Pope asks President Lula for Brazil to have official religion; is told NO in no unclear terms

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

On the fron page of one of the biggest Brazilian papers today...

Translation of relevant quote:

BRAZIL REJECTS POPE'S PRESSURE FOR RELIGIOUS CLASSES
Lula tells Benedict XVI he's commited to preserving the secular State

Pope Benedict XVI asked President Lula yesterday to work towards approving an agreement that's being negotiated between the Vatican and Brazil, which includes mandatory religious classes in Brazil's public schools. Lula reaffirmed his commitment to the preservation of a secular State, citing the country's religious peculiarities. The Brazilian government has already rejected the item of the accord that deals with religious teaching, arguing that the establishment of educational policy is a prerogative of the State. Brazil's counterproposal was sent March 30. The accord also deals with tax issues.

[Kagemusha]

1. I don't often have this reaction but, WOW. Just wow.

That's quite some power play the Pope tried. And failed at.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. You'll notice he's also whining about money, although the details are scarce.

That should be fun too.

[trotsky]

2. Hooray for Pres. Lula!

Nice smackdown.

[peacetalksforall]

3. Hooray! What happened to the Church. I received some of my

inspirations from them - Public schools - public to honor and acknowledge all religions. Pure secularism. Catholic schools - to include Catholicism. I now see no difference between the C. Church and evangelical fundamentalist protestants who I thought were the only ones who were trying to push these mandatory bible and religion teachings and classes down our throats. The Catholic CHurch used to have some honor. Nuts, I feel like tearing up this morning - my head is hanging low and nodding back and forth. Thank you Lulu and Brazil. The nerve the of the Catholic Church.

I fear commandeered religion is going to accompany the martial law if it every comes to that in this country. Cheney and PNAC believes that all their plans are possible.

[mmonk]

21. The Church was high jacked when he ascended

to Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. Formerly known as the Inquisition. -nt

[Cobalt Violet]

4. K & R

Glad to see that happen.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. Only one? Wahhhhh! I want more!

(throws tantrum)

[Cobalt Violet]

23. If I could recommend again you know I would.

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Javaman]

5. that's one hell of a creepy ass pic of the pope. he scares me. nt

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. Is it physically possible to take a NON-creepy-ass pic of him? -nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. Seriously. He could have played a pope on Blackadder 1.

The clergy on that show all looked weird too.

[hvn_nbr_2]

29. "Heh, heh, heh. He's cute. I wish he was 40 years younger." nt

[peacetalksforall]

7. Blessed are those who are granted free will and choice for they will

choose free will and choice.

[bryant69]

8. The NY Times doesn't have that yet

They are focused on the Abortion issue though, and the fact that Brazil, once 90% catholic is now only 2/3rds Catholic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/world/americas/11pope.html?ref=americas

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. To much of an "internal" affair, perhaps, but I think it deserves mention. -nt

[bryant69]

11. And also the traditional American way of jamming every international

issue into a form we can understand. We don't understand an official state religion; we do understand abortion. So let's write about abortion.

On the other hand it's been said that if Reporters covered sports the way they cover religion we'd be reading things like "So, how many runs did the goalie shoot?" Not that they have to be nice to religion, but having a basic grasp of it wouldn't hurt anybody.

Bryant

[ChairmanAgnostic]

26. give them time. it will hit 45% or less.

with hope, and a push.

[bryant69]

27. Um, they don't seem to be abandoning religion

Rather the articles reference them switching to Pentacostalism. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/world/americas/09pope.html

Don't want to get anybody's hopes up.

Bryant

[AngryOldDem]

10. It's official: The Church is in trouble

Especially if it has to make demands like that on a government to obviously boost membership. Good for Brazil.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. I think you are right.

What other reason is there for saying such a thing?

[MonkeyFunk]

14. good for your president!

wow, what a blunder by the Pope. I thought this stuff was always managed carefully beforehand so as to assure the outcome. damn.

[Marrah_G]

15. okay that is one creepy looking pope.

I am not Catholic, but I had a great respect for John Paul 2. This guy jusat gives me the heeby-jeebies when I look at him. The guy could easily get a movie role as some demon's side-kick.....

Yikes!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

17. See #12 -nt

[Zenlitened]

16. Hats off to Lula for doing the right thing.

"Mandatory" religion? Yeah, that usually works out great for everyone. :yoiks:

Refreshing to hear the leader of a major nation so firmly stating a commitment to secular society.

[malaise]

20. Bravo Lula

I get the impression the imperialists think this is the 18th century again.

[WinkyDink]

24. Benedict's nerve is ASTOUNDING!! WTH?? Good for Lula!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

25. I usually don't give him the deference of calling him by his made-up name. Especially when...

...his real name begins with "Ratz!" It's too good not to use!

Pope Ratzi it is.

[WinkyDink]

30. I'll see you, and raise you a Nazi Youth!

[diane in sf]

31. Pope Joe Ratz

ala The Daily Show...

[formercia]

28. Shades of the Holy Roman Empire. n/t