I expect simple behaviours here. Friendship, and love. Any advice should be from the perspective of the person asking, not the person giving! We have had to make new membership moderated to combat the huge number of spammers who register
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
At an 'Intelligence Squared' debate in London, openly gay British author, actor, and director Stephen Fry delivered a brutal twenty minute evisceration of the Catholic Church that should be played on television once a day for the next year. Fry touches on the Church's appalling wealth, its direct responsibility for uncountable AIDS deaths, and Pope Ratzinger's repulsive child molestation cover-ups. This clip is long. Make time for it sometime today.
The Intelligence² Debate - Stephen Fry (Unedited) by Xrunner17
Location: Israel
Registered: October 2004
Messages: 1367
Brody, thank you for posting this most remarkable speech. I found Fry's eloquence and sincerity quite refreshing. It makes me curious to know what the other speakers had to say (and whether there were any rebuttals). As Timmy said, these were a wonderful 20 minutes well spent.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
Well crafted speech from a man who understands the use of language better then most.
I have been aware of Stephen Fry, the stage artist, this is a new image for me. He presented his thoughts quite clearly, I agree with all he said.
Talking about the Catholic Church has always been one of those "don't get me started" moments in my life, at least Mr. Fry allowed me to laugh.
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: England
Registered: November 2003
Messages: 1756
Stephen Fry's speech may take twenty minutes on the clock, but such is his power of articulation and literacy that it seems to pass in less than five. It is so rare these days to hear English spoken so well.
He expresses ideas of intellectual quality in such simple and straight forward terms that no listener can fail to undestand, and all this is underlined by the fact he has thoroughly researched his subject.
Even when he reproves his opposition, he does so in the most gentle manner. What's more it is far more effective than ranting and shouting. Much as I have a soft spot for Ann Widdecombe and her forthrightness, on this occasion she would not have carried the audience. In fact she and her cardinal friend looked pretty uncomfortable.
I have many Roman Catholic friends and have always admired their faith, a faith I cannot share, but I have never been able to talk to them about such things for fear of causing offence. Discomfort yes, but offence is one thing they could not take from Stephen Fry's words.
Hugs
Nigel
I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.
] 
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Stephen Fry On The Catholic Church 
