great job guys!

Posted by: Kelly C. | April 17, 2008 05:30 PM

I wonder what Mr. Waggy Finger is talking about.

Posted by: Pete | April 17, 2008 10:37 PM

Perhaps the #1 best thing any vegetarian can do for animals is to go vegan!

Think about it: dairy products aren't any more humane than meat. Dairy cows suffer just as much (if not more) and they're killed in the very same horrendous slaughterhouses.

I'm willing to bet that if you give veganism a shot for 30 days (starting today), you'll never want to go back! It's 1,000 times easier than you think!

Today's the day --> VegCooking.com

Posted by: Mark | April 18, 2008 01:13 AM

I wish I had know this was going on (the protest, that is). I live in the DC area and could have been there! Next time, I guess...

Posted by: Ashleigh M. | April 18, 2008 07:21 AM

nice thomas :) klem fra irene

Posted by: irene | April 18, 2008 08:08 AM

Good job there, PETA. Way to mock the religion of... oh, merely a billion people. I'm not Catholic, but that discomforts even me.

Posted by: Fin | April 18, 2008 08:33 AM

This is what a Sprint tech found when

he went to a cell site to check why

there was no power.

Posted by: Real Concern | April 18, 2008 09:28 AM

It's not a mockery of religion. That would be like saying anti-poverty activists who appeal to religion are "mocking" it.

It's a call to our conscience, that we have overlooked for too long the unimaginable suffering we cause other species just because we like the way they taste.

And how to we defend it? "It's natural," we say, and then we look away.

GoVeg.com

Posted by: Mark | April 18, 2008 11:11 AM

FYI, in the original Hebrew, the verb for "kill" in thou shalt not kill meant only innocent humans. There was a separate verb for killing of animals, killing in war, and killing those guilty of capital crimes. Old Testament law not only didn't prohibit killing animals but actually commanded it for sacrifice and food.

You can make an argument against eating meat totally apart from the Bible, but if you're going to use the Bible, do it accurately.

Posted by: Ashes | April 18, 2008 11:43 AM

This demonstration seems ill-advised, at best. Why stage what looks like an offensive protest when the Pope is against factory farming? The signs should've quoted the Pope, or better yet, thanked him for speaking out. And mocking the garb of priests and nuns at a gathering of tens of thousands of Catholics is just plain stupid. What a missed opportunity.

Posted by: Peter Li | April 18, 2008 12:02 PM

I did not know that Ashes! Good stuff!

Posted by: Kurt K | April 18, 2008 01:03 PM

I'm a vegan and I'm Jewish, but this stunt was yet another reminder of what's wrong with PETA. You had a chance to let Catholics know that their leader is against factory farming and you sqandered it with an offensive side show. You seriously need a quality control department to stop yourselves from alienating people.

You should've put an ad in a Washington newspaper welcoming the pope to the U.S. and thanking him for denouncing factory farming, and/or, as someone else suggested, doing it at the event without the costumes.

As far as "Thou shalt not kill," Dennis Prager told Ingrid Newkirk years ago when she was on his TV show that it's actually, "Thou shalt not murder."

Posted by: Caleb | April 18, 2008 02:18 PM

Ashes: you are wrong! in the original hebrew text of the hebrew bible concerning the 10 commandments and killing given by moses is written 'lo tirzach' which includes every form of life! this was only changed after the distruction of the carved stones when moses wrote the 10 commandments for a second time and after that came the law - and the law kills! for this reason paul told us: if the law would be justice the Christ would have died for nothing!

Posted by: Avatar | April 18, 2008 05:46 PM

It's about time the Pope, knowing his vast influence, spoke out for animals. The RC church's recognition of animals is long, long overdue-like 2000 yrs overdue.
Everytime a poster comes here scolding us for wasting our time caring about animals, I hear echoes of nuns, priests, and laity I knew as a former Catholic. Maybe that's what Mr. Waggy Finger's on about, Pete!
For the animals' sake, I'm grateful for the Pope's words against factory farming. For me, it's the righteous mind of Richard Dawkins and fellow atheists that have my ear.

Posted by: lynda downie | April 19, 2008 12:35 AM

There are plenty of Catholics who see nothing wrong with eating meat so, regardless of what the Pope says, I think the protest is justified. (Is the Pope vegetarian, btw?) Also--it seems to me that the Pope is always speaking out against stem cell research without saying anything against animal research, so he doesn't seem that great of an animal advocate to me.) It amazes me that some people think that religion should be treated as an impenetrable shield. Do you really believe that?? Do you think that priests should not be held accountable for child molestation because they are "religious?" That's ridiculous. Religion should be subject to scrutiny like anything else. There are way too many people who invoke religion to protect themselves from accountability. The basis of any religion is an unprovable belief. Animal abuse is provable and it's happening now. Any religion that justifies that will never be considered valid in my eyes.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | April 19, 2008 10:21 AM

I am Catholic. The Pope spoke against factory farming, most especilly what is done to chickens. The pope is also very fond of cats. The positives should have been used to get Catholics to show mercy and compassion for God's other creatures.
I am a member of PETA but PETA's antics are starting to look really stupid and offensive. Newkirk takes the antics to an un-productive limit. The other animals are at our mercy and they need intelligent efforts to make positive changes for them. These types of stupid antics embarass serious animal advocates and do not help the wretched animals who suffer unspeakable horrors daily because of both human apathy and violence towards these creatures. Catholic Concern for Animals, of which I am a board member of the USA version, offers positive efforts to change the attitudes of Catholics towards the other animals.
www.catholic-animals.org

I am vegan , Catholic and a serious animal advocate.

