Posted on 01/05/2014 3:19:40 PM PST by NYer
On Christmas Day, as the 10 a.m. high Mass got underway in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, a young woman in the front row stripped off her coat, exposing her naked body, rushed to the sanctuary and climbed atop the great altar. Painted across the screaming woman’s bare chest were the words “I AM GOD.”
Josephine Witt, the protestor, was a 20-year-old philosophy student and a member of the feminist anarchist group FEMEN. Before Cardinal Joachim Meisner could begin the prayers of the Mass, she was quickly apprehended by ushers and guards and by angry worshippers, and whisked away to a waiting police car. In videos of the disturbance, one man can be seen throwing his coat over Ms. Witt’s exposed breasts before she is dragged from the cathedral. Another man, an elderly worshipper near the front pew, steps out to slap the screaming woman’s face before returning to his seat.
I’ve written about FEMEN before. The group, which had its beginnings in 2008, has protested in support of issues including abortion and gay marriage, and opposing Islamism and sharia law. Their radical viewpoints frequently bring them into conflict with religion.
“I do not consider myself to be God—which, of course, was a provocation. You should show that we are all responsible for our actions on earth—that no one can forbid any woman to make decisions about their own bodies. This is exactly what Cardinal Joachim Meisner has done, however, by refusing to permit abortions. This is an unworldly approach, which fights against the Femen.”
Challenged by Reinbold to explain why FEMEN protested in a Catholic Church, and why it engages in shock protests which are considered by some to be vulgar, Witt explained:
“We act not against believers, but against the institution [of the Church] and people like [Cardinal] Meisner, which they use to oppress women.”
Witt asserted that FEMEN objects to Cardinal Meisner’s and the Catholic Church’s attitude toward “abortion and pedophilia”—as though the Church opposed the first, but supported the second.
There are two things which irritate me about the whole shameful event—besides the exhibitionist freak show itself.
By the way, Hans Paul—the head of the paparazzi company which staked out the cathedral to catch Witt’s indecent stunt on film—has ties to America. A German-born photo lab technician, Paul’s career has included early work on a steamship, in a Venezuelan steel factory, in an Israeli kibbutz, and in a copper mine in Israel’s Negev Desert. He once hitchhiked across the United States; and in 1998, he established residency in Los Angeles, where he photographed Hollywood stars and other celebrities. He now lives in Sydney, Australia, but his agency employs photographers worldwide.
“Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Don’t do it!” He said, “Nobody loves me.” I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?”
He said, “Yes.” I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said, “A Christian.” I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me, too! What franchise?” He said, “Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” He said, “Northern Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?”
He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?” He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.” I said, “Me, too!”
Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?” He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.” I said, “Die, heretic!” And I pushed him over.”
Emo Phillips c.1985
Perhaps the funniest religious joke ever.
That is a winner.f
Being a non-Catholic does not automatically make me anti-Catholic. An attack against any part of Christ's Church is an attack against all of us. Of course you already knew that.
1. “I am God”? So did the Cologne police booking officer ask Josephine “Wo sind Sie jetzt?” (Follow-up question: Why did she have it in English instead of German?)
2. Stuff like this is exactly why a lot of us think of the left and the media as a monolithic complex and hate them all with a white-hot heat.
“No,she just knows the Baptists on this site!”
Much like the ones I grew up with.
Excellent post!
and whisked away to a waiting police car.
However people react with out thinking, what they should have done was to go into silent prayer.
It was probably not cold enough to cause any harm to her but people just worry too much.
“It’s obvious she was off her meds and her “friends” took advantage of her.
Funny farm time for her...or the pokey for a couple of months.”
Off her meds? Good grief! She NEEDS to have an EXORCISM done her, demonic possesion BIGTIME!
Please see post number 29. Thank-you!
Where does it all end? This act in a church is shameful, but I bet the elderly man who slapped the harpy will probably get in more trouble than her.
People may think of me as far right or even an anarchist, depending on what the issue is.
I think there may be reasons for abortion but as a choice it is the most ungodly act i can imagine.
At the same time i would not join in an anti abortion parade because i believe God is in charge where all souls are concerned and if those babies has souls ( and am sure they do )then they are in Gods hands.
A police state, left or right is of satan, we are not of this world but since i have a right to vote i will vote against abortion as a choice but will vote against the police state in most matters, its kind of a dammed if you do and dammed if you don,t situation.
Yes, anytime now. I just know they’ll be here.
Off her meds? Good grief!
I heard Emo originally tell that joke.....and I still laugh. I still tell that joke to people when they start to get pithy about doctrinal minutae.
Not at all, and I'm glad for your support of what should be a no-brainer for anyone who calls him- or herself a Christian. Your post was an anomaly as these things go. I haven't seen any non-Catholic Christian outrage at the punitive, monstrous legal battle being waged against the Little Sisters of the Poor, but I admit I'm here sporadically of late and may have missed some.
At its roots, the argument is ALWAYS about abortion. They're single issue people.
Well they SAY they oppose Islam and sharia law, right? Let's see if they are radical enough to try it.
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