If "Gay" was a "Religion"

[Bluray2]

...what might happen?

 

BR2

 

P.S. where's the video insertion icon nowadays?

 

 

[+ FreshFluff]

The headquarters would be an ornate building in a beautiful, historic city known for its hot men.

[gallahadesquire]

The headquarters would be an ornate building in a beautiful, historic city known for its hot men.

 

Ft. Lauderdale?

[Gar1eth]

...what might happen?

 

BR2

 

P.S. where's the video insertion icon nowadays?

 

 

Do you see the smiley in the header? It's two over on the right. It looks like film.

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

The headquarters would be an ornate building in a beautiful, historic city known for its hot men.

 

Adorned with paintings by fabulous gay artists.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Creaci%C3%B3n_de_Ad%C3%A1n_%28Miguel_%C3%81ngel%29.jpg

[Daverwr]

I thought it was!!!

[+ Charlie]

And can you imagine the clerical vestments?! (I'm sure AS will have an appropriate image for this.)

[AdamSmith]

And can you imagine the clerical vestments?! (I'm sure AS will have an appropriate image for this.)

 

Of course here, again, the actual Church outdoes most anything one might dream up.

 

Or did, until the current Jesuit brought the place somewhat down to earth.

[+ deej]

The headquarters would be an ornate building in a beautiful, historic city known for its hot men.

 

Silly, the HQ would be a Broadway theater, of course. (Take your pick!) Services would be somewhere between "Jerry's Girls" and "Kinky Boots".

[gallahadesquire]

Adorned with paintings by fabulous gay artists.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Creaci%C3%B3n_de_Ad%C3%A1n_%28Miguel_%C3%81ngel%29.jpg

 

The Sistine Chapel? OR has it been transferred to somewhere in Walt Disney WOrld?

[gallahadesquire]

Seriously ... with at least some thoughts ... The Duomo in Fierenze. I thought about Venice, but the plumbing problem would be insurmountable.

 

Maybe we should skip traditional thoughts, and go to ... MILAN!!

 

After all ... Paris is just SO overdone.

[AdamSmith]

And can you imagine the clerical vestments?!

 

Parishioner to Cardinal Spellman as the latter processes up the aisle swinging the censer: "Excuse me, ma'am, but your purse is on fire."

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Francis_Spellman_1946.jpg/541px-Francis_Spellman_1946.jpg

[gallahadesquire]

A couple of observations:

1. I remember having to suppress the giggles the first time I went into St. Peter's in the Vatican. It really is a riot!
   
2. I've always worried about the higher clerical color scheme. White, of course, is lovely and virginal, and everybody looks good in it. Cardinal red? I look like a raspberry or a strawberry. I always thought that the Bishops' purple would suit me fine. And black, of course, is always suitable.
    
   
3. What IS it with the lace, already?
   

[AdamSmith]

OK. Here we go, with emphasis on God's Rottweiler...

 

The Pope's Wardrobe

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/gty_pope_wardrobe_2_dm_130305_wb.jpg

The pope's clothes are infused with history and symbolism.

 

Though many of the vestments have been worn by popes through the ages, each new bishop of Rome puts his own spin on the classics.

 

In the decades since the Second Vatican Council ended in 1962, the popes have significantly dressed down, eschewing much of the gold and finery their predecessors routinely wore.

 

The last pope, Benedict XVI, however, put his own mark on the clothes he wore both day-to-day and for special occasions, restoring long-lost hats and capes and adding a bold touch of color.

 

MITRE

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/gty_pope_clothing_mitre_kb_130228_wb.jpg

The tall folded hat worn by popes and other bishops is called a mitre, and is an ancient symbol of priestly authority.

 

Mitre's come in several styles: simplex or simple, made of white linen or silk; pretiosa or precious, adorned in precious stones; and auriphrygiata or gold (seen here) made of gold cloth or white cloth with a gold fringe, typically worn during celebrations.

 

Benedict was known for wearing mitres that were taller and often more colorful taller than his predecessor John Paul II.

 

PALLIUM

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/ap_pope_clothing_pallium_kb_130228_wb.jpg

The pallium is a thin woolen shawl worn during mass and on special occasions. It covers the pope's shoulders and extends down the length of his body.

 

In the West, the pallium has typically been symmetrical, running down the center of the popes body.

