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Gay rights in Italy and the Vatican


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http://www.january13.org/indexeng.asp?id=38

 

http://www.openeyepictures.com/alfredosfir...oposal.html#top

 

I want to remember this because soon it will be 10 years since Alfredo Ormando died.

 

But even more because since Cardinal Ratzinger was made Pope, things keep getting worse all the time in Italy.

 

Shame on the Italian politicians who follow every Vatican whim.

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  • 2 weeks later...
I want to remember this because soon it will be 10 years since Alfredo Ormando died.

All I can say is , "wow." Very moving.

 

In a world that seems to be in perpetual stages of outrage, it is sometimes hard to find the calming ground of reason. I am not a Catholic but I find the words of Benedictine nun Joan Chittister to be very enlightening... and hopeful. Lasting and meaningful change is a process. These ugly and troubling testaments to the inadequacies of human society are mile markers along our long and rocky road of collective social evolution. It is only when we are forced to stare them in face can we address the profound shortcomings harbored in each and every one of us.

 

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/pro...ion/index.shtml

 

This is a 53 minute interview. I have to admit she certainly doesn't fit the nunnish stereotype. I found the conversation surprisingly interesting. If you don't have the time or interest in listening, at least read the quick blurb about her and the selected quote.

 

While these powerful institutions labor to perpetuate the status quo, there are those within who are exploiting opportunities for change. Continuity of faith can be a powerful force for good when wielded properly.

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http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/pro...ion/index.shtml

 

This is a 53 minute interview. I have to admit she certainly doesn't fit the nunnish stereotype. I found the conversation surprisingly interesting. If you don't have the time or interest in listening, at least read the quick blurb about her and the selected quote.

 

While these powerful institutions labor to perpetuate the status quo, there are those within who are exploiting opportunities for change. Continuity of faith can be a powerful force for good when wielded properly.

 

Thanks. I'll listen to it later (now I must go out), but I agree with you: there are good priests and nuns. My first teacher was a nun, really an extraordinary person.

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"With or without religion, good people will do good things. With or without religion, bad people will do bad things. But for good people to do bad things, that takes religion"

 

-I forgot.

 

EDIT:

 

this quote is a little off, and aduffbrew got it right :)

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Amen SoCal!

 

“With or without [religion] you’d have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion.”

 

~Nobel prize winning physicist Steven Weinberg

 

ahh that was what it was. thank you!

 

so true..

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Amen SoCal!

 

“With or without [religion] you’d have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion.”

 

~Nobel prize winning physicist Steven Weinberg

 

In the same sentence Steven Weinberg says also: "Religion is an insult to human dignity."

 

Another interesting quote:

 

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." (Seneca)

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/quot_rel.htm

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In the same sentence Steven Weinberg says also: "Religion is an insult to human dignity."

 

Another interesting quote:

 

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." (Seneca)

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/quot_rel.htm

 

those are two amazing quotes

 

and so true.

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In the same sentence Steven Weinberg says also: "Religion is an insult to human dignity."

 

Another interesting quote:

 

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." (Seneca)

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/quot_rel.htm

So Alessandro, I take it your Atheist? ;)

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No. You can believe in something transcendent without a need for religions:

 

"There is nothing wrong with believing in a God. There is everything wrong in believing in a religion." (anonymous)

 

http://www.religioustolerance.org/quot_rel.htm

Well, if you define "religion" to be an organization that feels itself capable of sanctioning and censoring belief, I would whole heartedly agree.

 

RELIGION: a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance

 

In that context, we should all have religion... even the most devout atheist. Personally, I look at all the various philosophies and sciences as particular avenues of exploration with the same end design... self understanding. I believe this quest defines the continuity of all human experience. I don't feel obligated to swallow everything a particular discipline has to offer. I'm comfortable picking and choosing just those things that ring true to me. As I grow older and wiser, my concepts continue to be redefined and develop. Understanding is a process and not a destination.

 

As human societies and sensibilities evolve, so will the institutions of worship. Individuals have the gift and luxury of agility. As more and more of us discover a higher social truth through our experimentations and contemplations, our institutions slowly bring up the rear providing stability as best they can. Our world was once flat at the center of a static universe... now look at us. Where will we be in the ages to come?

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