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May 22, 2007

The Pope and the Imposition of Foreign Culture

Jason at Wildhunt talks about Pope Benedict XVI's recent tour through South America. While there, the Pope made some disturbing comments about converting the indigenous people there to Christianity:

Speaking to Latin American bishops in Brazil on May 13, the Pope cited the 'rich religious traditions' of Indian people but added that their ancestors were 'silently longing' for Christ and seeking God 'without realizing it.' Pope Benedict further demonstrated his misunderstanding of history and the forced conversions of natives in North, Central and South America and of massacres and 'just wars' when he suggested that the Church did not impose itself on indigenous peoples and that Christianity had not been detrimental to them and their cultures. 'In effect, the proclamation of Jesus and of His Gospel did not at any point involve an alienation of the pre-Columbus cultures, nor was it the imposition of a foreign culture.' Benedict also added that a return to indigenous religions 'would be a step back.'

This is the same Pope who said that Hitler was not a Christian and that the Catholic Church did not have a hand in the Holocaust. In fact, Christianity had the same impact on the indigenous cultures and religions of Europe as in South America, with forced conversions, massacres, and "just wars".
And as with the South Americans, Christianity is not the native belief system of Europeans.

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Posted by keg at 10:47 AM

May 21, 2007

Religious Rights Rally at the White House


Recently I wrote about the struggle with the Veterans Affairs Office to get the Wiccan religious symbol approved for the cemetery headstones of veterans.

With that victory complete, it is now time to muster support for getting more religious symbols approved - a rally for such is being organized:



Celebrate Our Historic Victory with the Veterans' Pentacle Quest!

Advocate a Pagan Chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces!

Keep the focus on the VA to accept Thor's Hammer of the Asatruar and the 
Druids' Awen symbol!

Join us in front of The White House for a Pagan Religious Rights Rally and Ritual!



Wednesday, July 4th, 2007!

Lafayette Square Park

Outside the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, DC

Set-up between 10am and Noon

Speakers begin at Noon

Ritual begins at 2pm and transitions to Spirit Drum Circle until 5pm

Event ends at 5pm


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Posted by keg at 11:11 AM