Pope Benedict: Gay marriage threatens 'the future of humanity'

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/gay-marriage-threat-humanitys-future-pope-184113291.html

Gay marriage a threat to humanity's future: Pope

By Philip Pullella | Reuters – 16 hrs ago

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said Monday that gay marriage was one of several threats to the traditional family that undermined "the future of humanity itself."

The pope made some of his strongest comments against gay marriage in a new year address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican in which he touched on some economic and social issues facing the world today.

He told diplomats from nearly 180 countries that the education of children needed proper "settings" and that "pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and a woman."

"This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," he said.

The Vatican and Catholic officials around the world have protested against moves to legalize gay marriage in Europe and other developed parts of the world.

One leading opponent of gay marriage in the United States is New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, whom the pope will elevate to cardinal next month.

Dolan fought against gay marriage before it became legal in New York state last June, and in September he sent a letter to President Barack Obama criticizing his administration's decision not to support a federal ban on gay marriage.

In that letter Dolan, who holds the powerful post of president of the U.S. Bishops Conference, said such a policy could "precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions."

The Roman Catholic Church, which has some 1.3 billion members worldwide, teaches that while homosexual tendencies are not sinful, homosexual acts are, and that children should grow up in a traditional family with a mother and a father.

"The family unit is fundamental for the educational process and for the development both of individuals and states; hence there is a need for policies which promote the family and aid social cohesion and dialogue," Benedict told the diplomats.

Gay marriage is legal in a number of European countries, including Spain and the Netherlands.

Some Churches that have allowed gay marriage, women priests, gay clergy and gay bishops have been losing members to Catholicism, and the Vatican has taken steps to facilitate their conversion.

In 2009, Benedict decreed that Anglicans who leave their Church, many because they feel it has become too liberal, can find a home in Catholicism in a parallel hierarchy that allows them to keep some of their traditions.

The Vatican has since set up "ordinariates," structures similar to dioceses, in Britain and the United States to oversee ex-Anglicans who have converted and be a point of contact for those wishing to do so.

[david'sgirl 134]

That seems a bit extreme.

My daughter works with theatre and performing arts and has a number of gay friends and coworkers. All they want is to be treated like everyone else. Couples want to be able to make decisions when thier loved one is ill or keep thier home if thier partner passes away. They want the benefits that the rest of us gain from marriage by making thier partnership a legal marriage. I fail to see how allowing them those rights takes anything from or in any way affects people who are in a traditional marriage. it would be nice if people could just live and let live.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

That seems a bit extreme.

My daughter works with theatre and performing arts and has a number of gay friends and coworkers. All they want is to be treated like everyone else. Couples want to be able to make decisions when thier loved one is ill or keep thier home if thier partner passes away. They want the benefits that the rest of us gain from marriage by making thier partnership a legal marriage. I fail to see how allowing them those rights takes anything from or in any way affects people who are in a traditional marriage. it would be nice if people could just live and let live.

You think that's extreme coming from the head of the Catholic Church? lol ?

They want this, and they want that and everybody wants...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

This Pope wants the Church to return to Pre-Vatican II. You Catholics better brush up on your Latin, get out those knee pads, and start planning fish meals on Friday and during Lent.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

This Pope wants the Church to return to Pre-Vatican II. You Catholics better brush up on your Latin, get out those knee pads, and start planning fish meals on Friday and during Lent.

Why would any Pope promote gay marriage? I mean did some of you people just fall of the last box car or what?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why would any Pope promote gay marriage? I mean did some of you people just fall of the last box car or what?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops already had a solution: They would perform civil marriages for all as may be required by law, but would only give the Sacrament of Matrimony to qualified heterosexual couples. It appears this Pope does not appreciate the nuance, and is looking for a confrontation. I wonder if he realizes that the Donation of Constantine was a forgery.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops already had a solution: They would perform civil marriages for all as may be required by law, but would only give the Sacrament of Matrimony to qualified heterosexual couples. It appears this Pope does not appreciate the nuance, and is looking for a confrontation. I wonder if he realizes that the Donation of Constantine was a forgery.

ya, because Catholics world wide actually give two sh*ts about what a bunch of wingnut Catholics in the US actually think.

It appears this Pope sticks to his guns instead of going new wave Catholic and foregoing everything the church stands for.

[Danno 1,228]

That seems a bit extreme.

