Legal warning to church on gay stance

The Irish Times, Dublin ^ | August 2, 2003 | Liam Reid

[AFA-Michigan]

Clergy and bishops who distribute the Vatican's latest publication describing homosexual activity as "evil" could face prosecution under incitement to hatred legislation.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has warned that the language in the 12-page booklet is so strong it could be interpreted as being in breach of the Act.

Published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, it states that Catholics have a duty to oppose the introduction and operation of legislation recognising same-sex unions. It identifies politicians as having a duty to vote against any such moves.

According to the document, Catholic teaching states that while homosexuals should be treated with "respect, compassion and sensitivity", homosexuality was "objectively disordered".

"Those who would move from tolerance to the legitimisation of specific rights for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval or legalisation of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil," it states.

It also claims that allowing children to be adopted into same-sex unions would mean "doing violence to these children". This would place them "in an environment that is not conducive to their full human development".

Ms. Aisling Reidy, director of the ICCL, warned yesterday that the statement could be in violation of the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act. Those convicted under the Act can face jail terms of up to six months.

"The document itself may not violate the Act, but if you were to use the document to say that gays are evil, it is likely to give rise to hatred, which is against the Act," according to Ms Reidy. "The wording is very strong and certainly goes against the spirit of the legislation."

Under the Act literature which is threatening, abusive or insulting, linked with the intent of stirring up hatred, is illegal.

[Puddleglum]

Hatred is against the law - except when it comes to hating the haters, apparently.

What a screwy world view some have when they abandon reason or circumspection. They need to reread their Robert Burns:

"Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursel's as ithers see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
And foolish notion."

[apackof2]

bump

[AnnaZ]

Does anyone have the link to the article (last week?) about the person sentenced to 2 years in jail for "pseudo-hate" speech??

There was this one (in Canada, eh!), don't know if it's the one you mean... Hate crime earns record jail time

More from those crazy Canucks here: Is the Bible hate literature? -- attempt to broaden Canada's hate-crimes laws

[steplock]

That was it! Thanx mucho!

I'm not sure how to approach all this. Way too much to happen all at once, but I'm trying to get all of these attacks on liberty publicized here where hopefully we can stop it!

I don't really want the alternative method to come about.

[scripter]

truth=hate now?

Although I should expect it, I'm usually surprized when it happens because I find it hard to believe the world is falling so fast. I guess it seems every time I turn around something new yet similar to this is happening.

[scripter]

Hey v³. Good to hear from you. I'm reminded of Romans 1:32 in The Message:

And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care--worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!

[Antoninus]

"Those who would move from tolerance to the legitimisation of specific rights for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval or legalisation of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil," it states.

Calling sinky re: your support of "right to sodomy" Supreme Court decision.

[Cultural Jihad]

" ... but if you were to use the document to say that gays are evil, it is likely to give rise to hatred, which is against the Act, ..."

Evil? No. Doers of evil? Yes. Hatred would be to tell them to go do whatsoever they want to. The Act is hatred itself.

[sinkspur]

What about the cohabiting of non-married heterosexual persons?

[Antoninus]

Well, the Church has produced martyrs before, perhaps there will be more now....

While the road to hell may be paved with the skulls of bishops, the bones of martyrs are the very foundation of the Church.

I suspect we'll soon be seeing a seperation of the sheep from the goats among our hierarchy. "By their fruits shall ye know them." Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

[Antoninus]

What about the cohabiting of non-married heterosexual persons?

What about 'em? Sodomy is sodomy. Last time I checked, the Church put varieties in the "mortal sin" category.

[Dataman]

I find it hard to believe the world is falling so fast.

I've noticed the same thing lately. It seems like the restraint is being lifted.

I noticed that Roman history is also being rewritten. I enjoy ancient history and try to catch some of the programs about ancient Greece and Rome. Rome's reputation is being rehabilitated. It is no longer the decadent, brutal civilization of Seneca, Cassius Dio and Pliny. It has become a glorius civilization in which the people prospered in freedom. Even Nero has become a poor misunderstood genius.

And, thanks to public education, we have a bunch of mush-heads eager to lap up the latest studio-created history.

Now what could possibly be the reason for rehabilitating Rome? Hmmmmm.

[sinkspur]

Last time I checked, the Church put varieties in the "mortal sin" category.

Exactly. So, where's the beef?

[nmh]

I'm not Catholic however I also believe homosexuality is evil since it's stated so in the Bible. So arrest me too.

[scripter]

It seems like the restraint is being lifted.

I hadn't considered that... yet. It does seem to fit.

Now what could possibly be the reason for rehabilitating Rome? Hmmmmm.

It's really sad that folks I really care for can't see what's happening. It grieves my spirit beyond words, yet I'm comforted the Spirit helps in this weakness I have, in that He intercedes with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26).

[Kevin Curry]

Clergy and bishops who distribute the Vatican's latest publication describing homosexual activity as "evil" could face prosecution under incitement to hatred legislation.

The poor, picked-upon gay activists are getting bashed again by homophobic FReepers again. Better get over here pronto and defend them.

This makes what--16 anti-gay threads?

Just trying to help you with your count. I know how important that is to you.

[Antoninus]

Exactly. So, where's the beef?

Try reading this again, slowly:

"Those who would move from tolerance to the legitimisation of specific rights for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval or legalisation of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil," it states.

Strikes me that your posts approving of the Supreme Court decision creating a "right to sodomy" comes pretty close to what the Vatican is talking about here. You may not be in a position of political power, but you are an ordained deacon of the Catholic Church which is even worse in terms of leading good people astray.

Think about it.

[Kevin Curry]

What about the cohabiting of non-married heterosexual persons?

What about them? Are they playing the victim game and demanding that everybody celebrate (or at the bare minimum maintain silence about) their sin or be punished by the government?

Post the thread and I'll go on the attack against their political agenda too.

[sinkspur]

Strikes me that your posts approving of the Supreme Court decision creating a "right to sodomy" comes pretty close to what the Vatican is talking about here.

No jail for homosexuals. No jail for heterosexual sodomites either, for that matter.

That's all I've ever advocated.