Saturday 20 December 2008

Merry Christmas.


Its been a bit of a tempestuous year for us all, but in the true spirit of the season I wish you all well.

18 comments:

Ken Gregory said...

Anonymous of 2255. I have removed your comment as it is offensive.

Anonymous said...

It is also 100% correct
And the Pope is not offensive?

Ken Gregory said...

Sorry, but your post would have offended many, Its my blog, my decision. If you have a problem, you can create your own blog

Anonymous said...

I respect that completely, but I also believe that I made a very important moral point. Nothing personal, but the Pope made a comment that decent people can't ignore.

Anonymous said...

I agree, Ken, that the contributor used unduly strong language to convey his thoughts, but his point is a good one. The Pope made sweeping remarks about sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identification in his pre-Christmas speech which are out of date, ill-informed, and - candidly - off the wall.

They serve to demonstrate the disconnect between religious leaders - the Anglicans are in the same state - and real life and the world in which we all live.

I am an atheist, but I have always respected the rights of others to pursue their faith and beliefs without attack. Increasingly, they are stretching that tolerance for me and at the same time detaching themselves to form an extreme almost lunatic fringe of society.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Ken

Is there one rule, for those that object to homophobic hatred and another rule for those who try to justify it?

Anonymous said...

Everyone has a right to avoid this subject. However, how many young men from religous families in Thanet may think about ending it, due the the Pope's comment. Would our Councillors ignore the same remarks coming from the mouth of a a BNP member, who shares the Popes views? T

The President of Iran recently made similar homophobic remarks to those made by the German Pope and was rightly condemed.

How much longer will extremists be allowed to hide behind organised religion?

Mother Teresa was more spiritual than this so-called Pope will ever be.

Ken Gregory said...

Lets make it quite clear, This thread was about respect and the seasonal good will. it seems to have degenerated into a spat about what the pope said or not.

I can assure you all I do not and will not, condone any form of discrimination, and will do my best to moderate this blog accordingly. Having said that I will discriminate against any comment that i feel may be offensive to readers. I make no apologies for that. Its called being polite.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Ken, but at the same time, if the Pope can't respect seasonal good will, in regard to minority groups then why should anyone else respect seasonal good will?

Anonymous said...

What exactly is the Pope worried about? He says, "It's a serious error to obscure the value and function of the legitimate family founded on matrimony, attributing to other forms of unions improper legal recognition, for which there really is no social need."

How many families have broken down since civil partnerships were allowed? I certainly haven't felt the need to run and hide shouting: "the gays are coming!"

Homosexuality has been around for as long as heterosexuality, yet people have got married throughout the centuries. If the Pope wants to find a reason for society's breakdown, maybe he should take a closer look at the intolerance, incompetence and bigotry amongst world leaders in politics and religion.

The Pope faces a risk of his only invitation to Britain coming from the more radical factions of our society. Whilst preaching the importance of bringing people back to Christianity, he is also alienating key members of Roman Catholic congregations in the UK with his comments.

Anonymous said...

Dear Councillor

Homosexuality is natural, occurring across the animal kingdom. It is well documented in more than 450 species, from rams to swans and dolphins to giraffes. In humans, it is seen in every known culture.
Homosexuality is not biologically determined - almost no human behaviours are. But it almost certainly begins with a delicate combination of genetic, gestational, environmental and social cues, which together forge a person's sexual orientation.

Few gay men and women feel they have chosen a way of life, and the science is with them. Their preferences are as much a part of normal human variation as traits such as height or intelligence, to which nature and nurture also both contribute.

In his address to Vatican staff, Benedict XVI declared the Church's belief in a natural order of men and women, and asked “that this order, set down by creation, be respected”. Science has made it clear that homosexuality is part of the rich diversity of that creation. That is something we should all respect - the Pope included.

Ken Gregory said...

2334 your 'lesson' on matters relating to sexual preferences was interesting, but as i didn't raise the issue I am a little confused as to why it was addressed to me!

I thank you for your moderate language though

Anonymous said...

I think people choose to act like it, a lot of it is because it is trendy. There are far too many of them on TV.
You need to show some respect to the Pope, after all he is the Pope.

Ken Gregory said...

anon 1148, an old fashioned and quaint perception. People are 'gay' because their genes determine it. not because they choose to be.

Anonymous said...

Cllr Gregory:

Why are there not any gay Conservative MP's?

Ken Gregory said...

I pretty much sure that ethnicity, gender,or sexual orientation has nothing to do with an individuals ability to do the job of a peoples representative.

Bearing that in mind I would say that all of the above are a persons private business and so sould not be a public domain matter.

James Maskell said...

16:29. Alan Duncan and Nick Herbert are both gay Conservative MPs. Herbert is prominent in Shadow Home Office policy, well known for his leading the way on Tory policy with regards to policing and Duncan has a Shadow Trade portfolio.