Few have been tested as Mother Teresa was
With the recent revelations from some of her personal correspondence, much has been said lately about Mother Teresa’s lack of faith or wavering faith.
Perhaps few have ever been tested in matters of faith as she was. She saw the poor and destitute in the streets of India and dealt with it as best she could. How sickening and shattering that must have been to her to be unable to eradicate all the suffering once and for all. How many times did she look up at the skies and cry, “Jesus, oh Jesus, where are you? I need your help; these people need your help.” Is it any wonder then, that in deep pain and desperation she might have wondered whether Jesus was listening to her or whether he was even there?
Angels live in heaven but saints are made on Earth. Such was the case with Mother Teresa. Her tireless efforts to assist those most in need surely must have won her a trip to the pearly gates where she was warmly greeted by St. Peter. She was no doubt met by countless angels and saints, and was led straight to Jesus. “Well done my lovely, good and faithful child; enter into the kingdom of God for all eternity,” he most likely said.
Ernest E. Valdez, Thornton
Mother Teresa would have been more honest if she had admitted her doubts publicly. Instead she was complicit in the spread of superstition that she didn't even truly believe in. It would have been nobler to help the poor without the hypocrisy of insisting that they subscribe to beliefs that she could not wholeheartedly defend.
Posted by Romulus on September 20, 2007 08:34 AMWhile I have my doubts about either heaven or hell, particularly when it dressed in so much fundamentalist malarkey, still, when I think about people like Mother Teresa, I hope there is a heaven for them.
There will be those who will criticize her with "could've, should've", but there won't be those who can match her devotion to the poor and maimed. And you won't find anyone who says that they have relieved as much suffering as she has.
When I read about Christopher Hitchens' book about Mother Teresa, in which he calls her a fraud, I thought about how that kind of mindset is prevalent on this forum. Of course, Hitchens' reputation, and bank account, are dependent on his iconoclasm, so the book is not surprising, although in my mind whether he really believes some of his statements is in doubt. The iconoclasts on the forum are not in it for the money or the reputation but perhaps because their mothers didn't hug them enough.
Posted by Truth on September 20, 2007 08:58 AMMother Teresa was more devoted to her religion than to the poor and maimed. She believed that the sick & suffering exemplified Jesus' suffering, so it must be good.
Truth, your last paragraph above ("reputation, and bank account, are dependent on his iconoclasm") is certainly true about most "ministers" of god. What would they do without believers to prop them up?
Posted by on September 20, 2007 09:25 AMAngels: Created out of smokeless flame: they prevailed upon god to implant penises on them so they could come to earth and ravage the "fair maidens" and create "mighty men." Give me a break.
Saints: This must involve transmogrification such as a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly such as a "jew" baby turned into a Christian god. "Give me a break."
Comes now Valdez speaking for Jesus Christ, sired "from the loins of David:" This is the guy Stuckey needs because Jesus will define sin and pass it on to Valdez and Valdez can pass it on to Stuckey. "Give me a break."
Deicide Corner: “There are a score of great religions in the world. . . and each is a mighty fortress of graft.” -- Upton Sinclair's Magazine
Posted by RG Deicide r22037yahoo FREE: FreeThought today ffrf.org on September 20, 2007 09:33 AM"Mother Teresa *** believed that the sick & suffering exemplified Jesus' suffering, so it must be good."
And you base that accusation on what besides a sick imagination? What have you done to inform yourself about what Mother Teresa has done before making that kind of rash judgment? Anything? Or were your knees just jerking? The woman spent most of her life trying to relieve the sick and suffering. It's too bad that she didn't have a chance to minister to you.
Would someone please inform RG that the subject of the thread is Mother Teresa, and not his personal dictionary?
If Mother Teresa called out to Jesus, she should have said, "Why don't you tell the Pope to let us start dispensing birth control devices to help keep these suffering people from creating more suffering children?"
Posted by Stan Broyles on September 20, 2007 09:45 AMI think it was Macaulay who said that the Roman Catholic Church deserved great credit for, and owed its longevity to, its ability to handle and contain fanaticism. This rather oblique compliment belongs to a more serious age. What is so striking about the "beatification" of the woman who styled herself "Mother" Teresa is the abject surrender, on the part of the church, to the forces of showbiz, superstition, and populism.
It's the sheer tawdriness that strikes the eye first of all. It used to be that a person could not even be nominated for "beatification," the first step to "sainthood," until five years after his or her death. This was to guard against local or popular enthusiasm in the promotion of dubious characters. The pope nominated MT a year after her death in 1997. It also used to be that an apparatus of inquiry was set in train, including the scrutiny of an advocatus diaboli or "devil's advocate," to test any extraordinary claims. The pope has abolished this office and has created more instant saints than all his predecessors combined as far back as the 16th century.
