From: "Gilbert Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I agree with you about creating a controversy and the added publicity.
It's like me creating the controversy about 'church bashing' and dragging the thread out even longer. But if no one stands-up, then the silence suggest consent, agreement, accord, endorsement. That is why I suggested that the moderators / administrators of the Goa mailing list take a stand on the trash - even if it's fictional and from their friends. For the same reason, I support the action of All India Catholic Union [AICU] & The Bombay Catholic Sabha [BCS]. Response to the other posts to follow. =====response from JC===== Dear Gilbert, May I suggest that the individuals who have done most harm to the Catholic Church in modern times are NOT non-Catholics but CATHOLICS who fall into three categories: 1. Those who perpetrated the Sexual abuse scandal 2. Those who knew but pretended not to know 3. Those who still pretend (cloistered in the cabal) that ALL is OK. Lets face it: If ONLY those who knew about this, had acted WHEN they knew, the prevailing "concept" would not have been so. These "buried in sand ostriches" as George Pinto rightly calls them are the MAIN cause for the embarrassment faced by the vast majority of Catholic priests (who are GOOD). These good individuals find themselves on the defensive and under an unnecessary cloud of suspicion. Do you not have it in you to OPPOSE these 'ostriches" in public ? or are you going to explain your "sitting on the fence" posture. Remeber this because I say it - UNLESS the moderate Catholics (and Hindus & Muslims) OPPOSE the actions of the dastardly few on the fringes, films like Sins and Bins will get increasing credibility. I remember growing up in Poona at a time when the Hindu Maha Sabha would circulate books about priests and nuns having secret affairs. Now, if you knew how the nuns were "cloistered" in Poona - you would know HOW stupid these stories appeared. Because that is exactly how they did appear. Now....any Tom, Dick and Harry can come up and spout out an allegation against ANY priest. You wish to estimate WHO is likely to be believed more? I'd say this...... I am relieved that this film is about a love affair between a Man and a Woman. It happens. I known NO reason NOT to believe that a priests fall in love. And So WHAT?! It is natural isn't it? So where is the beef?! Those who believe that Priests are incapable of following in love, are just as good as the Rt. Wing Hindu nuts who want us to believe that Lesbianism among women does not exist in India. hey....take it easy ...... losts of stuff is happening among the sati savitri Bharati mahila mandal. If you work in some specialties - you may find all sorts of objects in all sorts of orificies - including broken testtubes. Ok?! Wake up you Gilberts of this world. Heterosexual Sex is NOT a sin. Don't make it so. The challenge for us is to guide the young to use this gift of love responsibly and with care. Falling in love is NOT a sin.....never mind which anti-Catholic nut wants to make it to be. Child Molestation and Rape however are definite Sins. And as far as I am concerned - EVERY religion has its molesters and abusers - the publicity ONLY against the priests notwithstanding. good wishes jc