[marshmallow]

The overarching theme of the Pope's visit to Britain is the right of religion to be seen and heard in the public square in the face of an increasing secular hostility. This may be the last opportunity for this pitch to be made in the UK before the noose finally tightens around those who hold to traditional Christian beliefs on issues such as the sinfulness of homosexual acts, the nonexistence of such a thing as homosexual "marriage" and the sinfulness of abortion, etc. I would have thought that this was an issue of importance to all Christians, not just Catholics.

In Britain, we're almost at the point and maybe have already arrived, where punitive measures will be taken against persons and organizations who espouse these beliefs.

In all honesty, the Pope is the best person to make this pitch. Who else has the gravitas?

Given this, doesn't it seem a little ridiculous to be getting bent out of shape over the issue of souvenirs? Is your concern for the question of religious freedom less than your concern that the Pope might actually have some success in his campaign and that the Catholic Church in general and the Pope in particular might somehow be benefited or enhanced in public esteem as a result?

Britain is on the edge of the precipice. Can't you drop the animus for just this once?

[Alex Murphy]

Britain is on the edge of the precipice. Can't you drop the animus for just this once?

Who, me?

[circlecity]

"Given this, doesn't it seem a little ridiculous to be getting bent out of shape over the issue of souvenirs"

I'm certainly not getting "bent out of shape" over anything, so your historonics are a bit confusing. I have complimented the Pope for many things when I think it is due and have done so about elements of this visit to England. I have also condemned what I percieved as unfair attacks on the Pope. But I will also point out hypocrisy when I see it and I believe it is present here.