Mark, Caleb and Peter---good points!!

Posted by: Ana | April 20, 2008 02:09 PM

Hey, I'm a 4-H member,and I go to the San Diego County Fair every year with my sheep. I love it, but when PETA's crazy members come and let all the animals out...you people just cause a big mess! Besides, if you PETA people are christian/catholic etc.. You are sinning everyday! -Because in the bible Christ says that the only reason he made animals was for there products! ( fur,meat,milk..etc)

Posted by: kim(4-H lover) | April 20, 2008 08:38 PM

how can you support the mockery of Catholics....Im catholic myself and the see such propaganda using religious wear, that insulting to many people. I myself dont see anything wrong with protesting but to use preist and nun wear to do it is really sad.

Posted by: Luis | April 20, 2008 08:53 PM

Antigone
The Pope is not a vegetarian as far as I know. He loves native German dishes which often contain meat. He does love cats however. He had a lovely cat named Chico while living in Germany. Several Popes in the past have had vegetarian diets however. Whether this was ethical or simply a sign of sacrafice (one pope lived almost entirely on watery soup) I am not sure. Others ate huge meat feasts including peacocks and live eels kept in a tank that were chosen and killed specially for a meal. Several christian saints showed a love of animals such as Saint Francis. Others have animals as their symbols such as the fabled lion who had a thorn removed from his paw.

Posted by: Annalena | April 21, 2008 12:25 PM

I think a lot of us need to remind ourselves how and why we got involved in animal rights and stopped eating meat. Was it because some smug person said, "I'm more enlightened than you" and made fun of your beliefs and traditions? I didn't think so. We need to reach out to people of all persuations and set a good example.

It's not that I want religion to be put behind an "impenetrable shield," it just doesn't make sense to alienate people. I don't know whether or not the pope is a vegetarian, but I do know that a lot of PETA's celebrity representatives are not. He's also a lot more famous, respected and influential than P!nk & Alec Baldwin. He spoke out against factory farming, and how does PETA show its appreciation? With a protest.

If you want vegans to be a small irrelevant clique of oh-so enlightened nonreligious liberals who look down on everyone else, keep doing what you're doing. You won't be doing animals any favor. If you want to save as many animals as possible, you'll reach out to people of all backgrounds and affiliations.

Posted by: Caleb | April 21, 2008 01:15 PM

The pope said things about how factory-farming conflicted with some of the biblical portrayal of animals, this is NOT speaking OUT against it! He proceeded to giggle and said "of course we are permitted to eat them". PETA is correct once again in their forcefulness of this issue.Also, the bible words were ORIGINALLY "thou shall not kill" which was LATER changed to suit the needs of the priestly class to: "Thou shall do no murder" which is very different. PETA's aggressiveness is needed when reading the above inaccurate postings whose goal is not truth but for the convenience and comfort to maintain oudatd beliefs based on emotion only

Posted by: Gerry Ardigliano | April 21, 2008 02:27 PM

Caleb: As a strong supporter of animal rights, I am not willing to back off on what is right just because other people cannot accept it. If your "beliefs and traditions" include mistreatment of animals (as some "beliefs and traditions" once included slavery, I must remind you) then those beliefs and traditions need to be challenged. I am not going to agree that animal abuse is okay if part of someone's belief or tradition--it is NEVER okay.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | April 21, 2008 05:27 PM

Thanks Gerry for your post. I didn't follow the link provided to the Pope's speech. I agree, giggling about still eating animals is not a bold stance against factory farming, rather it undermines the issue.
Antigone 1000, I agree, wholeheartedly.

Posted by: lynda downie | April 21, 2008 11:59 PM

The bible also says that there is a time to kill, look it up.

Posted by: Rick | April 22, 2008 10:02 AM

A lot of my fellow vegans make the mistake of trying to change someone's ENTIRE worldview, instead of just encouraging people to Go Veg. It becomes an unappealing package deal: you have to eat organic, you can't drive that car anymore, you should change your political party, no more trans-fats, you're shopping at the wrong grocery store, you need to change your view on abortion, stop using aluminum cookware, only eat in vegetarian restaurants, don't eat white rice...and you have to give up your religion. None of us are THAT influential! Let's just encourage people to Go Veg!

