Anger after pope condemns gay-friendly laws

http://www.france24.com ^ | 02 February 2010 | www.france24.com

[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.

[Pyro7480]

I believe in God and Jesus as His Son, not in Mary the Queen of the Universe, reincarnated, many times.

Um, Catholics don't believe in the reincarnation of Mary. You are sadly misinformed.

[ArrogantBustard]

the Pope IS the head of the global Catholic Church...

Um .... no.

Jesus is the head of the global Catholic Church. The Pope is His designated representative.

[bethybabes69]

Thankyou for your offer of a prayer, please, only pray to the one true God for me though, not some image of a Man who claims to represent our Fathers Christian values on Earth.

I will also pray for you this evening, that you may see the many, mystery pagan religions for exactly what they are.

..............."I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me"...........

[Pyro7480]

Jesus is King. Pope Benedict is merely the current steward.

[Campion]

What’s Christian about Catholicism, have I missed something?

All of it, actually.

not in Mary the Queen of the Universe, reincarnated, many times

We don't believe in any kind of reincarnation, sorry. Guess that's one of the things you "missed".

[RoadGumby]

Whether or not you agree that the Pope is ‘Gods Representative’ here on earth (I do not), his message is correct. Gay friendly laws are just plain WRONG. And if he chooses to spread views that are correct, then I will more than welcome his voice, not tell him to STFU.

[homegroan]

Yes-I meant on the Earth.

[bethybabes69]

My last post, Christianity 101.

[ArrogantBustard]

One must choose one’s words carefully, to ensure accuracy, particularly in discussion with those whose understanding of the matter at hand is already severely deficient.

[bethybabes69]

Well, He isn't, where is the Pope or Rome mentioned in Scripture, apart from it's seven hills?

I didn't say STFU, your words, not mine. I said "shut up", as in keep quiet, the profanity is yours my friend.

[bronxville]

“What’s Christian about Catholicism, have I missed something?”

Do you think Catholics aren’t Christian?

[bethybabes69]

post #23, make your own decisions, yours is your soul my friend.

[Pyro7480]

Um, St. Paul’s letter to the ROMANS??? Also, the Vatican, where the Pope resides, is on the other side of the Tiber river from the ancient part of Rome where the seven hills are.

[Pyro7480]

Iconoclasm isn’t “Christian.” It’s Islamic.

[bethybabes69]

And if he chooses to spread views that are correct, then I will more than welcome his voice

So if Osama Bin Laden says He will throw Gay men off a mountain, is He invited to speak 'carte blanche' about Religion in the USA?

[Pyro7480]

You’re a Brit, right? Your Queen and your government invited the Pope for a state visit.

[ArrogantBustard]

many, mystery pagan religions

Yeah ... they call themselves names like "Baptist Church", "Methodist Church", "Lutheran Church", "Presbyterian Church", "Church of England" ...

[RoadGumby]

LOL, F could also be for ‘Frenchman’. But the sentiment was there for all to read. In any case, Anyone (even Obama) standing forth to oppose gay friendly laws should not be told to ‘shut up’. Good advice is good advice.

[bronxville]

#23 didn’t mention Catholics just Pagans.

Do you think Catholics aren’t Christian?

[ArrogantBustard]

"A visit in which he has already indicated he will attack equal rights and promote discrimination."

Some things should be "discriminated against".

Faggotry, for example ...