[Alex Murphy]

In his weekly column in the West Highland Free Press, [The Rev Professor Donald Macleod, who retired last month as principal of the Free Church College on The Mound] said: "On the face of things the forthcoming papal visit to Britain should be an unqualified publicity triumph, offering a heady mixture of theatre, religion and politics. "It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the event was deliberately timed to clash with the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation. "Ironically the spoiling tactic has turned out to be entirely unnecessary. Our SNP Government has no intention whatever of acknowledging Scotland's debt to the Reformation, and even less of honouring John Knox, the greatest of all our nation-builders, but now safely airbrushed out of our history.

"That he saved us from national economic ruin, laid the foundation of our national system of education and fired us with an aversion to tyranny, now counts for nothing. Our Government is in Knox-denial

"Why does secular, humanist Scotland so warmly entertain Catholicism, with all its authoritarianism, and yet register terror at the mere mention of the religion of Knox? "Is it just that we're suckers for funny costumes, and love to see old men dressed in ancient Roman togas?"

[Niuhuru]

If they hate the Pope, they DON’T HAVE TO GO!

[ArrogantBustard]

[IrishCatholic]

“Why does secular, humanist Scotland...”

I wonder if that little nugget is worth looking at a bit more. 450 years after turning away from Christ’s Church, Scotland isn’t Christian? Maybe, just maybe, rather than hating the Catholic Church for existing, he should be celebrating how many people are interested and even excited about coming closer to Christ.

How many people might find their way to Christ because of this visit? If he had his way, he would rather none, if they didn’t conform to his hatred of Catholicism.

Such a twisted man. There is no love or mercy in his heart. So many here on FR are just like him.

[wagglebee]

Wow! Who would have thought that a Scottish Calvinist of the Ian Paisley variety who has been in court battles for over a decade and may or may not be guilty of sexual assault and was accused by his own denomination of heresy would hate the Pope?

‘Wee Frees’ in court battle to get church back

The Fruits of the Declaratory Act In the Free Church of Scotland

[vladimir998]

Oh, that Knox. I though for a second he meant the good one: Ronald Knox.

[BibChr]

I like this guy!

Knox, I believe, is buried under a parking lot.

Sad, pathetic.

[Mad Dawg]

"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the event was deliberately timed to clash with the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation.

I understand they have medications for that now.

And anybody who doesn't know the difference between a toga and a cassock really has no business being allowed to write in public.

(Just trying to add to that air of peace, geniality, and love for which this forum is so justly famous.)

[Gamecock]

Amen

[marshmallow]

"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the event was deliberately timed to clash with the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation.

Absolutely. I mean what date is more famous in all the world? Surely a date fixed in the mind of everyone responsible for this visit.

Ever been to Scotland? Ever been in a bar in certain parts of Glasgow?

Be careful where your eyes fix themselves. Otherwise, you might hear something like this:

"Whad are ye lookin' aht?? Are ya lookin' at me? D'ya haff a problem wi' me?? Is th' summint ye wanna say t' me?............"

This sort of talk from the Rev. McLeod is reminiscent of that sort of bar room, "chip-on-the-shoulder", cantankerous fighting talk. Everything is viewed in terms of confrontation and insult.

As if any time would be a good time for a papal visit to Scotland.