The Pope Should not be honoured as a Head of State

[larss]

More than 50 public figures have added their names to a letter in the Guardian newspaper saying the Pope should not be given the "honour" of a UK state visit.

Authors Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman and actor Stephen Fry are among those critical of the Vatican record on birth control, gay rights and abortion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11309357

 

[Supafly]

I highly respect them. And they are right - He is more like the leader of one of the world's biggest cults :2 cents:

 

[Red XXX]

Have to agree with them - the Vatican thinks its above the law...

 

[BlueBalls]

To a certain extent I agree with this, especially for this particular Pope who has made in the past highly inflammatory and outright disgusting claims about the use of condoms, among others.

But the fact of the matter is he is the head of a state and the head of one of the largest religions in the world, whether we like his views or not and it is the correct thing to do in terms of relations with the international community to allow a leader the chance to meet with out own even if that does mean the taxpayer has to foot the bill. The US tax payer has to pay every time Ahmadinejad comes over to the UN to spout his empty nonsensical rhetoric, for example. The situation here is slightly different but I think you can understand where I'm coming from. No matter how much we don't like it, the Pope is a head of a state and as long as he's recognised as such he will get the same treatment here as does any other head of a particular state.

 

[L3ggy]

Have to agree with them - the Vatican thinks its above the law...

Above which law? The Law of Man or The Law of God?

 

[meesterperfect]

I thought that the "defender of the faith" henry viii and thomas cromwell put a stop to this back in 1534.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Supremacy_1534

I would hate to see that all of those people who died for and were executed over this were to have died in vain.

 

[Neutron66]

Vatican City is officially an independant sovereign nation so therefore the Pope is a head of state.

Disagree with their policies and protest all you want, but he's a head of state.

 

[LukeEl]

Hey he wears that bowling pin hat, he should get a better title than "Head of State"...something like Liberace's stunt double.

 

[tartanterrier]

I hope the bastard chokes on a black pudding supper tommorrow

 

[vodkazvictim]

Philip pullman critical of a religious figurehead?
Shurely shome mishtake!
Let him visit the uk. A lot of people love him - just not any of the Catholic bears who are pissed off with him shitting in their woods.

 

[Red XXX]

In this case the UK law...

Above which law? The Law of Man or The Law of God?

 

[L3ggy]

So, the Law of Man.

 

[PlumpRump]

Let's forget about The Pope for a minute... I'm far more interested in Lauren Pope! I'd let her be the head of my state any day!

http://www.centerfold-babes.net/cyber/lauren-pope/lauren09.html

 

[D-rock]

Above which law? The Law of Man or The Law of God?

Probably both. Even if they don't think they are above the law of God, they will just rationalize breaking part of it or twist it or interpret it to make it how they want like they have done for thousands of years.

 

[roronoa3000]

Vatican City is officially an independant sovereign nation so therefore the Pope is a head of state.

Disagree with their policies and protest all you want, but he's a head of state.

Thats what I was going to say.

 

[vodkazvictim]

In this case the UK law...

You British then?

 

[ShikokuKichiguy]

Coincidence?

 

[Supafly]

In this case the UK law...

Exactly.

The laws of a cult can NEVER stand above the laws of the people for the people.

Rep!!!

 

[Red XXX]

I was last time I looked...

 

[vodkazvictim]

I was last time I looked...

Finally I might have something to be proud about being British about, lol.
I love your work btw.