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.

[bethybabes69]

One day you will certainly know that God is NO illusion

I'm sorry, have you read what I wrote? Is the Pope God? or is our Heavenly Father God?

[bethybabes69]

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.

Well, you know what they say about history, and that would kinda prove my point.

[Pyro7480]

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.

Then why were you lumping in Tatchell earlier?

[Judith Anne]

Are you trying to start a fight?

[Pyro7480]

That sarcasm went way over your head, didn’t it?

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

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

Apparently you’ve missed everything.

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

What Catholic believes Mary has been reincarnated once let alone many times?

I oppose a number of things in this world, but I always know what it is I oppose and why I oppose it. You might want to figure those things out for yourself.

[pbear8]

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

Jesus is the head of the Catholic Church, has been for over 2000 years. Just ask the Holy Spirit.

[bronxville]

Your friend David J. Stewart wrote about Evangelicals thusly...

DAVID J STEWART WROTE: “Here is a lengthy list of compromised, apostate, milquetoast, ecumenical, prophets of Baal that I wouldn’t give you a dime for...

Bob Bell, Doug Sager, J. Harold Smith, James Dobson, Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Alistair Begg, Dennis Rainey, Ron Stewart, Chip Ingram, Mart DeHann, Steve Brown, John MacArthur, David Jeremiah, Steve Arterburn, Sam Polson, Dan Corner, Adrian Rogers, Andrew Wommack, Chuck Bentley, Bil Gephardt, Fredrick Brabson Sr., RC Sproul, June Hunt, Hank Hanegraaff, Joni Eareckson Tada, Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, Paul Washer, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and hundreds of others.”
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/hereticDavidJStewart.htm

You linked to David J Stewart who it seems not only slanders Catholics (like yourself) but also slanders anyone else who doesn’t believe his interpretation of the Holy Bible. Nice guy, eh? He even called one of them a “dangerous false prophet and of the devil.”

See my previous post where I called you a Scottish Presbyterian of the Ian Paisley ilk!!! I believe I hit the nail on the head...

[bethybabes69]

Then why were you lumping in Tatchell earlier?

Simple, because The Pope is bleating how we should have laws dictated by standards of Rome, and Mr Tatchell is bleating like Britain should have laws dictated by Stonewall.

I'm not against any of them, I don't agree with Stonewall's stance, neither do I agree with the Vatican having an opinion on British Law, but I don't hate them, I'd have them both round for tea if they like.

Seems pretty straightforward to me, I just said as much originally, before getting lynched for having an opinion, it seems FReepers had a big issue with me having a say on British Law IN MY OWN COUNTRY and it being influenced by a Foreigner, not sure what that says about FR, maybe Obama is having more of an impact on here than is being admitted.

[vladimir998]

No, she’s trying to lose one. She doesn’t have to try hard either.

[Judith Anne]

Well, you have not been lynched. Some people have taken offense at what you have posted, that’s all.

Please, try hard not to be another whiny Brit. We are used to being bashed for our Church’s sake, and we know how to serve it back.

Perhaps you should find a place where no one disagrees with you.

[Pyro7480]

I just said as much originally, before getting lynched for having an opinion, it seems FReepers had a big issue with me having a say on British Law IN MY OWN COUNTRY and it being influenced by a Foreigner not sure what that says about FR, maybe Obama is having more of an impact on here than is being admitted.

I think it's pretty clear that my fellow FReepers are taking issue with your impression of Catholicism, not with your political views. Also, don't play the "victim" card.

[Judith Anne]

maybe Obama is having more of an impact on here than is being admitted.

You think that FR supports Obama? Did you take the wrong turn somewhere back there?

[bethybabes69]

I linked to that article as it was the first that came up on Google, there is no affiliation.

My friend Mr Stewart? What ARE you talking about?
The only nail you hit was in your own foot, I'm English, not Scottish, and definitely not associated with a Presbyterian order, like I said above, I don't follow other sheep listening to others interpretation of scripture, I read the Bible, and adhere to it, there is no Religious authority between You and God though Jesus Christ.

seems not only slanders Catholics (like yourself)

Pathetic. Are you an Obama activist or something? Trying to close dialogue down with accusative comments like that?
You sound like a Communist lacky.

[bethybabes69]

WRONG, look back at the posts, I originally said the Pope should stay quiet on British Law, as should Mr Tatchell, I didn't say anything about Religion, the Religious aspect was opened and flamed by a few FR zealots.

My first post;

......"They can both keep their mouths shut as far as I'm concerned.

Self appointed mouthpieces for their own agenda, they should both either shut up, or put up. ".......

[bronxville]

“Well, you know what they say about history, and that would kinda prove my point.”

I’m from N Ireland and know my history well. Do you want to go there...?

[Judith Anne]

God bless and keep you, poor soul.

[Petronski]

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

Just amazing.

[Judith Anne]

Why should the Pope stay quiet on British Law? Does he not have the right to express his opinion? Don’t we?

You brought it up.....

[bethybabes69]

You think that FR supports Obama?

No I don't, but it seems many cannot grasp the concept of 'free' when it doesn't fit in with their own agenda, as proven by this thread, Americans believe theirs and the Pope's opinion on British Law is more important than mine. That sounds exactly like an Obama'esque tactic.