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View Full Version : The old Indulgences racket revived for the 21st Century



Treefarmer
02-06-12, 04:12 AM
There is truly nothing new under the sun.

During the dark ages of Papal Rome, the thriving sales of so-called Indulgences (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm), among numerous other rackets, enabled the Church of Rome to become the most powerful and influential religio-political tyrant on the planet.
Students of history will remember that the sale of Indulgences (http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/luther/lutherindulgences.html) was one of the reasons for the Protestant Reformation.

Now Indulgences are back, not only for Catholics (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/nyregion/10indulgence.html?pagewanted=all) but especially for secular humanists of the "post-Christian" era.
As in the Dark Ages, the modern Pope is condemning sin and peddling absolution, for a fee.
Pope Al Gore (http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/cover031307.htm) that is, and Maurice Strong, the new Tetzel of Indulgence peddlers.

Investopedia (http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/carbon_credit.asp) of the worshipful church of Mammon explains how the scheme works.
Did you or your company sin against Gaia? No problem, just repent and buy an Indulgence to fit your particular needs (http://store.terrapass.com/store/c/18-Carbon-offsets.html).
The British Parliament, under deep conviction of the collective sin of its subjects, is seeking to implement a nationwide system (http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5767) of access to the new Indulgences for its citizens.

The international Indulgences market is booming and consciences everywhere are being eased by i (http://www.brokerscarbon.com/carbon-credits.php)t.
Of course there are some abuses (http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/aug/05/fsa-warning-carbon-credit-trading-schemes), but that's to be expected in the fast-paced world of Indulgences sales, and a reformation (http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48212) coupled with the news of martyrs (http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/09/25/they-had-to-burn-the-village-to-save-it-from-global-warming/) may eventually rectify the worst abuses.

Meanwhile, Pope Al Gore, a man of environmental sin (http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/NussbaumOnDesign/archives/2007/02/gores_carbon_fo.html) himself, is benefiting handsomely from the brisk Indulgences sales, because he gets to pay himself (http://www.wnd.com/2007/03/40445/) for his own sins (http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/03/29/al-gore-snubs-earth-hour/).

shikamaru
02-06-12, 12:31 PM
Institutions are always hungry for revenue whether government or church.
All institutions are political. I consider religion another form of politics.

Treefarmer
02-07-12, 12:59 AM
Institutions are always hungry for revenue whether government or church.
All institutions are political. I consider religion another form of politics.

Yes, that would be well within the definition of the word "politics":

1
a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government

2
: political actions, practices, or policies

3
a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession
c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4
: the political opinions or sympathies of a person

5
a : the total complex of relations between people living in society
b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view <office politics> <ethnic politics>

Origin of POLITICS
Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political
First Known Use: circa 1529

source: merriam-webster dot com


The Bible defines "religion" differently though:

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. "
James 1:27

David Merrill
02-07-12, 01:09 AM
Thank you Treefarmer!

Those links are very edifying while the post itself is very amusing.