Posted on 02/02/2010 11:28:51 AM PST by Maelstorm
Gay-rights campaigners and secularists called on Tuesday for protests during a visit to Britain by Pope Benedict XVI this year, after he condemned equality legislation seen as friendly to gays.
The 82-year-old pontiff, who made his comments in a letter to the bishops of England and Wales on Monday, is reportedly set to visit Britain in September, the first such trip in 28 years.
Human rights campaigner and gay activist Peter Tatchell said he saw the pope's letter as an attack on the legal rights granted to gay people and women.
"His ill-informed claim that our equality laws undermine religious freedom suggests that he supports the right of churches to discriminate in accordance with their religious ethos.
"He seems to be defending discrimination by religious institutions and demanding that they should be above the law."
In his comments on Monday the pope said that Britain "is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity."
But he added "the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs," he wrote.
"In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed."
Observers said the pontiff was referring to legislation that took effect on January 1, 2009, preventing adoption agencies -- including Catholic ones -- from discriminating against gay couples.
The National Secular Society (NSS) reacted furiously to the pope's remarks.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: "The taxpayer in this country is going to be faced with a bill of some 20 million pounds for the visit of the pope.
"A visit in which he has already indicated he will attack equal rights and promote discrimination."
He said he would appeal to gay groups, feminist groups, family planning organisations, pro-choice groups, victim support groups and "anyone who feels under siege from the Vatican?s current militancy" to take part in the protests.
Has anyone claimed the Pope is not sinful?
Because the perverts have to start somewhere. Don't worry ... the rest will follow. The pedophiles, zoophiles, necrophiles, polygamists, etc. ad nauseaum are all waiting in the wings. I don't know if the Brits have an equivalent to NAMBLA, but I suspect we'll soon find out.
“...my family came from NIreland...”
Out of the mouth of “bethy”babes. I knew you had to be Scottish but now I see your family came from N Ireland which fits. You see, I recognized the language you wrote, like I said already, I grew up with it, and know from whence I speaketh. The Anglicans were halfway decent but the Scottish Presbyterians were rotten bastards to the core, weird really, since they were the johnnie-come-lately’ies.
Anyway, I wish you well bethy as those times are gone. Thank God and His Holy Mother Mary. :)
Was Tatchell recently deified ?
lol
That is your own personal interpretation of Scripture.
Good point. Do the pervs realize that under Sharia law they would be the very first to be put to death?
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Quite the discussion on the thread....
In my view the Pope should be given all respect whether one is a Catholic or not because he is standing up for basic moral absolutes in a world gone mad. Anyone who cares for monotheism and basic human decency and morality should applaud him for his stance. Nitpicking about modes of worship is exactly what the homosexual agenda pushers want. They want to destroy all religious freedom and freedom of speech. They don't care if one is Catholic, Protestant, observant Jew or Hindu. They want everyone who adheres to traditional aka "real" morality to Shut Up and go into the closet, so they can rule the world with their atheism and hedonism.
BETHY WROTE -> “If one comment about other’s opinion about actions of Catholics towards the Pope stings so much, maybe your faith is not as strong as you claim.”
THIS IS WHAT YOU WROTE -> “Well, if the Pope doesn’t like the law, take their pagan priests back to VC.”
You sure know Paisley lingo. Insults like that will not go uncontested.
Do not link to that site here again. It links to Infowars, several Christian Identity group sites, and Jack Chick type material- none of which are acceptable here.
FreeRepublic does not condone racism or hate groups of any type.
Given the choice between the Church founded by Christ and YOPIOS—sorry, you don’t stand a chance.
“Yes, but Republicans originally from Dublin, people who put themselves literally in the fire for the Catholic cause too back in the old days, so please, no more Provo conflict propaganda talk directed to me, it’s evil that should be buried, and especially with what is rising in NI right now, literally as we speak, it’s not something to be taken lightly.”
You not only have your own interpretation of the Holy Bible but also your own interpretation of my posts and even the history of the country of my birth. lol
God Bless
Regarding your mail to Admin Moderator:
account
From bethybabes69 | 02/02/2010 3:10:38 PM PST new
Hello Admin.
After some soul-searching, Ive realised that my continued participation in the FR community is something that will cause antagonism, and this has opened severe issues from my past.
I fear Americas, and the Worlds problems are directly related to Biblical scripture, and as such, need a compatible forum to debate this with likeminded people, my participation on FR has been remote this year for that very reason. I have met some wonderful friends from FR, and communicate outside of the forum now with them. Free Republic is a credit to the staff and members, I just feel at odds with many opinions on here now.
I offer Free Republic and all Americans my best wishes for the future, and America my best wishes for a strong recovery from the dire issues it, and we all face in the coming times.
If you could please delete my account, and I will re register in the future should this need arise.
Kindest regards, and my best wishes.
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