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spaminator

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Pope Francis says homosexuality not a crime, but 'it is a sin'
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Nicole Winfield
Published Jan 25, 2023 • 4 minute read

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.


“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.


Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.

“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”

Francis’ comments are the first uttered by a pope about such laws, but they are consistent with his overall approach to the LGBTQ community and belief that the Catholic Church should welcome everyone and not discriminate.


Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people.

In the U.S., more than a dozen states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring them unconstitutional. Gay rights advocates say the antiquated laws are used to harass homosexuals, and point to new legislation, such as the “Don’t say gay” law in Florida, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as evidence of continued efforts to marginalize LGBTQ people.


The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality outright, saying they violate rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a breach of countries’ obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. “It must do this. It must do this,” he said.

Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gay people must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

“We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity,” Francis said, speaking to the AP in the Vatican hotel where he lives.


Francis’ remarks come ahead of a trip to Africa, where such laws are common as they are in the Middle East. Many date from British colonial times or are inspired by Islamic law. Some Catholic bishops have strongly upheld them as consistent with Vatican teaching, while others have called for them to be overturned as a violation of basic human dignity.

In 2019, Francis had been expected to issue a statement opposing criminalization of homosexuality during a meeting with human rights groups that conducted research into the effects of such laws and so-called “conversion therapies.”

In the end, after word of the audience leaked, the pope didn’t meet with the groups. Instead, the Vatican No. 2 did and reaffirmed “the dignity of every human person and against every form of violence.”


There was no indication that Francis spoke out about such laws now because his more conservative predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, recently died. The issue had never been raised in an interview, but Francis willingly responded, citing even the statistics about the number of countries where homosexuality is criminalized.

On Tuesday, Francis said there needed to be a distinction between a crime and a sin with regard to homosexuality.

“It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin,” he said. “Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime.”

“It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another,” he added.

Catholic teaching holds that while gay people must be treated with respect, homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.” Francis has not changed that teaching, but he has made reaching out to the LGBTQ community a hallmark of his papacy.


Starting with his famous 2013 declaration, “Who am I to judge?” — when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest — Francis has gone on to minister repeatedly and publicly to the gay and trans community. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples as an alternative to endorsing gay marriage, which Catholic doctrine forbids.

Despite such outreach, Francis was criticized by the Catholic LGBTQ community for a 2021 decree from the Vatican’s doctrine office that said the church cannot bless same-sex unions.

In 2008, the Vatican declined to sign onto a U.N. declaration that called for the decriminalization of homosexuality, complaining the text went beyond the original scope. In a statement at the time, the Vatican urged countries to avoid “unjust discrimination” against gay people and end penalties against them.
 

spaminator

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Colorado baker loses appeal over transgender birthday cake
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Colleen Slevin
Published Jan 26, 2023 • 3 minute read

DENVER — The Colorado baker who won a partial U.S. Supreme Court victory after refusing to make a gay couple’s wedding cake because of his Christian faith lost an appeal Thursday in his latest legal fight, involving his rejection of a request for a birthday cake celebrating a gender transition.


The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that that the cake Autumn Scardina requested from Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop, which was to be pink with blue frosting, is not a form of speech.


It also found that the state law that makes it illegal to refuse to provide services to people based on protected characteristics like race, religion or sexual orientation does not violate business owners’ right to practise or express their religion.


Relying on the findings of a Denver judge in a 2021 trial in the dispute, the appeals court said Phillips’ shop initially agreed to make the cake but then refused after Scardina explained that she was going to use it to celebrate her transition from male to female.

“We conclude that creating a pink cake with blue frosting is not inherently expressive and any message or symbolism it provides to an observer would not be attributed to the baker,” the court said.


Phillips, who is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, maintains that the cakes he creates are a form of speech and plans to appeal.

“One need not agree with Jack’s views to agree that all Americans should be free to say what they believe, even if the government disagrees with those beliefs,” ADF senior counsel Jake Warner said in a statement.

John McHugh, one of the lawyers who represent Scardina, said the court looked carefully at all the arguments and evidence from the trial.

“They just object to the idea of Ms. Scardina wanting a birthday cake that reflects her status as a transgender woman because they object to the existence of transgender people,” he said of Phillips and his shop.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had acted with anti-religious bias in enforcing the anti-discrimination law against Phillips after he refused to bake a cake celebrating the wedding of Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins in 2012. The justices called the commission unfairly dismissive of Phillips’ religious beliefs.


The high court did not rule then on the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to LGBTQ people, but it has another chance to do so.

Last year it heard another case challenging Colorado’s anti-discrimination law, brought by a Christian graphic artist who does not want to design wedding websites for same-sex couples. Lorie Smith, who is also represented by ADF, claims the law violates her freedom of speech.

Scardina, an attorney, attempted to order her cake on the same day in 2017 that the Supreme Court announced it would hear Phillips’ appeal in the wedding cake case. During trial, she testified that she wanted to “challenge the veracity” of Phillips’ statements that he would serve LGBTQ customers.

