The Pope has taken no time in giving us some profound issues to contemplate. Here are several lines that grabbed my attention - in particular his warning of 'a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms'.and 'a truncated vision of man and of society'. Is this sound advice to all societies? Read on for the quotes that caught my eye...
"Even in our own lifetimes we can recall how Britain and her leaders stood against a Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied our common humanity to many, especially the Jews, who were thought unfit to live.
As we reflect on the sobering lessons of atheist extremism of the 20th century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society and thus a reductive vision of a person and his destiny.
Today, the United Kingdom strives to be a modern and multicultural society. In this challenging enterprise, may it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate.
Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility."
Your thoughts?
Your comments
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18:55
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Keith emailed us. Before the Pope can declare that life is better under his type of religious values, he has to turn over all of the abusive priests, and the cardinals who protected them, along with all of their files, to the police.
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18:45
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Aethism allows us the opportunity to explore honest individual ways to find fulfilment which i think is an important step forward for society, amanda, Suffolk
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18:44
114577188
Masiko in cali- 100鈥檚 of years ago people thought the world was flat that didnt make it so! We would be the wiser not to evade God whose involvemet is axiomatic
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18:44
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I would be glad to have religion completely removed from society. I am tired of seeing religion everywhere I go and the troubles that it causes. Phill
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18:43
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Every people needs religion to have a balanced and focused life.
Sonnile in Zambia
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18:42
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I lived in Poland under Communism where in spite of official atheism the Church triumphed. It triumphed too much and in the post communist transition forbid abortion and refused gay rights. We need secular ethics which may be inspired by religion only when the religion is open enough, open to women, gays, immigrants. Tomek Kitlinski
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18:29
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Can't religion stand on its own "merits" rather than attacking those who disagree with it? Even the Pope has to realise that if your beliefs are substantial they can stand on their own. Joe.
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18:28
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James in Arkansas on the email While I am not convinced that a "society with religious faith" is better than one without, primarily because such society has never existed in human history. I'm convinced that government is completely devoid of any religious influence, and that is organized on those principles exclusively evidentiary, that exists solely for the purpose of HUMAN advancement and happiness is the only means to reverse the current decline of our civilization.
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18:23
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I love being secular...i.e being a good person without the help of a male-lead institution that is corrupt at the core, as well as being the richest and greediest bank in the world. Suzanne
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18:22
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I am a religious Jew and also concerned about secularism, which definitely includes some negative elements, especially materialism leading to waste, and emphasis on financial worth. Gila
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18:15
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Deborah got through on the email - some of the nicest people I know are self-described atheists. Apparently they do not need religion to tell them how to be decent and kind.
WHYS: Does society need faith?
| Friday, 9 Sept. 2010 | 18:06 - 19:00 GMT
The Pope has taken no time in giving us some profound issues to contemplate. Here are several lines that grabbed my attention - in particular his warning of 'a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms'.and 'a truncated vision of man and of society'. Is this sound advice to all societies? Read on for the quotes that caught my eye...
"Even in our own lifetimes we can recall how Britain and her leaders stood against a Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied our common humanity to many, especially the Jews, who were thought unfit to live.
As we reflect on the sobering lessons of atheist extremism of the 20th century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society and thus a reductive vision of a person and his destiny.
Today, the United Kingdom strives to be a modern and multicultural society. In this challenging enterprise, may it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate.
Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility."
Your thoughts?
Your comments
Comment sent via Feed
Keith emailed us. Before the Pope can declare that life is better under his type of religious values, he has to turn over all of the abusive priests, and the cardinals who protected them, along with all of their files, to the police.
Comment sent via SMS
Aethism allows us the opportunity to explore honest individual ways to find fulfilment which i think is an important step forward for society, amanda, Suffolk
Comment sent via SMS
Masiko in cali- 100鈥檚 of years ago people thought the world was flat that didnt make it so! We would be the wiser not to evade God whose involvemet is axiomatic
Comment sent via Facebook
I would be glad to have religion completely removed from society. I am tired of seeing religion everywhere I go and the troubles that it causes. Phill
Comment sent via Facebook
Every people needs religion to have a balanced and focused life. Sonnile in Zambia
Comment sent via Facebook
I lived in Poland under Communism where in spite of official atheism the Church triumphed. It triumphed too much and in the post communist transition forbid abortion and refused gay rights. We need secular ethics which may be inspired by religion only when the religion is open enough, open to women, gays, immigrants. Tomek Kitlinski
Comment sent via Facebook
Can't religion stand on its own "merits" rather than attacking those who disagree with it? Even the Pope has to realise that if your beliefs are substantial they can stand on their own. Joe.
Comment sent via Feed
James in Arkansas on the email While I am not convinced that a "society with religious faith" is better than one without, primarily because such society has never existed in human history. I'm convinced that government is completely devoid of any religious influence, and that is organized on those principles exclusively evidentiary, that exists solely for the purpose of HUMAN advancement and happiness is the only means to reverse the current decline of our civilization.
Comment sent via Facebook
I love being secular...i.e being a good person without the help of a male-lead institution that is corrupt at the core, as well as being the richest and greediest bank in the world. Suzanne
Comment sent via Facebook
I am a religious Jew and also concerned about secularism, which definitely includes some negative elements, especially materialism leading to waste, and emphasis on financial worth. Gila
Comment sent via Feed
Deborah got through on the email - some of the nicest people I know are self-described atheists. Apparently they do not need religion to tell them how to be decent and kind.