Friday, September 17, 2010

The Pope, the Dove and the Thorn

I'm not particularly exercised in any way by the Pope's visit. 

In my perhaps, wishy, washy British way, I think that it is some sort of a "good thing".

I was brought up in a largely  secular environment but many of my boyhood friends were Roman Catholic (mostly second generation Irish).

I would fundamentally agree with those who argue for tolerance and free speech for all believers and non believers. 

I do like this photo by a retired RAF serviceman, John Gray (no known relation), of a "Dove of Peace" to celebrate the pontiffs visit (even if it was published in the Daily Hate).

But while I also do think that some of the more militant secularists have overstepped the mark somewhat recently, to be honest, the clearly racist remarks by the Pope's advisor, Cardinal Kasper, about Britain and our multicultural society just about makes you despair of the Catholic Church and its leadership.  IMO.



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21 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 September 2010 at 00:25

    The catholic church instructs their members to get involved in their unions

    and opposes capitalism

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  2. John Gray18 September 2010 at 08:44

    Hi Anon

    I don't really know but I do understand that the Church is supportive of TU membership.

    I'm not sure mind about the "oppose Capitialism" thingy?

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  3. Anonymous18 September 2010 at 20:45

    Cardinal Kasper is far from alone in his viewpoint. One of the reasons you lost the election.

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  4. John Gray18 September 2010 at 21:20

    Hi anon

    The "great British public" may be many things (all good of course) but it is not racist.

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  5. Anonymous19 September 2010 at 15:01

    You would also find that the British public like competency, fairness, honesty and respect. All things somewhat lacking in the Labour immigration "policy".

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  6. John Gray19 September 2010 at 16:49

    Hi anon

    Well, they haven't got any of that now - but they will do when Labour is re-elected after the next election.

    :)

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  7. Anonymous19 September 2010 at 18:20

    Good luck convincing the British public on those two then. How you plan to persuade the electorate that you can be trusted on immigration is something I can't wait to see.

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  8. John Gray19 September 2010 at 20:43

    watch us and weep anon

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  9. Damien McKee24 January 2011 at 23:13

    I applaud someone like you who whilst not agreeing with the Pope's stance on every issues is speaking out on the obnoxious and downright viciousness displayed towards the Pope.Also I had quite a lively on another blog with a Liberterian Tory known as Clarion where I said the Pope did more for humanity than Margaret Thatcher ever did that led to him saying that Margaret Thatcher put Britain economically up there in the richest nations whilst the Pope left a trail of emotional devastation. Wouldn't you agree that the last comment shows the true face of the Tory Party as well as how out of touch they are with ordinary people?

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  10. John Gray25 January 2011 at 00:06

    Hi Damien

    I would not agree with Clarion. I suspect that this was traditional English Tory anti-catholic prejudice.

    While I am a convinced atheist, I would as they say, fight to the death for religious freedom of belief. But (there is always a but) I deeply oppose many core Roman Catholic beliefs such as those on abortion, homosexuality and divorce.

    But that is my right as well.

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  11. Damien McKee25 January 2011 at 06:11

    Your answer is fantastic! Furthermore when I went on to defend Pope Benedict,he said that my defending the Pope after admitting to being gay defied logic then later went on to say that Ruth Kelly wasn't someone he had great admiration for due to her opposition to the equalities programme and civil partnerships and later branded both her and the Pope homophobic.

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  12. Damien McKee1 March 2011 at 05:30

    I take it you agree with the court's decision in regards to preventing Owen and Eunice Johns from being foster parents due to being unable to tell children in their care that homosexuality is acceptable? I must admit I am gay myself and disagree with their views on the matter but am uneasy at the way things are going and worry it could set back all the progress that's been made in regards to the issue!

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  13. John Gray1 March 2011 at 07:21

    Hi Damien

    I share your unease. Does this mean that an atheist should not be allowed to adopt since they consider religion belief wrong (or worse)?

    I think this needs to looked at again.

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  14. John Gray1 March 2011 at 08:40

    Change of mind. Just heard the couple being interviewed on Today. The wife made clear that she quote "hates" homosexual "acts".

    She is clearly homophobic which is different and is unsuitable to be paid by the state to foster vulnerable young people.

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  15. Damien McKee1 March 2011 at 17:18

    Thanks for the answer! Would you agree that one of the reasons that Anastacia Bott defected to your party-though she wouldn't admit it-is the lack of support from fellow gay and lesbian Conservatives when she had trouble and the fact that some of them probably came out in support of Chris Grayling or if they disagreed with him defended his right to voice a politically incorrect point of view?

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  16. John Gray2 March 2011 at 08:14

    Sorry Damien I do not know the truth of that matter.

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  17. Damien McKee8 March 2011 at 12:35

    I take it you would be supportive of the group known as Abortion Rights?

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  18. John Gray8 March 2011 at 13:22

    if you mean this one -yes.

    http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/content/view/39/57/

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  19. Damien McKee22 March 2011 at 08:37

    What is your view on regular Daily Mail columnist Melanie Phillips particulary her views on anonmymity for those accused of rape where she said it was good the feminsit sisterhood were upset and she criticised Emily Thornberry's defence of easier access toIVF for Lesbians but praised Geraldine Smith former MP for Morecambe as one of the few voices of sanity on the Labour benches due to her defence of restricted IVF.

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  20. John Gray23 March 2011 at 07:57

    I think the words "Daily mail columnist"says it all.

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  21. Damien McKee23 March 2011 at 19:13

    In other words you disagree with Melanie's views on anonymity for defendants in rape cases as well as her views on IVF for Lesbians then?

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