 

Benedict, however, occasionally wore an asymmetrical Eastern-style pallium, which some interpreted as a symbol of his efforts to mend relations with Eastern Orthodox churches.

 

CAMAURO

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/ap_pope_camauro_kb_130228_wb.jpg

Another once-forgotten vestment Benedict dug up from the back of the papal closet is a red-velvet cap with white ermine fringe called a camauro.

 

Reminiscent of Santa's hat, the camauro is worn only by the pope and only in the winter, in place of the typical zucchetto skull cap worn by bishops and cardinals.

 

Like the mortarboard caps worn by graduates, hats similar to the camauro were once also worn by medieval academics.

 

MOZZETTA

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/gty_pope_clothing_mozzetta_kb_130228_wb.jpg

Most senior clergy wear a short elbow length cape called a mozzetta, but the pope has five distinct styles that only he can wear.

 

Like most vestments, only the pope can wear white mozzettas, and only his come trimmed with ermine fur in the winter.

 

RED SHOES

 

http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/gty_pope_clothing_shoes_kb_130228_wb.jpg

The pope historically wore red shoes festooned with a large gold cross or gold buckle when walking outside, all the better for kissing.

 

Following Vatican II, Pope Paul XVI kept the red shoes but ditched the buckles in the 1960s and ultimately nixed foot kissing altogether.

 

All successive popes wore red shoes but one, John Paul II, who wore brown shoes.

 

Benedict XVI reinstated the red shoes, getting his loafers made by a Peruvian-born shoemaker in Rome named Antonio Arellano.

 

TIARA

 

From the eighth century to the middle of the 20th, popes were coronated wearing an ornate three-tiered crown called a tiara.

 

Like many of the finer vestments, tiaras went out of style following Vatican II and a decree by Paul VI.

 

Paul actually renounced a special tiara made especially for him by the city of Milan, which he wore only once briefly at his coronation.

 

The last tiara was auctioned, and purchased by American Catholics and is on display at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

 

No popes have worn a tiara since 1963, but the new pope could restore the tradition.

 

http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-popes-wardrobe.html

[+ Charlie]

Next, think of the possibilities for parish names: St. Oscar's, St. Harvey's, Our Lady of the Night....

[+ purplekow]

Think of the scandal of Priests accused of not having enough sex.

[gallahadesquire]

DISCLAIMER: I am Anglocatholic, which is like Cerebral Hemorrhage High Episcopalian. Any factual mistakes are purely unintentional, and I have not vetted this response.

 

I find it interesting that our Jewish colleagues feel a man needs to be married, and should be so to become a Rabbi. Otherwise, how will he ever understand the issues of marriage?

The Eastern Orthodox church allows men who are married to become priests, but not to marry after they are priests. I believe they stay celibate if their wife dies.

I have never understood the need for celibacy the Roman Catholic church promotes, save that it makes it easier to sneak the little boys in after hours.

 

When I was in high school, we had an "encounter" group, where all of the usual suspects / my social circle got together to iron things out.

 

My "girlfriend" took a shining to another member of the group. She gave me back my ring; I gave her hers; and she snogged the dude for hours.

[in retrospect, I would have done the same thing. Vuff! He is HOTT, even now]

 

My "girlfriend"'s brother was there. HE was bewildered by the carryings-on.

 

There was a sophomore there, who turned out to be the lover of the Associate Pastor. That was a kick in everyone's head. He was early 30's, she was decidedly Jailbait.

 

12 hours together, 7P to 7A. I learned a few things:

 

You can't trust priests

Your best friends WILL stick their knives in your back

Hunky Highschool Juniors tend to remain hunky, at least for a year or two.

 

It was also suggested that I might want to get some therapy for my sexual orientation. ["Yeah, like how to get more SEX!"]

 

I do think the Episcopalians have it right. Get married. BE a good spiritual leader.

Somewhere, in someone's collected stuff, is a VHS tape of me doing "Y_M_C_A" with a lesbian episcopal priest.

 

All for now. My box is getting smaller, and I have to get out.

[Juan Vancouver]

I have never understood the need for celibacy the Roman Catholic church promotes.

 

There is only one reason for priests not to have a wife or children and it's a purely financial reason. If all members of the church are single then the assets that the church owns go uncontested by wives or heirs. The catholic church would have not become the powerful emporium that it is today had its assets been diluted by inheritance claims.

