76 replies to this topic

[Sweeney]

Let's be honest, the religious are always insisting that their peculiar rites do no harm to anyone.
But that isn't true, is it?

New York (CNN) -- Hundreds of people might have been exposed to hepatitis A while receiving communion on Christmas Day, Long Island officials said Monday.

The Nassau County Department of Health is offering vaccines to those who attended two services at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park in Long Island, New York, according to Nassau County Department of Health spokeswoman Mary Ellen Laurain.

Individuals might be at risk if they received communion during the 10:30 am and noon Masses, according to a statement from the county health department.

"We know that there's a potential that (exposure) could have happened," she said. "We think the risk is relatively low."

At least one member of the clergy involved in the communion process was infected with the disease, Laurain said.

There have been no additional reports of illness.

Some 1,300 people were in attendance between the two church services, she added.

Symptoms of the disease include the onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice, according the statement. The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover within a few weeks without complications, it said.

Individuals exposed to the disease should receive vaccination within two weeks of exposure, the statement said.

I have to confess, I do find it rather amusing.
After all, it's rarely fatal.

[Gen]

It would be nicer if you actually wrote "of a single religion". Not all religions are the same, but you must know that.
This is like the first time I ever seen something like this happen, and a great part of my family is catholic... Now you can blame religion for having a cult where people eat one thing they think it's holy, and it happened that one of the people who give it was infected by a disease he probably didn't even know he had, or you can just say it happens, could've happened to anyone, in any other case. Someone who is serving food at a food store may have Hepatitis A, and for some reason, cause a lot of other people to have it.(just think about a hotdog streetcart(is it how it's called?))

[Sweeney]

Of course, places that serve food have to be licenced, and have checks in place to stop that kind of thing, as well as a clear line of responsibility.

Churches are exempt from all these things, because of religion's special privileges.

[Gen]

Of course, places that serve food have to be licenced, and have checks in place to stop that kind of thing, as well as a clear line of responsibility.

Churches are exempt from all these things, because of religion's special privileges.

The fact that it happened once doesn't mean that it'll happen again soon, even if it doesn't, it should be investigated (probably is) . They must find out who has hepatitis not only to cure this person, but to identify how this one got the disease.

[Sweeney]

The fact that it happened once doesn't mean that it'll happen again soon, even if it doesn't, it should be investigated (probably is) . They must find out who has hepatitis not only to cure this person, but to identify how this one got the disease.

It really doesn't matter how likely it is to happen.
It's just one more reason not to engage in silly rituals.

[Dayzee]

This could happen anywhere food is served if the server failed to disclose or didn't know they had contracted Hep A. But you're right about their being no clear line of responsibility, esp in smaller churches and such...

[Roxi]

It really doesn't matter how likely it is to happen.
It's just one more reason not to engage in silly rituals.

I actually agree with you for once. The loop holes religious practices have such as not having to be licensed can be detrimental.
If I wanted to worship, doing it at home where I know everything is clean would be my choice.

[Dayzee]

I actually agree with you for once. The loop holes religious practices have such as not having to be licensed can be detrimental.
If I wanted to worship, doing it at home where I know everything is clean would be my choice.

Well at least you wouldn't have to wonder if they wash the communion cup...

[Sweeney]

Mainly, it's just funny that infection occured via a medium that's supposedly holy and unsullied.

[Dayzee]

Sweeney:

Well, that's nothing new. Just ask the little altar boys...

Edited by dayzee100, 05 January 2011 - 11:10 AM.

[Sweeney]

Sweeney:

Well, that's nothing new. Just ask the little altar boys...

Ah yes, paedophilia. Always a good topic for some light relief.

And yet, still you learn nothing about the nature of religious organisations.

[Dayzee]

Ah yes, paedophilia. Always a good topic for some light relief.

And yet, still you learn nothing about the nature of religious organisations.

I guess I see it more as the nature of man.

[Sweeney]

I guess I see it more as the nature of man.

The same man that wrote the bible from which you derive your entire concept of God?

Religious organisations are made up of (and by) men. Men, and a lot of money.

[Lallard]

Since the topic's about "religion and its harms to society", I remember hearing about this one article in the news:

http://www.guardian....spital-abortion

If I do remember some of my history correctly, it just seems as if the Catholic church is almost a hundred years behind the "modern age". Took them awhile to accept the Heliocentric system, and right now we got sanitary issues/abortion/evolution being in total conflict with the Christian Bible.

