YOUR SAY 
Who should fund World Youth Day? Taxpayer contributions to the Catholic Church's World Youth Day festival have passed $160 million, with NSW Premier Morris Iemma confirming the state Government would fund $86 million in services for the staging of the event this month.
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The last word on WYD http://www.amazing.com.au/peace
Althea from Sydney. I agree this and most of what you say is true, but nevertheless I think that what you think catholics actually believe is a little bit warped. I do not worship the pope, I do not make false illusions and distractions and do not think that there is any honest-catholic that does. In regard to the doctrines and traditions of men, there is nothing wrong with a doctrine which simples states what Jesus has preached himself, all else is folly and I can assure you that not such thing has been preached by the church. Jesus never warned us against tradition, but rather the misuse of traditions as over writing the importance of God. Also, if the pope sat in one chair and Jesus Christ in the other I would kiss neither because it is not right to kiss the popes ring and I am not worthy to even stand in the presence of the Lord. However, what you said is contradicting because Jesus IS to be worshiped because he is one with God in the holy trinity. I am not trying to say the Catholic church is right in all its teaching, by all means no. But I think that as Christians we have to admit our weaknesses and overlook our brothers and sisters' faults and join together in worship and love of the Lord. You have no right to judge anybody on what they do or teach for that matter, because in the same measure you judge others, you too will be judged. If you are found to believe in even ONE thing which is not right, God will judge you for it because you have judged others in the same way. Is this not true? Does the bible not preach love over resentment? I pray that you think about this and realise that in fact, your bitterness towards the pope is not what the bible teaches. It may teach to reject all evil and false teachings but to resent him for it is not the will of the Lord. Love your enemies. He who does not know love does not know God, because God is love. Take that to heart and I have no doubt that you will see that a loveless path is not the right one. Honest and sincere love will allow you to see what the true teaching of God is and what he wants for us, as unworthy as we are.
Dominic from Sydney. It is OK to lose credibility with man but I would Never want to lose it with God. When one does NOT obey the Laws of God which He gave to the whole human race then I think that we need to worry. God said DO Not make for yourself images of anything in Heaven or on earth.God said Do not bow down to any idol or worship it,for I am the Lord your God and I tolerate NO RIVALS. God said keep My Sabbath Holy. You can read the rest. Who has changed them? The ones that changed them are against God. We have to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and not wander off and believe the doctrines and traditions of men. We await the Kingdom of God and it is definitely not the same as the kingdoms of this world. The true children of God will never become one with the kingdoms of this world. If your pope sat in one chair and Jesus Christ in the other whom would you chose.Whose hand and ring would you kiss. Jesus Christ would never allow you to kiss his because He knows that ALL Glory belongs to God and only God is to be worshiped.
There are road closures, inconveniences and other impositions on Sydneysiders ( government funding) for all sorts of things from the Olympics, to APEC, to the Gay Mardis Gras. Personally I got the most out of World Youth Day. Young people having a good time, promoting positive values, messages of love, life and dignity. Our government spent plenty on these other events and what did we get? Bring on World Youth Day.
The Catholic Church is paying for half of it. Since Australia benefits in so many ways, including materially from all the visitors, why shouldn't we pay for the other half?
It is announced in the media that the Pope has apologised but I am not hearing it in his own words and from own his lips. I feel insulted if I am expected to accept this hearsay of an apology which has not been personally directed to the actual victims of abuse and from behind closed doors.
I don't care who funds World Youth Day, but if Ray Martin can't shut up while others are talking or performing tomorrow, I'll happily fund anyone who can keep him off TV forever. Put a sock in it, Ray.
In the last census more than 2/3 of Australians claimed to be Christians; more than 1/4 claim to be Catholic Christians - that's about 5 million. They must pay a lot of tax, so let them them have their party. An estimated 1/2 billion people watched the Stations of the Cross - even at $160mil that's got to be cheap promotion of Australia to a global audience. But while they're at it, why can't the Federal and NSW Governments continue to house the 130 homeless people they swept off the streets into suburban motels just for this week?
May things be as well received as intended Here is a Catholic web-site fisheaters.com
This farce is a Roman Catholic Fete. It is NOT a Christian Fete. It is for, by and of Roman Catholics and they should pay for the whole thing. Why should others, Christian or not, have to pay for this blatant promotion of Roman Catholicism by Roman Catholics?