Archbishop Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, who recently sparked a storm with his controversial remarks on reinstating the death penalty, has reportedly berated Tourism and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga for having Sri Lanka host a special international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
John Amaratunga
Sources close to Amaratunga told Colombo Telegraph that the Cardinal had berated the Christin Affairs Minister about Sri Lanka hosting the international summit of the Witnesses and had expressed disappointment that Amaratunga was unable to prevent such “unfavorable developments.
A frustrated Christian Affairs Minister, who is a staunch Catholic, had painstakingly attempted to explain to Cardinal Ranjith that neither the government nor his ministry had any role in organizing the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention that was held in Colombo om the second week of July.
The tradition-steeped Catholic Church and evangelical “born-again” Christian groups often find themselves at opposite ends over fundamental differences in their value system.
It is in this context that the head of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka – which group form the majority of the Christian community in the country – expected the Christian Affairs Minister to stand in the way of the convention.
The Cardinal had been of the view that the Minster had let the Catholic church in Sri Lanka– of which he is a member – down.
“But how can a Minister prevent a Christian group from holding a convention? Sri Lanka is a democratic country and the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed in the constitution,” a close associate of the Minister told Colombo Telegraph.
The Christian Affairs Minister had wondered if the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was under the illusion that Sri Lanka was under military rule, the aide also added.
However, despite Cardinal Ranjith’s resistance, the Jehovah’s Witnesses Special Convention in the South Asian region took place in Sri Lanka last week at Sugathadasa Stadium with the participation of approximately 3,500 overseas delegates from the USA, UK, Italy and Asian nations.
Sheila Richards / July 16, 2018
Please do not confuse the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “born again” Christian group. They are anything but! I am pretty certain the Cardinal may not have objected to a Born Again group having an international convention just as the JW did.
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Amarasiri / July 16, 2018
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith,
EMINENTICIUM REVERENDICIUM DOMINUM ALBERTO COLOMBA SANTA ROMANE CLICI CARDINALE RANJITH,
AGENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
“Sources close to Amaratunga told Colombo Telegraph that the Cardinal had berated the Christin Affairs Minister about Sri Lanka hosting the international summit of the Witnesses and had expressed disappointment that Amaratunga was unable to prevent such “unfavorable developments.”
Now go back 500 , 1, 000, 1,500 and 2,000 years. The Popes, and the Church controlled the Kings and Emperors , the Kings and Emperors controlled the masses, and many innocents were punished as heretics, philosophers, astronomers, because it was a “crime “against the Church’s unsubstantiated teachings and dogma, which also became a come against the state.
Today, Sri Lanka, rather the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is elected by the people, a republic, not by the so-called “Infallible” Popes, claiming unsubstantiated right to be Divine, to whom you report to. Therefore, the Republic can host any convention, esoecially when it beings economic value to the people of the republic, irrespective of your unsubstantiated dogma.
The True Core Of The Jesus Myth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMo5R5pLPBE
Hitchens about the Catholic Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKOD-Qpu_4
Summary of sins over 20 centuries of the Catholic Church. Do you want to add more sins?
Crusades, Inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people, injustice to the natives and women, etc.
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nimal fernando / July 17, 2018
I am baffled and totally stumped ………. why would anyone need a religion – any religion – to lie, cheat, rob, plunder, bulge, scam, ………… murder?
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Like the Nike ad says ………… why can’t they just “Do It?”
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Phew!
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thrishu / July 17, 2018
Time you were crucified or burnt at the stake for causing dissension. These were the punishments that fit the crime according to history.
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Taraki / July 16, 2018
Sheila, that is just your opinion. If you ask a JW whether they consider themselves to be the only true Christians, they will assure you that they are. As most of them are converts from other Christian sects, they too are “born Again”. Therefore to call them a “born again” Christian group should be acceptable to all.
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Citizen / July 18, 2018
Taraki, JW don’t believe in the risen Christ as acknowledged by God the Father as ” This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” at his baptism, so they are not Christians. They believe that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, warrior guardian of Israel, probably missing when Jesus was on earth. The dove depicting Holy Spirit of God is living, not a light beam or he cant guide into all truth as Jesus said. So JW cult not believing real resurrection of Jesus don’t commune as mandated.
JW cannot be born again of the Living Spirit as they don’t accept him as a person. No body born again of the Spirit will join JW, but only baby Christians sans bible.
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Medavrisa / July 19, 2018
It is quite obvious that you have had no knowledge or discussion with the JW’s but are just piping out negative stuff gleaned from other sources. It may be a good idea to actually ask one of them about their beliefs. You will be quite surprised to find that your “idea” of what they believe isn’t anything even close to the actuality.
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Conchshell / July 16, 2018
Dear Sheila, shows your ignorance.
1 Try holding an Evangelical Convention and see whether His Eminence will allow.
2. For a start try reading up about how the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka supported the Anti Conversion Bill etc
3. These divisions and what Christian groups call themselves is immaterial. CT is right. In a comparative religious perspective, JW too falls into the Fundamental or Evangelical category.
