Link (http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=229565>1=7702)
ROME -- Madonna's plans to stage a mock crucifixion during a Sunday concert in Rome have drawn fire from religious leaders, who have condemned the stunt as "an act of open hostility" toward the Roman Catholic Church.
During the concerts of her "Confessions" world tour, the American diva appears crucified on a mirrored cross while wearing a crown of thorns.
The prospect of the scene being repeated at the concert in Rome's Olympic stadium, some 2 miles from the Vatican, prompted Catholic officials to denounce the act as a publicity stunt in bad taste.
"To crucify yourself in the city of the pope and the martyrs is an act of open hostility," Cardinal Ersilio Tonini was quoted as saying in La Stampa daily on Wednesday. "It's a scandal created on purpose by astute merchants to attract publicity."
Muslim and Jewish leaders also condemned the fake crucifixion.
"It's not the first time Madonna stages such an act. We deplore it, we feel it is an act of bad taste," said Mario Scialoja, the president of the Muslim World League in Italy.
"We express solidarity with the Catholic world," said Riccardo Pacifici, spokesman for Rome's Jewish community. "It's a disrespectful act, and to do it in Rome is even worse."
In May, the Catholic League in the United States expressed its discontent for the stunt after Madonna performed it at the tour's opening concert in Inglewood, California.
"Knock off the Christ-bashing," Catholic League president Bill Donohue said in a statement. "It's just pathetic."
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi89.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk227%2FMommaSquid%2FMadonna_Concert.jpg&hash=36f54f24418b46afd85ebbc4fb45078d2ebba798)
If newspapers were still printed on movable type, every press would have a permanent headline that says "Madonna Pisses Off Church."
I personally think that a lot of what Madonna does is obscene
I myself am not a madonna fan, or a catholic, but I think she exploits religion for financial and superstar reasons.
But you don't mention your own view in this post, mommasquid. What would that be, then?
Holy smoke, batman! Madonna single handedly united the world's major religions! It's a miracle, and obviously a sign from god.
I think Madonna is fake and she's playing all those religious types for fools. She wants you guys to get mad so you'll give her another shot of 15 minutes. She's overstayed about a week in Andy Warhol quote. Madonna's music is the caricature of posers. An effigy of wanna-bes. And a paradigm of washed-ups. I love how she talks about Kaballah like she's so much better than all of us, with her faux English accent. YOu don't pick up an accent when you're 84 and you emigrate to a new country.
As you can tell Onlyme, I kind of wish Madonna did the world a favor and got hit by a car.
Quote from: "onlyme"I myself am not a madonna fan, or a catholic, but I think she exploits religion for financial and superstar reasons.
Unlike, say, Jimmy Swaggart, Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Jim Bakker, Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwell, Hal Lindsey, or Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. :roll:
Quote from: "Big Mac"I think Madonna is fake and she's playing all those religious types for fools. She wants you guys to get mad so you'll give her another shot of 15 minutes. She's overstayed about a week in Andy Warhol quote. Madonna's music is the caricature of posers. An effigy of wanna-bes. And a paradigm of washed-ups. I love how she talks about Kaballah like she's so much better than all of us, with her faux English accent. YOu don't pick up an accent when you're 84 and you emigrate to a new country.
As you can tell Onlyme, I kind of wish Madonna did the world a favor and got hit by a car.
Momma always said "Life is like a virgin. Plastic is as plastic does."
Quote from: "MikeyV"Quote from: "onlyme"I myself am not a madonna fan, or a catholic, but I think she exploits religion for financial and superstar reasons.
Unlike, say, Jimmy Swaggart, Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Jim Bakker, Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwell, Hal Lindsey, or Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. :roll:
MikeyV: have I ever expressed a support for pat robertson, jimmy swaggart, etc? I think most of these TV evangelists are FAKE, MONEY GRABBING imposters, who use the gullibility of needy people to fleece innocent people in God's name.
Bigmac wrote:
"As you can tell Onlyme, I kind of wish Madonna did the world a favor and got hit by a car."
Ha ha. I don't have no time for madonna either, as to whether I think she should be hit by a car...well....I can't agree to that, can I? But I DO wish she would just SHUT UP AND GO AWAY! Actually, this is a very mild version of what I really think.
Does that make my position clear?
Tilton always makes me laugh, and also makes me hate Dallas even more. Abooo sond shemma.....hahahaa
Quote from: "Big Mac"Tilton always makes me laugh, and also makes me hate Dallas even more. Abooo sond shemma.....hahahaa
Listen, Bigmac, I don't understand about Tilton...or abooo sond shemma...
we don't comprehend your culture, cos we are a superior race, as I said before, and don't concern ourselves with your petty squabbling..
Now...Dallas, I DO understand, along with Knotts Landing and Dynasty
Yeah with your mince meat pies and your fish and chips and your boring life, you English really got us. Who's a super-power and who's a little bitch to the said superpower? Oh you guys are our little bitches.
Ha ha ha.. I can't type for laughing...
