The Pope said it

[Chupacabras]

But, did he mean it?

"Speaking outside the Basilica of Our Lady, one of the world's largest cathedrals, the Pope said the Catholic Church would grow by attracting new members, not by proselytising to reluctant audiences".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6651809.stm

Is this a call to stop activism? No more spoof responses to the Rational Team in youtube? No more counterproductive debate of moms trying to convert their spoiled modern-age sons?

What kind "attracting" techniques can there be that do not constitute "proselytising to reluctanct audiences"?

I don't hold my breath.

 

[triadboy]

What kind "attracting" techniques can there be that do not constitute "proselytising to reluctanct audiences"?

Hotter nuns.

 

[hgc]

I also want to know: How does he intend to attract new members without proselytising? Or does he think he can proselytise without annoying any uninterested people whatsoever?

This is either a transcription error or evidence of a weak mind at the top.

The Inquisition was a good tool for keeping people Catholic. Too bad they don't have that kind of political power any more.

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

Is this a call to stop activism? No more spoof responses to the Rational Team in youtube? No more counterproductive debate of moms trying to convert their spoiled modern-age sons?

Ahhh, but remember, that's just the Catholics. Pope Hitler-jugend I has no control over what goes on in the Protestant sects.

 

[Foster Zygote]

Hotter nuns.

Sure, whatever you want.

 

[ceo_esq]

Pope Hitler-jugend I has no control over what goes on in the Protestant sects.

Cheap way of defaming somebody, Mark. I guess that makes Helmut Schmidt and Helmut Kohl Chancellors Hitler-jugend I and II, respectively.

 

[Tanstaafl]

Should we just refer to him as the ex-Grand Inquisitor then?

 

[Gregory]

I also want to know: How does he intend to attract new members without proselytising? Or does he think he can proselytise without annoying any uninterested people whatsoever?

This is either a transcription error or evidence of a weak mind at the top.

The Inquisition was a good tool for keeping people Catholic. Too bad they don't have that kind of political power any more.

You could attract new members without proselytising by making sure that the current members of the Catholic Church all act in a way that makes people think, "these are uniformally admirable people; more so then the members of my current faith. I should emulate them."

Good luck with that, Ratty. I'm rooting for you.

 

[grayman]

Hotter nuns.

Like this or this?

Or maybe new Catholic schoolgirl uniforms like this or this?

 

[grayman]

Hotter nuns.

Or maybe your taste leans in this direction. I met two of these nuns at an art gallery called "Octavia's Haze" (at the corner of Octavia and Hayes of course) in San Francisco.

 

[Chupacabras]

"these are uniformally admirable people; more so then the members of my current faith. I should emulate them."

Gee... I wonder how people could tell the faith or lack of from these admirable people *without proselytising*. OTOH, I have never heard anybody say "This nice guy is an atheist, so you should be too".

Just thinking, maybe atheism comes with a stigma? Atheists can't be unwilling community role models?

Buñiga!

 

[KingMerv00]

Would have been nice to have this pope around 900 years ago don't you think?