The author seems to be in the right ball-park.
The Vatican seems to be making a re-run of seventh-century religious thinking: "There is but one God, and (Jesus Christ) is his prophet!"
No room for equal-rights for people with differing philosophies.
It presents more fertiliser for the breeding grounds of disputation and wars across the world's social boundaries.
Is this an indicator of a great intellectual, a great humanitarian?

Well what the old papa did is a form of clever debate. If you
think something, quote whoever said something similar.
You can then simply blame the other guy, if the sh-t hits
the fan. But the point you are trying to get across is
still made. The Catholic Church has been practising this
stuff for a couple of thousand years now. No wonder they
are such skilled political lobbyists, despite their church
pews being less and less sat on by the believers.

pope whats' his name is deluded in his claim that the jesus christianity STORY is the only true "religion".
It just aint so.
He also conveniently forgets that christianity has been and still is an integral part of the western imperial project ever since the "conversion" of Constantine.
This imperial project is still very much alive. In fact I would say it is approaching a state of closure with all other possibilities for authentic cultural expression having been ground to rubble.

See 1. www.coteda.com/fundamentals/index.html

I would also say that the recent installment of the said chap was an exercise in imperial triumphalism. All the benighted ghouls that pass for our world leaders were in attendance. And all the international money men were there too.
The "church" is entirely and only a worldly power.
It is also the worlds largest "private" property owner.
Why/how does it maintain the "right" to interfere in world politics?
Why is the Vatican afforded world diplomatic status?
By contrast "jesus" was reported to have kicked the money lenders out of the temple.
Would "jesus" have been invited to such a celebration of worldly power?
Would "jesus" be seen any where near such a groteque display of worldly power?

This item which is a talk discusses the delusion of anyone who claims that their "religion" possesses the only "truth". It also points out that True Religion is only and entirely a process.

2. www.adidam.org/flash/truthandreligion/index.html

This essay provides a critique of the deadly pretenses of the said chap and all his fellow chaps in dresses and funny hats.

3. www.beezone.com/AdiDa/jesusandme.html

This collection of essays provides a critique of how the "church" came to worldly power by dumbing down the radical Spiritual Teaching of Jesus.

4. www.dabase.net/proofch6.ht

Well submitted *HoHum*
As an Australian occassional Chistian I currently reside in Islamic Indonesia, where my wife is Muslim & I am sponsored by the family Cleric. *JC* is a favourite prophet along with *Mahommed* and we all just get along fine.

The Catholics are a great dissapointment to me with their divisive preaching and associations with political characters of ill repute.

For example, now that howard et al have been advised by emminent psychiatrists that the consequences of interning children in the desert camps is brain disease for some, to continue to do so, in my view, constitutes the "knowing & deliberate infliction of mental harm."

For those of U not familiar with the "Genocide Convention Act" U ought know that there is more to genocide than barbecuing & gassing the *Disabled, Gays & Jews* The deliberate infliction of mental harm is also a breach.

The catholics should b ashamed of themselves for not speaking out and whats more, colluding with howard et al for political gain & influence in the education sector, amongst other areas, in this modern day perverted "Herrodian" impulse.

But then, is it any surprise that some of howard's mob delude themselves that they are Catholic? Plenty of alleged child abuse and cover up there amongst the nefarious infiltrators.

I want to use HoHum's last phrase as a launch pad for this post.

The "dumbing down" of Jesus radical spiritual teaching".. exactly.

Post Constantine, it was fashionable to be Christian, because land was granted by the State to the Church for ecclesiastical purposes.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23etc)

Yes, I cannot see much connection between Jesus and men in dresses with funny hats, in huge cathedrals.

But lets be clear about something, and I mean clear.
The same person who spoke the above, also said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me"
So, on the issue of 'Christianity the only true religion'?.. HoHum can take that up with the Lord when he meets Him.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS.
Sadaam Hussein "There is no God but God and Mohammed is his messenger"

Mohammed of Islam.

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 660:
Narrated 'Aisha and Ibn 'Abbas:

On his death-bed Allah's Apostle put a sheet over his-face and when he felt hot, he would remove it from his face. When in that state (of putting and removing the sheet) he said, "May Allah's Curse be on the Jews and the Christians"...

Or perhaps you have not read together Surah 9:30 from the Quran which says:
“Christians.... CURSED by Allah, are deluded, away from truth”

But AJLeBreton, even though you and your wife get along fine, this still remains a reality that ultimately we all must deal with.

-The Muslim holy Book curses Christians
-The Prophet of Islam curses Christians

CONTRAST this with the true last words of Jesus:

-Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
-Into your hands I commit my spirit.
-Today (to one of the criminals crucified with him) you will be with me in paradise.

Personally, I don't want anyone whos prophet and holy book curses me coming to this country.

Dear David,

Many are the wars that have been started, arguabley, by fundamentalists who take literally every word that has been written in their chosen Holy Book and, akin to the mechanations of the Beast, demand fealty and servitude by all.

Further, consider that it is very likely that all of the Holy texts have been tampered with to some extent (though I note many would deny this) and also that some of the Holy texts were written at a time when the consciousness of humanity was altogether different than what it is today and, combined with language and cultural differences, suffice to say that it is my view that interpretations of what is and what isn't *HOLY TRUTH* is an inexact science to say the least.

I would suggest that it is better to consult in the solitude of your own *Heart* with your Lord as to what is "good" in advance of wrathful condemnations of those womanising, boozing heathens amongst us who stray from the written texts (as they are today) of the Gospels.

Perhaps U should consider Loving your Enemy *David* even verily if it is the rogue Satan itSelf who comes to sup with U.

More specifically, I am not familiar with the txts that U have mentioned however, I would like to point out that in the part of Islamic Indonesia wherein I dwell, *ChristMass* is celebrated and *JC* is listed in the Al'Quoran as one of the most remarkable of the prophets whose Word, akin to the other Prophets of Islam, must be obeyed & respected.
(I have a little more to say and will post again.)