Furor in Italy over "gay nativity" in parliament

Reuters ^ | Dec. 20, 2006 | Philip Pullella

[Alouette]

ROME (Reuters) - Two leftists in Italy's ruling coalition on Wednesday outraged fellow lawmakers by placing four dolls representing homosexual couples near the baby Jesus in the official nativity scene in parliament.

The two parliamentarians from the small "Rose in the Fist" party said their gesture was to promote the legalization of gay marriage and granting legal recognition to unmarried couples.

Bruno Mellano and Donatella Poretti placed the Barbie and Ken-type dolls in the parliamentary nativity scene, each couple lying down embraced among the shepherds witnessing the birth of Jesus.

Each of the two doll couples, which parliamentary ushers removed after a few minutes, wore miniature placards with slogans in favor of gay rights.

"This is a vulgar and unacceptable double attack against both a (national) institution as well as a religious symbol," a group of women parliamentarians of the opposition conservative Forza Italia party said in a statement.

Luca Volonte, a member of the small centrist opposition Union of Christian Democrats, called the gesture a "pure attack against the religion practiced by the majority of Italians."

Italy is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic and nativity scenes, featuring figures of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals and three kings bearing gifts, are put but in many homes, squares and shops.

Some members of the opposition demanded the lawmakers be censured by the speaker of the lower house of parliament.

But even the Italian Communist Party, which supports gay rights and is also in the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Romano Prodi, distanced itself from the action.

One communist parliamentarian called it "a grave political error" that would not help homosexuals.

The two leftist politicians carried out their gesture just before Pope Benedict, speaking to pilgrims and tourists at the Vatican, said Christmas creches were part of Christian culture that had to be defended.

In recent weeks, several state schools have decided not to erect the nativity scene. Some shops decided not to sell them, saying they were not popular or did not fit their image.

But even Education Minister Giuseppe Fioroni has criticized such schools, saying they had gone too far in banning nativity scenes which could instead be used as tools for inter-religious dialogue.

[sono]

This just in: Three Wise Men practiced Big Love.

[Alouette]

homo agenda ping

[My2Cents]

Don we now our gay apparel.

[trisham]

The two leftist politicians carried out their gesture just before Pope Benedict, speaking to pilgrims and tourists at the Vatican, said Christmas creches were part of Christian culture that had to be defended.

*************

Unbelievable.

[Long Island Pete]

Italy, would you represent a mohammed doll screwing a camel? My guess is you wouldn't, because if you did the last thing you would hear is, ALAH LA LA LA BOOM! So why pervert Christian symbols? Because you can without fear of violent retribution?

[Antoninus]

Reminds me of the vermin that threw used tampons and condoms at the altar of a Catholic Church in Montreal.

Evil hates the Church. That fact has always been very comforting to me as a Catholic.

[snarks_when_bored]

Where, exactly, were the manger sheep during all this?

[wagglebee]

Homosexual Agenda Ping

Freepmail wagglebee or little jeremiah to subscribe or unsubscribe from the homosexual agenda ping list.

Click FreeRepublic homosexual agenda keyword search for a list of all related articles.

Add keywords homosexual agenda to flag FR articles to this ping list.

This is totally disgusting and contemptible!

[dmz]

Where, exactly, were the manger sheep during all this?
______________

Absolutely LOL. I'm sure they were cowering in fear behind the barn.

[traditional1]

"Each of the two doll couples, which parliamentary ushers removed after a few minutes, wore miniature placards with slogans in favor of gay rights"

What next?

In this country today, the ACLU would be suing that it's discriminatory, as no miniature sheep-humpers were allowed to be inserted into the display......

[workerbee]

The two parliamentarians from the small "Rose in the Fist" party ...

Sometimes mistaken for the "Fist in the @$$" party.

[Tokra]

Where, exactly, were the manger sheep during all this?

Hiding from the Muslims.

[NeoCaveman]

Joseph and Barry?

[Froufrou]

Pertinent question.

[BigFinn]

Amen to that.

Remember Jesus's words..." If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. AND

Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

[BlessedBeGod]

Un-freaking-believable!

[massgopguy]

Ever consider joining the Knights of Columbus?

[Antoninus]

Ever consider joining the Knights of Columbus?

If only I had the time....

[NYer]

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[T.Smith]

Donatella Poretti. I'll admit I checked because the name sounded hot. I was disappointed.

[metmom]

Well, good, there should be a furor.

[He Rides A White Horse]

This is totally disgusting and contemptible!

I'll add cowardly if I may.

In the sense that these people would dare not do something similiar regarding Mohammed.

[He Rides A White Horse]

They want to continue to remain scared of the big, bad Christian Right (as they call it).....much safer,......hmmmm?

[familyop]

[familyop]

[Alouette]

You have one with cats?

[familyop]

"You have one with cats?"

Here's one!




...and one with another diety...and visiting meals from the nations!

[familyop]

...described as a "parade float."

[ViLaLuz]

The "Rose in the Fist" party? Ha haa haaaa!

[dsc]

"Because you can without fear of violent retribution?"

When you have a dispute, and one side is willing to use violence and the other not, the side that uses violence wins. Every time.

At some point we're going to have to draw a line in the sand.

[Clemenza]

Italian gays are the most "flamboyent" I have ever encountered. Even the straight guys in Italy act and and dress "a little funny." ;-)

[Coleus]

Even the straight guys in Italy act and and dress "a little funny." ;-) >>

and straight Italians in the USA love to smell like women too. you could always smell their cologne before you see them, and then you have to take a bath and wash your clothes after they come near you. the smell stays for ever.

[Alouette]

...described as a "parade float."

Only if Rosie O'Donnell is wearing it.

[familyop]

"Only if Rosie O'Donnell is wearing it."

...or that leprechaun on Fox News? ..."loofah...falafel".

[abigailsmybaby]

Running for cover.

[Long Island Pete]

And who is going to draw that line in the sand? Our elected officials? Don't make me laugh. They are to concerned with PC and are to afraid of CAIR. The only ones strong and smart enough to draw that line is the US Military but they have to get permission from our elected officials. Lose lose situation.

[Conservative til I die]

You're overreacting. The action was condemned by most and was quickly rectified by the removal of the offending dolls.

Don't be quick to condemn the whole of Italy over the actions of 2 deviants.

[Long Island Pete]

Im not over reacting I am just wondering why it was allowed to take place at all.

[Gene Eric]

>> Where, exactly, were the manger sheep during all this?

They decided it was in their best interest to run for the hills.