Eucharist Desecration

This man has posted videos on YouTube of himself desecrating the holy Eucharist. To give you a bit of an understanding, Catholics believe that the unleavened bread (wafer or "cracker") and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Since it is considered holy, you must eat it, and it cannot leave the Church. Every piece of Eucharist that is consecrated must be eaten or put in the Tabernacle (a small decorative box that houses the Eucharist).

Now this man has stolen some Eucharist and is desecrating it. I'm appalled by the action, but at the same time, I'm appalled by some Catholics response. He's allegedly received hate mail and death threats. I would like to point out that the Catholic Church does not condone the actions that some Catholics have taken. This is one reason we have a Pope, he can make statements to settle the ideas people may form of the Church through members that may not always practice it fully.

I've signed a petition to have them removed from YouTube. I heard that YouTube did remove them once, but put them all back up later.

Also I've seen videos of people desecrating the Koran and other holy objects. These don't really come as a shock, but I am highly disappointed that people would go to such lengths to offend someone, as if it proves anything. I suppose it proves that there are fanaticals out there, but again, the Church doesn't always condone the actions of it's members.

Your guys thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by Gilles

This man has posted videos on YouTube of himself desecrating the holy Eucharist. To give you a bit of an understanding, Catholics believe that the unleavened bread (wafer or "cracker") and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Since it is considered holy, you must eat it, and it cannot leave the Church. Every piece of Eucharist that is consecrated must be eaten or put in the Tabernacle (a small decorative box that houses the Eucharist).

Now this man has stolen some Eucharist and is desecrating it. I'm appalled by the action, but at the same time, I'm appalled by some Catholics response. He's allegedly received hate mail and death threats. I would like to point out that the Catholic Church does not condone the actions that some Catholics have taken. This is one reason we have a Pope, he can make statements to settle the ideas people may form of the Church through members that may not always practice it fully.

I've signed a petition to have them removed from YouTube. I heard that YouTube did remove them once, but put them all back up later.

Also I've seen videos of people desecrating the Koran and other holy objects. These don't really come as a shock, but I am highly disappointed that people would go to such lengths to offend someone, as if it proves anything. I suppose it proves that there are fanaticals out there, but again, the Church doesn't always condone the actions of it's members.

Your guys thoughts on this?

I've signed a petition to have them removed from YouTube. I heard that YouTube did remove them once, but put them all back up later.

What is "them"? The desecration videos or the hatemails and stuff?

Anyway:

1. Freedom of Speech.
2. He's a troll anyway.
3. He tries to put science above faith. Well, fine, but then don't tell stupid things like
- Priests raping children: this is not to the point. Those are actions of individuals and AFAIK the bible doesn't say "rape children" anywhere.
- Spreading aids in africa: I don't recall any catholic priest spreading aids by raping african women or anything. So again, spreading aids is an action of africans, not of catholics. Ofcourse since many africans don't think and listen to the vatican, things like that happen, but again, I consider this acts of individuals, not acts of "catholisism".
- People are still being burned for witchcraft.
- He states "atheism is not a belief". Actually, that too is a belief. If he'd be a little more intelligent and a little less trolling with his 34 eucharist desecration video's he'd be making a little bit sense. Now he's not.

The only thing that gets proven is that both religious and atheist people can be fanatics.

EDIT: oh and he also proves both his english and his french sucks. He's mocking us by saying he can speak english and french. Great job. I can speak english, french and dutch, without his horrible accents and sudden pauses. Big deal. He's acting like he's way more intelligent than he is.

Originally Posted by Eleandor

What is "them"? The desecration videos or the hatemails and stuff?

Anyway:

1. Freedom of Speech.
2. He's a troll anyway.

I don't see what them you refer to, but I imagine that's what I meant.

Where does freedom of speech end though?

He is a troll, but this is too far. It's like the ultimate trolling.

Gilles, you're a catholic? Huh.

Well I think that catholics can all stop whining about it and just stick with the thought that whoever put up that video will go to hell. It's not his problem if he doesn't believe. Although he is asking for some hate by doing that, but it's no reason for his video to get removed.

And freedom of speech doesn't end. It's freedom of speech. I could go out into the street and say the most offensive thing imaginable to any person and get away with it by using the first amendment, but that doesn't mean people would be ok with it. They would still hate me. But oh well, I wouldn't suffer any legal penalties, unless the judge was unfair.

Originally Posted by ~Void~

Gilles, you're a catholic? Huh.

Well I think that catholics can all stop whining about it and just stick with the thought that whoever put up that video will go to hell. It's not his problem if he doesn't believe. Although he is asking for some hate by doing that, but it's no reason for his video to get removed.

And freedom of speech doesn't end. It's freedom of speech. I could go out into the street and say the most offensive thing imaginable to any person and get away with it by using the first amendment, but that doesn't mean people would be ok with it. They would still hate me. But oh well, I wouldn't suffer any legal penalties, unless the judge was unfair.

No you're wrong. You cannot threaten to kill someone.

Freedom of Speech ends when it conflicts with a more important human right. Hate speech is not tolerated in Canada at least. The Human Rights Tribunal (which is just a witch hunt, but that a whole other topic) in Canada often deals with the limitations of speech. Priests have been put before this jury for "hate speech against _____" (insert whatever they want).

A threat is different than expressing your opinion. If my opinion is that feminists are a bunch of lousy bitches with no lives, then so be it and let it be said. I can't threaten them though without breaking some rule.

This thread doesn't really give a position to argue or defend. Hence, I wouldn't really consider it a debate. However, if you wish for intelligent discussion regarding these videos:

It's Youtube. Of course you're getting death threats if you do something unpopular, and the fact that he's desecrating a popular religion just for the hell of it doesn't help. I don't condone his actions, and I don't condemn them. He's free to be as big a jerk to someone's religion or lack thereof, and I respect that as well as the 1st amendment.

Should he do it? Well, it's self-endangering, and is the atheist equivalent of waving your religion in someone's face. That's about it.

No, of course he shouldn't do it. But I'm not sure why it offends anyone. Can't the catholics just live with the thought that he will go to hell and get on with their lives? It's not that big of a deal, and there are better things to be offended with.

Hmm both believers and nonbelievers are morons..

We (normal people)/gamers immediatly recognize the lil boy as a troll and ignore him. But why do religitards(i kinda like the word) take him soo serious?

lol look at the comments, those guys must be complete morons.. they even call him the anti-christ because he mocks christianity..

Because it's the Youtube comment section. It's this huge cesspool of idiocy, trolling, and rage.

I doubt Youtube will delete this guy's videos, considering I've seen many videos of Bible and Koran burning. And Youtube's rules are pretty fucking hazy anyways.

And we talk about these idiots why?

Yeah. If you really belive in hell and stuff, then you could say that the guy is going to hell anyway. Actually, in Catholic's own words, "Only God has the right to take/bring life."

So, no need to say "I gonna kill ya" (not if you thought that, Gilles, but just stating my opinion), or to do anything about it, as Void said. Isn't he going to hell anyway? Okay then.

I can understand the anger, its hard to ignore something when that something is smearing mud on your most cherished of beliefs, or treasures.

And we are all mortal afterall, taking the moral high ground is easier said than done.

I am a christian yet i don't find that insulting. The guy just made a fool out of himself. As for punishing him, we're all humans, quoting, whoever is without sins may cast the first stone. Though it would drive me berserk if i'd see him trying something like that in front of me, just human nature again.