[CatoRenasci]

Oh, dear. You're confusing matters. Of course you have the right to free exercise of reltion and freedom of speech and all that. However, the particular views or pronouncements (even those ex Cathedra) of His Holiness Benedict XVI do not have any legal standing under the laws of the United States. No court will, or ought, to give them any more weight than the views of any other foreigner, which is to say none whatsoever, about what the law of the United States is.

[littlelilac]

before I go, I'd just like to thank you all for a very thought provoking yet civil discussion.....

it leaves me with much food for thought

[Campion]

No court will, or ought, to give them any more weight than the views of any other foreigner, which is to say none whatsoever, about what the law of the United States is.

Ruth Bader-Ginsburg doesn't agree with you about that idea.

BTW, the proposed law in Tennessee effectively defines as law the idea that pregnancy begins at implantation, not fertilization -- despite the fact that Roe v. Wade says that the question of when life begins is fundamentally a religious one. Do you know what authority the bill cites for that finding? The World Health Organization -- a UN agency.

Why should the views of one foreign organization (WHO) be enshrined in the laws of Tennessee, to the exclusion of those of another (the Vatican)? I think the UN is a far greater threat to the sovereignty and freedom of the US than the Vatican ever could be.

[livius]

I've got to get back to work now, but this has been a great discussion, gentlemen (and/or ladies).

[narses]

I doubt you will agree, but both under the laws of our land and of my faith, when the Pope teaches the TRUTH in conformity to international law, his words DO matter. If the laws of my country violate the laws of GOD, they are nugatory and I wil, disobey them. Bet on it. The Church Militant has a new general and he is willing to lead. The secular humanists ought to be worried.

[TradicalRC]

No court will, or ought, to give them any more weight than the views of any other foreigner, which is to say none whatsoever, about what the law of the United States is.

Can you please tell Justice Kennedy that?