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The Vatican has warned journalists who will travel with Pope Benedict to Lourdes next month not to put the revered water from the shrine in their hand luggage on the papal plane or it may be confiscated…
The millions of pilgrims who visit the shrine each year drink from its fonts, many believing its water to be potentially miraculous and healing. Most take bottles of it away with them.
“In order to avoid their confiscation during security controls at the airport, Air France recommends putting any bottles of Lourdes water in baggage what will go into the hold of the plane,” a Vatican advisory to reporters said.
Silliness on top of superstition. Give me a fracking break!
no, no…somehow there is symetry in all this. 🙂
Helpful tip. You can smuggle some in a contact lens container. Not much, but enough for mid-flight self forgiveness.
Drink it… I’m sure it will give you the curse of the Madonna some hours later.
Eideard, I don’t understand why you get your panties in a wad over religion. Just because it isn’t for you doesn’t mean that it is all superstition. Not everything in this world is fully explained by science. This is why doctors still see miracles and will tell you that. Whether it is God, whomever or whatever… there is some mysterious shit out there.
The new “science” of the law of attraction tells us that we can produce whatever we want with our minds so long as we believe.
I’ll take “God” over that kind of “science”.
#4 – Stephanie – Just because it isn’t for you doesn’t mean that it is all superstition.
That’s what it is… Superstition.
Not everything in this world is fully explained by science.
So does that mean that you should follow a book that was authored by numerous authors over hundreds of years? How about doing research and try figuring out why things are the way they are instead of taking the easy way out of saying “Oh, that’s God’s will…”
This is why doctors still see miracles and will tell you that.
That’s because they take the easy way out… There are no “miracles”… only fortunate circumstances.
Whether it is God, whomever or whatever… there is some mysterious shit out there.
Prove it.
…we can produce whatever we want with our minds so long as we believe.
It all depends on what that belief is. If it’s a belief in some invisible man in the sky… well, then your belief will not produce much more than ignorance. If you believe in a theory and can prove the theory… well, then you’re making progress.
I’ll take “God” over that kind of “science”.
In other words… you’re an ignorant creationist.
While I see #5’s point, I don’t agree that religion or any superstition is a bad thing at an individual level.
In fact, it keeps many people fro doing bad things for fear for paying the piper in the after life, etc. Also, many penitentiary inmates ‘find xxx’ and are less of a burden on society. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
What I find unacceptable is pushing these superstitions into laws that affect ME. Does that make sense?
#6 – Dallas – Also, many penitentiary inmates ‘find xxx’ and are less of a burden on society. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
a) They “find God” in order to fast track their parole etc. Because somehow, if you’re religious, you’re more trustworthy, better person etc. Which has been proven to be utter nonsense.
b) Yes, there’s a problem… separation of church and state. Why are missionaries allowed inside tax-paid facilities?
You can however, feel free to bring on the carbonated, cherry flavored douche.
BUUUURRRRRRP!
I think Eid got it just right. “Silliness on top of superstition”. Accurate.
If you feel called upon to defend superstition – or the War On Terror nutballs – you’re stuck with the wedgie. Cripes – even Reuters found it laughable.
Aren’t they simply saying don’t take the water because you’re only allowed 8 oz of liquid on a plane now? So, it will be confiscated if it’s in their hand luggage. if they pack it, it will be fine.
Jaegermeisturd,
Ignorant on what? I cannot claim to be an expert on everything but I bet that you can’t either.
I believe in separation of church from state. I believe in evolution. I don’t necessarily believe the bible in it’s every word. I don’t believe in evangelism anymore than I believe in atheism. I believe that you live and let live. There are many different religions in this world and you just assumed that I am a Christian. Assumptions are ignorant.
How am I supposed to prove the mysterious things that have happened in my life that can’t be explained by science or coincidence? I won’t. It isn’t my point to do so. If you aren’t open to those receive those types of experiences, you WON’T or even want to hear about them.
To me it sounds as if you are the ignorant one when you say that YOUR way is the only way and that anyone who believes in God is just superstitious.
There is an estimated 15% of people on Earth that are atheists. If we are to assume that the majority of the rest of that 85% believe in God, that would be a hell of a lot of ignorant superstitious people in this world. With all of us ignorant people, why don’t you just shoot yourself into space already?
Yes #10, this is hardly a newsworthy story (a regurgitation of TSA rules) except for the religion haters out there.
#11, Stephanie,
Ignorant on what? I cannot claim to be an expert on everything but I bet that you can’t either.
I don’t think Jag is insinuating he is an expert on anything. But damn, he can link to some great videos and pics.
I don’t necessarily believe the bible in it’s every word.
I’m glad you clarified that. People that believe half the bible are only half ignorant. I guess the other half must be stupidity but I don’t really know.