In response to: "There are plenty of Catholics who see nothing wrong with eating meat so...I think the protest is justified." You could say the same about "plenty of" (the vast majority, actually) liberal Democrats, Greenpeace members, and just about every other segment of American society. And as Caleb pointed out, many of PETA's celebrity supporters aren't vegetarians - Martha Stewart, Bill Maher, Charlize Theron, the "Golden Girls." Are you going to protest all of the above?

I'm not sure where the alleged giggle came in, but here's more of the Pope's interview:

www.animalrightsmalta.com/catholicquotes

Posted by: Peter Li | April 22, 2008 10:28 AM

Rick: you shot the peacock - indeed - and this shows me again that a slave of his stomach stops from nothing!

Posted by: Avatar | April 22, 2008 01:03 PM

i don't understand why people are so outraged! there's just written 'thou shalt not kill'! how much will for destruction is existing in our dirty little world - incredible! they can't even bare these few words! poor moses - poor jesus - indeed!

Posted by: octopus | April 22, 2008 01:08 PM

To all of the practicing Catholics (of which I am one)...

I think it's about time the Catholic Church include animals in it's "Pro-Life" stance!

There is a "pro-life" walk this coming Sunday at my parish. They have them regularly.

I swear, one day I'm gonna show up with some kind of PETA poster showing them torturing chickens or something...

I encourage other Catholics to do the same.

How can they argue with that? Life is life.

(BTW I confess I am not a vegetarian, I do however have about 4 meatless days a week. It's a start.So don't jump on me for that...please...)

Posted by: Tamara | April 22, 2008 02:40 PM

Being a Catholic I guess I should share my two cents.
Granted this isn't the worst stunt that PETA has ever done in the name of protest. However, I still have to disagree with the timing. This was the Pope's first offical visit to the US since he has become the pontif. I think the Pope deserves a little more respect than a protest. After all this is one of the most peaceful men in the world.
It just seems anymore PETA looks for the smallest reasons to protest anything regardless of what the man has done for mankind.
Furthermore, if the protestors would have just held signs, that would be one thing, but to mock the cloth is another. I know there has been some instances of priests not living up to what they preach, but the vast majority are good decent men who live very simply lives and sacrifices many of the freedoms we all take for granted.
Just show some respect!

Posted by: Kurt K | April 22, 2008 04:13 PM

Kirk: Your arithmetic is WAY-OFF! "PETA looks for the smallest reasons" 10 billion is NOT small, this is the number in the U.S. alone. Since the pope is the leader of Catholics in every country, we are talking LARGE here not small. Funny how PETA is almost always(99.9%) proven correct in what they do and say! In case you do not still know what I am referring to, it's called factory-farming.

Posted by: Gerry Ardigliano | April 23, 2008 10:42 AM

Kurt K: This is not a protest but a manifestation - that's not the same thing! Me, i understood it as a welcome to the Pope!

Posted by: Doctor Arcobaleno | April 23, 2008 12:20 PM

Dr. Arcobaleno
Mocking Cathology is welcoming the Pope? I would hate to see what you do when you are not welcoming!
All I am saying is PETA always uses these huge occasions to pull off publicity stunts! I don't care what you think of Catholics, you can't deny that the Pope cares more for the world and for peace than anybody! Why can't your signs say welcome to America Pope Benedict XVI? That would be a welcome! Not parading around in a Priest and Nun costume. Don't you think that is disrespectful?
As a Catholic I was offended!

Posted by: Kurt K | April 23, 2008 07:56 PM

Kurt K: Of course i appreciate the Pope and his affinity for animals - so next time when he goes out for a visit you should welcome him according to your proposition - it's not bad!!!!

Posted by: Doctor Arcobaleno | April 24, 2008 11:42 AM

I agree with Kurk and Ana - this is just another one of PETA's thoughtless stunts.

I think it's less about offending the Pope than it is about PETA being self-centered in their campaigns - they have a severe case of tunnel vision.

When they see an opportunity for publicity, they jump at it. Next thing you know they'll be jumping up and down naked at some poor soldier's funeral.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but really, check out their admiration for the "girls gone wild" pedophile. It's pretty tacky.

I'm actually a Pagan, but I am offended by any disrespect of any religion. That is part of my Pagan teachings and I think this display is sad.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 24, 2008 03:13 PM

Kurt K: As an animal rights advocate, I'm often offended by your comments. How does it feel?

Posted by: antigone1000 | April 25, 2008 06:33 PM

Even though churches enjoy freedom and protection to teach their beliefs, I think it's dangerous to exempt them from scrutiny.
Any church teachings that encourage indifference to or actual abuse of animals-human and non-human do not deserve respect. Quite the opposite.
In fact, I'd go so far as to say that because of the church's impact on young impressionable minds, it should be held to a higher standard of compassion than any other institution.

Posted by: lynda downie | April 27, 2008 01:16 PM

P.S. Whether it's the police rescuing sexual abuse victims of polygamist Mormons in Texas or Peta demonstrating against RC church animal abuse in DC, I have a deep respect for those who challenge unjust teachings and practices.

Posted by: lynda downie | April 27, 2008 01:34 PM