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The Pope is coming to UK to campaign against equality: Does this make him a respectable leader of faith or a bigot?

821 replies

Strix · 02/02/2010 08:43

What do you think?

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8492597.stm

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 02/02/2010 11:35

"Clearly you have never met an Anglican"

I actually haven't no so will have to apologise for any ignorance in my statements which may have been avoided had I met one.

"He was a member of the Hitler Youth ffs! And don't give me all that "well he had to" bollocks - aren't holy men meant to be men of substance? That stand up for what they believe in? That are prepared to die for the love of God? He hardly showed himself to be made of mettle then did he? Or perhaps he agreed with the Hitler Youth policies?"

Even as a non-catholic who doesn't like the pope that's absolutely pathetic bottom of the barrell scraping stuff. He was conscipted as a 14 year from an already anti-nazi family, he did have to do it. or do you also blame jewish concentration camp prisoners who's forced labour helped the nazi movement because they could have refused to work and accepted death?

Miggsie · 02/02/2010 11:36

Actually...if homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, then so is heterosexuality and celibacy etc etc

BadgersPaws · 02/02/2010 11:37

The Pope's said things that he really didn't mean before, such as this quote he made as a lad: "In the presence of this bloodflag which represents our Fuhrer I swear to devote all my energies, all my strength, to the saviour of our country, Adolf Hitler. I am willing and ready to give up my life, so help me God. One People, One nation, One Fuhrer."

I really hope that that oath was nonsense.

Fingers crossed his comments on homosexuality are as well.

The man clearly knows when you need to say something even if you don't believe in it.

TigerFeet · 02/02/2010 11:38

I would love to be a fly on the wall when Herr Ratzenberger and Prince Philip are in the same room

trice · 02/02/2010 11:38

I like a good petition

ImSoNotTelling · 02/02/2010 11:38

ROFL @ daleks

SerenityNowAKABleh · 02/02/2010 11:40

Generally, I find the people who say that being gay is a lifestyle choice, have not actually had many discussions with gay men/women.

I remember having a heart-breaking discussion with a gay male friend, about how I wished more than anything that he could fancy women, that he wanted to settle down, get married, have children and what not, but at the end of the day, he wasn't attracted to women, and he couldn't betray someone like that.

Rhubarb · 02/02/2010 11:40

Oh I don't mind him campaigning against our government, I'd pay anyone to campaign against our government, it's the way he's campaigning against basic human rights that annoys me.

That man has done nothing but harm from the day he got in.

He broke off all ties with Amnesty - why? Because Amnesty dared to question abortion policy when girls lives were at stake by being forced to give birth. Amnesty said they would support her decision if her life was threatened by giving birth. For that the church cut off all ties.

Then he spouts out about bringing back Latin Mass - yeah because you haven't made it boring enough yet so let's babble on in a language no-one uses anymore just so we can feel superior to all those idiots who stand there looking blank i.e. us.

Now lets all tell everyone how a section of society is evil because they had the unfortunate happening of being born gay. What they should do is forgo sex and a loving stable relationship and flaggellate themselves every day for the sins they must have committed whilst in the womb.

Whilst we look on all smug.

Next thing you know he'll be reverting back to when all non-catholics were going to hell because they weren't baptised.

Pogleswood · 02/02/2010 11:40

I always felt that that was one of the strengths of the C of E - that it managed to contain lots of people believing quite different things but all looking on themselves as anglican/christian...(From inside,religion doesn't always present as a tick box "oh yes,they believe all of that and so do I,so I'll join" choice)

I agree,expecting the pope to have been perfect all his life because he is meant to be godly now is a bit harsh.

(

daftpunk · 02/02/2010 11:41

Strix;

Who I support politically has nothing to do with this issue.

Look, it's quite simple really...if we start letting openly gay priests in (I know we have them already but they are not promoting it)....the church will have to start marrying homosexuals, letting them into our schools and everything...it just wont work.

Rhubarb · 02/02/2010 11:43

mayorquimby, I refer you back to badgerspaws. I would love to think that he hated the time spent as a member of the Hitler Youth and that he did all he could to get out. But the vile crap he's spouting now makes me think otherwise.

After all, weren't they homophobic too?

Hullygully · 02/02/2010 11:43

DP is quite right. It can't work, because, er, because..Oh I know! Pornohomo male teachers will be buggering the little boys in the loos every five minutes.

morningpaper · 02/02/2010 11:44

DP you always end up with "them" and "us"

It should be a new Godwin's law

"Then he spouts out about bringing back Latin Mass - yeah because you haven't made it boring enough yet so let's babble on in a language no-one uses anymore just so we can feel superior to all those idiots who stand there looking blank i.e. us."

lol Rhubarb

Pogleswood · 02/02/2010 11:44

Daftpunk,I still want to know how you feel about non-celibate unmarried straight people teaching etc,etc (And not becauuse I think gay people should be celibate - but if you do then why not straight people too?)

morningpaper · 02/02/2010 11:44

How does one promote homosexuality? Leaflets? Free samples? Fridge magnets?

Hullygully · 02/02/2010 11:44

There will be vaseline in all the classrooms and all the lady teachers will wear nasty dungarees and er shave their heads and that.

Pornohomo filth.

BadgersPaws · 02/02/2010 11:45

"Even as a non-catholic who doesn't like the pope that's absolutely pathetic bottom of the barrell scraping stuff. He was conscipted as a 14 year from an already anti-nazi family, he did have to do it."

The point isn't that he believed in all of that, which I don't think for one second that he did.

Rather it does illustrate that the man is human and is capable of moral flexibility and relativism.

It shows that he must understand why survival can be more important than a strict adherence to your principles.

So surely he can begin to exercise some of that understanding in his proclamations?

I'm almost tempted to believe that he was put through those moments in his childhood in an attempt to prepare him for the position that he is in today.

It saddens me that he either hasn't learnt the lessons or is hiding his feelings in order to fit in with what he sees as the mood of his group.

Pogleswood · 02/02/2010 11:45

Oh,I'd like a fridge magnet - I collect fridge magnets...

policywonk · 02/02/2010 11:46

LOL fridge magnets.

I have no problem with people campaigning against our government either - free speech 'n' all that. It does take a certain amount of fucking gall to campaign against the government elected by the taxpayers who are paying for your plush hotel and executive-class tickets though.

daftpunk · 02/02/2010 11:46

MP;

What's wrong with a bit of "them and us"

I can mix with homosexuals and muslims...no problem....but I know we are worlds apart...and I would never try and change them.

Rhubarb · 02/02/2010 11:46

DP. I know tales of priests who have abused children - the church simply moved them to different parishes. Which is the bigger sin, allowing a homosexual priest who has chosen to forgo any sexual activity anyway, to preach the love of God, or letting a priest who likes to fondle children preach about the love of God? Which one would you prefer in your church?

And as for schools - well same argument really. If someone was going to teach my kids about Jesus and God I would prefer it to be someone who knew about love and mercy and kindness and compassion. Not some bigoted oaf who thinks all homosexuals are going to hell.

Hullygully · 02/02/2010 11:47

That pope is a saint. He is a pope ergo God loves him and he might have had a few trials but er, he is pope and therefore not in any way a bit nasty. No sirree.

Pogleswood · 02/02/2010 11:48

daftpunk? Any chance of an answer? Pretty please??

TigerFeet · 02/02/2010 11:48

"Look, it's quite simple really...if we start letting openly gay priests in (I know we have them already but they are not promoting it)....the church will have to start marrying homosexuals, letting them into our schools and everything...it just wont work."

Why won't it work?

And why is being openly gay promoting homosexuality? It isn't a lifestyle choice.

Rhubarb · 02/02/2010 11:49

Did anyone see that episode of South Park where the gay scout leader was sacked for being gay, and instead the children got a scout leader who liked to take pictures of the children in their underpants? It was crude in the usual South Park way but they do have a habit of making some very good points.

The new scout leader was straight and married therefore bound to be safe, whereas the gay one was hounded out because he was bound to want to touch children right? It highlighted the ignorance of people.

I like South Park!