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Sunil / July 16, 2018
This fellow Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Is just like the Rajapaksas… he wants only his brand of Christianity in Sri Lanka. What a hypocrite going against the Christian teaching and bringing disrepute to Christianity in Sri Lanka. This is what Jesus Christ fought against. This guy is turning out to be just like the Buddhist monks who want a Hitler style Authoritarian Military Dictatorship in our country…
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Upali Wickramasinghe / July 18, 2018
Sunil, Can I correct you. Malcolm Ranjith wants his brand of God worship, in the same manner as the Asgiriya joker – close the road brigade, in the same manner as Gnanasara, allow us to procreate faster and the joker at Borelesgamuwa
As a corolary i should add that if anybody wants to control abortion by willing mother, they should undertake to finance the upkeep of the children.Let the Finance Minister open a separate unit at the FM ministry to collect money from the “Abortion Till Pettiya’ We could add the funds at Dambulla as a good gestrure..
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Leonard / July 16, 2018
Sheila Richards
You and Cardinale Ranjith seem to take the confusion to another level Cardinale missed out on the 6th commandment.
Now between you two may want to do a refresher course on Bible.
Perhaps you and cardinal miss Matthew in the Bible.
Matthew 7:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
About Judging Others
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you
What’s next Crusades?
This shows Cardinal as the hypocritical charlatan that he is and dyer need to be Born Again. I can understand he is a worried Holy man not because of loosing souls more importantly losing tidings.
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K. Anaga / July 16, 2018
Born again and Rebirth are believed by Hindus and Buddhist. Please do not disturb…..
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Citizen / July 17, 2018
K Anaga, Born again in Christianity is not rebirth or reincarnation of Hindus and Buddhists. Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John’s gospel chapter 3 that it is heavenly birth of the human spirit by God’s Holy Spirit. Nicodemus in OT only saw the natural and asked whether to enter womb again. Jesus said NO, as it was spiritual revelation of entry into God’s Kingdom reign, which is a NT gift from Jesus after his death and resurrection of the same body in glorified form. Church is to mature into his image. Christians carry the same body transformed into eternity and their soul/spirit at death does not jump from 1 body to another. Jesus ascended to heaven in his own body. Humans created triune spirit, soul and body, are in the image of the triune Godhead Father, Son and Spirit united as One. Christians receiving forgiveness of sins and karma/iniquity are to enter into that oneness spiritual union with God to experience bliss on earth as in heaven
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Nimal / July 17, 2018
Sheila, The fact you are not aware of is that the Cardinal once made an effort to stop Evangelists (of born again groups) coming into this country to fulfill their mission entrusted to them by Jesus Christ as per Mark and Mathew Gospels with his political influence. So there is no guarantee that Cardinal will never make any efforts in the future to proscribe even Born Again Groups having an international convention as JW did. He has his dictatorship lifestyle and that has been confirmed by some his own Rev. Catholic priests.
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Amarasiri / July 20, 2018
Sheila Richards,
“Please do not confuse the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a “born again” Christian group”
Who is a Christian? What is a Christian cult?
Cult: – a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
– a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.
-a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.
So. All are Christians .
Somebody who believes three in one?
1+1+1 =3 =1?
God+Son+Holy Spirit =Trinity=1 God?
Do you have convincing data. that can be reproduced? If not, it does not matter whatever group the Christians belong to Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy, Protestantisms, Born Again, Jehovah witnesses. In the end, all are the same.
Does the Sun go around the Earth? Haven above?
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Citizen / July 16, 2018
In this article, Jehovah’s witnesses are called christians, which they are not. They use an altered bible. Their belief is that Jesus is Michael the archangel, and that the Holy Spirit of God at the birth of the church in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Christ, is only a spiritual force like a laser beam of light, and not the person of truth sent to indwell the church guiding and empowering church into all truth till the end of this age. To them their is no triune nature of God. In their Passover, there is no participation in the communion, except for the 144,000 only going to heaven. They are not church, but have origin in congregations like the Mormans, and have to be totally differentiated from the church birthed at Pentecost, baptized with Holy Splrlt and fire purification, demonstrating the love of God on the cross paying the price of sin/karma for all humans to receive. I believe church needs to respond to all with the covenant/pledged love of God to all humans.
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Amarasiri / July 16, 2018
Citizen,
“In this article, Jehovah’s witnesses are called christians, which they are not. They use an altered bible. Their belief is that Jesus is Michael the archangel, and that the Holy Spirit of God at the birth of the church in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Christ, is only a spiritual force like a laser beam of light, and not the person of truth sent to indwell the church guiding and empowering church into all truth till the end of this age..”
It is their belief. It is their religion. It is their cult belief. Others have other beliefs, and cults. So far nobody has come up with the proof that their belief or cult is true and correct by demonstrative truths and data. Thre are thousand of beliefs and religions. all still lacking the data and proofs.
So the Jesus Myth and the Catholic Church’s beliefs based on that Myth are the same .
Technically, calling Jehovah’s witnesses Christians, may be incorrect, but Jehovah. is God (old Testament), and Jesus is God, Son and God, and Holy Spirit, in the New Testament. So, would you consider, Jehovah’s witnesses 1/3 Christian?
The True Core Of The Jesus Myth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMo5R5pLPBE
Hitchens about the Catholic Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKOD-Qpu_4
Summary of sins over 20 centuries of the Catholic Church. Do you want to add more sins?
Crusades, Inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people, injustice to the natives and women, etc.
The Jehovah’s witnesses have no such history as the Christians., especially the Catholic Church.
