OZ: Atheists and Christians unite to protest at Pope in Sydney

[Synnical]

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=80509

23rd June 2008, 12:00 WST

A coalition of atheists and Christians will protest during World Youth Day against the Pope's visit to Sydney.

With slogans including “Gay is great” and “Condoms save lives“, the NoToPope Coalition is planning a peaceful rally and march on July 19, the day Pope Benedict XVI travels to Randwick racecourse in Sydney's east.

“The Pope is homophobic,” coalition spokeswoman Rachel Evans said in a statement today.

“Pope Benedict also condemns millions of people to AIDS via his world-wide anti-condom policy.”

Members of the NoToPope Coalition include The Metropolitan Community Church, Atheists Sydney, The Socialist Alliance, Resistance, and Community Action Against Homophobia.

Atheists Sydney spokesman Anthony Englund said the protesters wanted to engage the broader community in the issues of homosexuality and contraception.

“These issues should be of concern not just to church groups but to society as a whole, and to young people in particular,” he said.

The coalition is planning a rally at Taylor Square in Sydney's inner east on Saturday, July 19, followed by a march to Randwick racecourse, where the Pope will be holding a prayer vigil with tens of thousands of young people.

AAP

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale