So what do I have to say about World Youth Day. Well first lets look at the name:
- World – Actually only being officially celebrated in Australia
- Youth – Actually it’s a Christian event
- Day – Actually it’s being celebrated from the 15th to the 20th July
So that’s been debunked. But it raises the point about truth in advertising. Just as Intelligent Design was the renaming of Creationism, World Youth Day is just a thin veneer over the indoctrination of children and teens into the Christian faith. At least be honest with it.
And now what burden does this have on us, the rational thinkers? Well I’ll be out of the country, so little problem for me. However the rest of you will have to deal with the huddled masses being preached at if you desire to be anywhere in Sydney City. And if you pay taxes, then you get to enjoy giving the Catholic Church a healthy subsidy of $86 million ($108.5 million if you include the upgrades to Randwick Racecourse). But don’t worry it will bring in (apparently) $150 – $230 million, but not to most of us. And I’m sure the Catholic church can plead their poverty, but it might seem a little bogus during the ceremonies when they’re surrounded by gold ornaments , then pope arrives on his private jet, driven in a private car, accompanied by his private security guards.
But it isn’t just the finances their taking, they’re ripping up your environment as well. WYD celebrations will require Hyde Park to be refurbished, and the Catholic Church doesn’t want to be left holding the bill, feeling vindicated after having given up a mere $10 million for the event. They’re even removing trees from areas so that those lucky pilgrims can get through (with backhoes, god is on break).
But don’t worry the money is going towards a good cause: Allowing a ‘holy man‘ who wanted to cover up the child molestation charges (and got a pardon from Bush in case conspiracy charges were brought), and our main priest (who hates abortion more than child rape) to preach their morality to the open minds of the young. Oh happy day.
Popularity: unranked [?]