Are you insane?? This has been my only request the entire time, from my reply to your original post . . . I'll recap my rebuttal for you, excising the unnecessary portions of the presentation:

1 - It is truly a worldwide event that the Pope has died, as he has more influence than 99% of all world leaders.

2 - This event's impact is not limited to Catholics.

3 - While I praise John Paul II for his personal qualities and respect the sadness felt by followers, I also encourage (eventually) using this opportunity for open discussion of the problems that have existed within the church.

4 - As a corollary, I hope that the new head of the Church can begin to address these problems, and continue the 'modernization' of the Church.

5 - As an example of this modernization, I introduce the post hoc apology to Galileo - this was done centuries later, in order to show a modernizing, science-accepting element to the Church. However, there were portions of the Church who only accepted because of a technicality (Galileo's theory is essentially invalidated by modern understanding of the universe). This is the tension I see currently at work.

Work with me, not against some perception of Rudey or connection between the two of us.

I've tried these kinds of in-depth discussions on GC and other chat boards before. They don't work.

Work *with* you? On THIS thread? After being insulted right off the bat and making it *very* clear that you are not interested in mutual dialogue but in making your point w/ a lead pipe? If you were really serious, you would have dropped the hard-core offense and/or taken the discussion private before bringing it back here later.

You're asking me if *I'm* insane?

Fair enough, check your PM box.

Ask her to point out where the insults were. I can point out quite a few like when she said I had mental weaknesses :(

-Rudey

http://pic12.picturetrail.com/VOL433...2/68134491.jpg

ETA: They just said on the news that the pope will be buried in three coffins. HOW?? Are they like those Russian dolls that fit inside each other or do they like CHOP HIM UP????

I have no idea. This seems odd. They did not teach this is school. I would guess it is like the Russian dolls.

ALSO, since you posted a random picture I get one too.

http://www.crownvideo.com/pictures/SC100D.jpg

I think this is the funniest DVD cover ever because Luther is trying to look seductive or something. He is like "Hey Catholic ladies, I can get married, so let's get to the lovin'!"

By tradition, it is a cypress coffin inside a lead coffin, inside an elm coffin. The purpose is to preserve and protect the coffin's contents, which includes not only the pope himself, but documents and other important items.

By tradition, the cypress coffin signifies that the popes are human and are buried like common people. The lead coffin bears the name and coat-of-arms of the pope, and the dates of his pontificate. In it are placed not only the cypress coffin, but also copies of the documents of profound importance issued under the pope's seal. The broken seal of office is placed within the lead coffin by the Camerlengo prior to final closure. The last coffin is made of elm, the most precious of local woods available in Rome, which is used to signify the great dignity of the man being laid to his rest.

While it may sound a little odd, is it that different from the American practice of placing water-proof coffins in lead, water-proof vaults?

Thanks for explaining this. I had no idea.

My mom and I were talking about when she and my father went to the Basilica...apparently you can actually "SEE" the dead Popes. The only reason the subject came up was I told her about the announcement that he was not going to be embalmed. I can see where the triple coffin idea will keep him preserved, but how can you "SEE" the Pope. I will have to ask her more on that.

Some of the early popes are in the catacombs and not in coffins.

Thats kinda creepy how he isnt embalmed. I know they say he was 'prepared', but I am thinking that after 5 days, hes probably gotta start smelling or something.

If I have raw chicken in the trash it starts to smell after 3 days. I can imagine what a raw human smells like.

Does anyone know if the Vatican is going to honor Poland's request that his heart be buried in Poland? I know they asked. It sounds freaky but some people have done it like Chopin and this other guy who's heart in buried in Arlinton national but his body is somewhere else.

As I understand it, that is a Polish custom.

I have not heard for sure one way or the other, but the last news report I heard it didn't seem likely.

One report I read indicated that the Vatican had suggested it might happen if/when JPII is beatified.

Please accept my sympathy on the passing of your aunt. I'm glad that the events of the week have brought a certain peace about it!