- Kim Halle
- Geneva
- Switzerland
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How can a fifteen minute presentation on the Roman Catholic Church change the world?
As participants in the Global Issues Network Annual Conference in Luxembourg, I am currently mentoring a team of 8 students to speak on the subject of "Living in a World of 7 billion", in which they get the opportunity to speak twice for fifteen to twenty minutes on a subject of their choosing. Having recently read shocking stories in the media on certain practices and stances of the Roman Catholic Church, the team fired up on the issue and decided to choose it as a topic.
However, in the interest of constructive discussion and perspective, as well as to avoid conflict and perhaps short-sightedness, they wish to cover both positive and negative aspects of the Roman Catholic Church's practices and stance. Positives include humanitarian aid and education, whilst negatives revolve mostly around child abuse.
In order to avoid generalizations and stark accusations, and to promote a world of tolerance and moral behavior without offending any Catholics in their audience, how do you suggest they tackle the issue? They wish only to promote fairness, justice and equality, and call to action for a more sustainable, righteous and comfortable future in a world of 7 billion. They wish only to inspire their audience and press forward for a better future.
If you are willing to help, please suggest your views on the following.
How should they structure their talk?
What issues do you suggest they cover?
And most importantly, how can they have a meaningful impact?
Thank you for your invaluable help!
Obey No1kinobe 50+
Second was people should have freedom to follow whatever religion they please.
Third was I feel sorry for those indoctrinated by the church as children or abused by church authorities.
Forth was, it's a human organisation, and humans are imperfect.
Fifth, but the claims to absolute authority are part of the issue.
Sixth it really is out of touch with modern human rights.
Seventh, probably not the worst religion around.
Fairness, justice and equality and the catholic church. Not an easy grouping.
Guess you focus on the elements of fairness, justice and equality that aren't off limits.
Perhaps even acknowledge the issues with a pope authority male exclusive leadership team, and ultimately non believers ending up in hell etc.
But there are elements where you might focus on the teachings of Jesus.
Anyway, this speech won't change the broader world. It might make the audience reflect or offer some refreshing insights. But suggest the biggest opportunity for change is with the students - this experience might have a lasting positive impact on the students.
Good luck.
Stephen Kamm
timber maniac 20+
It is hard to have any debate without offending someone, so my advice is to be honest about your information and don't hold back.
Rhona Pavis 50+
Mary M. 50+
This is second time I read this suggestion of yours....HAJEAL.
Did you come up with this on your own? Or is it some movement worldwide?
And, did you know that God's name Jehovah....which today's TED speaker Neal MacGregor mentions in his talk, has been removed from most Bible's even though it appears over 7,000 times? It has been replaced with the word LORD. And that in most of Christendom's churches God is a Trinity?
Your idea is very unique Rhona....
Be Well
Rhona Pavis 50+
Mary M. 50+
Can't the talks be structured where they speak of positive and negative of religions as a whole and not target one religion?
I am not a Catholic. But, in all fairness, why speak of just one religion?
Imperfect humans sometimes try to represent God.....and fail. To be at a Global Issues conference, and speak of one religious group seems one sided....don't you think?
I like your idea of providing positives....and then how about offering suggestions for improvement, without going into details of the actual despicable acts...which the entire world is aware of anyways.
There appear to be many issues people have with organized religion. I don't think it is mutually exclusive to Catholics.
Hope what little I said helps.
I have more ideas.....but I don't want to ramble.
Xavier Belvemont 30+
When taking note of a continent of Africa (primarily several select countries within it), its hard to speak about the positives of a church who actively seek out ways to stop people using sexual protection in nations riddled with an AIDS and HIV epidemic, and go even further to promote the hatred of gays and fund the churches who instill such hatreds (I wont even get into the molestation scandals, their history of demonizing the jews, their ties with the Nazis or historical effects the catholic faith had on the western world as a whole..essentially a list so long it could never be competed ).
You may aswell be arguing the pro's and con's of life in Stalingrad 1949 or Mussolini
True that you may be able to find a select few positives, but im sure plenty of people listening will just be wondering (when taking all things into consideration) why you're actually bothering ..
Its one thing to provide a talk to promote a world of tolerence and moral behaviour..Its another thing to try and talk about a faith which has neither.