Pope attacks Labours 'Equality' Law
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ality-law.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...tolerance.html
Quote:
The Pope faces a wave of demonstrations over his planned visit to Britain in the wake of his condemnation of Labour's equality laws. Humanists, gay groups and academics last night joined politicians in criticising the Pontiff 's unprecedented intervention in domestic politics. The row will ramp up fears of angry protests greeting Benedict XVI when he arrives in the UK on a date - yet to be confirmed - later this year.
In a lecture to English Roman Catholic bishops in Rome on Sunday, the Pope described Harriet Harman's Equality Bill as 'unjust', restricting religious freedom and violating 'the natural law' - in other words, Christian teaching. Historians said it was the first direct intervention in British politics by a Pontiff in 300 years. For centuries, Popes have avoided any comments on domestic politics to free British Catholics from the smear that they are loyal to a foreign power.
The National Secular Society yesterday signalled it would organise protests among gay groups, feminists, pro-abortion campaigners and victims of sexual abuse by priests. Its president Terry Sanderson said: 'The taxpayer in this country is going to be hit with a bill of some £20million for the visit of the Pope. 'He has already indicated that he will attack equal rights and promote discrimination.' Prominent gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: 'The Pope's criticism is a coded attack on the legal rights granted to women and gay people.
Quote:
Liberal Democrat equality spokesman Evan Harris said: 'Equality laws protect both Catholics and gay people from unfair discrimination, and in employment we are governed by exactly the same rules as Catholic Italy.' And Labour MEP Stephen Hughes said: 'As a Catholic, I am appalled by the attitude of the Pope. Religious leaders should be trying to eradicate inequality, not perpetuate it.' Benedict XVI's attack came as Miss Harman tries to convince Christian leaders that the Equality Bill will not damage their rights to refuse to hire gay staff or allow followers to disapprove publicly of gay lifestyles.
Benedict XVI said in his lecture that the effect of some equality legislation 'has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance-with their beliefs'. '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,' he said. Miss Harman, in Cadiz for a conference of women's ministers, said: 'We have never insisted on non-discrimination legislation applying to religious jobs . . . however, when it comes to non-religious jobs, those organisations must comply with the law.'
Somebody said on this forum the other day (forget username) that vote Labour, get equality. How is it equal for somebody to be hired over someone more qualified (a white, straight man) based on the colour of their skin, sexuality or race? (because thats what will happen, you get people complaining about how their being 'mistreated' hence lengthy court battles and so forth, companies are scared stiff) - I don't find that equal, I find that a disgrace. All these gay groups (why we need gay groups I have no idea, there goes the notion of seeking normality out the window) who have never been elected and don't represent the majority of gay people who just want to get on their lives need to preach gay rights with everything and condemn anything which has an opinion that differs to that of theirs as 'homophobic' really irritates me.
We now have a country which rewards people not by their merit, but by who they are and that is totally wrong. Its all good intentions (well it was), but will just stir up more hatred and anger and make the whole thing worse. If Harman ever becomes Prime Minister then we really are doomed.
Thoughts?
Edited by Catzsy (Forum Moderator): Thread closed as it has decended into arguments that do not add anything further to the thread.