Hey Pope Benedict XVI: Fight Climate Change, Not LGBT People

categories: Catholic LGBT, Gay Rights and Religion, International Gay Rights, Religion and LGBT Rights

Published October 15, 2009 @ 12:07PM PT

Pope Benedict XVI

During an annual end-of-year message last year, Pope Benedict XVI made a very un-peaceful move in comparing the threat of climate change to homosexuality and gender identity. The Pope, usually not one to miss a beat when it comes to calling LGBT people sinful, said that homosexuality was about as much of a threat to the human race as climate change.

Clearly this Pope has never visited the Maldives, or he might come to think that an entire nation being swallowed up by a rising ocean might be significantly worse than two women sleeping together.

The Pope's address was a veiled attempt to say that gender theory -- the type of thinking about human sexuality that promotes tolerance and acceptance of LGBT people, and views sexual orientation as a much more complex issue than the church's black-and-white thinking -- would dismantle humankind. Gay rights groups justifiably blew a gasket.

Today, on Blog Action Day (http://www.blogactionday.org/), it seems critical to think back about Pope Benedict XVI's unfortunate comparison, and challenge the Pope not to fall into the same sort of destructive thinking. If this is a planet worth saving, it's going to take all walks of life -- from queer people to the most devout Catholics.

It's a good thing that Pope Benedict XVI sees climate change as a threat to humanity. The Catholic Church has some muscle, given that it's one of the largest religious denominations in the entire world, and it should be treating the issue of climate change as if it were a threat to humankind. It is. But to say that gay people are as much a threat to the world as climate change isn't productive. It's hurtful.

Two months from now, when the Pope gives another annual message, here's hoping he touches on climate change. And here's hoping he leaves the gay-bashing out.

(Photo courtesy of Paul Resh's photostream on Flickr.)

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Comments (12)

Michael you do good work though it must get you down at times. I have been commenting on some of your postings. I think that it is great that you keep us informed about all the harm Benedict XVI and his hierarchy are doing and also all the good things that take place for LGBT people that's important. Even if the good brings tears to you, it does to me, too. It helps to offset the cruelty we read about.

I remembered Nancy Pelosi telling the Democrats in Congress not to let one Republican remark against the Democrats go unchallenged publicly and a year later they took control of the House in Congress.

As you know I wrote about Benedict XVI Harmful Christmas message 2008 - Auschwitz - Christmas 2008 - Brokeback Mountain

I think that since Tony Blair April 2009 called Benedict XVI out on his need to rethink his thoughts about gay rights because he was out of touch with the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI seems to have gone underground with his antigay doings. However, you would better than me if this is true. Has Benedict XVI made in public statement against gay marriage in the USA lately? I think that all his work is behind the scenes on gay marraige. I think for example that this Bishop pastoral letter about Marriage set for this November is his doing. However, it must be upsetting to him that he does not have the hold on the Catholics that he might have thought he had. Some Catholics are openly supporting Marriage Equality in significant numbers. That's the "Good News!"

Always the best to you, Marty

Posted by Fr. Marty Kurylowicz on 10/15/2009 @ 12:53PM PT
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I dont expect that the roman catholic poop will ever get his head out of his ass long enough to even think about his idiot statements let alone change them...

As for climate change...

Who here REALLY believes that the poop cares about anyone or anything other than himself and his power base ?

REALLY.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/15/2009 @ 01:26PM PT
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If I were the Pope's boss, I would fire him on the spot. The Pope is an intolerant conservative with an incorrect view of LGBT rights. Comparing homosexuality to the threat of global warming is made up of stupidity. Global Warming is a challenge that must be kept in check so that Pacific islands, such as the Maldives exist. Tolerance of the LGBT community is necessary and very important because oppression is unjustified.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/15/2009 @ 01:58PM PT
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And here's hoping he leaves the gay-bashing out.

Come on Mike. You sure are optimistic, LOL! We all know that there were A LOT of Catholics against this puke being promoted to the highest office of the Catholic hierarchy, but do you really think he's going to refrain from gay bashing? Really? You know better than that! There is absolutely ZERO hope for this guy. Perhaps hell isn't good enough for this nazi pope!

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/15/2009 @ 02:40PM PT
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Nah, Benedict isn't going to quit gay-bashing--it's an integral part of who he is. He might tone it down a bit, but he will probably continue with what I like to call "polite bashing".

As for global warming, he doesn't really care about that. If he did, he would reverse his stance on birth control. But no, gotta keep the peons popping out more little Catholics to justify the Church's existence. You are right, the man cares only for himself and his "base"--the man is basically GWB in a white dress and Pradas.

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/15/2009 @ 07:14PM PT
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Yep...Too bad we cant vote him out of office... :(

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/16/2009 @ 07:50AM PT
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I just goes to show his ignorance. In a way, every single stupid comment he makes like this helps our cause.

People here shit like and even though they may dislike LGBTs, they may think to themselves: god DAMN, that dude is a fucking moron. I hope to god I'm not being such a retard.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 10/15/2009 @ 09:31PM PT
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Mr. hockhousen...

I believe that theres only one man who was ever as stupid as the poop and he's now back in texas...Thank the great spirit.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/16/2009 @ 07:52AM PT
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So mote it be to THAT, Thomas!

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/16/2009 @ 06:55PM PT
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So mote it be my friend. :)

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/17/2009 @ 04:20AM PT
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i dont think the pope cared about climit change i think he was useing it against lgbt. their to bizzy waiting for jesus to come get them, their never going to help fix this place, i just have one prayer, when lord when are you comeing down to get these crazy people that are waiting for you to come get them please the world cant wait any longer when lord when.

Posted by teresa desper on 10/24/2009 @ 10:52AM PT
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I heard that...

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/24/2009 @ 11:35AM PT
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Author

Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.