Before filing her lawsuit, Scardina first filed a complaint against Phillips with the state and the civil rights commission, which found probable cause that he had discriminated against her.

Phillips then filed a federal lawsuit against Colorado, accusing it of a “crusade to crush” him by pursuing the complaint.

In March 2019, lawyers for the state and Phillips agreed to drop both cases under a settlement Scardina was not involved in. She pursued the lawsuit against Phillips and Masterpiece on her own.
 

Serryah

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No it's not - it's a biological fact which cannot be changed naturally. So stop with the foolishness ok?

Well considering "transness" is already "there naturally" and thus must be also biological fact, it's not being changed at all, rather just acknowledged by the person who is trans.

I'll stop with my foolishness when you stop with yours, okay?
 

Dixie Cup

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Well considering "transness" is already "there naturally" and thus must be also biological fact, it's not being changed at all, rather just acknowledged by the person who is trans.

I'll stop with my foolishness when you stop with yours, okay?
Nonsense - how can "trans" be natural if surgery is required to get them to what they want to supposedly be? I say supposedly because it's becoming quite obvious that many who have "transgendered" surgically are now regretting their decision so it's not "natural" first off & secondly more likely a "mental" issue.
 

Serryah

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Nonsense - how can "trans" be natural if surgery is required to get them to what they want to supposedly be?

Surgery is only needed to fix what nature fucked up (that's IF a trans person goes with surgery; not all trans people do, because that decision is dependent on factors you don't give a shit about really). That happens often, or are you suggesting that those with other issues like heart issues or six fingers, cleft pallet, eye problems, clubbed foot or whatever not have surgery to correct what nature fucked up?

They already *are* who they are, it's ignorant people like you who think they "supposedly" are something.

I say supposedly because it's becoming quite obvious that many who have "transgendered" surgically are now regretting their decision

As I asked you to prove before, and you didn't. SOME do yes, but the issue ISN'T their transness in full. But you ignore that because it doesn't fit your opinion.

so it's not "natural" first off & secondly more likely a "mental" issue.

Natural - occurs in nature - and this occurs so, natural.

It's a mental issue in that the body is told one way to develop, the brain another. Since you can't just go in and fix the brain 'easily' nor are there meds to take to "Get rid of" those trans feelings (I'm sure you'd support that though and in turn support destroying the person all because they don't fit YOUR opinion and YOUR world view), it's easier to accept that the person is trans.
 

The_Foxer

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It's a mental issue in that the body is told one way to develop, the brain another.

That does not mean it was their from birth or is naturally occurring. Most mental illnesses are not 'genetic' or inherited, and very few are a product of one's biology alone.

Which means once again you're wrong. But this time you've managed to be wrong TWICE at the same time. Because even if you WERE right it still wouldn't change the fact that a mental condition does not determine if someone a woman. So a trans person would still not be a woman.
 
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pgs

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Surgery is only needed to fix what nature fucked up (that's IF a trans person goes with surgery; not all trans people do, because that decision is dependent on factors you don't give a shit about really). That happens often, or are you suggesting that those with other issues like heart issues or six fingers, cleft pallet, eye problems, clubbed foot or whatever not have surgery to correct what nature fucked up?

They already *are* who they are, it's ignorant people like you who think they "supposedly" are something.



As I asked you to prove before, and you didn't. SOME do yes, but the issue ISN'T their transness in full. But you ignore that because it doesn't fit your opinion.



Natural - occurs in nature - and this occurs so, natural.

It's a mental issue in that the body is told one way to develop, the brain another. Since you can't just go in and fix the brain 'easily' nor are there meds to take to "Get rid of" those trans feelings (I'm sure you'd support that though and in turn support destroying the person all because they don't fit YOUR opinion and YOUR world view), it's easier to accept that the person is trans.
Nature according to the scientific theory of Darwin’s survival of the fittest says that nature is just feeding her own with inferior fodder for the consumption of the biggest and strongest .
 

Tecumsehsbones

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Nonsense - how can "trans" be natural if surgery is required to get them to what they want to supposedly be? I say supposedly because it's becoming quite obvious that many who have "transgendered" surgically are now regretting their decision so it's not "natural" first off & secondly more likely a "mental" issue.
If it's not "natural," whence does it come? What's your definition of "natural?" Is a beaver dam "natural?" If so, how about Hoover Dam?
 
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The_Foxer

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So. . . your point is that any taught behavior is unnatural? Teaching is, by definition, "outside interference."
That actually is an accurate interpretation of the dictionary definition.

An action which takes place without teaching just by the nature of the person would be a "natural reaction". A taught behavior would not be. We make that distinction fairly often in our society. We refer to it as "Natural" to feel one way or another but we also acknowledge that our societal teaching and reason make require us to act differently than this 'natural' reaction would push us to.

Nature is usually thought of as the phenomenon that occurs by the very structure of a thing. It is the nature of an object to fall towards the center of a large mass when released from a height. It is in the biological nature of most people to be attracted to other people for the purposes of reproduction, or for cold water to freeze etc etc. Something is outside of nature when it is not something that would occur inherently.
 

