Does that fiery picture of a waving pope carry a more sinister message?

Question

Where would the pope be if he were on fire?

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/sermons/pope.html

I should clarify: I'm not trying to attack Catholicism. I just don't think that it was the Pope waving to us from beyond the grave.

I think people should realize they're selectively interpreting the image and that it can be interpreted in multiple ways.

Pangel: The people who wrote that article aren't serious. That website is a parody of Christian fundamentalism.

Answer 1

*Drags self up off floor, tears falling down little blue face*

Ahhhh! Hee hee. Why didn't I think of that when I saw this on the news last night. I was so busy paying attention to the fact that the two new anchors were actually discussing that when the pictures were put side-by-side they really did have quite a stunning resemblance and wondering how low one's IQ must be to get a job in journalism I just didn't put two and two together. That was some funny shee-yat!

" After weeks of waiting in the Judgment Day line, where Mother Theresa had consoled Salem witch-burners, 1960’s Baptist KKK members and Pentecostal child molesters, the nun was whisked to Hell while her audience ascended into Heaven since each of them had at one time or another, sober or otherwise, asked Jesus to enter their lives."

*Cries with laughter*

Answer 2

First, you must recognize that this is not a picture "of the pope ON fire," but, rather, a picture of the pope IN fire. There is a big difference.

Religious visions (no matter the 'ism') are well noted throughout history, and they are generally associated with one of the four elements -- earth, wind, fire, and water, but most frequently fire. If you are familiar with the Christian bible, you will recall that God allegedly appeared in the form of fire more than once. Many cultures -- including American Indians -- divine visions from fire.

Why the significance in fire? Because it is mesmerizing. It also has primordial significance as fire was the key element in civilizing Homo Sapiens -- humans are the only animal on earth that requires 'fire' in order for the species to survive. The God Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use. Fire is mankind's greatest gift.

As for carrying a sinister message, just as some people see an image that resembles one pose -- and only one pose -- of the late pope, and other people simply see fire, there will be many interpretations of what this image implies. In other words, some will see this as a holy vision offering hope, promise, and benediction, others will see this as a holy vision of warning and foreboding, others will see it as an unholy vision with an evil warning from 'hell' (hell being a Christian and Pagan concept), while others see simply a raging bonfire with no religious or social implications whatsoever.

And, everyone will be correct, as, humans view things through their own filters, be it that filter be Christianity or Atheism (and everything in between).

Who knows, from another angle, the photograph might have been representative of a well-known Elvis Presley pose. You see, the message, the image -- it all depends upon your persepective.

Answer 3

Well since the public loves anthropromorphism, this one was at least cool. A statistician once calculated that if a computer were to print a page of random x's and 0's and spaces and did one per second, the odds get pretty high that you'd see a picture of Jesus in something like 400 years.

Answer 4

that was the first thing I thought of when I seen it lol

but no ... it is a silly picture and I dont understand how it made the news

oh dear goodness .. just read the article
these people are serious ?
I am not a catholic ... but if there is a Hell , he will not be there

edit
I seen this picture on a fox news article earlier
some are taking it seriously

Answer 5

Oh for crissakes. The Pope did NOT send a message from hell. There is no hell, and even if there was, the Pope certainly woudnt be there.

Answer 6

It is obvious that those at the Vatican who are not busy giving interviews about their homosexuality are just plain nuts! This is just another result of enforced celibacy!

Answer 7

Funny article.

I wonder how many people think that Landover Baptist is a real church and take that article seriously.

Answer 8

at first this seemed real but if you take a look at the ads on the page, then you'll see its just a hilarious joke.

Answer 9

He be in a candle store, in the holy lamps section.

Answer 10

Dude, thats some funny shyte right there!! The Pope calling for everyone to abandon Catholicism!! Funny!