do you believe in an afterlife ted?

Dougal, how did you get into the church? Was it like, collect 12 crisp packets and become a priest?

Look at that chalice-work. Effortless

well said Deirdre.
I have no problem as such with ‘freedom of speech’,
– or people being angry against the church. (In many cases fully justifiable anger).
However I DO have a problem with; – ANY faith, whether that be Christian, Muslim or Jewish or whatever, – being daily subjected to hundreds of comments, of hostility or ridicule.

Well said. Its seems perfectly acceptable to ridicule people who are catholic or go to mass. Its wrong. I am not a devout catholic and I do have many issues with religion but I would never ever bully anyone who does.

I would like the journal to state what exactly their stance on bullying and unacceptable comments are. The journal removed a comment I made recently where I said immigration to Ireland has not enriched most of our lives… seems a reasonable comment. But it was removed as it was deemed racist. Yet people who practice yheir religion are subjected to shocking levels of ridicule. Shame on the journal. …

@Zoe daly
”However I DO have a problem with; – ANY faith, whether that be Christian, Muslim or Jewish or whatever, – being daily subjected to hundreds of comments, of hostility or ridicule.”
Why – Religion [ all ] are based on blind obedience to some of the worst rubbish ever published eg bible . If someone said 2+2 = 5 — would u respect them , becuase that is waht religion is . To believe in religion – one needs to discard Reason and Evidence that are to the contrary of religous beliefs .
I repect your right to believe what u want to believe – but do not ask me to respect that belief .

The hate and vitriol comes from the Church and the faithful every single day. Just read some typical sermons on any topic where the Church has an opinion. Such hypocrisy considering all the abuses and crimes against humanity committed by and in the name of the Church. We are just reacting. I know you’d really like to burn us all at the stake or something but those days are over.

Alan. As a Catholic i avoided fr ted for the first series. But i gave it a chance and to be honest there is about 1% of the show which is mildly offensive. Its a great send up of the clergy. They can be a bit stuffy for sure. My fave is the Eurovision. I hear its created by Athiests but really they do get the whole Catholic uptight thing… I got no problems with it. Go ted

@Almar, nothing in this piece is “laughing at Catholics”.

Thanks,
Emer

Almar while not a practising Catholic myself I love seeing the usual crew with their smugness on here. I actually think they come here to make each other feel better about their sad lifes.

It’s not smugness. It’s called a sense of humour. Maybe you should try it sometime.

Yea because seeing “is there anything to be said for another mass?” on EVERY single article about the church is so witty.

It’s a stupid joke but nothing to get up tight about. I’ve seen a lot worse about the church on this which I don’t agree with.

Im not up tight about it at all. To be honest i feel sorry for the same ones you see time and time again on here that are all over every religous story within minutes of it being put up. Pretty sad really.

@ AlMar – agree in this case – this photo serves no purpose whatsoever apart from allowing in the Fr. Ted people and anti-Catholics.

Almar, you need to look up the word hypocritical in the dictionary.

Even if this article was laughing at Catholics (and I don’t think it is) it would only be hypocritical of The Journal if elsewhere on the site they were saying “Catholicism – isn’t it great!”.

Emer. Not a believer myself but I really dislike the current trend to laugh at people who do believe. You say the above piece is not meant to laugh at Catholics but you have added a sentence saying ‘ he did a lovely mass we hear..,’plus it’s in the daily edge section which is apparently all about the lighter wittier side of life as you and Michael frequently state as justification for your material. If it is not intended to invite ‘witty’ father ted jokes for the 100th time today why is the piece in the daily edge ? Like I said I don’t believe myself but leave people at it without daily snide remarks if that’s what they want to do

What is the purpose of the piece? To me it appears to be making fun. What is it making fun of? The church? The mass? Religion? The pope? The record? It’s certainly not there for anything but humour, but what are we laughing at?