Posted by on September 20, 2007 10:06 AMTruth: The thread talks about angels, saints, and Jesus talking to Valdez: Jesus says according to Valdez: “Well done my lovely, good and faithful child; .... " Valdez's subject matter is exactly what RG responds to: Are you an ass hole or do you just have one. Before you denigrate rehearse your thoughts sufficiently before you reduce them to print. I'm not defending RG; I'm reading the riot act to you for your stupidity.
Posted by JVB on September 20, 2007 10:53 AMMother Teresa was an exceptional human being. Princess Di was killed with her lover and that brought more press. Perhaps we would be better off if we focused more on exceptional people like Mother Teresa and less on the less substantial. A life of sacrifce or a life of excess, which is high mark of humanity?
Posted by Breeze on September 20, 2007 11:00 AMAt one time or another people of faith in the trenches of human suffering have their faith tested. I feel bad for her because that is a terrible thing to have to go through. But regardless she endured and continued her mission to help the poor and suffering until the end of her life. That's all that mattered to God.
There are a few miserable wretches on this comment site that could use her help or learn from her example as a Godly human being.
If Mother Teresa wanted to help the poor and suffering, why couldn't she address the main problem: overpopulation? We can all admire her for what she did but not for what she didn't do.
Posted by Stan Broyles on September 20, 2007 11:54 AMAh! Jesus Christ. Who in the name of hades is Just an Obeservation who can't even spell (its) name to call us wretches which is actually a derogatory name for Christian people sung in Amazing Grace. A wretch is a very, very, very, evil and wicked person and far worse than epithets like MF, N, SOB, and others that Keith could mention. Damn Obeservation for namecalling. I am not a goddamn wretch. Only Christians are wretches.
Posted by JVB on September 20, 2007 12:02 PMy's evrrybody always making fun of how stoopid i is? allzheimers is a serius disease and sadly i has it. If that aint enuff, i think i forgot to go to the bathroom, cud KW or somebody change my stinky diaper? Posted by Keith on September 19, 2007 01:51 PM
I likes to duble tripel pst; am flattred of prrsnation. thanxs. Keith
Posted by Keith on September 20, 2007 12:22 PMStan Broyles
You could do your part in addressing the so- called population "Problem". First go and kill all your family members, close friends and then yourself.
Put your Gun where you're "Mouth" is.
JVB
You just sniched on yourself.
If the shoe fits wear it. Iforgot to also mention you filthy mouth scumbags.
As a Airborne Ranger on leave from Iraq, I would love to beat the "Hell" or devil out of you.
P.S. JVB
Thanks for pointing out my misspelling.
I will correct that immediately.
You're not a total scumbag and lowlife, but just enough of one. When I beat the hell out of you, you'll become a believer because you'll be crying out God Help Me
For Christ's sake: Learn how to spell your handle: It is Observation not Obeservation. Clearly the army has lowered its standards in need of cannon fodder. I will pray that you come back in one piece so you can enroll at a Community College where the standards for enrollment are low. Incidentally: If Mother Teresa is canonized and becomes a saint she will be known as the patron saint of skeptics.
Posted by JVB on September 20, 2007 01:11 PMCan't we just put the religious discussions in the, Don't ask,Don't tell category?
Posted by on September 20, 2007 02:10 PMIt will never lower it's standards enough to take a lowlife like of you. What does an Ivy League wannabe like you know about praying.
I've seen guys like you on the battlefield crying for their mommies and for God to help them.
Funny how all that atheist bravado they had seems to melt away very quickly and drip out of their pant legs.
Do you know what we call dead atheists cowards like you? Believers. Your patron saint is Madeline Murray O' Hare and she also a believer now.
G.I. Joe, (aka) 'Just an Observation' says "What does an Ivy League wannabe like you know about prayer". Well, G.I. Joe, even an Ivy League wannabe is intelligent enough to know that prayer and religious beliefs are superstition and that God is imaginary. It does not require religious beliefs in ficticious characters that you believe were real in order to kill innocent people on the battlefield. You say "when I beat the hell out of you, you will become a believer." Nonsense G.I. Joe. Since hell is also imaginary superstition, that will not work either and even the Catholic Church has stopped killing and torturing people smart enough to know better in their attempts to force folks to believe in superstition, which is what your religious beliefs amount to. Atheists are free thinkers and do not need and imaginary super heroes in order to live and enjoy their lives. Get a life G.I Joe.
Posted by on September 20, 2007 03:49 PMJVB
So what's it like in your mind and in your sad and pathetic world to lead meaningless existence with nothing to look foward to, but the darkness of the the grave like an animal?
It must bother you in the wee hours of the morning sometimes.
Do you wake up startled especially when the harsh realities of a Godless world close in on you? When trouble comes your way it must be magnified. What event in your life turned you into a foolish non believer?
I know people like you say Christianity is a crutch, but what is your crutch that helps make your sad life tolerable? booze, drugs, kiddy porn?
I truly feel sorry for you. You're kind of like a scared wounded animal that lashes out.
