Pope Calls Gay Marriage Part of 'Ideology of Evil'

Reuters ^ | Feb, 22, 2005 | Philip Pullella

[Clint N. Suhks]

ROME (Reuters) - Homosexual marriages are part of "a new ideology of evil" that is insidiously threatening society, Pope John Paul says in a new book published Tuesday.

In "Memory and Identity," the Pope also calls abortion a "legal extermination" comparable to attempts to wipe out Jews and other groups in the 20th century.

He also reveals that he is convinced the Turkish gunman who shot him in 1981 did not act alone and suggests that the former Communist Bloc may have been behind the plot to kill him.

The 84-year-old Pontiff's book, a highly philosophical and intricate work on the nature of good and evil, is based on conversations with philosopher friends in 1993 and later with some of his aides.

In one section about the role of lawmakers, the Pope takes another swipe at gay marriages when he refers to "pressures" on the European Parliament to allow them.

"It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man," he writes.

The Pope's fifth book for mass circulation, issued by Italian publisher Rizzoli, sparked controversy in Germany and elsewhere after Jewish groups protested against leaked excerpts comparing the Holocaust to abortion.

In at least two sections of the book, the Pope talks about the Nazi attempt to exterminate Jews and the wholesale slaughter of political opponents by Communist regimes after World War II.

"LEGAL EXTERMINATION"

In following paragraphs he says that legally elected parliaments in formerly totalitarian countries were today allowing what he called new forms of evil and new exterminations.

"There is still, however a legal extermination of human beings who have been conceived but not yet born," he writes.

[Barnacle]

Gay marriage is evil?

Actually, there is no such thing as gay marriage.

But, trying to pervert God's creation and plan for human life by arguing that such an abomination is legitimate... Yes, that is evil.

[pascendi]

"Good luck, the devil works in strange ways ..."

That and a good recipe will make me a fortune.

cookie.

[John Lenin]

Mocking God is not bright.

[thor76]

"You sound whacko pal, seek help."

no.....actually I am more like Yakko.........of Wakko, Yakko, and Dot (The Animaniacs......Warner Bros.)

[John Lenin]

You exposed yourself pal, no need to clarify your whacko-ness.

[pascendi]

There's another good one. It's shorter and will fit on the strip of paper a little better.

You're on a roll!

[american colleen]

But you're so good, and understand so much. I wish so very much I could be just like you. And then God would like me.

LOL!

Did I forget to add 'cynical' when I said angry and bitter?

I repeat:
Isn't it a shame that ANY subject that has 'pope' in the heading will be ridiculed and trod upon even when the basher agrees with the pope's words and/or actions.

[pascendi]

"Isn't it a shame that ANY subject that has 'pope' in the heading will be ridiculed and trod upon even when the basher agrees with the pope's words and/or actions."

It's a mere matter of dismantling your spin.

[american colleen]

Right.

[pascendi]

Thank you.

[TradicalRC]

JPII's a man's man and a Catholic's Catholic.

We will miss him--except for the schismatics.

I'm not a schismatic, I think JP II is fair to middling, I would hardly say he was a Catholic's Catholic unless I were fairly liberal, which I am not.

[Penner]

Homosexual marriages are part of "a new ideology of evil" that is insidiously threatening society, Pope John Paul says in a new book published Tuesday.

He should have a talk with the leaders of the PCUSA.

[ultima ratio]

You miss the point. It is necessary to point out the failures in leadership. The Church is in crisis and many souls are lost as a result--because of bad bishops and a weak pope. This needs to be publicized widely for reform to eventually take place.

[broadsword]

I'm not surprised mentioning this would annoy his many fans who confuse celebrity with sanctity.

You do, of course, know that that is not me. I am just getting tired of the droning diatribe of dreary down-talk.

[ultima ratio]

Then go to bed.

[broadsword]

It is necessary to point out the failures in leadership.

Sure it is. I agree. But on ... every ... single ... thread?

When the man says something good, you don't HAVE TO admit that he has said something good, just don't kick him in the teeth, if only for that one glorious little moment. Is that too much to ask?

[savagesusie]

So have you ever read a papal "encyclical"? Or is this too great a concept for your "comprehension skills". Jerk.

Actually, I have.....Evangelium Vitae....If you have not studied Latin, it translates to The Gospel of Life. It is Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter on abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Wow! I gotta agree with the old guy.

[TradicalRC]

I pray that you all have a change of heart. I'm going to bed, it's late. But I do feel sad, having read these posts,

Also, it wouldn't hurt to stay on topic.

[savagesusie]

Also I have the Ph.D.--not that it matters, but I have pretty good comprehension. The Pope is a poor stylist and uses a great many words to convey too little meaning.

Personally, I have found many people who have Ph.D's to have tunnel vision and to delude themselves concerning their "wealth" of knowledge.

I have read Evangelium Vitae and it is not too wordy or hard to understand. It is succinct and beautifully written, and his points on abortion and euthanasia are convincingly argued. In having read various philosophers of science, I truly have an idea of what is clear and concise and digestible.