Posted on 07/29/2005 9:54:14 AM PDT by NYer
ROME, Italy, July 28, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In the conclusion of Cardinal Ratzinger’s lecture, now Pope Benedict XVI, delivered on April 1st, the eve of John Paul II’s death, the then Cardinal strongly denounced the European Enlightenment culture and its increasing dogmatism against religion, Christianity and freedom.
The Cardinal expressed his belief that the reasons given by the architects of the EU Constitution for excluding God from the document—that the mention of God or recognition of the Christian roots of the continent might offend those of other religions—doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
“The affirmation that the mention of the Christian roots of Europe injures the sentiments of many non-Christians who are in Europe, is not very convincing, given that it relates, first of all, to an historical fact that no one can seriously deny…It is not the mention of God that offends those who belong to other religions, but rather the attempt to build the human community absolutely without God,” said the Cardinal.
Instead, Ratzinger continued, it is obvious that the exclusion of religion from the public sphere is rather the result of the imposition of Enlightenment dogma, which dogma falsely professes the ideals of freedom and tolerance. Indeed, one of the inevitable consequences of what Ratzinger called the ‘Culture of Rights’, as divorced from its Judeo-Christian roots, is that “the concept of discrimination is ever more extended, and so the prohibition of discrimination can be increasingly transformed into a limitation of the freedom of opinion.”
“Very soon,” said the Cardinal in a chilling prophesy that is already coming to fulfillment in many Western nations, including Canada, “it will not be possible to state that homosexuality, as the Catholic Church teaches, is an objective disorder in the structuring of human existence.”
According to Ratzinger it is “obvious that the ill-defined or undefined concept of freedom, which is at the base of this culture, inevitably entails contradictions…A confused ideology of freedom leads to dogmatism, which is showing itself increasingly hostile to freedom.”
Ratzinger concluded by expressing his strong doubt that the Enlightenment culture will ever provide a common cause for men. “We have to ask ourselves,” says the Cardinal, “if it is really complete in itself, to the degree that it has no need of a root outside itself.” The implied answer, of course, is no, the Enlightenment culture without the firm foundation of Europe’s roots in Christianity can only devolve into a pseudo and dogmatic religion, ultimately restrictive of freedom.
Here's an example:HOCD
Here is Part 3!
Not everything can fit into that category.
Should I take the job in Houston or Philly? Should I pay off my mortgage now or invest the money? Should I major in biology or physics?
All of our decisions involve freedom, but not all of them involve moral choices
I don't mean to quarrel, but I would have to respectfully disagree. Living in Houston or Philly involve very different moral choices about what culture with which to associate. Not throwing stones (though from my tagline you could guess), but I can't imagine that the quality of life issues presented by the different cities would not involve moral choices. How to be a good steward of the resources (money or otherwise) God has loaned you is one of the most challenging moral choices one must make. And biology or physics? Read the headlines from today and 1945 and then see if the practical applications of biology or physics require moral choices.
I think you will find, if you look carefully, all decisions involve moral choices. At least, that's how I think we are intended to live.
bttt
Why does everyone refer to the Pope as "Ratzinger?" His name is now Benedict.
They are simply stating a fact. At the time of this address, he was a Cardinal, hence the title of the article. Since delivering this talk, he has been elected Pope.
See my post #86.
He is NOT playing. Love it!
"Whatsoever a man thinks in his heart, so is he ... " Proverbs 23:7
Why do so many articles about the Pope continue to refer to him as "Ratzinger?"
John Paul II was always referred to as such.
Coming soon to a state near you.
Yes, that is true. The the Roman Catholic Church alone claims this doctrine.
**Ratzinger - "Very Soon It Will Not Be Possible to State That Homosexuality is an Objective Disorder"**
What's objective about it? LOL!
-PJ
"...dump the technical language or reasons of homosexuality and just call it what it is..."
When one does not have to be encumbered with PC terms can be descriptive - a doctor I knew in Ireland called those 'afflicted' with homosexuality 'dung punchers'.
As to genetics, if it were genetic it would not be reproduced, and by now would have the same prevalence as the Dodo... 'Dung punching' does not produce offspring, at least not of a human sort.
Well, come on now; nearsightedness is not a behavior, its a medical description for a common anomoly with our eyesight, something that cannot be controlled or changed by the person "having" it. Homosexuality is a behavior...behaviors we can change...and should change if it goes against the will of God.
Allow me to add my dittos. I think the Church is in good hands with Benedict.
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