By the way I know you are going to dwell on my type-o's but as long as you get the drift of my comments isn't that's all that really matters?
Dirt Sandwich, Just an Observation, that's what.
Posted by on September 20, 2007 03:58 PMJVP
I just had a chance to read your comments with G.I. Joe on it and "doth protest too much me thinks".
Are you trying to convince me or yourself and the rest of your atheist with the "Open" minds.
So open your brains are dripping into your shoes. Your atheist swill is all the same old standard cliche's.
Try out some new phony excuses for "Why I'm a Godless Fool" for the
the world and God to see and mock .
Post 3:49 PM
I must have mistaken you for that other fool JPV since you all are in denial and say the same stupid things, but feel free to enjoy what I wrote for JPV since it applies to all of you dummies even the ones who hide in the shadows like satan and are afraid to use your names. I don't blame you, if I was you i'd be ashamed also.
Got to go now and do the the Lords work elsewhere.
Just an Observation,
I'm sure the Lord will be pleased.
Posted by Stan Broyles on September 20, 2007 04:57 PMHi, JVB, thanks for the riot act. I never laughed so hard in my life. Keep it up. You are a riot. But such language for a kid. I'm asking Mother Teresa to wash your mouth out with soap.
Posted by Truth on September 20, 2007 07:32 PMJao. those kids crying on the battlefield, you knew they were atheists before they got hurt? Then maybe you just looked away when they needed help Nu?
Posted by Sharon B. on September 20, 2007 07:39 PMSome people are never satisfied with what others do for mankind, especially if the others are different in some way, such as in their religion. I expect there is not a person dead or alive that some of the posters couldn't criticize for what they didn't do.
Posted by Truth on September 20, 2007 07:54 PMJust an Observation, says " all of you dummies, even the ones who hide in the shadows like Satan and are afraid to use your names. I don't blame you, if I was you I'd be ashamed also.
So who are you Mr airborn Ranger from Iraq? Are you afraid to your real name? Either you are actually, Mr. Just an Observation or you are a liar. The only battlefield you have seen was from the couch at home while watching movies on TV. Now pretend that the Lord is real and you can go clean up the imaginary pile of shit you have created. Then you can fly to heaven on a winged horse just like the Prophet Muhammed and start your own religion . Good luck G.I Joe
Posted by Imaginary jesus doll on September 20, 2007 08:16 PMMother Theresa did some lovely things, but the cynical old men who created her persona are the scum of the Earth.
And Hitchens was right about her being a fraud. In the sense that she was some kind of Saint and at the center of a "miracle"- A fraud.
Posted by Charles B on September 20, 2007 09:48 PMThe winner of today's Lack of Self-Awareness award?
"...know people like you say Christianity is a crutch, but what is your crutch that helps make your sad life tolerable? booze, drugs, kiddy porn? I truly feel sorry for you. You're kind of like a scared wounded animal that lashes out."
...is also quite adept at projection!
...just an observation...
Posted by Charles B on September 20, 2007 09:51 PMso we start out with comments on Mother Teresa & end up as all these do - with name calling, completely off the subject. Conservatives vs liberals, believers vs non-believers, military vs non-military. What does any of that actually accomplish? As for Mother Teresa, she did devote her life to the poor, but as others have already pointed out, she did nothing to reduce the numbers of those poor. She came out publicly against any form of birth control - so if your children are starving, you should pray & have more children to starve. That philosophy is at work in America too - everytime we see a story on some poor homeless family, they have a new baby. Unwed mothers abound. And Tina tells us that the good thing that Latinas provide our society is having lots of babies.
Something or someone has clearly made Charlie an very embittered person with a huge chip in his shoulder that somehow interferes with his thinking process. So someone other than Mother Teresa talks about miracles and sainthood and dumb old Charlie thinks that makes Mother Teresa a fraud. As I said, a very embittered person with a chip on his shoulder.
Posted by Truth on September 21, 2007 07:41 AMI think Mother T. just believed in the wrong God. That so called God of love.
Had she believed in the God of Einstein, she could have helped and never asked "why'. Would have had a lot more peace of mind.
Since all life has to die, and dieing often contains getting sick for long periods before, those who do not look to God for help or answers can care for others and not waste time "believing'.
Posted by Sharon B. on September 22, 2007 01:06 PMJust an Observation alluded to as "G.I. Joe" generates a lot of letters that denounce him so he lashes out with physical violence threat; therefore, I make myself available so that he can achieve an empty victory by throttling this old man within an inch of his life and then he can go back to Iraq and kill babies and children. I do align myself with the several letters that denounce him as Keith is proud to denounce his opponents in words he proudly musters.
Deicide Corner: The god who wasn't there except for the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon god from Kolob, and nine million others: "Under God" means theocracy. God does not bless theocracies as there are too many lest he be accused of discrimination as when declaring a "chosen people." A god has to be created whether a he/she likes it or not.
I still think Valdez's last sentence, in Keith vernacular, is moronic.