the institution is completely rotten (in my estimation).
According to the formerly-Vatican-employed-ex-priest, you are correct.
Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Giles ,'Conversations with Dead People'
Spike's Bitches 47: Someone Dangerous Could Get In
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
Zenkitty - Aug 21, 2012 11:17:17 am PDT #19199 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
Volans - Aug 21, 2012 11:18:05 am PDT #19200 of 30001
move out and draw fire
There are good people in it, but the Church is corrupt.
Which is a step beyond my FiL's explanation for not being part of organized religion: "I believe in God, but I don't believe in people."
Steph L. - Aug 21, 2012 11:28:50 am PDT #19201 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Zenkitty! Did I mention we got the Dita book yesterday? I think I forgot to say that while I was freaking out over my tremendous head wound. I will get my butt in the kitchen and make you some cookies in the near future.
Zenkitty - Aug 21, 2012 11:33:11 am PDT #19202 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
Steph! You did say, and I forgot to acknowledge because date! I hope you both liked it! Cookies yum!
I think I need to be put down for a nap.
billytea - Aug 21, 2012 11:42:34 am PDT #19203 of 30001
You were a wrong baby who grew up wrong. The wrong kind of wrong. It's better you hear it from a friend.
For those interested in how he went from priest to atheist, the short answer was: There are good people in it, but the Church is corrupt.
This may be a good moment to link to this article from the Economist, about the Catholic Church's finances: [link]
They also have an article about some of the medical implications from the fact that cells in the human body are only about 10% human: [link]
Kate P. - Aug 21, 2012 11:56:51 am PDT #19204 of 30001
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
Yay for a good date, Zenkitty!
sj - Aug 21, 2012 11:59:14 am PDT #19205 of 30001
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
Yay for a good date, Zenkitty!
Suzi, do you mind going back and editing your post if you get the chance? TCG would prefer to keep his name off the Internet.
le nubian - Aug 21, 2012 12:14:25 pm PDT #19206 of 30001
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."
Zenkitty,
see, he was intimidated by your awesomeness. Not surprised.
(not commenting on asshooks. not commenting on asshooks. not commenting on asshooks)
Steph L. - Aug 21, 2012 12:17:27 pm PDT #19207 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
(not commenting on asshooks. not commenting on asshooks. not commenting on asshooks)
That's really more of a second-date thing.
§ ita § - Aug 21, 2012 12:47:46 pm PDT #19208 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
I didn't! I was very non-threatening! I didn't even bring the cleavage!
Dude, always bring the cleavage. Threatening does not mean what you think it means.