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Amarasiri / July 16, 2018
Citizen ,
“In this article, Jehovah’s witnesses are called christians, which they are not.”
Why not check with Almighty God, as to who is correct. After all, many groups claim that they are correct, and the Christians claim that God is three-in-one, God, Son and the Holy Spirit.
How do you explain it, Mathematically, Algebraically? Al-Khwarizmi’s contribution to Algebra was fundamental. He solved linear and quadratic equations without algebraic symbolism, negative numbers or zero, thus he had to distinguish several types of equations. However, he did not solve the equations below, even though the equation with )’s was “solved”.
1 + 1 + 1 = 3 = 1?
0 + 0+ 0= 0 =0
Algebra (from Arabic “al-jabr”, literally meaning “reunion of broken parts” is one of the broad parts of mathematics, together with number theory, geometry and analysis. In its most general form, algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols, it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics.As such, it includes everything from elementary equation solving to the study of abstractions such as groups, rings, and fields. The more basic parts of algebra are called elementary algebra; the more abstract parts are called abstract algebra or modern algebra. Elementary algebra is generally considered to be essential for any study of mathematics, science, or engineering, as well as such applications as medicine and economics. Abstract algebra is a major area in advanced mathematics, studied primarily by professional mathematicians.
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Almighty God / July 16, 2018
” Why not check with Almighty God”
All these are just lies, Any Son of God by the name of Jesus or Muhammad never existed.
All the Bibles are no better than novels, historical fictions
P S- Catholic church had paid billions of dollars to get silence from child abuse victims. Pope Benedict resigned because he couldn’t handle child sex abuse in his church. Other church are no better.
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Amarasiri / July 17, 2018
Almighty God,
“Pope Benedict resigned because he couldn’t handle child sex abuse in his church. “
Wasn’t Pope Benedict infallible?
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Amarasiri / July 24, 2018
Almighty God,
“All these are just lies, Any Son of God by the name of Jesus or Muhammad never existed.”
Muhammad never claimed to be the Son of God. He only claimed to be a Prophet, per instructions of Angel Gabriel, to save mankind from the mischief maker Satan, and follow only Almighty God. Mohammad had a mother and a father, married, had children and grandchildren.
Jesus had a mother. His father is subject to belief and debate.
Is it possible for Jesus to take all the burden of sins of mankind?
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Sandy / July 16, 2018
‘ Strong Son of God,
Immortal Love,Whom
We that have not seen The Face,
By Faith and Faith alone embrace,
Believing where we cannot prove’.
– Alfred Tennyson –
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Ajay / July 16, 2018
This bloody Cardinal Ranjith is way out of line. Is he stupid, or is he so arrogant he thinks he can give orders to a government minister? Doesn’t he know Sri Lanka is not yet a theocratic state – and even if it does become one, it’s not going to be a Christian one. While I wouldn’t touch a Jehovah’s Witness with a ten-foot pole, I wouldn’t deny them or any other lunatic fringe their right to assemble, or their right to practice their religion or whatever they’re practicing, as long as there is no violence involved. And Satan’s Agent Ranjith should realize Johnnie Walker is the Minister for Christian Affairs, not Catholic Affairs. Some even argue Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians. If it’s correct, Ranjith’s demand becomes even more ludicrous. Satan Ranjith is clearly trying to overreach himself. Of late his behaviour is becoming more and more erratic and preposterous. He seems to be thinking by sucking up to the racist Buddhist monks he can get some of their power to intimidate and dictate terms to people. Many of his pronouncements are quite blatantly condescending and racist. Satan Ranjith’s behaviour is not acceptable. This bigot should be reported to his big boss at the Vatican and disrobed……..Like the other moron Trump would day, “Ranjith, You are fired.”
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nosey parker / July 16, 2018
Ajay
The abusive language you spew out on this religious leader is quite appalling , and portrays a lack of refinement and maturity on your part .
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Ajay / July 16, 2018
He’s not a religious leader, unless you have a different meaning for the word ‘religious.’ He’s anything but religious. It’s charlatans like him who bring ridicule and insult to religion. He has been abusive and bigoted in his unsolicited advice to Tamils, Muslims, Hindus, women and those who make alternative lifestyle choices. But he doesn’t open his mouth regarding the abhorrent behaviour of Sinhala-Buddhist racists because he is a Rajapaksa toady. Actually he’s going to Kaday for them. He only moralizes against the vulnerable because he’s a moral coward. Now he comes out in support of murdering drug peddlers. Is this Christian charity? Is this religious leadership? Is this the refinement and maturity you are talking about? And such an irreligious, despicable character has the nerve to tell a cabinet minister how Sri Lanka as a country should deal with another religious group. This is Satan Ranjith being respectful toward another religion (or whatever it is)? To me he seems to be more of a follower of Duterte than Jesus Christ. In more developed countries such appalling behaviour by a so called ‘religious leader’ would’ve have met with widespread outrage and condemnation, public shaming on social media and the guy would be eventually booted out. We can’t expect such a thing happening in our land like no other. Not yet anyway. I’m just trying to do what little I can in the meantime. But, Hey Parker, you should get your nose checked. It’s leading you up the wrong alley.
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Concerned / July 17, 2018
Well said ! Totally, totally agree with you !
