UPDATE: BBC IntelligenceSquared debate-Is the Catholic Church a force of good in the world?

Personally, i think they are the oldest players out there. Since feudalism, they have obtained hordes of wealth to "save people". While their masses of followers starve, they make solid gold idols....... Im not knocking God, Im just saying that the Catholic religion is too old, and to corrupt!

All they care about is money+power and of course, little boys

my vote is no.

It is an impenetrable power structure that lends itself to corruption . There will always be good people in the world trying to make a difference . they will use what ever they can . If the church disappeared tomorrow , those good , would still be fighting the good fight , without being leached off of by the church . It is a parasite on the virtue of humanity .

Catholic church contribution is known in third world countries, where they are instrumental in brining honour and dignity to human life. Mistakes do happen they are human , However people are inclined towards negative and away from God with the first sin and that refelects in their attitude and perceptions which makes them see everything in negative. My opinion about the church which teaches morality and fidelity should never promote condoms as they are considered evil by the scriputures. However this world is bi polar and you have guys across promoting and pleading to promote condoms, a clandestine move to bring dishonour, inadeqacy amongst people. How many proponenets of condoms would agree for their children/ wife to involve in casual sex outside marriage?. These hypocrites werethere since inception and continue for some more time.
Critisism is a personal opinion and they reflect individual mindset. It isnt absolute. in any case the majority does not mean they are right, because majority are always mediocres and just a fringe minorty are legends. Let that breed grow.
I invite debate and comments from peopel who say NO
Dr Abraham
indiasixthsense.com

First im catholic 2nd im gay.

The catholic church doesn't like gay guys. But they tolerate gay guys. It really depends on the culture. Im from the Philippines, when i go to mass, i see tranny's going to church, gay men as part of the choir, gay individuals helping the Catholic church. The Priest, Cardinals doesnt see them as evil.

In Asia, historically gay guys exist and community doesnt see them as bad or whatever. Then the white guys came (caucasians) who HATES gay guys and all, who hates black, tanned individuals. My Catholic Church WAS corrupt, but not now hunnie.

Yes, The Pope is a Human being. Yes, he is not Jesus Christ. Yes, he is prone for making bad decisions. What can you do, he is just a human being. Like you. But the difference is The Pope DOESN'T HATE. Not LIKE YOU.

How dare you talk to my church like that, your not even catholic to say such things.
Why, are the Catholic Priests prone for sexual abuse and not those anglican/lutheran/episcopal priests?

Yes, i think condom is a nice way to prevent sickness and all. And at the Vatican, they are always talking about it. Some priest, bishops are for condoms, they see it as good not bad.

AND now shut up and do something good for your community.

This shouldn't even be a debate. After the scandals of pedophilia and the church's inability to condone birthcontrol they should be marginalized right out of existence.

If the Catholic Church really wanted to be a source of good in the world they'd liquidate their huge assets and give all their money to third world countries mired in debt. The Vatican City is a slap in the face of all people who feel that religion is meant to help the less fortunate. Such hypocrisy seems to go hand in hand with the Catholic Church.

Hi! I am 15 and currently studying in the U.A.E. and I am a religious Roman Catholic unlike my family. Non-religious people always bring up the topic about "Without condoms, aids would increase" The Catholic church is there for the Catholics, not for the people especially man who just wants sex and a good time. We religious Catholics refrain from such behavior and we are doing fine. In conclusion the Catholic Church is ONLY good for the followers and not the people who like sex.

My vote is no.
Anne Witticomb had quite a set of balls saying that Christopher Hitchens was the one that should apologize. He speaks his own views and most are without question, based on reality.

She should have started her entire defense with an apology for the very action she was about to undertake. She is defending an institution which she voluntarily chose to become a part of and has no control over. She is defending institutional murder, pedophilia, being complicit in genocide on several occasions, a maniacal narrow mindedness that causes the spread of disease, brutal oppression of women, etc. etc. etc.

NOPE!

Religions shouldn't be represented by people, they should be represented by their founding idea's and philosophies. So this whole debate doesn't mean crap to me.
Personally I feel the catholic church could do good, but throughout history the people running the church have mostly done the opposite. A religion is an institution of thought, and all institutions are subject to corruption by its leaders......

rome's time has passed, it was lucky to become associated with a jewish cult and expand their influence til now. i took my mama to church a few years ago and the lecture was about how there were too few new priests to man all the churches. the only place that has new priests is africa, so soon we will see the american churches run by africans. that is fitting as jesus's grandmother was from north africa.

Add a comment (you can add links)yes and no. I grew up Catholic and loved my church and pastor. Th nuns were great and both the nuns and the priest cared about the community. Then we moved to another parish and the nuns were horrible and the parish priest worst. They spoke bad about the Jewish community, the Hindus and anyone who was not catholic. Preached how they were all pagan sinners who are condemned to hell. Its been over 40years since I last been there and hopefully altitudes have changed. The Pope issues the orders and we are suppose to jump. How can birth control be immoral and thousands of babies born to poverty, starvation and early death a blessing from God. How can homosexuals be evil while King David and Solomon are considered righteous with their hundreds of wives and whores and killing off husbands. Their leader who they say told them "to turn the other cheek" sit and do nothing while the world kills each other. Why are they not on the battlefields trying to end the wars. Their priests should be on the battlefield in force doing everything in their power to say the children, the women and elderly. Its easy to sit in your gold filled ivory tower and condemn when your hands are not getting dirty. The Catholic religion is no more a force for good or evil than is Islam, Hindu, Paganism, etc. Unless you put your faith and beliefs on the line then you are nothing more that a quiet supporter of the injustice.