Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

I'm pretty much Catholic by belief but I agree that the taxpayer should not fund it. The state, IMO, should not subscribe to any religion, any beliefs should be down to the individual, so the state should not fund any religious activity.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

do you think the state should have xmas/easter holidays??how do you feel about your kids catholic primary school getting funds from the tax payer??

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

Is somebody / anybody "ignoring" it Gary?

Are you suggesting that it hasn't been & isn't an ongoing issue covered in the media?

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

Has somebody / anybody been formally arrested yet?

No.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

Yes Gary, I think you'll find that there have been several people arrested and their arrests have been well documented.

So, back to the original assertion on your part - who exactly is "hiding behind the holy barrier"?

Name names - come on Gary, let's play with the big boys - otherwise you are just speculating without foundation.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

I don't think we should be funding any religious leaders to visit Britain, especially as this visit is charging for people to be present at some of his "do's", seems to me that the people interested in seeing him will be paying twice.
On a personal note I'd like to see him being asked a few pointed questions like any other visiting head of state, and not by some sycophant only interested in ingratiating himself, but by the usual journalists...seems fair if we are paying for this.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

Well as that is in Southern Ireland it will ether be the Irish Government or the Irish Government and the people of Ireland.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

I mean the 'church' thinks that because of who they are they have immunity for their actions.

LOL do you regard yourself as one of the 'big boys'? :)

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

You are showing your absolute ignorance of the subject matter Gary.

A cursory search of the web will give you dozens of instances of catholic clergy and various other members of churches being outed as paedophiles and molesters.

So where do you get this "the 'church' thinks that because of who they are they have immunity for their actions"?

Gary, let me share some fundamental english comprehension with you.

"Let's" is the abbreviated term for "let us" (in this context you and I) "play with the big boys" is rather self explanatory and would involve a degree of comprehension and maturity which you have clearly evidenced is beyond you.

This thread is about whether taxpayers should fund the Pope's visit. The OP asked that it not be turned into the usual religion bashing. At least have the manners to respect his wishes, please.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

Are they the ones that get sent somewhere out the way?

Ok. I believe you.

Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

No, they would be the ones sent to jail.

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Re: Taxpayers should not fund Pope's visit, says survey
 

If he was just a religious figure and nothing else then no we shouldn't pay for a visit by him or anyone else. But he is not just a religious figure he is the head of the state of the vatican in diplomatic terms he is a head of state and has to be accorded the same diplomatic courtesys as any other head of state. Look no one on here can describe me as a fan of religion but in this instance you really do have to seperate religion as it isn't the only aspect to this. As i said in my earlier post our government and the queen should both raise the issue of abuse within the church and their reaction to it but we have no way to demand that or probably know if that happens anyway. Now if someone were to statrt a thread on the legitimacy of the vatican as a state that would be a whole different kettle of fish but on this thread he is a head of state and must be treated as such.

Pope aide pulls out of trip after 'UK Third World' jibe
 

Not seen a thread on this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11317441

Re: Pope aide pulls out of trip after 'UK Third World' jibe
 

Remind me again why we should just not tell them to sod off and stay in there much better country :rolleyes:

Re: Pope aide pulls out of trip after 'UK Third World' jibe
 

Yea we may be third world but at least we dont advocate pedophilia.