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.

[bronxville]

lol

[Slyfox]

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

Anyone as rabid as Terry Sanderson is going to go bonkers anytime the Pope does his job which is to point out the truth.

Equal rights for sadistic child sex abusers?

[bronxville]

Good pick-up - took your clue and saw the flag. I would say Scottish Presbyterian of the Ian Paisley ilk.

[homegroan]

Well, I am not a scholar or a lawyer, just a regular person and I am as accurate as I can be.

[RoadGumby]

Are gay friendly laws good or bad for society?

[ArrogantBustard]

Well, I am not a scholar or a lawyer

Neither am I ...

But I have been burned a few times, and try to learn from my mistakes. I also try to learn from other folks' mistakes. So I'm just passing on something I've learnt the hard way. I hope you find it useful. ;'}

[bethybabes69]

Yes, I'm British. Got no problem with the Pope coming, just when He starts bleating on about His opinion on British Law, and got no problem with Tatchell neither, He can live how He pleases, it's His choice for His soul.
My point is, I want none of their opinions to legislate against Me.

[freedomfiter2]

Do you think Catholics aren’t Christian?

Catholics are just like protestants, some are Christian and some aren’t.

[Pyro7480]

My point is, I want none of their opinions to legislate against Me.

So you're a "libertarian" of some sort? How do you want the law to work in your country?

[Pyro7480]

Catholics do not kneel in worship before the Pope.

[30 Govt.]

Funny how the gay activists are quiet when the Muslims march in the streets, call for the imposition of Sharia law universally in Britain and the president of Iran says there are no gays in Iran. I wonder if the activist gays for all their bluster, are really cowards?

I wonder how the British Govt would react if the radical Muslims decapitated a gay activist in public? Would they consider it discrimination against gays or an acceptable religious expression of the Muslim community?

[ejonesie22]

That seems to be epidemic here of late.
And I am not even Catholic...

[bethybabes69]

They are neither til they are broken, they are just words.
I'm not interested in the greater good of communal society, I leave that thinking to the Communists.
Laws are irrelevant unless one transgresses them. I won't attack gay/ethnic/tall/small/fat/Religious or whatever people. I forgive people who transgress me, and hate no-one.
If I point out fact, and it stings someone, maybe those people have an open sore.

[Trailerpark Badass]

is He invited to speak 'carte blanche' about Religion in the USA?

The Holy Father was here for a week, in 2008, and he did, indeed, have carte blanche to speak about religion.

[bethybabes69]

I wonder how the British Govt would react if the radical Muslims decapitated a gay activist in public? Would they consider it discrimination against gays or an acceptable religious expression of the Muslim community?

They'd let them do it, then create a new Czar and Govt Dept, a mass of statute to allegedly protect us from them doing it again, but we the people would pay for it all, and it probably wouldn't work.

[TheGunny]

One day you will certainly know that God is NO illusion...I hope this realization doesnt come to late for you though. As much as your types do anger me, the chief emotion that I feel is pitty. I pitty the life lived apart from Christ because in time (here and in eternity)all men and women, whether they chose to believe or not will bow a knee and confess the Lordship of Christ.

[PanzerKardinal]

You better watch what you say.

You know there’s a giant computer under the Vatican with the names of every protestant in it.

And it if you keep on talking, they’re going to send albino monk assassins to take you out.

[bethybabes69]

So you're a "libertarian" of some sort? How do you want the law to work in your country

Nope, I'm not a pigeon that lives in a box, I'm just me.
I have beliefs that says no Man has Religious authority between Me and My Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, just as Scripture tells me, in plain text.

Which Law, legal statute courtesy of Rome? Or Common Law from my DNA, as in that I will not cause harm, loss or injury?