Next weekend we are receiving here in Barcelona at Sagrada Familia the pope, Benedictus XVI. People wait anxiously this moment when he will proceed with a mass. Others instead don't like the Pope or similar and they mock about him with parody videos. Watch up this two videos and comment about what do you think the manners of this people should be. (the second video is in catalan but it was a perfect example)
I think personally this people have no manners. If they are not Christians we can accept it because everybody is free to be what they want. But for me it is not permissible allowing this parodies that are insults to the church. You can always support your thoughts without having disrespect to others.
Thursday 4 November 2010
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I completely agree with your point about people respecting others, however, it isn't the catholic church which is paying for the popes visit it is the government. that wouldn't be a problem but the fact of the matter is that Spain is a secular country which means they haven't got a defined religion. So, I believe that some people are angry due to the fact that money from the taxpayers is being pumped into his visit is a lack of respect to other religions that are tolerated and accepted in this secular country.
ReplyDeleteJack Roberts
I do agree as well with your point, everyone is free to be what they want to be, and yes, give your opinion but without having to disrespect others.
ReplyDeleteThe pope coming to Barcelona is a difficult issue as the government has to spend so much money and this will cause problems, some people won't agree at all, others will be extremely anxious for the moment, but this is normal, is a big city and it's impossible to make everyone agree with the event. Also right now Spain is not in its best moment, a huge amount of people have serious economic difficulties. But in the other hand I think its been 28 years now since the last time the Pope came to Barcelona, is not like he is coming once a year, so I do understand that when he comes is a big thing and the government spend some money.
But why not to look at the positive side?
Take an advantage from this, make lots of publicity advertising the event and so more people will come to Barcelona and this will bring money to the city.
But as I said before, everyone is free to think what they want to.
The visit of the pope coming to Barcelona has opened a huge debate whether it is correct or not that ha should come and if the city will end up benefitting of this event or not. The posted videos are shameful, people should respect other people, not only the pope, but everyone, and in the videos they clearly don't do so. As Julian says, it's fine to say your opinion, but there are thousands of ways to do so and this ones weren't the appropiate ones.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the visit of the pope echoes all around Spain and it's bringing thousands of tourists to it. The houses are decorated with the Vatican flag in order to welcome the pope in his visit, but maybe we are making to much of it. It is true that tourism will benefit the city, but Spain, as Jack has said is a secular country and this visit is going to cost a considerable amount of money. Moreover, what I find ashaming is the way the president has acted. Zapatero has gone to Afganistan to see the army, but hasn't been here to welcome the pope. It is true we are a secular country, but the Vatican is also a country, so the president should also receive the president from that country (the pope).
When I see this sort of videos trying to make fun about the Pope I just feel pity for the. Firstly, because it is a clear proof that they love to waste their time and secondary because it is a horrible lack of respect no only to the Pope, but also to all the members of the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that Spain is a secular country and therefore everybody is free to think what they want, but lets not forget that the vast majority of people in Spain consider themselves Catholic (around 70%) besides the culture of Spain is Christian/Catholic. The fact that Spain is a secular country doesn't mean that is an atheist country, all our history, language and culture has been very influenced by the Catholic Church. And also let's remember that went Franco died the Catholic Church asked the king to make Spain a secular country.
The reason the Pope's visit to Barcelona or Santiago de Compostela costs so a lot of money is because everybody wants to see him and to attend to his mass in the "Sagrada Familia" if nobody was interested, then the visit would be almost free. Besides, in the "Generalidad de Cataluña" has arrived to the conclusion that it is better to pay all this amount of money is because overall it is a way of sponsoring the city. Do not forget that the "Generalidad" and the city council are controlled by the PSC, which is not a very religious party.
To conclude, the absence of Zapatero during the visit is a clear symbol of his bad manners and his narrow-minded "philosophy". Unfortunately it doesn't impress to me, it is not the first time Mr. Zapatero shows a lack of respect to some people or nation; for example when he was invited to the American National Parade. Or when he met with the king of Morocco due to the problems Spanish police officers had in the border and said "La foto es lo que cuenta" the photo is what matters (in this case a la lack of respect to all the Spanish citizens.
Juan Ventosa
Firstly, I would like to let you know that my comment is not going to be as extense and deep as the ones before it, because I am not as informed of the situation as the rest, but I do agree with your point. It is okay, even good that everyone has their own personal opinion about the pope’s visit, but what is not acceptable is that people manifest their disagreement in such a public way. Manners have to be present after all and this disagreement should be shown in another and more polite way.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can somehow understand people’s disagreement. If it’s the government who’s paying for this visit, I can understand that some non-Christian people are not comfortable with it. But again, it’s how they say it and not what they say.
