[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Skybird

And btw, dear Mr. Ratzinger, a figure that still condemns the containing of HIV by using condoms, and still is committed to increasing the biggest crime in human history - pushing global population explosion and all the miserable suffering that it causes by the hundreds of millions every year - has not the smallest moral authority himself to lecture others about moral values.

The catholic church and all Christianity, is geared toward ensuring your afterlife in heaven, not easing your earthly burdens. That is the reason for self denial and self-inflicted pain amongst certain monks. By suffering on earth you reap the rewards of heaven.

Not my cup of tea, but bearing that in mind allows some understanding of the motives.