July 9, 2009 / 10:28
Fred: You're certainly entitled to your opinion. You've chosen the path in the opposite direction of the Catholic Church. Good for you, your wife and your kids. Lets check back in a few years to see how its working out for you all.
I like Harper but he should have known not to go up for communion - especially with a few papers in his hand. The priest was also wrong to give to him, and then to allow him t walk off with the host.
Good thing for Harper a similar incident like this didn't happen in a synagogue or a mosque. Lawsuits, the Human rights Comn, death threats, you name it would have followed.
Just remember Fred, there's still time to save yourself.
July 9, 2009 / 10:28
Aside from your jaded anti-religious rants, which Freddie which to meis your only irrational quality compared to all your other viewpoints (if you don't give a shit, why do you get so pissed off?) the only problem here is not Stephen Harper.
If that rag of a paper wanted to get it right, and if they were in fact exposing something against the Catholic faith, they'd blast the Arch-Bishop for giving Communion to a non-catholic. That's part of his job. I know in passing that Harper is a protestant, so how come the Arch-Bishop doesn't take the time to find out? Harper didn't screw up, the lackadaisical Catholic Church is to blame.
July 9, 2009 / 10:37
I'm with you Freddie. A mountain out of a mole hill. Slow news day? Who knows what goes through the minds of the Star's editorial board. Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? There should have been a public commemoration of the former GG and a private family mass. Plain and simple.
Argie, why wait a few years? Ask Freddie right now. I'm believe he's repudiated religion for quite some time, so ask now. I'm sure he'll let you know things are fine.
July 9, 2009 / 11:01
I agree with Pauly, the Church has become lackadaisical - at least some of its priests and bishops, but that's another topic.
Ian, I was giving Fred a chance to redeem himself by stretching things out a few years. Frankly, I already have my answer.....
July 9, 2009 / 11:26
I was once at a Catholic wedding where the Priest explained that non-Catholics could either partake in the communion with their arms crossed or hands behind their backs, or not partake at all. They couldn't touch the wafer. I think Harper was naive, but don't tell me the Priest wasn't thrilled to have him there.
Shame on the Star, of course. This is a new low for them. It's been a while since their legendary "White Jays" investigation.
Fred - I know you have a reason to be angry today but maybe it's not a good idea to be sounding off like angry atheists Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. I can't speak for all denominations and religions, but for Catholics, their faith is part of their cultural identity. Try not to be so harsh.
July 9, 2009 / 11:33
With all due respect Trish, I'm not an angry atheist, I'm a happy rationalist.
It seems to me those hung up on religion are the angry ones.
July 9, 2009 / 11:42
Are you kidding Fred, on this one you are wrong. I go to mass every Sunday and see people not taking communion, they know the rules. If you can speak so wonderfully about Martin Streek,why sound like an ass about this. I usually enjoy your comments. I listened to CFNY when it was good. you're an OK guy most of the time. George Carlin felt about religion and the Catholic faith like you do, but I'd bet he had a Catholic funeral.
July 9, 2009 / 11:43
As with many issues, there are the very passionate who will express their opinions.
No doubt the Star is feeding their customer base.
As for Fred, he's doing the same thing - feeding his audience base with an over-the-top rant...
It still bothers me that he refused to express an opinion on the hot topic auto bailouts weeks ago...although reasons are likely precitable taking into consideration the current audience that he's programming for and prefers not to alienate.
July 9, 2009 / 11:52
It's about time the Catholic Church moved into the 21st century; they should be offering-up Oreos....
July 9, 2009 / 12:00
I've never questioned faith, because those that have IT, are truly special.
Religion is something quite different - God sure has lousy sales reps. They know how to grab the loot, "at only 10%, what a deal to go to pillow land."
Catholics - the Glam Rock of Religion (Bono - great quote)
July 9, 2009 / 12:01
Fred - check out the Star's online addition, they are now trashing Harper for missing yet another photo op with the G8.
We all know the Star's slant: Anti-American and Anti-Harper; The once mighty Star joins the rest of the newspaper world and struggles to retain it's customer base. What a kick in the pants it must have been to the editors when they failed to win the election for Dion and the Liberals.
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel with the wafer story.
July 9, 2009 / 12:22
Oh my God Fred! (pun intended) You really missed your calling. You should have been a bum boy at this current PMO. ;0O
July 9, 2009 / 12:45
Classy response from Dominic.
And Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc, Roméo's son and a eulogist at the ceremony celebrating the life of the much-admired politician and former governor general, expressed regret Wednesday that Harper might be in any way criticized in a controversy stemming from the event.
"Mr. Harper made a very generous gesture in coming to Memramcook for my father's funeral," said LeBlanc. "His conversations with me and my family there were generous and warm.
"And I know that my father would - as I do - regret that his attendance at the funeral would in any way lead to any embarrassment to him."
July 9, 2009 / 12:50
I wish Stephen Harper was not the PM. However, this attack on him is ridiculous. If Harper has refused the offering people would have been all over him as well. He made a simple mistake by accepting it. I think this is a non-issue and we should be talking about the projected deficit or his policies. Leave this issue alone.
July 9, 2009 / 13:02
BY THE WAY FRED YOU GAVE OUR PRIEST A WELL DONE 2 YEARS AGO. HE MADE A COMMENT ABOUT A SHOOTING IN THE JANE FINCH AREA. FATHER ROHWIN PAIS IS HIS NAME. YOU SAID WE NEEDED MORE PEOPLE LIKE HIM. I THINK YOU'RE GETTING MEAN IN YOUR "OLD" AGE.
July 9, 2009 / 13:04
James, what does one have to do with the other?
Fred is getting mean because he has an opinion different that yours?
July 9, 2009 / 13:05
I disagree that this is a non-issue. On the surface it's about the Prime Minister's alleged faux pas at the funeral of a colleague. But it is really about the desperation of a powerful media outlet in decline. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
July 9, 2009 / 13:31
Who givesa crap about the Star. I don't read it.
July 9, 2009 / 13:48
Tempest in a tea cup IMHO. Not important. If there was some evidence anywhere that Christianity or any other religion for that matter had some sort of basis in reality I might get offended but they don't. Paying attention to the cracker issues detracts from important issues that need Harpers attention. I'm with Fred.
July 9, 2009 / 14:00
i MEANT MEAN IN A FUN WAY. YOU CAN NEVER WIN THE RELIGION ARGUMENT. NOBODY HAS TO GO TO CHURCH, I CHOOSE TO. MAKING THOSE THAT DO OUT TO BE SOME KIND OF NUTS IS CROSSING THE LINE. I WOULDN'T RIDE FRED FOR GOING TO HIS "TIN PALACE" AND GETTING PISSED ON THE WEEKEND. THAT'S HIS BUSINESS NOT MINE.AND FOR THE RECORD; HARPER IS A TOOL. SO IS MAYOR MILLER. DION WAS UNTIL HE DISAPPEARED.
July 9, 2009 / 15:21
"It's a cracker for Christ's sake"
After that comment, I disagree with Argie... I think it's too late to save yourself! You're going to hell baby!
July 9, 2009 / 15:46
Big A - Fred has been to hell and back.....
he went to see Bette Midler
July 9, 2009 / 16:32
Bwah ha ha! Let's hear it for LEW!!! Talk about breaking the ice... :D :D :D
July 9, 2009 / 17:11
How can an attempt at respect disrespect so many people. only the opinion of the Catholics mater on this and if they feel offended then they should be respected for their concerns.
Next time I vote I'll make sure that I accept being naive to be a trait I expect in a PM.
Fred some times its not all about what you think.
July 9, 2009 / 17:48
What if this were Ignatieff? Fred you would be all over it and how Iggy should have not disprected a religious group. You are a hypocrite (and Harper lover).
July 9, 2009 / 17:49
Should read 'disrespected'.....was typing too fast.
July 9, 2009 / 18:04
A bigger crisis with Harper is his tardiness for photo-ops.
I guess when Steve's on the throne nothin' will get him off until he is finished pushing out some Conservative gold.
July 9, 2009 / 18:21
Sammi, Ignatieff would have asked for seconds, in true Lieberal entitlement fashion.
July 9, 2009 / 20:06
Hey JM...at least Iggy would have done the right thing.
Harper is done.
July 9, 2009 / 20:35
Christian belief systems promote 'doing good' and honoring your neighbor as you would like to be treated.
However; the 'church of anything goes' (established in the drug-addled 60s and promoted by the Star and their ilk) just leads to moral ruin.
"Imagine there's no morals,
it's easy if you try;
no values nor traditions,
as we kiss responsibility goodbye!
Imagine there's no real 'right' or wrong,'
It's not hard to do;
just 'moral relativism' for me and you;
and senseless peacenik songs, too!"
July 9, 2009 / 21:01
Uppercut you're a gem. Religion has literally phucked this world.