Carla Galcerán
I am in th same situation as Carla and I totally agree with the second thing she has pointed out, is that we are paying for it and not all of us want it, I'm not christian and I don't believe in god and all this things for me the pope is another one in this world, but I accepts other opinions and think that they are in his right to think what they want.
ReplyDeleteHowever I don't find fair that pople pay for a better country and they use it for a visit of a pope which only could appreciate in a significant way politics and important people, and more so if they are non-christians why do the have to through (as they think that it is not useful) in a visit of a man who is nothing for them.
Mauro Borràs
I think these videos are unnecessary. What need is there to mock about the Pope and the Church? I am not a Christian person but I fully respect those who are, and I don't have the need of hanging a "Jo no t'espero" flag from my balcony, because you know what? I DID want the Pope to come, because as many ignorant people against his visit don't know, the Pope's visit has given an incredible amount of publicity to the city of Barcelona. It has been a major event, with followers even coming from Venezuela to see the Pope!! And non-christians or people against the Church were demanding that only the christians should pay the Pope's stay and safety...Are they crazy??? If everyone has to start paying ONLY and strictly the things they waste, this would be chaos! How many times have all the people in Barcelona paid for new traffic lights or new bins because of the many people getting crazy celebrating a Barça victory? Have only the culés paid for that? NO, we all pay for those things, because otherwise no-one would be honest.
ReplyDeleteI saw part of the Pope's mass and really it made my hair stand, the choruses singing were absolutely beautiful, really emotive and the inside of the Sagrada Familia just looked incredible. I personally felt very proud yesterday of being from Barcelona.
As Berta said, although we have paid money for the Pope's visit, it's worth it, as we will get it back with tourism, publicity, etc. So, for those who are angry with the idea of paying an unnecessary visit of the leader of a religion to which they may not belong, DON'T WORRY. We haven't wasted the money.
ReplyDeleteAbout the "Santification Party" video, well, I think it is not offensive, and if you think it is, I don't personally believe they wanted to offend anybody, it's just a joke. Some TV programs, such as "Polònia" do this kind of jokes, and nobody cares much. We're just used to this kind of humour.
The other may have been done in order to offend, but it wasn't made by a public TV, radio, etc.
What I want to say is that intention is what really matters. If they wanted to criticize the pope with no respect, the "santification party" video would have talked about the pederasts, the problems with the homosexuals, or something that would clearly attack the church. It is necessary to differentiate between a joke and an offense.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted"
Have fun, because we only live once!
Be respectful, too
I'm really impressed with the comments above.
ReplyDeleteMiguel is right that little escapes the script writers of programmes like Polonia. Indeed, after airing a sketch with the Pope, they went on to replay previous sketches made with other religious leaders to drive home the point that everyone and anyone is 'game'. Long gone are the days of speaking about relgious, monarchical or political leaders in the gentle tones of reverence out of respect... or fear.
Likewise, Berta and Andrea are quite right in pointing out that if the local government has done its maths properly and the books really do balance, then the visit will have been a great success. It has been a long time since the Pope's last visit and he is a head of state who attracts and inspires large crowds of people. Even at a purely commercial level, the visit will have been worth it.
There are various topics which are considered taboo and religion can be one of them. But I would like to share the following as an optimistic non-believer: that is, someone who does not believe, but who would like to, and who regards believers with respect and, almost, envy.
ReplyDeleteI believe that defenders of the faith have the responsibility to fight for the future of their church. Weighed down with centuries of history and burdened with decisions made in the past and which can be difficult to explain today, the church is often criticised and some argue that it is difficult to justify its role in today's and tomorrow's world.
The whole religious community should do all it can to ensure that bridges are built to enhance understanding and empathy between them and non-believers. In my opinion they should use their conviction and sense of community as a springboard to reducing suffering and ignorance worldwide.
The Pope has laid the first stone. As I understand it, in the past few days, he has accepted the (very limited) use of condoms. This helps reduce the difference between the position of the Catholic church and individuals and organisations involved in social work.
What will the next stone be?
I have two friends who are devoted Catholics. One a priest. The other the manager of social and educational programmes. Both have recently 'recognised' that they are homosexual. The priest has left the church. The other continues working to change attitudes and policy from within the church.
I cross my fingers and hope that the next 'stone' will, in some way, recognise their faith and their humanity.