Did anyone else catch Bill O’Reilly call the Pope naive last night?
I am no big fan of the Catholic Church (nor am I Catholic), but it seems to me that if it was ever appropriate for a bolt of lightning to come down from the heavens and strike someone dead, O’Reilly asked for it last night.
The Catholic Church has flaws. The pedophile scandal was/is outrageous, I am against many of their positions regarding sex, and I think the pope is wrong regarding the Iraq issue. Having stated that, the Pope is one of the most decent, kind men to have ever walked the earth, a worldly and wise man (who, btw speaks about 62 languages), and a man who has obviously contributed greatly to providing hope, peace of mind, and spiritual fulfillment to millions (billions?).
O’Reilly just needs to be beaten in a public square.
HH
Careful now, you’ll get in a tiff with Atrios over that last remark… oh wait you’re not talking about a lefty. Carry on.
This clearly traces back to his anger at the Catholic Church over the molestation thing.
Oliver Cromwell
“I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.”
Jane
Bill O’Reilly is a buffoon who obviously doesn’t know (or care) Catholic Church history. The Pope’s position is perfectly in keeping with Catholic teaching.
And of course, as in issues such as birth control, American, British and other Catholics will make their own decisions and make their own peace with the Church.
Karen Hall
There’s a lot of discussion going on about this at my blog and others in “St. Blog’s Parish.” A lot of us who (including me) who are conservative, orthodox Catholics who have had no problem with thoe pope up until now, think he is indeed being naive about this issue.
Karen Hall
p.s. Whether or not Bill O’Reilly needs to be beaten in a public square is a separate issue.
John Cole
There are plenty of ways to disagree with the pope, but a pompous blowhard like O’Reilly calling him naive (meant as a degrading insult) on national television is beyond the pale.
I can understand disagreement with the pope- this was name calling. I am sure that you and others are having a reasoned debate on the pope’s position, but this was just obnoxious.
RHJunior
Considering that Pope John Paul II is pleading for peace with a ravening wolf… I’m afraid I have to agree with the assessment of “naive.”
Being elderly and well-educated is no proof against naivete’, either. Consider that there are plenty of politicians and celebrities who are on average both elderly and well read, yet who are divorced from reality by their isolation atop the pedestal.
HH
O’Reilly got spanked by the letter-writers today for that.
BJK
War is immoral? No shit. But, so is allowing pedophile priests to butt fuck little boys and destroy their lives. Did the Pope and his merry band of Cardinals say that was immoral and condemn the sick fucking pervert priests who committed these “sins” (also known as felonies in all 50 states)? Hell no! They lied, they denied, they hired lawyers to intimidate or pay off the families who complained. These 2-faced hypocritical “Men of God” are self-serving pompous child molesters who abused thousands of children and then worried more about the “bad pr” affecting collections than they did about victims whose lives they ruined.
John Cole
Don’t hold back, B.J. Tell us what you really think.
jake
“Did the Pope and his merry band of Cardinals say that was immoral and condemn the sick fucking pervert priests who committed these “sins””
Please get your facts straight. Most of the Cardinals, and certainly the Pope, did indeed condemn these sick sins. It was a select few (and might I add – a very small percent compared to the general, non-religious average) mentally ill individuals who went AGAINST the teachings of the Church (and of the Pope).
So, vent all you want. But don’t drag innocent people into it.
Back on the topic. I’m not sure what to say about whether or not the war is immoral or unjust. Far be it from any of us to make that call. The two voices in the ENTIRE world who could make the most accurate assessment (the Pope and the President) gave their oppinions. We don’t know REALLY what inside info prompted either to take their possition. Albeit, the Pope only gave his OPINION which is not binding on Catholics. However, to say his stance is “naive” is actually “naive” in itself. O’Reilly has no clue compared to the Pope.
There ya have it.
God bless.