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Amarasiri / July 24, 2018
nosey parker ,
“The abusive language you spew out on this religious leader is quite appalling , and portrays a lack of refinement and maturity on your part .”
Criticism is not abusive language. Calling a spade a spade, or saying that the Earth spins and orbits the Sun is not abusive language, even though it differs from somebody’s myth. Physical abuse is abuse. Check out the physical abuses over the past 2,000 years.
Hitchens about the Catholic Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKOD-Qpu_4
Summary of sins over 20 centuries of the Catholic Church. Do you want to add the sins of Cardinal Ranjit to the list of sins?
Crusades, Inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people, injustice to the natives and women, etc.
The Jehovah’s witnesses have no such history as the Christians., especially the Catholic Church.
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Amarasiri / July 24, 2018
nosey parker,
“The abusive language you spew out on this religious leader is quite appalling ,”
Do you want to call in the Inquisitors?
Inquisition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition
The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the government system of the Catholic Church whose aim was to combat public heresy committed by baptized Christians. It started in 12th-century France to combat religious dissent, in particular the Cathars and the Waldensians. Other groups investigated later included the Spiritual Franciscans, the Hussites (followers of Jan Hus) and the Beguines. Beginning in the 1250s, inquisitors were generally chosen from members of the Dominican Order, replacing the earlier practice of using local clergy as judges.The term Medieval Inquisition covers these courts up to mid-15th century.
During the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, the concept and scope of the Inquisition significantly expanded in response to the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. It expanded to other European countries, resulting in the Spanish Inquisition and Portuguese Inquisition. The Spanish and Portuguese operated inquisitorial courts throughout their empires in Africa, Asia, and the Americas (resulting in the Peruvian Inquisition and Mexican Inquisition). The Spanish and Portuguese inquisitions focused particularly on the issue of Jewish anusim and Muslim converts to Catholicism, partly because these minority groups were more numerous in Spain and Portugal than in many other parts of Europe, and partly because they were often considered suspect due to the assumption that they had secretly reverted to their previous religions.
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Granville / July 18, 2018
You bloody Sri Lankans not only show your damn unrefinement in words but also in all other activities. Its no wonder that your country is gradually sliding into anarchy and finally into a failed state if it has not already done so.I
If there are Morons in this world then it is people like you and your damned impotent, politicians and religious leaders.
Get ready to join the list of the failed states.
Good Luck !!!!!!
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Upali / July 16, 2018
Cardinal Malcolm, how about Christians worshiping Sai Baba. What Karl Marx said about religion remain valid to date even 135 years after his death. ”Religion is the opium of the people.”
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Lasith / July 16, 2018
Upali
‘Religion is the opium of the people’
Are you in other words calling Ranjith Malcolm a drug dealer!
Hahaha
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Upali / July 17, 2018
Lasith,
All religions are over 2000 years old. That’s the time they said that’ life is nasty brutish and short’. Its not so now..Do we need religions now in an era of our trying to send people to Mars. Millions have been killed in the name of religion and continue to be killed now. Are we so bankrupt that we have not seen any new religions for the past 2000 years.Politicians prostitute religions to dupe the masses to grab power. I cannot call Rev. Malcolm Ranjith a drug dealer but in terms of Marxist philosophy ‘Religion is the opium of the masses” applies to him too.
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Ranil / July 17, 2018
Karl Marx said a little more about religion. He said, “Religion is: the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, the soul of soulless stagnation, the opium of the masses.”
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Amarasiri / July 19, 2018
Upali,
”Religion is the opium of the people.” Karl Marx.
The drug dealers give drugs, chemicals, to the people so that it gets to their brains, attaches to the receptors, messes the biochemical metabolism in the brain, and makes them addicts, chemical/drug addicts.
The Religious leaders (“drug dealers”) ,” psychological drugs”., give brain washings on fear, rewards , punishments which reprograms the neurons of the people so that it gets to their brains, attaches to the receptors, messes the mental “metabolism’ critical thinking in the brain, and makes them addicts, religious addicts and fundamentalists.
If one points out the religious leaders brain washings and drugging, they are named apostates, heretics, unbelievers, and innovators and punished in many different ways, including roasting and chopping heads off.
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Upali / July 19, 2018
Amarasiri,
I can’t agree with you more.
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oldcodger / July 16, 2018
If this is true, Cardinal Malcolm is the very worst person to lead the Catholic Church in SL. He has already betrayed his own flock by claiming that there were no attacks on churches.
Clearly this so-called Cardinal has no idea of democratic values. Why should any government oppose a convention of people who don’t hold his beliefs? Is he the final arbiter of what people should believe? He is as bad as the Kandyan Mahanayakes who refused to meet the Pope. That said, let’s see if those same Mahanayakas would allow a convention of Mahayana Buddhists in Colombo.
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Chandra / July 16, 2018
It is expected of any religious organization to voice against fundementalist fanatics that propagate and enhance division of communities. Rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith should be lauded for his concern.
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Nimal / July 16, 2018
Chandra, Can you please, in a few words, explain who those “fundamentalists” are what those fundamentalists preach, and how can you all them fanatics? In short, can you please describe who a fundamentalist is?
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Chandra / July 16, 2018
Nimal, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to answer your querries. Look around the World. In this age of information you seem to be poorly placed; no offence.
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old codger / July 16, 2018
Chandra,
One man’s fanatic is another man’s saint.