Bigmac, and who's country's intelligence depends on OUR data gathering information centre at Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, so that YOUR NSA can spy on YOUR american citizens?
Ha ha ha
Eh, go worship Jesus or something.
Eh, go worship Jesus or something.
Quote from: "onlyme"cos we are a superior race
If you're going to seep arrogance and proclaim yourself to be part of a "superior race" (especially after lecturing about the use of the English language)
don't use the horrible "word" (for lack of a better term) "cos" (sic). You look like an idiot. (Which isn't terribly surprising, just annoying.)
court, you need to lighten up
Quote from: "Court"You look like an idiot. (Which isn't terribly surprising, just annoying.)
No, she's right. +1
Of course, mommasquid, I know that you and court are against me, and have been since the beginning.
I can live with that.
I can't please everyone, nor do I intend to try.
Still, I say that some people should lighten up on here, and recognise when someone is joking.
Quote from: "onlyme"Of course, mommasquid, I know that you and court are against me, and have been since the beginning.
Since the beginning? Really?
Well, considering this (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=470&highlight=#470) was your first post, I guess you're right. I have been against you since the beginning.
Quote from: "onlyme"just thought i'd see why people join a website like this, i mean, are you proud of being an atheist?
i am a Christian myself. it fills me with horror to think that people can be atheist and proud of it, and not fear God.
Actually my response to your first post was pretty innocuous. I have been having a bit of fun at your expense lately, though. Maybe I need a new hobby, but you make it so easy!
Quote from: "MommaSquid"Quote from: "onlyme"Of course, mommasquid, I know that you and court are against me, and have been since the beginning.
Since the beginning? Really?
Well, considering this (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=470&highlight=#470) was your first post, I guess you're right. I have been against you since the beginning.
Quote from: "onlyme"just thought i'd see why people join a website like this, i mean, are you proud of being an atheist?
i am a Christian myself. it fills me with horror to think that people can be atheist and proud of it, and not fear God.
Actually my response to your first post was pretty innocuous. I have been having a bit of fun at your expense lately, though. Maybe I need a new hobby, but you make it so easy!
Ok, mommasquid, I apologise if I've taken things the wrong way. Have fun at my expense as much as you want. I like it. I'm up for a joke as much as the next man, just look at the conversations between me and Bigmac.
Bring it on, babe. I will take whatever you throw at me. But expect as much back. Ha ha
...still not sure about court, though.
And we Brits are STILL the superior race.....'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves'.....(cue the rousing, patriotic music)
You Americans are a poor imitation of your parents. I mean, how can anyone who rounds off their 't's be taken seriously...
....I'm talking about, for example, the word 'later', where you lot say 'layder'
I mean, it's a T, for crying out loud, not a D!
Come one, get real.
Quote from: "onlyme"Ok, mommasquid, I apologise if I've taken things the wrong way. Have fun at my expense as much as you want. I like it. I'm up for a joke as much as the next man, just look at the conversations between me and Bigmac.
Bring it on, babe. I will take whatever you throw at me. But expect as much back. Ha ha
...still not sure about court, though.
Well, you caught me. I don't like you. I didn't much mind you at first, but I've found you to be a person at whom it is easier to throw rocks than engage in conversation. Sometimes I'm joking, but when I say "You look like an idiot," it's exactly what it sounds like.
Quote from: "onlyme"And we Brits are STILL the superior race.....'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves'.....(cue the rousing, patriotic music)
You Americans are a poor imitation of your parents. I mean, how can anyone who rounds off their 't's be taken seriously...
....I'm talking about, for example, the word 'later', where you lot say 'layder'
I mean, it's a T, for crying out loud, not a D!
Come one, get real.
Oh, looky, onlyme is being openly bigoted again. How surprising.
There is no superior race, you dumbass. There are morons like you in all countries, colors, and dialects.
Quote from: "onlyretarded"You Americans are a poor imitation of your parents. I mean, how can anyone who rounds off their 't's be taken seriously...
....I'm talking about, for example, the word 'later', where you lot say 'layder'
I mean, it's a T, for crying out loud, not a D!
Come one, get real.
What the fuck are you talking about? Do you think all Americans wear the pants past their ass, walk like they have a permanent enema, and gibber like some inner-city retard? Some of us speak English correctly. Maybe you should go mug somebody, you thug, you'd know first hand how thugs act. God will burn you in hell for your sins! Praise the Lord for all of his "love".
Quote from: "Big Mac"Quote from: "onlyretarded"You Americans are a poor imitation of your parents. I mean, how can anyone who rounds off their 't's be taken seriously...
....I'm talking about, for example, the word 'later', where you lot say 'layder'
I mean, it's a T, for crying out loud, not a D!
Come one, get real.
What the fuck are you talking about? Do you think all Americans wear the pants past their ass, walk like they have a permanent enema, and gibber like some inner-city retard? Some of us speak English correctly. Maybe you should go mug somebody, you thug, you'd know first hand how thugs act. God will burn you in hell for your sins! Praise the Lord for all of his "love".
It was a joke.
