "aged by lightning" look.[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://img93.echo.cx/img93/8060/popepalpatine6tk.gif[/IMG] [QUOTE=archangel125;29370743]Doesn't matter. His worst crime against humanity was the thing about condoms. He went to Africa, the most AIDS-infested continent in the world, and told them using condoms was evil.[/QUOTE] He reminds me of Mother Teresa. I remember reading a book that said she didn't let some dying African kids use medicine that would have saved their lives, because "they would be with God". I don't get how people like that can be considered holy, when they should be treated as murderers.