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Nimal / July 16, 2018
Chandra, Both of us are not rocket scientist and I may be poorly placed as you said. Why not please provide the answer to my query in simple language. When I have you to provide an answer why should I look around the world for it?
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Good Sense / July 16, 2018
If this story is true, I feel sad that the eminence of His Eminence the Cardinal is self-devalued. With every religious group there can be all kinds of issues. But a peaceful gathering and assembly cannot be stamped put using state machinery. Don’t tell me that what was expected of Johnny boy was to perform a “Wattalian” type of muscle flinching, arm twisting and if necessary to do some manhandling, not necessarily using state machinery and the law but using one’s “supporters” to make the J-witnesses run away? Tolerance is the key word. Let live and let others be allowed to do so in this country of many faiths.
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The Saint / July 16, 2018
The Cardinal and the so called Evangelical “born again” Christian groups are united in their opposition of Jehovah’s Witnesses whom they consider to be a cult. Please do not confuse JW as being an Evangelical Christian Group.
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Taraki / July 16, 2018
Do the JWs consider themselves as the only true Christians? Yes they do.
Do they actively spread their faith? Yes they do.
Then they are an Evangelical Christian Group.
Corriere de la Sera
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Native Vedda / July 19, 2018
Taraki
–
Do the Sinhala/Buddhists consider themselves as the only true Buddhists? Yes they do. However they never understood the difference between Sinhala/Buddhism and Buddhism.. They also never understood the difference between Sinhala/Buddhists and Buddhists.
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Now the Sinhala/Buddhists are being converted into Sinhala/Buddhist fascists.
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Amarasiri / July 25, 2018
Native Vedda,
“Now the Sinhala/Buddhists are being converted into Sinhala/Buddhist fascists.”
Did you mean Now the Para-Sinhala/”Buddhists” are being converted into Para-Sinhala/”Buddhist” fascists.?
Did they learn from the Catholics, especially the Popes? Check out Mussolini of Italy, Hitler of Germany and Franco of Spain. Didn’t the Rajapaksas visit the Pope?
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Amarasiri / July 18, 2018
The Saint,
“The Cardinal and the so called Evangelical “born again” Christian groups are united in their opposition of Jehovah’s Witnesses whom they consider to be a cult. “
What is the definition of a cult?
a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
“the cult of St. Olaf”
‘the cult of Jesus’
a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.
Catholics,(ask the Lutherans), Evangelicals, Jehovah Winnesses
a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.
Example Jesus.
The True Core Of The Jesus Myth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMo5R5pLPBE
Hitchens about the Catholic Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKOD-Qpu_4
Summary of sins over 20 centuries of the Catholic Church. Do you want to add more sins?
Crusades, Inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people, injustice to the natives and women, etc.
The Jehovah’s witnesses have no such history as the Christians., especially the Catholic Church.
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Sinhala_Man / July 16, 2018
I consider the Jehovah’s Witnesses to be a most unattractive lot, but like others, they too, must enjoy certain rights.
.
As for Malcolm Ranjith, what can one say about the guy? I suggest paraphrasing that thing about the “unspeakable in pursuit of the unpalatable”.
.
Strange. One ends up defending the actions of another odious guy: John Amaratunga.
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old codger / July 16, 2018
S.M,
“Strange. One ends up defending the actions of another odious guy: John Amaratunga.”
Good point there. But many of the responders seem to think that it is OK to ban the JW’s because “they are not Christians”. In that case, even Buddhist conventions should be banned!
Strange that supposedly educated “Christians ” can hold such opinions.
BTW, I did in passing witness the hoopla of the convention at the Stadium and the JW office in Peliyagoda near the Police station (for safety?)
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Amarasiri / July 16, 2018
Sinhala_Man,
“Strange. One ends up defending the actions of another odious guy: John Amaratunga.”
They all have their own Myths.At least, John Amararunga is allowing others to practice and propagate their Myths, unlike the so-called Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.
The True Core Of The Jesus Myth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMo5R5pLPBE
Hitchens about the Catholic Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKOD-Qpu_4
Summary of sins over 20 centuries of the Catholic Church. Do you want to add more sins?
Crusades, Inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people, injustice to the natives and women, etc.
The Jehovah’s witnesses have no such history as the Christians., especially the Catholic Church.
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Nimal / July 16, 2018
Not too long ago, this Cardinal sought political intervention to proscribe Christian evangelists coming into this country from foreign nations to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This news was published in one of the Sinhala national newspapers. In that sense he sought to block the mission of the preaching His Gospel Jesus Himself entrusted to His disciples as mentioned in the Gospels of Mark and Mathew. What authority does the Cardinal has to do so? In this democratic country, under the freedom guaranteed by its the supreme constitution, any religious group has all the freedom to hold their conventions. How can the Cardinal proscribe it? If the Catholic church deteriorates because of such conventions the problem lies within the Catholic church and not outside. Cardinal cannot build walls and protect his Catholic followers from any outside influence. The Cardinal must keep the Minister Amaratunge’s religion aside, simply because the latter is a Catholic, the Cardinal has no right to meddle or interfere with his official or political affairs. I am not a Jehovah’s witness.
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K.Pillai / July 16, 2018
Was not Dalai Lama refused permission to visit us?
