Gibo: << I know what I observed CJ. >>

Let's just say that most of us don't observe the stuff you do, Gibo - you know, demons, witches, UFOs and such. I'm not much younger than you, and I certainly missed the bit where gays destroyed the world.

Tuckeroo - it seems that the new Pope is riffing on the old "stop it or you'll go blind" approach. Now it's "stop it or the human species will die out".

Very contemporary of him, I think. Trouble is, billions of people around the world take notice of the old prude.

Indeed, Pope’s Christmas Message was devoted to peace in the Middle East and stability in Africa (see e.g. http://www.zenit.org/article-24674?l=english as provided by OUG for those who are interested).

As already noted by others, what people are objecting to is a couple of paragraphs in his annual address to the Curia delivered on 22nd December dealing with the 08 WYD in Sydney and environmentalism. It does not contain the words “homosexual“ or any other explicit reference to homosexuality, although it certainly contains general statements (as well as a restatement of the fact - obvious until recently - that marriage is between man and woman) that, indeed, must have enraged those who do not see homosexuality as an aberration.

I'm probably chiming in too late but yep it had nothing to do with his Christmas message. It related to comments to Roman curia.

Albeit in his rather unique and characteristically nuanced manner which media equally characteristically fail to reasonably represent, he is a Christian leader preaching Christian orthodoxy in house. That is the essence of the 'event'. One would think that was rather pedestrian, unsurprising, and unnewsworthy. If on the other hand he had told Roman curia that they should advocate 'gay marriage' that would be much more interesting.

I suspect the media were having a slow patch and reported it hoping people would mistakenly think it was his Christmas message and form the sorts of opinions that were expressed early on in here. If people with that misimpression get stirred up enough it might generate further news during a slow period. It is a possibility that a gay activist might get upset if they thought that that was the Pope's Christmas message and take action.

Yeah,It is certainly not a xmas message. Its an in house thing and media trying to blow it into something. If homosexuals get upset over that they all I can say is they are a bit over sensitive, poor little dears.

And I am not religous at all and could not care less.

This is addressed to any reliable information source.

Within the mindset as outlined by Rudyard Kipling (and I agree) "I keep six honest serving men, and their names are - what & why & when and how & where & who - they taught me al I KNOW.

an answer please is the following true or false - within in Kiplings mens assesment. (above)

"The understanding of God is called "theism" in Theological circles
But "theism" is NOT God: it is nothing but a human definition of God - and a radically inadequate one atthat.
So who is God ? No one can realistically say. That is not within human competence.
Once we accept the fact that there is no thestic God who will come to our aid, Religious Authority crumbles.
For it is the claim to be able to either speak to God or to explain Devine behaviour that is the source of all Religious authority.

Further more all things are accomplished in real time which is now the 21st century what happened yesterday is history - some times correctly recorded - more often not.

Rajah

Most commentators seem incapable of distinguishing a comment , by the Pope or any other Christian , that homosexual activity is contrary to Christian doctrine , from the comments which are made consistently by Christian leaders , that it is not wrong for a person to have homosexual preferences . Of course , the Catholic Church and most other mainstream churches , say that it is wrong for persons [ whether naturally homosexual or generally heterosexual ] to engage in homosexual activity . That results in Christians ,who are homosexual , having to remain celibate , which presents them with an extremely difficult life . Heterosexual Christians are also required by Catholic teaching to abstain from heterosexual activity , except with their spouse , which is almost as difficult . That it is difficult to restrain oneself from doing an act , does not make the act right .
The Pope has every right to explain Catholic doctrine . If persons do not agree with the teaching , they have the freedom to disregard the Pope 's explanation ; but , in that event , they cannot be expected to continue being treated as Catholics in good standing .
Most of the persons who complain about the Catholic doctrine on homosexual activity [ not on homosexuality , in itself ] are not affected by it , as they are not practising Catholics . The doctrine gives them just one more excuse to criticise Catholicism , in particular , and organised religion , in general.