Tecumsehsbones

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That actually is an accurate interpretation of the dictionary definition.

An action which takes place without teaching just by the nature of the person would be a "natural reaction". A taught behavior would not be. We make that distinction fairly often in our society. We refer to it as "Natural" to feel one way or another but we also acknowledge that our societal teaching and reason make require us to act differently than this 'natural' reaction would push us to.

Nature is usually thought of as the phenomenon that occurs by the very structure of a thing. It is the nature of an object to fall towards the center of a large mass when released from a height. It is in the biological nature of most people to be attracted to other people for the purposes of reproduction, or for cold water to freeze etc etc. Something is outside of nature when it is not something that would occur inherently.
"Natural" is another stupid concept, that usually amounts to "what I'm used to/approve of." "'T'ain't natural!" runs "sinful" a close race for justifying brutality toward some person or group. Used to be "unnatural" for Black people and White people to marry.

How "natural" is it to wake up the majority of your days, not because you're done sleeping, but because you've deliberately set up an annoyance machine to force you to?
 
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Ron in Regina

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Nature according to the scientific theory of Darwin’s survival of the fittest says that nature is just feeding her own with inferior fodder for the consumption of the biggest and strongest .
Survival of the fittest doesn’t necessarily lean to the biggest or the strongest, but towards those that are most successful in breeding. {Sometimes physically smaller (requiring less food) is selected as a breeding advantage for example.}

There’s a reason why we all aren’t 6’+ and built line Linebackers or Schwarzenegger or have foot long schlong‘s as these these can be negatives to successfully passing on your genes.

On that note, the fact that Gay or Lesbian people exist and haven’t been “bred out” of the population is telling us something all by itself (what it’s telling us I don’t know but that fact they exist must be an advantage to the population as a whole or they just wouldn’t exist).

Mental Traits like Tribalism or Social Cooperation over murderous aggression towards everyone might be an advantage to passing on your genes to the next generation as opposed to being 7’ tall and able to pick up a 500lb object. It’s not always the biggest or fastest or strongest that are the traits that as selected for depending on the survival conditions involved.

If anything, Darwinism is an argument towards Gays & Lesbians being a natural part of the population as a whole.
 
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Tecumsehsbones

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Survival of the fittest doesn’t necessarily lean to the biggest or the strongest, but towards those that are most successful in breeding. {Sometimes physicalsmaller (requiring less food) is selected as a breeding advantage for example.}

There’s a reason why we all aren’t 6’+ and built line Linebackers or Schwarzenegger or have foot long schlong‘s as these these can be negatives to successfully passing on your genes.

On that note, the fact that Gay or Lesbian people exist and haven’t been “bred out” of the population is telling us something all by itself (what it’s telling us I don’t know but that fact they exist must be an advantage to the population as a whole or they just wouldn’t exist).

Mental Traits like Tribalism or Social Cooperation over murderous aggression towards everyone might be an advantage to passing on your genes to the next generation as opposed to being 7’ tall and able to pick up a 500lb object. It’s not always the biggest or fastest or strongest that are the traits that as selected for depending on the survival conditions involved.

If anything, Darwinism is an argument towards Gays & Lesbians being a natural part of the population as a whole.
About the time you work out the implications of a pointy stick, "fast" starts to beat "strong."

Just ask Goliath.
 

Ron in Regina

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That actually is an accurate interpretation of the dictionary definition.

An action which takes place without teaching just by the nature of the person would be a "natural reaction". A taught behavior would not be. We make that distinction fairly often in our society. We refer to it as "Natural" to feel one way or another but we also acknowledge that our societal teaching and reason make require us to act differently than this 'natural' reaction would push us to.
Many people have a fear of spiders and snakes that doesn’t have to “taught” to them….but is just there. Not everyone but many (most?) have this fear which might have been a inherited survival trait. Is this an example of what you’re trying to state?
Nature is usually thought of as the phenomenon that occurs by the very structure of a thing. It is the nature of an object to fall towards the center of a large mass when released from a height.
In a gravity well, yes.
It is in the biological nature of most people to be attracted to other people for the purposes of reproduction,
If the conditions are right (they don’t have to necessarily be obviously right for this to happen)
or for cold water to freeze etc etc. Something is outside of nature when it is not something that would occur inherently.
I see where you’re going, but Gay & Lesbian folks exist, and this isn’t something new, so there must be a reason for it whatever it is.
"Natural" is another stupid concept, that usually amounts to "what I'm used to/approve of." "'T'ain't natural!" runs "sinful" a close race for justifying brutality toward some person or group. Used to be "unnatural" for Black people and White people to marry.
What about the inherent (?) fear in many of spiders and snakes above for example? Tribalism might have been a survival trait that helped one pass on their genes (removing competition or removing the unknown) at some point.
How "natural" is it to wake up the majority of your days, not because you're done sleeping, but because you've deliberately set up an annoyance machine to force you to?
It’s totally not!! I am sure glad at this age that though I use an alarm clock, I rarely have the thing go off as I wake up before it does its thing at least 90% of the time.
 
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