[Sweeney]

Yeah, that's northern ireland for you.

[Lallard]

Or if you're in the US, Texas.

Aside from the Holy Eucharist (at least from my experience as a Catholic) in need of food regulation, the "holy water" by the church's entrance bugs the crap outta me; stagnant water + hundreds of people dipping their fingers there = no thanks.

[iargue]

Its not nearly as dangerous as sex orgies performed by people who don't believe in God.

[Dayzee]

The same man that wrote the bible from which you derive your entire concept of God?

Religious organisations are made up of (and by) men. Men, and a lot of money.

Personally I'm more for spirituality and relationship with God than I am for religion. But by nature of man I simply mean that a man who engages in pedophelia will do so whether he's a banker, or priest, or janitor. It has nothing to do with religion. Though I do think Catholic churches run a higher risk than most employers of attracting this type of scum due to the prevalence of young boys and the false "safe environment" of the church.

[Sweeney]

Personally I'm more for spirituality and relationship with God than I am for religion.

Doesn't change the fact that the bible was written by man.

But by nature of man I simply mean that a man who engages in pedophelia will do so whether he's a banker, or priest, or janitor. It has nothing to do with religion. Though I do think Catholic churches run a higher risk than most employers of attracting this type of scum due to the prevalence of young boys and the false "safe environment" of the church.

Agreed, except it is the self-serving interest of the religion that fosters the safe environment that child abusers exploit.

fight, fight, fight, fight (chants)

That wasn't the start of a fight, it was the end of a failed attempt to ignite one.

[neobrah]

lol, on a more serious note religion beings a tremendous amount of good for people. it brings hope, peace, brings people together, and happiness. it is one bad thing that happens that everyone looks at and focuses on which blinds everyone from seeing the amount of good that religion creates.

[Sweeney]

lol, on a more serious note religion beings a tremendous amount of good for people. it brings hope, peace, brings people together, and happiness. it is one bad thing that happens that everyone looks at and focuses on which blinds everyone from seeing the amount of good that religion creates.

Religion doesn't create anything good that can't be created simply by people being... wait for it... nice to each other.

[Shadowfool]

the real damage imo is the appealing ignorance that religion preaches.

[Dayzee]

Religion doesn't create anything good that can't be created simply by people being... wait for it... nice to each other.

Going to..gulp..agree with Sweeney here to some extent. Religion brings people together who share a common belief, as a book club brings together people who like to read. They share a commonality. Personally, I believe the Bible was written by men who were inspired by God, esp in the New Testament where the authors were men who personally knew and lived with Jesus. Religion, on the other hand, is completely a creation of man, of rulers, of kings, etc, who created a uniform group to suit their needs.

People being nice to each other helps, but it doesn't give one purpose. Belief in God does.

[jcrdude]

People being nice to each other helps, but it doesn't give one purpose. Belief in God does.

Being nice to each other is the ends, not the means.

I am of the opinion that a person should be able to look within oneself for purpose and those that defer their beliefs (and thus behaviors) to a supernatural being are taking the easy path of passing culpability for their actions.

Of course I'm not saying that no good comes of an individual's belief in a higher power, I'm just saying that a blind belief can occasionally lead a person who would otherwise be "good" down a path they would not have deemed worthy had they come to a personal conclusion.

[Dayzee]

Being nice to each other is the ends, not the means.

I am of the opinion that a person should be able to look within oneself for purpose and those that defer their beliefs (and thus behaviors) to a supernatural being are taking the easy path of passing culpability for their actions.

Of course I'm not saying that no good comes of an individual's belief in a higher power, I'm just saying that a blind belief can occasionally lead a person who would otherwise be "good" down a path they would not have deemed worthy had they come to a personal conclusion.

I agree wholeheartedly. Blind belief is dangerous and gets a lot of people into trouble. And even informed belief can be, too - ie if I believe my purpose in this life is to be a good soldier, so I do what Hitler tells me. Oops.

Many people wonder "What is my purpose?" "Why am I here?" If you believe that you are the result of a spontaneous, random act of nature then that leaves some people feeling empty. They just happened. If you believe you were planned and created to glorify God (whichever god you believe in), then you feel you have the purpose of glorifying God and serving mankind. You didn't just happen. That's what I meant by a sense of purpose. I don't see how religion, in and of itself, performs that function.

Edited by dayzee100, 05 January 2011 - 01:00 PM.