(May 4, 2010 at 2:58 pm)Rwandrall Wrote:(May 4, 2010 at 1:58 pm)bozo Wrote:(May 4, 2010 at 1:22 pm)Rwandrall Wrote:(May 4, 2010 at 12:18 pm)bozo Wrote: Rwandrall, is it possible you might debate the issue with your parents? I'd be interested to hear their defence.
I would, but 1) i live abroad for my studies and 2) They do not know i am an atheist...of course i know that this isnt about being religious or not, its about common human decency, but still to them a priest is almost the highest authority they know. Critisizing a priest is blasphemy to them.
Seems to me that eventually a debate around both matters must happen..or it'll fester and breed resentment on your side.
Good luck however you tackle your problem.
Believe me i tried but some people just have their mind set on things. They have never lived outside of Paris, never went anywhere outside of France for over a month. For them things are purely black and white. Immigrants are bad. Atheists are soulless. Priests are holy men. People who work for the State are lazy. Muslims are evil terrorists... the list goes on. Just like Christians say about a "sinner", some people are just too far gone to be saved.
And i know how roughly i describe my parents, i know i should be more grateful to them than that, but i guess its just how i view things.
Bozo you do not have to like everything about your parents it's OK to disagree with them and sometimes it's better to discuss things like this with others. You seem to have a respect and love for them and that's good. To discuss something like bigotry with them would never be easy you will better understand that when you've raised a family.
I'm not going to say anything about your parents that's for you. However the priest was totally wrong in what he did if that had happened in my church well let's just say the roof would have come down. Jesus said that He came for the poor and destitute He was stating this as a spirital and physical matter and the church is suppose to follow His teachings. Unfortunately many churches have become social clubs instead of a worshipful body and that down fall begins with the leaders of a church body. I wish things like this would never happen but when there are humans envolved things like this are inevitable. Sorry such an example from a church had to come your way.
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.