Dalai Lama was refused entry by the Burmese Junta to visit Myanmar. Why? He would have pleaded with the regime to stop the pogroms against Rohingyas.
.
Did the Jehovah’s Witnesses give an undertaking that humanitarian issues will not be raised?
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wannihami / July 16, 2018
Jehovah’s witnesses are a cult, and their beliefs are rather out of ordinary at the same time their choice of venue too is rather baffling considering Sri Lanka is not a fertile land for conversion, so why were they here? They spent a packet staying at 5 star hotels in Colombo, their program was Bless Colombo, no offense but couldn’t they have blessed Colombo from their homes, to an all seeing God.
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Jeewan / July 16, 2018
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Born again are cult group funded by European to convert Buddhist and true Christians. We have to irradiated these groups from SL. As Christian we happy to see that they are not practising in Gampaha area.
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observer / July 16, 2018
JW practice is to visit homes mainly of Catholics who have never been exposed to bible study. Naturally the ignorant catholic laity comes alive when exposed to the truth of the bible rather than meaningless dogmas and doctrines of priests. Then they are taught to leave Catholicism and be baptized into JW. Cardinal is loosing his flock because of neglect. Even discrimination of laity is seen in giving part communion, while only priests have full communion similar to all other Christian denominations. It is a wonder that cardinal still has a church left. JW too cant go to villages as the temple priests get them hammered for converting. The teachings of purgatory and the worship of the divine feminine all add to the confusion in Cardinal’s flock which makes him condemn evangelistic outworking of the love of God.
The church started in Jerusalem with the 12, mother of Jesus who said she needed a Savior and offered the usual sin offering for cleansing after child birth, all adding up to 120. In Rome it absorbed a different culture, and yet another culture in Britain and so with many denominations.
Any church must practice biblical truth so as to prevent cults drawing flock with scripture. It would do well to give catholic lay people the full sacrament of communion, or explain why only the priests take it in the sight of the people, cheating them to get misled by cults.
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Nimal / July 17, 2018
Observer, Anyone has the freedom to visit any home for any activity other than that of a criminal nature as long as he is accepted in that house. If Catholic laity have become so ignorant about the Word of God and have not been exposed to Bible study, as you claim, which is true, then it is a problem with the Catholic Church leaders. JW doctrine refuses to accept the Divinity of Jesus which many are not aware of . If a JW member visits my house, I will certainly welcome him, treat him as a human being respectfully and with dignity, but I will reject his doctrine. So he will leave empty handed. But still no one has the right to condemn them, deprive them of their freedom to have their own convention, the right to their assembly, harass them or look down on them. Still I agree with you on many other facts you have pointed out here.
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oldcodger / July 17, 2018
“But still no one has the right to condemn them, deprive them of their freedom to have their own convention, the right to their assembly, harass them “
Well said, Nimal.
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Sandy / July 16, 2018
Genisis.1.1 ‘ In the beginning God created
The heavens and the earth.’
‘ John.1.3. ‘ All things were made through
Him, and without Him nothing was made
That was made.’
To the J.W.’s, Jesus Christ is ‘ godlike’.
To Muslms – a great and
‘ good’ prophet.
But to us who believe in the Message if The Cross, He, our Lord and God Jesus Christ,is the Saviour.
The One Who loved us and has washed our sins in His Own Blood.
The Salvation the Saviour offers is for all.It is a Free Gift and can never be earned by good works.
No one is compelled to believe.
‘ For God so loved the world that He
Gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
Believes in Him should not perish, but
Have everlastingife
He who believes in Him is not coming demned ; but he who does not believe is
Condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God’s. ( John.ch.3. Holy Bible).
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Estate Labourer / July 16, 2018
“The Christian Affairs Minister had wondered if Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was under the illusion that Sri Lanka was under military rule, the aide also added.”
No, no! only the Northern Province and Eastern Province are under Military Rule.
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Goviya / July 16, 2018
Pentecostals are worse than Jehovah’s Witnesses!
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Ananda / July 16, 2018
Facts are: Jehovah’s witness are not Christians!!
They refuse to recognize Jesus as God!!!
probably they are a Jewish sect in the modern era!!!
Since, Sri lanka is a democratic country ,any one could freely practice his religion according to the fundamental rights of our constitution!!!!!!!!!!!
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Christian / July 16, 2018
Cardinal Ranjith should not hold the Cardinal post any longer. Its the fault of the Catholics not petitioning the Pope to remove him. The reasons he should be removed 1. Accepting personal stuff from Mahinda Rajapakse for his own personal benefit. 2. Saying no Christian places of worship was attacked when there was ample evidence it was done. It was shown on TV and was also see on print media. 3. Becoming political and trying to bring back murderous Rajapakse regime back. 4. Above all expecting the Government and attacking the Minister just because another sect of the Christians had a convention in Sri Lanka. Are these not enough to kick him out of his Cardinal post?