See, Bigmac, this is where I think there is a problem. You speak about us being intolerant. But aren't you intolerant of our views?
You even said yourself that you may be classed in some way the same as a
'thug' because you are a mercenary.
What happened to fair play?
Quote from: "onlyme"You speak about us being intolerant. But aren't you intolerant of our views?
I've said it over and over again, but it doesn't seem to register. I, for one, am not intolerant of christian views. If you want to worship the invisible sky-daddy in the privacy of your own churches and homes, I don't give a shit. If you want to worship Satan or practice witchcraft in the same vein, I still don't care.
But it doesn't stay in private. Christianity is a social and politic force that affects my life. Until that changes, I will not be tolerant.
Quote from: "Court"Quote from: "onlyme"Ok, mommasquid, I apologise if I've taken things the wrong way. Have fun at my expense as much as you want. I like it. I'm up for a joke as much as the next man, just look at the conversations between me and Bigmac.
Bring it on, babe. I will take whatever you throw at me. But expect as much back. Ha ha
...still not sure about court, though.
Well, you caught me. I don't like you. I didn't much mind you at first, but I've found you to be a person at whom it is easier to throw rocks than engage in conversation. Sometimes I'm joking, but when I say "You look like an idiot," it's exactly what it sounds like.
Quote from: "onlyme"And we Brits are STILL the superior race.....'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves'.....(cue the rousing, patriotic music)
You Americans are a poor imitation of your parents. I mean, how can anyone who rounds off their 't's be taken seriously...
....I'm talking about, for example, the word 'later', where you lot say 'layder'
I mean, it's a T, for crying out loud, not a D!
Come one, get real.
Oh, looky, onlyme is being openly bigoted again. How surprising.
There is no superior race, you dumbass. There are morons like you in all countries, colors, and dialects.
You said it all in your post, Court. I know, and knew from the beginning, that you didn't like me. As I said, I can live with that. Plenty people don't like me. Some do. The people that matter do.
But can't you see when I'm having a joke, court? If not, that is a failing on your part, not mine. I thought you were perceptive.
We don't dislike you because you're a christian. We dislike you because you're an arrogant one. I'm not a "thug", a mercenary is a legitimate job. Blackwater is a legit company and does its job better than the military, in my opinion.
But I'm not really an arrogant one, Bigmac. I like to provoke, prod and tease you into making a response. Usually, as I suspect is the case with most people, because I'm bored inbetween work shifts, and I like the silly banter going on.
As regards PMCs, I have a couple of mates in the business. In my opinion, though, although they make a good wage (some are in Iraq at the moment, as private bodyguards) I think that, no matter what your monthly income is, and it IS good, there's no doubting that, - but I think that one day your luck would probably run out. It stands to reason. So what if you bring home thousands of dollars for the first month, or three months, or nine months? Eventually, your number will be up. what good will all that money in the bank be to you then?
It's only a matter of probabilities and odds.
It does you no good if you're in the grave, and not able to enjoy it. Ok, so you might get away with it for a while.
But.....there's a bullet with your name on it.
You might be lucky enough to get away with it for the first 3 months. In that case, get out of the business, and enjoy it.
Eh, the same if I was a soldier in Iraq except less pay and more worries. Those who say money can't buy happiness obviously dont' have much money or happiness.
Yes, Bigmac, except that the people I'm talking about (my mates, etc), are bodyguards in HIGH PROFILE positions, guarding officials in the Iraqi interim government, etc, which is more likely to attract enemy action of some kind (maybe).
The money may be better. Worries? I'm not sure I follow you on that one....
But, anyway, along with the better pay-cheque comes vastly increased risk.
It's all a matter of balancing out the risk-payment ratio in my opinion, and, looking at it from a statistical point of view, it doesn't balance out enough to justify that line of work, in my opinion. You may think differently. Good luck. Seriously.
As regards the happiness verses money argument you put forward... as I said before....happiness, and money, are no good to you in the grave...unless you have a family or someone you intend to leave it to...then maybe it would be considered worthwhile.
Everyone dies, it's the ultimate justice.
Quote from: "Big Mac"Everyone dies, it's the ultimate justice.
But is that enough justification, in your view, for standing in the way of a bullet?
For the sake of a few thousand dollars a month?
Because everyone dies? Well, you could get a job in walmart, for, admittedly a lot less per month. But at least you would be able to enjoy it. The point I'm making is that, although you can rake in a considerably better income out in the field, if you are placed in (seriously) harm's way, is that enough justification for doing what you do, in order to get a bigger pay check?
Or does the thrill of battle appeal to you just as much?
Just curious.
Everything worth doing carries risk. Driving a truck carries tons of risks. Being a cop carries a lot of risks, working at a convenient store carries risks, carrying mail carries risk (people have been known to hijack their cars for the welfare checks in them), working a construction site carries a risk. Everything carries a risk, even sitting in your bathtub could be risky, You could slip and hit your head and drown. Life is nothing but risks.
A little of both, the thrill of fighting, the amount of money it can bring does seem appealing to me.