Ales

I will try to prove that the pope, cardinal Ratzinger (and some other christians) are criminals:

Studies indicate that 20-40 % of homosexuals in Europe and in North America attempt suicide. Other studies indicate that this alarmingly high rate of suicides is due to homophoby in the society, i.e. enmity towards or unacceptance or condemnig of consensual homosexual behaviour or homosexual relations or discrimination of homosexuals, i.e. not allowing them to be in the army, or to become teachers or coaches, not allowing the homosexual pairs to enjoy the same freedom as the hetoerosexual ones, e.g. not being allowed to obtan information about the partner's heath in cases of injury or disease:

<a href="http://www.sws.soton.ac.uk/gay-youth-suicide/" target="_blank">http://www.sws.soton.ac.uk/gay-youth-suicide/</a>

Cardinal Ratzinger and the pope issued documents which explicitely promote homophoby, it is also clear that other actions of catholics (and of some other christians) promote homophoby:

<a href="http://www.outrage.org.uk/catholic.htm" target="_blank">http://www.outrage.org.uk/catholic.htm</a>

Someone who makes an innocent person commit suicide is a criminal. In my opinion there is nothing immoral in consensual homosexual activities and also in the majority of democatic states homosexual behaviour is not a crime. It means that homosexuals are innocent. Therefore the pope, cardinal Ratzinger (and some other christians) are criminals.

brighid

As much as I dislike both the Cardinal and the Pope I can’t agree that they are responsible for “making” anyone commit suicide. No one can make another person kill themselves unless with the use of coercive force – ie. A gun to one’s head and then I am not sure it’s really considered suicide. A person must CHOOSE to end his or her life and although the Catholic position on homosexuality is immoral and unconscionable they may believe as they wish. The Catholic Church pretty much sucks in my opinion but they aren’t telling homosexuals to go out and kill themselves – at least that I am aware of.
Now, I agree that their vehement position contributes to some homosexuals feelings of self-loathing and that religious bull shit on the subject holds a lot of responsibility in regards to societies attitudes and actions about and against homosexuals. This in turn contributes to their overall terrible treatment in many regards.
I had a very dear friend kill himself this past year and part of his depression was caused by this feelings about his homosexuality. It was a horrible and tragic loss of a wonderful human being. So, I personally understand the anguish suicide causes, but the only person to blame for my friends choice was himself.

Brighid