Hello and welcome to the end of possibly one of the strangest events we've ever witnessed. So, there's this phenomena known as World Youth Day and it just happened to eat Sydney alive for an entire weekend. Roads were closed, an advertising guy played Jesus and reenacted his crucifixion around the entire city (this video shows just a mere crumb of the melodrama) and everyone other than the visiting Pope was, perplexingly, referred to as a pilgrim. It's, like, just when you think you have 'youth' and the 'younger demographic' all figured out (ie. they're all emos who enjoy making out, wearing make up and drinking pre mixed vodka drinks), out come literally half a million God-fearing kids who clearly don't enjoy any of these things. You wouldn't read about it. Actually, that's a lie. It's all we've been able to read about for the last four days.
Being in Melbourne, we weren't able to witness this 'historical event' first hand but we'd be into hearing stories from anyone who was there. Email us at stuff@viceaustralia.com and help us come closer to understanding the conundrum that is World Youth Day.
They were in Toronto a few years ago. Worst thing they did: Chanting about Pope John Paul on the streetcar for 10 fucking blocks! Best thing they did: drown that Idomo asshole in their rotting excrement!
Posted by: Giovani Paulo | 22/07/2008 at 18:23
My friend and I (Both Avowed Atheists) went to see what the hell this was all about when this shit went down in Denver. No matter how Jesusy and Holy things get, there will never be a shortage of fucking and stupidity when there are that many "youths" in one place. I'm sure the day after they got this dumb shit out of their system all the Aussie kids were back to drinking beer and fucking.
Just like all the german kids did at Nurmenberg.
Posted by: Alfie | 22/07/2008 at 21:44
these youths have faith in something that anyone who doesn't have faith cannot begin to comprehend. they are there to celebrate that their faith is an international one.
I guess you think its a pretty terrible thing that they're not acting like "kids". Too bad most adults today enjoy what you describe as children's activities.
I find it amazing that people call religious people crazy--these kids arn't doing anything crazy except for deciding to believe in something where no real proof exists.
but i guess you think they'd better stick to the boos? sure, life would be a lot better then.
Posted by: teresa | 22/07/2008 at 23:23
Yeah, Teresa. "The Boos" and Fucking are more fun than blindly following fairy tales. Even international ones.
Posted by: Alfie | 23/07/2008 at 00:00
WTF, where do they get off playing aboriginal music with that shit. As if there was some link!
But fairs fair- if those god fearing, masochistic, brainwashed, pilgrims(???) want to all get together to massage each others 'blind faith' then i say whatever.
If one person believes in a ghost they are crazy, if a bunch of people believe in a ghost its a religion.
go to http://zeitgeistmovie.com/ it will blow your tiny minds!
Posted by: jay | 23/07/2008 at 05:30
"these kids arn't doing anything crazy except for deciding to believe in something where no real proof exists"
That's why it's called faith.
Posted by: kieran | 23/07/2008 at 07:14
yeah, it was pretty crazy in sydney. i'm not sure if the pilgrims are crazy. but i reckon everyone should be allowed to believe in what they want..
and on that note everyone should be allowed to criticise what they don't believe in...
and the circle goes on..
Posted by: kris | 24/07/2008 at 07:13