I don’t approve of slagging off anyone’s beliefs, we are all entitled to them. I was poking fun at the prevalence of “is there anything to be said for saying another mass” on every religious oriented piece, because unlike many of the rest, this one specifically involves a mass. Either way, I don’t see a problem with the Fr. Ted jokes. Some might find them tedious, but they’re not hurting anyone. People coming on and directly dismissing or slagging off someone for their beliefs is a whole other story.

The joke is that the Pope’s 1979 mass in Ireland is available on vinyl. Surely the juxtaposition of the mass recording with the other records and CDs in the picture makes this funny. And the Pope and his predecessors have been so prominent in the news over the last few weeks, The Journal included, it’s perfectly reasonable to include a light-hearted piece in The Daily Edge, which offers a light alternative to the main news.

@ Emer, to be fair, you know exactly the type of comments an article like this would lead to, so, even if you didn’t make an explicit “Isn’t Catholicism funny” statement, you did actively facilitate others to say it.
I’m not Catholic, I don’t defend the Church, but I do agree that this card’s been played often enough at this stage.

I don’t think juxtaposition has anything to do with it Darragh, you can only make out 1 other record. What about the “no comment.” at the top? The title of the record? Are they supposed to be funny? If so, why? I don’t know. I’m all for the Daily Edge, it’s a very much needed relief from the more serious news, and I’ve enjoyed many articles on it, but I’m genuinely interested in knowing the thinking behind why this should be laughed at, apart from, as you say, the fact that you can actually get the mass on vinyl. But even that’s kinda nothing new to be honest, as anyone who has had a trawl through the second hand crates in any record shop will know.

yes, daily articles here, – regarding Catholism or Christianity
followed by comments which, fall into either;

(i) ridicule/comedy, or
(ii) agression or hostility
Usually one or the other, – but most days both.

Emer,” he did a lovely mass we hear”, referring to the buffoonery of Father Ted whose creators are atheists and whose whole mission revolved around making a laugh of the catholic priesthood, you are telling me that you are not having a laugh at Catholics with that line? It’s a depreciating line often used by the anti catholic squad commenting on this site who are often fr.ted number one fans.

@ Stephen – I wouldn’t knock Father Ted. It was witty, original and made some fairly accurate statements about Irish culture. And I don’t have a problem with people effectively attacking the Catholic Church.

What get’s up my nose is that the anti-Catholic comments are getting as lazy as the anti-Government comments, repeating the same old same old ceases to effective, it just becomes irritating.

It seems like Father Ted one-liners have replaced Monty Python one-liners in an example how to make some very funny become something very unfunny.

I’m not pro-Church, I’m pro-Originality. And now I have to go, I’ve an urgent appointment with my drug-dealer.

Actually Emer I think it is another sly way to stir up anti Catholic feelings. Some of the comments made by users on here on catholic religion related topics are bullying and shocking in nature.

Emer you have helped me to make up my mind about ‘pulling the plug’ on this app. Cannot believe the hate and ignorance of a minority.

Ah vinyl !! very symbolic (a product like the catholic church, was once in every home, now mostly used by a fanitical minority)

Another religious story poking fun at religion, do u ever get tired of it Emer? I don’t think you would slag off Muslims. Think u know what would happen you!!!!

Any suggestions that this picture was published to “slag off” religion or to intentionally stir up unsavoury comments are way off the mark.

If anything, I thought any comments would focus mainly on people’s memories of Pope John Paul II coming to Ireland (if they’re old enough to remember). In fact we had a discussion in the office about who remembered the visit, or whether our parents had gone to the Phoenix Park or to the mass in Galway.

I was not hunched over my computer gleefully rubbing my hands together anticipating comments full of hate and bile. And to be honest, I don’t think any of the comments on the article ARE full of hate and bile, as many of you seem to have been expecting.

Please see my comment further down too for further explanation.

Thanks everyone,
Emer

You don’t think the comments are full hate and bile!! Get a grip Emer! Your site stirs up anti catholic sentiment! I’ve two minds to make an official complaint as if this was any other religion the comments wouldn’t be allowed!

Agree Gerard. Anti-Catholic sentiment allowed is appalling on The Journal. What would happen if they allowed such anti-Muslim or anti-Semitic comments…? Wouldn’t happen.

