Christians, are you aware of the petition going on about Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Address?

Question

~~~
First, I am not a Catholic, and to me, this has to do with EVEN more important
things than the ...seeming issue.

Yes, there's the issue, but I think it goes far beyond that issue.

(delivered from [e-mail])

Notice that is you google more on the link below, that this has happened.

White House Website Petition Declares
the Catholic Church a Hate Group

There is a petition on the White House website that condemns Pope Benedict XVI's address to the Catholic Church on Christmas Day. Signers of the petition want to declare the Catholic Church an official "hate group" because of our views on same-sex marriage. This is an attack against ALL people of faith, not just Catholics! Stand with Catholic Advocate today and help us launch an all-out campaign against the Obama administration's hateful, secular agenda.


Now I have ...views on this, and mine might not be yours...

BUT....I always lived in a country where there was freedom of speech,
where YOU could legally think and speak differently than I did,
that you could legally oppose my point of view if it were not a law.

Here is their site if this is how you feel or if you are catholic:

(again, my interest is in the freedom here, not in the details so much)

My concern is saying someone like the pope or other preachers cannot...
preach!!!

http://ca.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oGkmo9CQBR_n4AwrDrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE1cGQyZTA1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA01TWUNBMDFfNzQ-/SIG=11ui2l15a/EXP=1358985661/**http%3a//join.catholicadvocate.com/promises/


http://ca.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oGkmZBCwBR.GIABrjrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE1NHNwc2s1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA01TWUNBMDFfNzQ-/SIG=15u538en0/EXP=1358986177/**http%3a//www.gloucestercitynews.net/clearysnotebook/2013/01/white-house-website-petition-declares-catholic-church-a-hate-group.html%3fcid=6a00d8341bf7d953ef017d3fa522f7970c


NOTE: I expect a backlash in this. I will then either report or use the material
to shed more light on how things are going for the Christian groups.
(they are moving fast!)

<<>>

Answer 1

Salient points:



1: The petition has only 3,311 signatures. http://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/officially-recognize-roman-catholic-church-hate-group/CZB81hWK



2: The federal government does not designate hate groups; it only prosecutes certain hate crimes.



3. The only people to pay attention to this petition are ultra-conservative lobbyists and bloggers/webmasters.



4. The backlash from ultra-cons and fundamentalists (who are claiming it is an assault on religion by homosexuals and evil liberals) is vastly in excess to the three thousand anonymous individuals who signed the petition.



So why do you care? 3,000 out of a 311,000,000 population is nothing. And, as mentioned, nothing would happen anyway.

Answer 2

I'm concerned about the erosion of our religious freedoms, but not because of this. People can petition pretty much whatever they want (remember all the signers of petition calling for Texas' succession from the union:?). If the administration were to support it, there would be hue and cry across the country. I strongly doubt that will happen.



Short answer: we already know there are folks who want to silence opposition to their agenda. But that doesn't mean they run the government. Take a deep breath and let it go.

Answer 3

No, i do not suppose so. And that i pray that the Almighty will place His mercies upon all people and church buildings that suppose that Christmas is Christian, that a Pope leads Christ's Church and that a message of humanity being saved from homosexual or transsexual behavior is rationale for 'heat and fuzzies.' Be Blessed:-)

Answer 4

Why is it not free speech to say the Catholic message about homosexuality IS hateful?



Now, I don't understand what this has to go with the popes address...I just know that it's in Italy and freedom of speech goes both ways.



edit: I get it...address as in speech. He said his hateful rant which is Catholic doctrine. The petitioner has the freedom to pass around a petition saying how hateful it is. Hence, free speech for EVERYONE, not just those who think a cetain way.



@ PaulCyp, didn't Jesus say 'treat others as you want to be treated'and several times in different ways, not to judge?

I don't think Jesus himself said ANYTHING about homosexuality.



@ cecile, so the majority should bully the minority, even if the m nority opinion follows the Constitution? According to you

Answer 5

just because some fools petition the white house doesn't mean its going anywhere. are you aware that some idiot muslims have petitioned to make sharia laws the norm in USA, Canada, Britain and other European countries? there have also been petitions to teach creationism instead of science.

Answer 6

Not too sure of the message. I heard he promised equality among the gays, etc in his 2nd inaugural speech. possibly as a legacy.

The Pope is the guardian of the Christian Faith and he will do so to protect it. If the Obama admin will erode the christian value, then we will rely on the response of the 68million american catholics and also of the 1.2billion worldwide members. To erode the 2.4 billion Christians values is something to think about.

Answer 7

If you feel strongly about this, there is a (not entirely serious) counter-petition entitled "Designate as a hate group the bigoted people who started the petition to designate the Catholic Church as a hate group."



https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/designate-hate-group-bigoted-people-who-started-petition-designate-catholic-church-hate-group/NFvQCSpv?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl

Answer 8

Why would you be upset over the ignorant remarks of one bigot? The Catholic Church was charged by its founder, Jesus Christ, to preach the fullness of truth, and it will do so until the end of time. Those who fear the truth will always attack its source. Jesus told His Church, "If they persecute Me, they will persecute you as well". (John 15:20) Such mindless attacks are the assurance that His Church is still presenting the truth of Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

gotta love the people that got all whiny about it, but there is a second petition, one I digned, to make the signers of that petition into a hate group

Answer 10

Yeah Pope Benedict's speech was disgusting. Calling gays "subhuman."



If he is the man closest to god according to Catholics then I will stay away from god.

Answer 11

It's incredibly ironic that you're claiming to be concerned about peoples' freedom to disagree but then go on to say: " I expect a backlash in this. I will then either report...."

Answer 12

only read the first bit; get to the point, already. what are you trying to say?