No to Vatican threats

I totally support the views of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) expressed below re the Pope's visit to Britain and his views on equality and will be participating in the demonstrations about his visit. Having grown up in the Irish Republic in the 60s and 70s, I know what a theocratic state looks like. Everywhere he has been in Europe and elsewhere this Pope has spoken out against equality and in favour of a reactionary position regarding the rights of women and LGBT people. I support a secular UK and a secular London where religion and the state are clearly kept apart.

LONDON, February 3, 2010 – The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has questioned Pope Benedict’s attack on Britain’s Equality laws – and they have said that this reinforces the importance of creating a truly secular Europe in which no religion or belief system holds a privileged position.


Earlier this week, Pope Benedict denounced British law, designed to protect people from discrimination on grounds of religion or sexual orientation as an attempt “to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs”.

He went on to allege that “in some respects it actually violates the natural law”.

The Pope also had little time for dissent and insisted that it was important “not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate”.

This comes ahead of his planned visit to Britain, and goes against the established convention that visiting foreign heads of state do not publicly criticise or attempt to interfere in the domestic politics of the host country.

GALHA has long supported campaigns for a secular society in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, guaranteeing people of all religions – and none – freedom of expression and belief, based on a framework of equality for all.

And GALHA said its members will be actively supporting the “No Vatican-London for a Secular Europe-Demonstration” on February 14, starting at the Italian Embassy at 3pm.

“It is not often that we have to thank the Pope for making the case for a more secular society, but his latest extraordinary outburst does just that,” said Adam Knowles, the GALHA chair.

“He maintains the slightly surreal stance that if religious bodies are not allowed to discriminate against others, then they are themselves being discriminated against. This logic belongs in Alice in Wonderland, not in British or European Law.
“Rather than defend this bizarre position with reasoned argument, he attempts to support it by semi mystical references to “natural law”.

“Only a secular society guarantees people of all beliefs and none equality before the law. That is why it is ultimately in the interest of Catholics as much as anyone else. Accordingly, GALHA will be giving its full and enthusiastic support to the demonstration planned for February 14 and urges everyone who favours freedom and equality to do likewise.

“We also praise the courage of those Catholics who have been prepared to stand up against the Vatican's denunciation of ‘dissenters’. For humanists, dissent is not only defensible but essential in the advance towards a better society” Mr. Knowles concluded.

GALHA is one of many groups in the UK that have hit out at the Pope’s visit next August. Report have suggested the visit will cost the British taxpayer around £20 million.

Even the London-based theological ‘think tank’ Ekklesia has taken the Pope to task for his statement.