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perth / July 16, 2018
cardinal’s position is reasonable
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Viktor / July 16, 2018
Malcolm Ranjith has been used to exercising political power during the last regime, With the help of Shiranthi, he controlled government abortion policy and shut down Marie Stopes Clinics which catered to the poorer people, by instigating police action and prosecution to harass clinic staff and doctors. No doubt he felt JA would oblige
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Catholic / July 16, 2018
Sri Lankan constitution allows all religious practices in Sri Lanka. For the Cardinal to make such a statement he must be thinking that Sri Lanka is under “Hitler’s” rule. If the head of the Catholic church does not have the decency and acceptability of the Constitution of the Country why should he still continue to hold this position? To bring Rajapakse’s back to power or to bring “Hitler” to power? If Catholics truly belive in 1) the teaching of Christ Jesus and 2) want to safeguard the Constitution of the country then they all should petition Pope and get the Cardinal kicked out of this position. What about the Catholic Priests and Nuns why they do not take the leadership in leading this petiton? Remember this is the Cardinal who said no Christian places of worship were attacked when there was evidence shown on TV and in print media that he was lying , he is the one who said Buddhism should be given a special place in the Constitution when the new changes were being drafted with equal status to all religions etc.
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Goraka / July 16, 2018
TURF WAR.
There is a reason why Catholics are called Roman Catholics. They were started with Romans who believed in three Gods. Now, Catholics are complaining when Jehovah Witness are modifying Christianity.
So, Roman Catholics should stop complaining. You’ll were doing the same many years ago buggering the true message of Jesus Christ.
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Amarasiri / July 24, 2018
Goraka,
Yes. It is a TURF WAR. It is Divine TURF WAR and not to lose Market Share of believers.
For Roman Catholics, whose Infallible master is the Bishop of Rome (Pope), elected by the Cardinals, aspiring to be Popes, for whom 1+1+1=1. The case of 1+1+1 =1, is also the case for the Protestants and the Christian Evangelists, but not the Jehovah Witnesses.
For the Nestorian Christians, 1+1 =1.
For the Jehovah Witnesses, Jehovah (God) is one. So for them 1 =1. Same for Jews and Muslims.
So, by reason , one may argue that the Jehovah Witnesses are more correct, and the believe in the God of the Hebrews, and the Muslims also claim that they believe in the sane God, One God, the Unity of God.
Jehovah Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the creator of all things, and the “Universal Sovereign”. They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a Trinity; consequently, the group places more emphasis on God than on Christ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses
Bishops of Rome / Popes (Roman Catholic Church)
AD 42 – Present Day.
http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/ItalyPopes.htm
According to Catholic tradition, Jesus founded the papacy in the first century when he chose St Peter, the leader of the apostles, to be his earthly representative. ‘Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church,’ he states in chapter 16 of Matthew. ‘I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’ Those words, which now circle the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, serve as the biblical mandate for the papacy. All bishops of Rome (the title ‘pope’ was not used until the fourth century) are considered symbolic descendants of Peter and are thought to hold ‘Peter’s Chair’. Since then, there have been more than 260 occupants of the papal office. The institution has endured through the defining moments of European history, including the split of the Roman empire, the bloodbath of the Crusades, and the rise of the Italian Renaissance.
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Bert@Melb / July 16, 2018
His Eminence Cardinal Malcom Ranjith should not have poked his hands into the death penalty and the Jehovas Witnesses. There are more important things for the Catholic Church to worry about because the credibility of the Church is declining day by day.
What the Church should worry about is the attendance of the Catholics to the Sunday mass.
Most Catholics take the Sunday Mass as a Sunday outing and not a day of obligation, Going to Church on a Sunday is a day of thanksgiving in prayer & holy worship to God if one has received ones daily bread for that past week.
If the minister who is supposed to be a Catholic wishes to sell his soul to the Devil that is his business and free will and no one can stop him not even the Church and neither will God.
A person is free to exercise his or her free will according to ones wishes.
That is the freedom given to all mankind by God in life and at death that freedom will determine where the persons soul goes to after final Judgement.
Regarding the death Penalty, it is only God who can take life and not man.
One man taking the life of another no matter in what way is Murder in the eyes of God and with God there is no mercy or forgiveness.
” Be gracious to me , O God according to your loving kindness.
In the great tenderness of your love blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and from my sins cleanse me.
Create a clean heart in me , O God , and renew within me a upright spirit.
Do not cast me out from thy holy presence, and do not withhold your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let a spirit of willingness sustain me. “
” If Thou should take thy grace away nothing pure in man would stay “
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Jim softy / July 16, 2018
Well, Well, Burty the Cartoon character has gone to Melbourne. Generally, Christians and the EVENGELIST -CULT are against Catholics. But, christian countries are Secular for christians sects or demoninations which counts to over 41,000. born Again christians are Evengelist though they creation be design, Islamic Evangelism, Evanbelist buddhists are all from the same cult. Now protestants are brining LGBTQ conventions, in this case the JEHOVAH witness. those all are attmepts to popularize their cult in a new culture. I am pretty sure, as Mangala Samaraweera gets political donations from LGBTQ community talk for 7500 Gays, Lesbians,and others etc., In the same way, JEhowa’s witness may have got help from the double dose Viagra minister. Anyway, listening to Jehova’s witness representative is like if you were used to Listen to TROTSKIy – COMMUNISTS. YOu can not leave, You can not sleep, you can not talk against when they come and talk. the best thing is One bhikku, Bhikku ghanasara is better asking their permission, by an open letter, to talk about how buddhism and Jehovah witness are similar. they say he is comiing which we say. Very similar but give different names.