Emer. I completely agree with Gerard and Leutenant Warf. As i said to u already i think your article was fine. The bile and horrible comments were never gonna be directed at you. But they were directed at the Catholics by the non believers. When i call them non believers i am being very kind to them. Their comments are nasty, disrepectful and designed to provoke Catholics. Cyber bulling is a phrase that comes to mind. If the Journal cant comment on this maybe we will have to go further.

I cannot take that kind of abuse.

Meanwhile i have stopped posting.

Don’t let the bullies get to you, Deirdre.
I’ve only started reading ‘the Journal’ in the past few months.
At first I was very shocked, – by a forum for which such a hugh amount, of anti- catholic hatred was being expressed.
Not bothered too much, any more though, – the hate just becomes so repetitive – it becomes boring after a while!!
However I still don’t think its right though.
If any other faith or group, were targeted like this there would be uproar. Cyber bullying is a huge issue in our society.
But again, don’t let them get to you, – they’re not worth it!
They are just showing themselves up for what they are, – playground bullies.
Best wishes & regards – Z

Zoe

Thank u for your comments. I was appalled yesterday when a fella on this exact thread accused me of chastising a man with cancer. It was such a twisted thing to say and complete lies. I found his comments very disturbing.

There are times when u get a good slagging. I love that but there are too many vicious people with serious problems taking it out on ourselves.

I will take ur advice tho Zoe. Keep the faith…

D

Islam is increasing in Ireland – & many other European countries.
(That our society is becoming multicultural, is in may ways a good thing)
Our Muslim population in Ireland is growing.
My question is this…. will you feel free, – along with the numerous other Journal contributors, to ridicule or sneer, – the prophet Mohammed, or the Koran?
Would the hundreds of daily comments be tolerated then?

@Zoe Daly
”will you feel free, – along with the numerous other Journal contributors, to ridicule or sneer, – the prophet Mohammed, or the Koran?”
the koran is much the same BS as bible – and as for prohet mohhammed – he took off on a horse for Heaven – . Sorry – but thanks – i cant help but laugh .
maybe he should have been at Cheltenham today – and given Ireland 15 winners ??

they like giving it out – but they cant take it . It was gods wrath that gays got Aaids etc – and a great victory for god – and as u say the reason why catholicism comes in for a comment – it is main religion in this country. For pope Francis to be criticising anyone is a bit much as that guy has questions to answer .
taken from lucia newmans arricle on AJE
”But I was more surprised by something I was told by one of the mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who every Thursday since the late 1970s have marched around the plaza facing Argentina’s presidential palace demanding justice for their loved ones who disappeared during country’s brutal military dictatorship (1976-1983).

Referring to allegations that the then up and coming Jesuit priest Jorge Bergoglio failed to denounce rights abuses, she said that the role of Argentina’s Catholic Church as an institution had been shameful, covering up and often condoning torture and murder”

Ah go on…..keep going….tell us another joke mocking Islam!
any good jokes on the prophet Mohammed?….
lets see how brave you are!

Just because you hate Islam does not oblige me to ridicule it. Maybe when I have some time to spare from laughing at the antics of the majority historical religion on this island.

James. My own dear brother, a young man, passed away from cancer very recently and it broke my heart. Nothing could describe the awfulness of watchin him fade, and my mother watching him. I would never in a million years chastise anyone. Nevermind someone in despair and sick. I know no one on this earth who would hurt a person suffering with cancer. Why would you ever think I would do that to anyone.

Zoe did you miss the part of my previous post which slates the logic of Muhammad and his winged horse and the assumption of a Virgin? The problem with any Religious belief system is that Faith can be used to justify anything, just look at Pope Francis previous comments on gay people and it’s ok for him to hate on Gay people because it is his faith.
Look at Islam extremists they justify the murder of people in the name of God.

Evangelical Americans who use Faith and political influence to attack science or gay people or anything that suits there agenda.

