The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

[Nevilledog]

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.

Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.

“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”

Francis’ comments are the first uttered by a pope about such laws, but they are consistent with his overall approach to the LGBTQ community and belief that the Catholic Church should welcome everyone and not discriminate.

*snip*

[Elessar Zappa]

1. Step in the right direction.

This pope isn’t perfect but he’s better than most of his predecessors.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. +1 (nt)

[Victor_c3]

3. This is coming from a guy who isn't religious

Isn’t one of the major teachings of Christianity that we aren’t supposed to pass judgement? Isn’t passing judgement something that we are supposed to leave up to god?

If that’s the case, then why were Christian’s ever passing judgement on homosexuals in the first place?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Fundamentalists/evangelicals would say that you should absolutely pass "righteous" judgment on

someone -- that when you know it's a sin, you should tell them, so they don't die without forgiveness.

[Sky Jewels]

5. Because the whole point of organized religion is for the few to oppress and control the many,

particularly women and gay people, and get wealthy from it. They do it by telling them stupid stories to scare them with the threat of eternal punishment. And the carrot is that the magical undead carpenter will "save" them if they fall in line. If they don't follow the idiotic rules made up by men (a big percentage of which of course engage in the same homosexual practices they pretend to scorn for others) wearing silly big hats, they will pay the price. So "judgement" is at the heart of Christianity and all its sects. And they rake in billions. Look at the Vatican -- it's sitting on untold riches after centuries of literally murdering women and enabling child rape and committing crimes against humanity on a massive scale (Inquisition, etc.).

[BComplex]

6. The Opus Dei cult of his church doesn't think the Pope should be the final word on this.

They think they're more pious than the Pope. That's why they liked pope Benedict. He was as weird as the supremes.