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Jim softy / July 16, 2018
There is a hostility for Catholics all over the world. Pope knows it. anglican tried to prosecute the former POpe when he was trying to visit UK because the anglican church was bankrupt and Bishop quit. So, here protestants are charging at the Catholic bishop which is different to invading and predator evengelists who are born again too and is a business empire which expanding all over the world. they use the bible to sell the Creator and tourist packages to see churches and to involve in a specific sermon by a certain celebrity tele-evangelists, and god specific commercial material. Jehovah witness are real jokers when you listen to them. when they come to my door step , now I start explaining buddhism to them. That is how I learned they have modified the buddhism to resemble their religion. A saint is the founder in their religion. there is a buddhist GOd who say he is the JEhovah witness. Ask God Kataragama, he may say ” I wouldn’t say that it is not me”.
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Keith / July 16, 2018
I am a Catholic.But I respect the right of any other denomination to hold their conventions and meetings. The previous regime did more damage to Christianity than any of the Jehovas.I have Jehovas witnesses tapping at my door every few weeks.But I politely decline following their interpretations of the Bible and depart in a cordial manner.The cardinal who is notorious to put himself in the limelight did more damage to the catholic church than any of his predecessors by promoting political regimes.This is his interpretation of Democracy.If he set an example to Catholics by worrying more about caring for his flock and the depressed and the education of poor Christian children people would respect him more.As you know Jesus Christ faced this same dilemma against the Pharisees at the time of his death..Did cardinal Ranjith object to the Bodu Bala Sena when they were going on the rampage at Aluthgama?I think all Catholics should call him to step down from his post.
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Lasith / July 17, 2018
I will not mince any words
The way I see it, this Idiot simply wants some attention and perhaps gain some political milage in trying to emulate his Buddhist fascist brothers and patronize the gamarala.
What a shame, instead of learning from the bad examples shown by monks, he wants to join them. Cheap shit. As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them, right!
The simple truth is that no matter what religion we follow in Sri Lanka, our primal instincts encoded in our genetics raises it’s ugly head. No amount of philosophy or wisdom can erase our traits.
The Sinhalese Buddhist think and behave like cussed beast not because Buddhism doesn’t teach us what is right, in fact with our cussedness we have actually changed Buddhism to suite us in our dirty ways. So we can do all the dirty things in the name of religion.
We in this island are all like this, call us various names, Sinhalese, Tamil, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, up country, Southern, Priest, monk, Doctor, Proctor, Engineer, Judge, Teacher …. we are all the same underneath: cussed, greedy, sadistic, jealous, pettyminded, idiotic, egoistic, illogical, hypocritical, cheap, conniving, seamless, selfish, heartless, enemies of progress.
This is Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia or even the owner of the whole world.
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Lasith
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Sandy / July 17, 2018
‘ no amount of…can erase our traits’.
You are right.
All.of us have in us, a deadly disease, which makes us gravitate towards every type of wrongdoing.
The Bible calls this SIN.
‘ The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I ,the LORD,search the heart,
I test the mind, ….'( Jeremiah.ch.17)
Jesus Christ , the Holy sinless Son of God
Bore all the sins of humanity on Himself.
My sin, your sin. So we may be forgiven..
If we believe Him.
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Taraki / July 17, 2018
What an interesting notion. A baby is born without arms because some guy ate an apple. God, who knows All, goes ahead and creates the universe despite knowing in advance that he will be disobeyed.
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Gune / July 17, 2018
Taraki, God created the universe knowing that he would redeem it by his master plan set in place before the foundation of the world. He will have his original intent as at the beginning. I suggest you get into alignment with the successful plan. He reconciled the world to himself through the victory over death of Jesus Christ.
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Taraki / July 17, 2018
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Thondamany / July 17, 2018
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Native Vedda / July 19, 2018
Thondamany
–
The infinite monkey theorem states that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare.
– http://www.princeton.edu
–
If you keep hitting the keyboard you will one day type the complete works of William Shakespeare.
Good luck.
Keep typing.
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wannihami / July 18, 2018
And another thing, since we are a democratic country as many above points out, but mind you we are not a secular country, if some cult..take your pick..Satan worshipers; Devadaththa worshipers; Devil Worshipers, or people who promote cutting trees, killing elephants and using only disposable plastic wanted have an international convention here should we let it be..any thoughts?
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LAC3(rtd) Buddhadasa / July 18, 2018
Wannihamy,
What about tree worshippers and child abusers in saffron robes?
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Citizen / July 19, 2018
Tree worshippers are a disgrace. All high up leaders are photographed worshipping and kissing roots of a well known parasitic tree. They need to have their heads examined for their public misleading of masses. Why expose all world to insanity.
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Amarasiri / July 24, 2018
Citizen,
“Tree worshippers are a disgrace.”
Idol worshipers are a disgrace too.
Those who follow the leaders (Monks, Priests etc) of the Tree worshipers and Idol worshipers are the disgrace too.
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Atheistic dove / July 21, 2018
Why do people still believe in myth and fairy tales? Believe in whatever religion you want but for Zeus’s sake let others believe whatever they want.
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Upul / July 24, 2018
What a waste of words! None of know if the conversation happened the way it is detailed.
Assuming it did, Kudos to the Minister for standing his ground. Not that he had any option to cancel a private event.
Shame on the Cardinal for interfering in what his NOT his business!
Just like every temple priest has the local politicians their beck and call, the Cardinal was suffering from illusions of grandeur.
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