How am I supposed to prove the mysterious things that have happened in my life that can’t be explained by science or coincidence? I won’t.
Fair question. Automatically assuming it is a miracle is wrong. Unless you know “god” or some other higher being performed a miracle then you can’t credit him (them).
To me it sounds as if you are the ignorant one when you say that YOUR way is the only way and that anyone who believes in God is just superstitious.
True. And I agree with Jag that there is no “god” and it is just superstition. Until you or anyone can demonstrate (notice I didn’t say PROVE) the existence of a higher being than it is just superstition.
NOTE, I am also NOT afraid of Friday 13, spilling salt, walking under ladders, or any other number of superstitions.
There is an estimated 15% of people on Earth that are atheists.
I’ve heard that before. I think many of the remaining 85% are made up of people worshiping cows and stone statues. Many are “religious” in name only.
85% believe in God, that would be a hell of a lot of ignorant superstitious people in this world.
Yup. I agree. But see my previous comment for clarification.
With all of us ignorant people, why don’t you just shoot yourself into space already?
Why? Wouldn’t it be better if all you “religious” people got a life instead?
When I can find ONE “religious” person that can explain why “god” gave my niece spina bifida I just might start listening. If that same person can then explain why a friend was killed by a drunken driver I might start listening. If “god” is so powerful and omnipotent that he can create the earth and everything on it, why would he do this to those people?
except for the religion haters out there.
I don’t hate “religious” people. I hate the idea that people are being conned into believing in superstitions.
#11 – Stephanie – Ignorant on what? I cannot claim to be an expert on everything but I bet that you can’t either.
I’ve never made a claim of being an expert. But what sets us apart is reason.
I believe in separation of church from state. I believe in evolution.
Good stuff. 😉
I don’t necessarily believe the bible in it’s every word.
This proves that the bible is a pick and choose book. You choose the parts that fits your world. In other words… it’s a feel good book.
I don’t believe in evangelism anymore than I believe in atheism.
There’s no way you could believe in atheism if you’re the slightest religious. Atheists don’t believe in superstition.
There are many different religions in this world and you just assumed that I am a Christian. Assumptions are ignorant.
The religious folks who come across this site have – so far – belonged to one of the Christian franchises. So, assuming you were a Christian was not that hard… or inaccurate.
How am I supposed to prove the mysterious things that have happened in my life that can’t be explained by science or coincidence? I won’t. It isn’t my point to do so.
How can it be explained if you don’t even make an effort… such as presenting it to the scientific community?
If you aren’t open to those receive those types of experiences, you WON’T or even want to hear about them.
I’m sure there are people who can explain “mysterious things” and what they can’t give you an answer to, can most likely be explained further down the road. Just don’t expect an old story book to give you the answers.
To me it sounds as if you are the ignorant one when you say that YOUR way is the only way and that anyone who believes in God is just superstitious.
Merrian-Webster on Superstition:
Religious people in a nutshell.
There is an estimated 15% of people on Earth that are atheists. If we are to assume that the majority of the rest of that 85% believe in God, that would be a hell of a lot of ignorant superstitious people in this world.
You do know that most people say they belong to this and that religion, but they don’t really believe. And another thing… some of the 85% believe in stuff that doesn’t involve a God.
Yes #10, this is hardly a newsworthy story (a regurgitation of TSA rules) except for the religion haters out there.
You do know that the pope doesn’t live in the USA, right?
#12 – Mr. Fusion
Good post as always. 🙂
That’s because they don’t want people to find out it’s a goddam lie.
You can believe that God exists, that Jesus once existed. You can also believe that the bible was also a work that was written a long time ago and has had many different interpretations throughout the centuries. I tend to think that the bible was written as a tool to get people to live through fear and to obey the rulers of many societies. I do not believe in God out of fear and that is a huge difference. The bible talks of a “hell” that I don’t subscribe to. True that there are parts of the bible and different versions of the bible that seem more realistic to me than others.
As far as the loss and the suffering of your loved ones is concerned, we all suffer. Why was I born with crappy lungs or a birth defect? Why am I without a mother at 27? Why did my grandmother die suddenly? I can’t answer for you but I know that these challenges serve a higher purpose for me. They teach me gratitude and that every second is a gift that we don’t get again. I cannot call myself a Christian nor do I wish to. I like to learn about all religions and haven’t committed to one. Maybe someday I will. I am largely spiritual and feel that is more important than being religious. I can’t stand the “Christians” standing on street corners accosting pedestrians with their “word”. But I wouldn’t support atheists who do that any more than the “Christians”.
You can believe in religion and spirituality without coming across as a nut.
Oh and I get that the Pope is in Italy but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have similar flight regulations as the U.S.
Most countries follow our lead…