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Dear Goanetters,
The Holy Father Benedict XVI calls atheism "extremism". Civilization without
God cannot progress, it will be like a Tower of Babel...
Let us listen to his voice.
Regards.
Fr.Ivo
Pope Warns of 'Marginalization' of Christianity
"Pope Benedict XVI warned against the increasing "marginalization" of
Christianity in a speech at the British Parliament today, hours after police
arrested a group of men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack during his
U.K. visit.
Speaking to an audience at Westminster Hall that included former Prime
Ministers Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher and Gordon Brown, Benedict said the
role of religion in public life has been diminished, contributing to moral
relativism and a breakdown of ethics.
"There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced,
or at least relegated to the purely private sphere," Benedict said, "I
cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalization of religion,
particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in
nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance."
The Pope was speaking as part of his historic visit to the United Kingdom,
which has included a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and discussions with
the archbishop of Canterbury.
Benedict warned that the drive toward secularism could push Christianity out
of all aspects of public life, with Christians forced to put aside their
beliefs in order to serve in public office.
"There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as
Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might
somehow offend those of other religions or none..."
..."The Pope began the second day of his U.K. tour with a visit to a
Catholic school in southwest London. Benedict warned some 4,000 young
people gathered at St. Mary's University College against the dangers of
"celebrity culture" and modern society's unhealthy obsession with wealth.
"Having money makes it possible to be generous and do good in the world, but
on its own, it is not enough to make us happy," he told the children. "One
of the great tragedies of this world [is that people don't find happiness]
because they look for it in the wrong places. ... The key to it is very
simple: True happiness is to be found in God."
That cautionary message came a day after Benedict warned against another
alleged modern peril: atheist extremism. In a speech to the Queen and
members of the royal family in Edinburgh, the Pope noted that the "Nazi
tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied our common
humanity to many, especially the Jews," had resulted in the Holocaust. He
then asked the increasingly nonbelieving British public to "reflect on the
sobering lessons of atheist extremism of the 20th century" and urged
"respect for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more
aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate."
(cf.http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/pope-holds-historic-meeting-with-anglican-leader/19637846)