 

Most traditions have members who voluntarily take a vow of chastity, but a general, mandatory vow of chastity and vow of poverty for all members can only have the church's interests in mind.

 

Yes, other approaches are much better: get married, be a good man, a good husband, a good leader, a good counsellor. Have a life. Lead by example. No much to object to that.

[mike carey]

There is only one reason for priests not to have a wife or children and it's a purely financial reason. If all members of the church are single then the assets that the church owns go uncontested by wives or heirs. The catholic church would have not become the powerful emporium that it is today had its assets been diluted by inheritance claims.

 

That is precisely the reason that priestly celibacy was introduced in the Roman church in the 10th Century, and it's not necessary these days because all churches hold their assets at arm's length from their priests. Well all mainstream ones. The idea that it was to keep their thoughs pure and unaffected by baser earthly urges was always bunkum.

[MsGuy]

Last week I read an article purporting to convey various internal views from the Vatican on priestly celibacy. Inter alia the concern was expressed that the cost of providing support for large numbers of priestly wives and children, not to mention the cost of educating the kids, would drive the operating costs of the Church sky high. I can't recall the source.

[bigvalboy]

Last week I read an article purporting to convey various internal views from the Vatican on priestly celibacy. Inter alia the concern was expressed that the cost of providing support for large numbers of priestly wives and children, not to mention the cost of educating the kids, would drive the operating costs of the Church sky high. I can't recall the source.

 

I dare say that would still be cheaper than the billions...that the church has paid out in child sexual abuse cases.

[mike carey]

I dare say that would still be cheaper than the billions...that the church has paid out in child sexual abuse cases.

 

Indeed, we have a Royal Commission into institutional responses to child abuse that has been going for almost two years, at which numerous high ranking figures, including the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney have been embarrassed. All sorts of others too, schools, the Salvation Army, the Anglican Church (Episcopalians in the US) amongst others. The Church here has relied on not being a legal entity and therefore not being able to be sued.

[+ FreshFluff]

Last week I read an article purporting to convey various internal views from the Vatican on priestly celibacy. Inter alia the concern was expressed that the cost of providing support for large numbers of priestly wives and children, not to mention the cost of educating the kids, would drive the operating costs of the Church sky high. I can't recall the source.

 

Many Jewish schools offer free tuition for children of rabbis. Catholic schools could do the same for priests' kids.

[TruHart1]

DISCLAIMER: I am Anglocatholic, which is like Cerebral Hemorrhage High Episcopalian. Any factual mistakes are purely unintentional, and I have not vetted this response.

 

I find it interesting that our Jewish colleagues feel a man needs to be married, and should be so to become a Rabbi. Otherwise, how will he ever understand the issues of marriage?

The Eastern Orthodox church allows men who are married to become priests, but not to marry after they are priests. I believe they stay celibate if their wife dies.

I have never understood the need for celibacy the Roman Catholic church promotes, save that it makes it easier to sneak the little boys in after hours.

 

When I was in high school, we had an "encounter" group, where all of the usual suspects / my social circle got together to iron things out.

 

My "girlfriend" took a shining to another member of the group. She gave me back my ring; I gave her hers; and she snogged the dude for hours.

[in retrospect, I would have done the same thing. Vuff! He is HOTT, even now]

 

My "girlfriend"'s brother was there. HE was bewildered by the carryings-on.

 

There was a sophomore there, who turned out to be the lover of the Associate Pastor. That was a kick in everyone's head. He was early 30's, she was decidedly Jailbait.

 

12 hours together, 7P to 7A. I learned a few things:

 

You can't trust priests

Your best friends WILL stick their knives in your back

Hunky Highschool Juniors tend to remain hunky, at least for a year or two.

 

It was also suggested that I might want to get some therapy for my sexual orientation. ["Yeah, like how to get more SEX!"]

 

I do think the Episcopalians have it right. Get married. BE a good spiritual leader.

Somewhere, in someone's collected stuff, is a VHS tape of me doing "Y_M_C_A" with a lesbian episcopal priest.

 

All for now. My box is getting smaller, and I have to get out.

 

Uh Oh, You take that Ambien again Gallahad? I've gotten to really enjoy these stream-of-consciousness posts of yours!!!

 

TruHart1