Replies

So, my answer to the question you posted on #19, is still a resounding YES, the Vatican should stand by what they said, and not "offend the religious sentiments" of the followers of other religions.

The question I posed in #19 was not whether the Vatican should offend the religious sentiments of the followers of other religions (the article made it made perfectly clear that the Vatican believes that no one has the right to offend the religious sentiments of followers of other religions, which as I pointed out in post #20 is a statement of sheer nonsense), but whether the Vatican should recognize fringe groups (like Wiccans and Scientologists) who claim religious status as religions.

So I'm asking YOU: Do you believe the Vatican should recognize Wiccans and Scientologists as religions, given the fact that both groups claim relgious status?

Whether the Vatican does or not recognize a religion does not negate the fact that those people call it a religion. It's their religion, and not the Vatican's to either negate or approve of. Technically, as far as the Vatican is concerned, all religions other than Catholism are cults.

The Vatican should abide by their stated position on all religions, because they did not include a disclaimer or a qualifier in their statement.

Here's the Vatican's statement:

"1. The right to freedom of thought and expression, sanctioned by the Declaration of the Rights of Man, cannot imply the right to offend the religious sentiment of believers. This principle applies obviously for any religion."

What part of that statement is not clear to you?

If the Vatican recognizes the Declaration of the Rights of Man, which include freedom of religious thoughts, by what right would they claim the ability to either recognize, or not recognize the right of freedom of religion as stated in the very same document?

"The question I posed in #19 was not whether the Vatican should offend the religious sentiments of the followers of other religions..."

Really?

Here's post #19:

"I see, so if Wiccans or Scientologists declare themselves a religion then they're a religion, no questions asked. ....and the Vatican's words would have to apply to them too."

I know that English is a second language to me; but I don't any sort of a question in your post, I see a statement.

"...the article made it made perfectly clear that the Vatican believes that no one has the right to offend the religious sentiments of followers of other religions, which as I pointed out in post #20 is a statement of sheer nonsense..."

Let's see your post #20:

"The right to publicly criticize religion is protected by the U.S. Constitution."

Let's now read the First Amendment (I think that's what you base your statement on):

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The U.S. Constitution forbids the Federal government from abridging your religious freedoms as well as your freedom of speech, I don' see where it forbids the Vatican from ITS freedom of speech regarding what it thinks about this subject.

You spin like a Democrat.