So, once more the Pope wants to talk, about unity in the Christian faith as he is bent on bringing all of the faiths into the fold, to once more push the good old Christian Values. Course as he sees them, not as how others might view them. He feels there is common ground on abortion, and same sex marriage opposition, and that they should talk more, to join together to battle these evils that plague the world and the faithful.

 The Vatican is eager for Christian churches to work together on positions they can share, such as opposition to abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriages. (story)

In short, he wants to get all who side with him, to gang up on those who don’t. It really amazes me how much this man hates Gays really. I mean it seems that virtually every other speech this guy makes is about how those who believe must rally round him to defeat us evil homosexuals and our secret agenda. Like right, as if we have one.

It is the mantra of the zealots though, and for some odd reason it seems to resonate among Americans the most. I wonder why? What is it about so many normally decent people, that has them running for the hills when they hear anything to do with Homosexuality? Makes you wonder a little.

One of the reasons the churches are so fractured is the intransigence of people like the Pope. They are unwilling to come into the modern world, and they are living in a take it or leave it mode that brokes no compromise, no true discussion or dialogue, despite the fancy rhetoric. Homosexuality is not new, and yet in so many ways Ancient times were more tolerant of it, than todays religious leaders.

Arrogant at best, conceited as well. God created us all, or so most religious people believe, so it stands to reason that if being gay is an act of nature, then GOD is the one who created us.

I wonder, given how the Churches these days are so political, why do they get special privelege? I mean they get tax breaks, and in some cases pay no taxes on their property which really is very extensive, so how come? What is it that makes us all think they even deserve a break?

Seems that people like Phelps and the Pope do more harm than good, and while religious freedom is fine, why do all taxpayers have to foot the bill for their intolerances, and their interference in politics? Like over in Britian, where they are opposed to the adding of sexuality to the discrimination laws. They blackmail the Government and supposedly are getting a reprieve.

While cabinet ministers are sworn to secrecy about what goes on at meetings a number of officials have leaked information to the media suggesting the government will give the churches a period of time to “adjust” to the new legislation.  Various newspapers report this would be from between one to three years. (story)

Once more the Church rules it seems, and frankly I don’t get it. I mean isn’t their domain supposed to be the spiritual well being? So why do they get special treatment, specially when they use blackmail tactics?

So much for seperation of Church and State. 

I talk a lot about equal rights, about symbols and how the wrong signals can wreak havoc on society, affecting innocents. Will, check out the case of two Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents who got house arrest after pleading guilty to beating up and injuring two gay men. (story)

(Jackson, Mississippi) Two Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents, who were forced to resign after pleading guilty to beating two gay men in 2004 have been sentenced to house arrest. (full story)

What pisses me off, and should piss off others is that two border patrol agents get sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison for doing their job, are denied a pardon initially by Bush because Law Enforcement Officers have to be held to a higher standard and they broke the law. So excuse me, but why aren’t those Mississippi guys doing hard time as well?

I mean the drug dealer got immunity, twice by the way, and the two gay guys got charged with a DUI that was later dropped, and yet in getting these Narcotics Officers fired, the only other penalty is that they are under House Arrest? Now sorry, but like I always thought that there was equal protection under the law, so how come a Mexican Drug smuggler gets immunity, his assailants get over 10 years prison time, but those who beat up two gay men get house arrest?

Tell me that isn’t Homophobia at work. Tell me how that isn’t racism at work.

This is why there has to be a federal Hate Law that include attacks against Gays. This is why you have to allow GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances) to meet in public schools, and why when you talk about bullying you must include Gays. It is about righting a terrible wrong, that violence against minority groups is wrong, is racist. When you refuse to accept that attacks on Gays is racism, that it isn’t motivated by hate, you send a signal to all who do hate Gays.

You send the signal that it is Okay to Hate homosexuals.

When you refuse to allow bridges to be built between straights and gays, in schools, you tell the children that Gays are not equal, but that they are second class, and that it is okay to beat them, verbally as well as physically. This is the true message that is sent by people like George Bush and his followers who constantly attempt to deny Gays equal civil rights. This is why it has to be Marriage, not Civil Unions.

Send the right message, not the one’s now being sent.