Pope turns to atheists to help restore values

[Synnical]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=5c699031-298b-4733-983f-64e692936845&k=77032

VERONA, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI reached out yesterday to secular intellectuals who share his fear Europe is losing its Christian roots, calling this convergence of views a "great opportunity."

Addressing a congress of the Italian Roman Catholic Church in the northern town of Verona, the Pope warned of the dangers facing societies that abandon their roots, saying they are unable "to dialogue with other cultures where religion is a much stronger presence."

Benedict said he was pleased that more and more intellectuals, especially in Italy, agreed with this stance, including "those who do not share our faith or do not practise it" -- an apparent reference to Italy's "devout atheists" gravitating toward the Catholic Church because it defends European values.

"It is a great opportunity" for the Church and Catholics, the 79-year-old pontiff told 2,700 delegates to the congress.

The Italian Catholic Church, Europe's largest, is losing prominence in an increasingly secular society, a phenomenon already undermining its churches in neighbouring countries.

Benedict, who plans to visit mainly Muslim but staunchly secular Turkey late next month, said countries that forget their roots cannot respond to the spiritual expectations of their peoplr

[sutz12]

1. So, he wants help repealing the Enlightenment? nt

[Warren DeMontague]

2. In his next breath, he advocated using the law to foist his views about

gays and birth control onto those same atheists.

He urged Italian Catholics to fight "with clarity and determination" any legislation that would undermine the traditional family or life "from conception to its natural end."

While he did not specifically mention gay marriage, his listeners applauded the two parts of his speech about the family and "other forms of unions."

He urged them to fight "the risk of political and legislative decisions that contradict fundamental values and anthropological and ethical principles rooted in human nature."

His idea of "convergence of Views" is like the Republican idea of "Bipartisanship".

"Bend Over And Shut Up".


Sorry, Benny. Theocracy is Theocracy whether it's wearing a Turban or a Big, Funny White Hat.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. "A great opportunity" - - for what? A return to the Dark Ages?

Letting the Church take a greater role in government, imposing its Will upon non-adherents, reclaiming its "lost sheep", etc.?

[trof]

4. Maybe I'll help and maybe I won't.

What's in it for me?
:evilgrin:

[eppur_se_muova]

5. If atheists are doing such a great job, let them take over.

Then the Catholic Church can enjoy the retirement it's worked so long to deserve.