i’ll try to be less volatile with this one after the whole slough of opinions leading up to christmas… also, I saw this a few days ago when it was first published and tried to ignore it, but then a wee bit ‘o the church snuck into something tonight so I couldn’t let it go.
From the Guardian:
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned British equality legislation for running contrary to “natural law” as he confirmed his first visit to the UK later this year.
In a letter addressed to the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, the pope praised Britain’s “firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all”.
However, he criticised UK legislation for creating “limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs”
You know what, fine, he can be critical if he wants. But you know what this equates to in my mind? The Pope criticizing the UK for equality laws is like Bono criticizing governments about how to spend money to combat poverty. fine you have an opinion. but you are NOT the head of fucking state of the nation that you are critiquing, so that’s as far as your influence should go. if 66% of the world’s population is not claiming to be represented by you, then it stands to reason that they have more right to advocate or critique for or against legislative elements that are meant to increase tolerance and equality among human beings. i would assume that a person who follows this religion expect that they be treated fairly and equally among their peers and society. look, it says so right here in Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31 and Luke 10:25-28. treat other as you would treat yourself. for you to be be treated fairly and equally, you must do the same to others. nowhere in there does it say “ok, you can treat these people fine, but it’s ok to say those people have fewer rights than you do even though they are upstanding, moral individuals.” that natural law thing is bullshit.
say a person who believes everything the Pope tells them is introduced to a person who is kind, generous, charitable, helps out in the community and basically everything the ‘Good Christian’ should be. Give that person a minute to form a basic assumption of that person. I’m willing to bet it would be favourable, they’d agree to treat them as an equal. then tell them “that person is gay.” what do you think their reaction would be? how could they justifiable deny that person they just formed a positive judgment of any rights based solely on that one piece of information?
For the Pope to condemn an equality law is to pass unfair judgment on a group of people that have absolutely no right to be denied equal treatment under legislative law. religious doctrine should play no part in it. You don’t have to agree with the law, that’s fine, but saying it impacts your ability to practices your beliefs freely is almost like saying “you lowered gas prices so now more people can afford to fill up their cars, but that means I might have to wait longer at the pump because someone in a crappier car than mine is in the way.” it’s self centered and a sentiment that has no place in modern society. you’re free to practice your religion how you want, just remember that as a citizen of a nation, you are not governed by what a man in a white robe in a far off country tells you. you are governed by the policies and laws developed to provide every person living around you the most equitable chance to live life in their own way, and be happy living it.
right, gonna cut it off there… sore and tired from derby practice.