ehhh? “simbolu ta’ mhabba universali”

Symbol of universal love? No it’s not; it’s a symbol of torture. And don’t give me that crap about how he loved us so much he died for us. He didn’t want to die, no more than I do. The purpose of symbols is that they are to the point, and make a statement, without having to read behind the lines. Take off you blinkers, for one second, and just look at what you worship. Jesus supposedly did so many great things, and we worship his torture? If we were just inventing Christianity now, would we use the cross as our new symbol? I doubt it!

I didn’t say your house was vandalised by Muslims. I’m aware it was locals who did the damage. And my remarks were indeed facetious and stupid – thanks for preserving the smiley :)

Cassandra Montegna

“Isn’t the point that Christian bating is easier than bashing Muslims?..”

One reason could be that Mohammed died in his bed, a powerful man, while Jesus allowed himself to be humiliated and crucified and forgave his executioners. Maybe he was trying to tell us something.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091122/local/gu-clinic-report-exposes-high-rate-of-extramarital-affairs

To make matters worse, instead of focusing on the many positive teaching that is at the base of every religion we focus on the wrong perpetrated by the few and make this seem like it is the religion itself – example a priest who does something wrong is completely at fault but that is not what Christ teaches right? I have a feeling you are not a fervent Catholic – I stand to be corrected.

[Daphne – I am not even a Catholic, still less a fervent one. I think of religion as more than a title and a badge of identity, and so, given that I am no faith in the most fundamental tenets of Catholicism, I cannot – unlike very many of my compatriots – identify myself as a Catholic, and this despite the fact that my life is probably more in keeping with the spirit of the faith than the lives of so many others who call themselves Catholics.]

I don’t know what you think about the teachings of Christ, for example. I do not know what turned you away from the Catholic Church (I’m assuming you had a Catholic upbinging but again I stand to be corrected).

[Daphne – Yes, I did, but here’s the thing: nobody asked me. And when I was old enough to think about it for myself, I decided I really wasn’t impressed or interested.]

But I have a feeling it was not the teachings of Christ that have put you off but probably the Catholic representatives you encountered. Now there is no problem in taking the mickey once in a while – few can remain serious when looking at this picture. On the other hand vulgar remarks about religion seem twice as insulting – they are no better that the idiot on the bus who says f’Gh*** id-Duluri or something so disgusting.

Unfortunately this vulgar habit of many Maltese is the first thing that strikes you when you arrive in Malta from abroad or worse still when you are waiting at the departures lounge in a foreign airport. I understand that most jokes are intended to sting with insolence but nobody likes it when you joke about his/her mother for example. Not many husbands would laugh if you call their wives whores and few parents will laugh if the joke is on their son. Whether you believe in God or not one should avoid being vulgar about something that other people hold dear – it is basic respect – you can joke but you do not need to be vulgar. Now in this case one could make fun of the nun but the image of Christ on a cross being shoved anywhere it shouldn’t is not nice – don’t you agree?

[Daphne – There is a world of difference between that sort of joke and the swearing of taxi drivers. I guess you miss the distinction.]

Excellent retort! Mea Culpa. However, economists don’t screw up the world, since no one takes their advice. On the other hand, (they use that phrase a lot) they’re very good at saying, after the fact, ‘see, told you so’.

That’s because economists only know how to screw up the world with odd numbers and funny concepts. On the other hand religions offer odd concepts and funny figures.