Jehovah’s witnesses who believe everyone who doesn’t repent and belief what they belief will end up in Hell,they also refuse to have blood transfusions and would risk there own children rather than see medical sense again justified by Faith,not to mention literally believing in the Bible word for word.

Mormons like Jehovah witnesses who try actively convert people to there religion and again logic goes out the window(South Park dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb)

Scientology (thankful the Irish Government doesn’t recognize this Cult as a religion) but for the purpose of my point The Cult of Scientology is recognized in other countries as a religion and again would you belief there cock and bull store of Alien master races and Humans having unlocked special super powers without evidence? but in those countries they hide a Cult behind Faith.

So i think when any religious organisation makes extraordinary claims that they should back it up with extra-ordinary proof.The arrogance of people claiming to speak for a God or a Deity is shocking, very much in the same manner some of the Catholics on this site claim to speak for 1.2 billion people in some of the posts.
The Catholic Church recognize 68 miracles in Lourdes since 1858 and 6 million visit per year and countless millions since the first pilgrim why is it that an amputee never gets a limb regrown it is always a condition which statistically might improve anyway? 68 out of many multiple millions is a very poor return from a loving Omnipotent Omnipresent God to his faithful followers. I doubt if i went to Lourdes and respectfully debated with the people looking for miracle that they would accept that statistically they have a better chance of getting hit by lighting and winning the lotto. why because they have blind faith.

I would wager that the most devout Catholics come from the most devout families and do you actually think if they were born in a different country and culture that they would believe a different faith and defend that equally say if it was Islam or Mormon? Science asks questions of everything and requires proof that stands up to inspection. Any of the above Faiths could claim that any of there beliefs or religious claims are as true as the Catholic Churches but you probably only believe in one. Indoctrination is to be blamed for all of the above so i hope that clears it up for you,Catholics are commented on this site because they have a 92% in the population also some Pious Super-Catholic like to comment and insult people claiming they must not be happy or are just angry or jealous of our strong faith because they question illogically nonsensical religion or the Crimes of the Vatican(Which as the self proclaimed middle men of God aren’t really required to belief in a higher power or a deity or God) but the Pious will refuse to disown the Corrupt Vatican(The Emeritus Pope even slated the Vatican for corruption and he was infallible at the time!) So believe in any deity or God you want but if any religion sprouts nonsense the people have a right to question it and hold accountable any crimes defended by the shield of faith.

Excellent and intelligent argument James .

Perhaps because you did. I read that post and thought it outrageous.

Sorry, that is directed to Deirdre the dishonest.

RTE’s 6.1 last night was like an episode of ‘Would you Believe’. I hope it was counted towards this months allocation of ‘religious programming’ because it stopped being a serious news programme at about 20 past six. Instead we were subjected to a half hour of ‘professional’ reporters extolling the virtues of their superstitions. Dobson was like an excitable six year old on the Late Late Toy Show…

Bye bye, don’t let the door hit you in the ass.

they like to give it, but they cant take it, a democratic dicussion using common sense, and now all the holy mary’s want to leave

Sums it all up really !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21810980

Hi Emer,
Thanks for replying back
I have no problem with your article, – I actually liked it, – as you say was a piece of light hearted nostalgia.
But I DO have a problem where an article such as this, – (and also other articles on the Journal), – are followed sometimes, by literally hundreds of spiteful & hateful comments daily
These comments are almost always, extremely anti Catholic/Christian.
Again, – I fully understand that people have a right to be angry, or express their opinions, if they wish.
But to have hundreds of comments, targeting ONE faith group or organisation, on the Journal, almost daily, is not necessarily right either.
I would be also concerned ALSO, – if I saw any OTHER faith being targeted in this way.
Thanks again,
Zoe

Zoe.

I agree with u. However i think the journal is too lenient on some of the posters here. Some of their comments are very racist, ageist, twisted and downright poisonous. Cyber bullying is in the news a lot these days. I have no doubt that some comments here would fall into that category.

For example there is an article today on Abortion in China. Just check it out. The bile towards the pro lifers has started. I wont be posting here anymore.

The Journal needs to take responsibility and fast……