July 9, 2009 / 21:40
Religion is ridiculous, hypocrital crap!! Get over it!! By the way Obama also was late for the photo-op.
Big deal.
July 9, 2009 / 23:24
Does everyone forget the altar boy abuse scandals the Catholic church buried for years.
Gene is right, narrow minded religious teachings have been drummed into the pew sitters for years, leading to intolerance.
The Catholic church is in it's sunset phase in the educated world.
July 9, 2009 / 23:39
Ah finally,there is my good old Freddie P again.
Harper bashing gets him pissed off every time and then he's coming out swinging. Way to go. Look at all the traffic you've been creating.!!!
Oh yeah, Argie you're such a piece of art but keep em coming, it truly is entertaining.
July 10, 2009 / 07:58
I think there's two different issues here. One is religion and belief (for all denominations), and the other is is abuses perpitrated by members of the Catholic church and subsequent cover-ups. But don't forget the many abuses by other church leaders.
I know it's a bit difficult to separate the two issues, but the faithful and spiritual cannot be lumped in with the hypocrits and enablers. I am an athiest but I am accepting of other's need for faith. I don't ascribe to the established, formal religions as the authorities or example setters of morality. That comes from within a person's own being and not from a set of rules or fairy tales used to bring the masses in line.
July 10, 2009 / 08:33
Hey Rick: you can't paint every priest with the same brush.
July 10, 2009 / 10:31
Gene: I have to disagree completely. Just look back to the past 40 years since religion became less relevant in the western or as Rick refers to 'the educated world'.
We have more people - including children relying on prescriptive drugs than ever before , divorce has increased dramatically, alcoholism has increased, drug abuse (crack, E, oxy-c anyone) is out of control. STD among teenagers is at epidemic proportions....
I could go on but that's what happens when you take religion out of our society. But of course you and a few others might only blame the environment or the mercury in the water for all of these problems. Essentially many people lack two vital qualities that religion along with good parents teach - respect and discipline.
Yes Gene and Fred, you have what Lennon preached :"Imagine all the people..... living for today". Lovely world we have isn't it?
July 10, 2009 / 12:19
Argie, you are correct, the moral decay of society has increased over the past 40years, but to blame it on the lack of religion is irresponsible - ask yourself how much better the world would be if the religious leaders did not exploit peoples faith - it is all religions that have done this, but we are exposed mainly to the born agains and Catholics, so hence the daggers thrown at them.....if there is a God, he must be so ashamed that his "chosen ones" are abusing one our species most precious gifts.
July 10, 2009 / 12:26
GOD SPEAKING: SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!
July 10, 2009 / 13:20
House of Lords.
Paul. Is that you?
July 10, 2009 / 16:07
Has anyone noticed Harper is in hot water again (via the Star)? Seems he acted on incorrect information, then trashed Iggy in a speech today and then had to apologize for his remarks....
July 10, 2009 / 20:08
Pam: No use making a point of that on this blog Harper pees perfume in Mr Patterson's eyes. It is another example of the circus or in Harpers eyes a goverment that runs this country.
July 10, 2009 / 22:14
What a waste of ink and newstime. So the guy ate a fucking biscut or didn't know the rules of some antiquated crutch club for people afraid of dying.
If he .. I don't know.. embezzled money from the country or hired his friends for certain jobs or had his name monogramed on golf balls using Government money.. then I could see the uproar.
Just be glad he didn't put them in his pocket to give to his dog as a snack later.
July 11, 2009 / 12:09
Bingo, Mike.
July 12, 2009 / 14:48
Religion creates- War- Hatred-Discremination and hypocrissey
July 12, 2009 / 19:19
organized religion is the biggest business in the world!. I could give a rats ass if he threw the cookie, wafer away or if he ate it and shat it out the next day!. It's all a bunch of Bullocks!...
July 12, 2009 / 21:36
Mr. Dancy: Those with solid faith are NOT afraid of dying, as they know they will NOT have a "Hot" date in Hell. Not a very pleasant place, so get right with God.
Star-Gazer: Nope. Faith does NOT create what you claim it creates: "War- Hatred-Discremination and hypocrissey" (sic).
Rather, it is the IMPERFECTION of humanity that causes those things. And, humankind then compounds the error with FOOLISH PRIDE... the haughty "I don't need God... I can do it myself because I'm so smart" attitude.
Pride provides GPS directions straight to hell.
I haven't written about politics or religion in some time but I thought I would today because they collide in the Toronto Star. 
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