My daughter works with theatre and performing arts and has a number of gay friends and coworkers. All they want is to be treated like everyone else. Couples want to be able to make decisions when thier loved one is ill or keep thier home if thier partner passes away. They want the benefits that the rest of us gain from marriage by making thier partnership a legal marriage. I fail to see how allowing them those rights takes anything from or in any way affects people who are in a traditional marriage. it would be nice if people could just live and let live.

While I understand your sentiments, every one of them you expressed would also apply to any assortment of marital arraignment.

It is completely disingenuous, to suggest "gays just want to live their lives like everyone else", this push has come in steps and Gay Marriage is not the final resting stop.

Step one was -We just want to be free to live our lives without the threat of criminal laws.

Step two- We just want civil unions to protect the rights as a couple.

Step three_ we want to be Married like everyone else.

Step four- We want anyone who does not embrace as normal our life style to face consequences and we want to silence "hateful" opposition while using tax dollars (not to mention the power of the State) to teach children the "correct" viewpoint on the topic.

Even at this juncture we have seen Churches forced out of the position of providing homes for Orphans, meals for the needy and businesses under legal attack for such

small things as: Not photographing Gay weddings or renting ones home to Homosexuals.

The State of california is presenting a onesided view of Gay history to every child, never mind what their family traditions or Faith is.

Schools have been holding Gay Pride weeks for the indoctrination of a captive child audience, funded by tax dollars, parents have no means to "opt" their kids out.

I know you mean well by trying to extend dignity to all people but the reality is, it is way beyond that.... this movement is far beyond getting visitation rights in Hospitals.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Danno, have you ever stopped to wonder why gay people try to be included in school curriculum? It's because people like you shout from the mountain top that they are disgusting deviants who are inferior. Hopefully bigotry will cede, and logic and empathy can be heard.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This Pope wants the Church to return to Pre-Vatican II. You Catholics better brush up on your Latin, get out those knee pads, and start planning fish meals on Friday and during Lent.

He's one of most conservative popes we'd had in a long time. He makes Mel Gibson look like a flaming liberal.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Once the Pope and his Catholic Church has figured out how to protect little boys from their pastors I'll consider listening to what he feels the ills of humanity are. An organization endangering and abusing children and then engaging in massive cover-ups of the rapes and molestations that occur(ed) on their premises and by their pastors certainly doesn't promote the "future of humanity".

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Once the Pope and his Catholic Church has figured out how to protect little boys from their pastors I'll consider listening to what he feels the ills of humanity are. An organization endangering and abusing children and then engaging in massive cover-ups of the rapes and molestations that occur(ed) on their premises and by their pastors certainly doesn't promote the "future of humanity".

Although I have the same feelings about homosexual marriage as the Pope, I agree with your post.

[Danno 1,228]

Danno, have you ever stopped to wonder why gay people try to be included in school curriculum? It's because people like you shout from the mountain top that they are disgusting deviants who are inferior. Hopefully bigotry will cede, and logic and empathy can be heard.

When I was in school I never once recall the topic being touched in a single lesson, what was your experience?

It's long been my belief that Public funds should not be used to teach on any controversial issue which has no academic merit... especially when the "opt-out" provision is not available.

It is the nature of "Bigotry" which helps form this opinion.

As we know bigotry is:

bigotry |ˈbigətrē|

noun

bigoted attitudes; intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.

MAny like you DUDE, reject anyones view on this topic that does not match yours, and without a doubt these pro-homosexual groups which are getting paid

tens of thousands of tax dollars to train kids in public school also teach this subject matter in a bigoted manner.

[Danno 1,228]

Once the Pope and his Catholic Church has figured out how to protect little boys from their pastors I'll consider listening to what he feels the ills of humanity are. An organization endangering and abusing children and then engaging in massive cover-ups of the rapes and molestations that occur(ed) on their premises and by their pastors certainly doesn't promote the "future of humanity".

-actually the majority of victims were not "little boys" most were well into puberty and into their teens.

- And the question must be asked....Why don't the girls need to be protected?

But your main point, at the failing of the CHurch to better protect the young people in their charge is valid.

Q: HAve you abandoned Public Education? The incidences of teachers molesting students are reported to be even greater in this vocation.

While Unions are not guilty of placing the guilty back in the classroom they do provide legal protections which either keep them on the payroll or ensure a deal of some sort.

(depending on the power of the Union in the State).

[^_^ 5,021]

-actually the majority of victims were not "little boys" most were well into puberty and into their teens.

well that changes everything!