THE RIGHT TO ANNOY ROMAN CATHOLICS!
Look, I'm not referring to us pesky traditional Protestants who look on such things as sport! I refer instead to those pesky Anti-papal activists in Australia who have won permission to annoy Catholic pilgrims at the World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney after a court upheld their right to hand out condoms and coat hangers!!
The decision, by the Federal Court, strikes down a law introduced by the state of New South Wales that would have fined anyone “causing annoyance” to the estimated 225,000 pilgrims who have flocked to Sydney to celebrate with Pope Benedict XVI. The fines could have been up to A$5,500 (£2,700). As soon as the court had given its ruling, Rachel Evans, one of two protesters from the No To Pope Coalition who brought the case, started handing out condoms to pilgrims. “We’re not seeking to annoy or inconvenience anyone,” she said, wearing a T-shirt declaring: “The Pope is wrong, put a condom on.”
Way to go Rachel. Looking forward to your "Muhammad is wrong, take your Burqa off" t-shirt.....
David Vance
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Reader Comments (15)
Yeah well perhaps they will understand the meaning of the words "unnecessary distress" next time they pitch up outside abortion clinics and hassle women going in. I think all these groups of people are equally annoying and nasty. But since it is not beyond the devout to be in-ya-face when it suits them and stick placards on mixed up women 'guilty of having an abortion' then I don't see why an exception should be made for this lot on their pilgrimage either.
Free speech all the way round, and I must say, I particularly like this billboard!
But David is right, Christians are easy targets.
I'm all for their right to protest and even hand out prophylactics if that's what they want to do. At least they are engaged. Maybe they will find what they are really looking for.
Alison/Charles,
I agree.
David - for the record I think it should be legitimate to set some parameters regards these sorts of things. I don't think there is anything civilised in being able to harrass women, pilgrims or a man holding a funeral for his soldier son facing cruel taunting religious nutters - and no i don't think in so doing it would infringe upon anyone's right to peaceful protest.
Alison, the law would have to be worded very carefully, in order to prevent an infringement on the right to peaceful protest.
It has always been a delicate balance. One group's peaceful protest is one government's insurrection.
David,
I can only repeat what I said earlier in a similar context. There'd be no point in people like Rachel protesting against Islamic "custom". It would be futile. But Roman Catholics are relatively open to persuasion. See how many of them have left their Church in Europe alone.
Let the protest folks have their say. If your faith isn't strong enough to withstand taunts what is the point?
"There'd be no point in people like Rachel protesting against Islamic "custom". It would be futile."
I can't decide whether that is capitulation or appeasement.
Dawkins-
'Roman Catholics open to persuasion/leaving the Church'. Baffling comment.
Are you implying that someone or something is "persuading" them to leave, (in Europe)?
They are not 'leaving' the Church, but just don't go to Mass anymore. Big difference.
In much of Eastern Europe and South America it is still hale and hearty.
Let the protesters be free to make their points, I say. I'm sure the majority of the pilgrims won't be too put out, as long as both sides stay peaceful. As Henry says above, what's the use if dissenting groups merely stay huddled together in their own circles and don't engage with each other?
The only downside I can see is that many religious, and non-religious beliefs are held very strongly, and are tied in with a sense of cultural belonging. So, I'm not sure if much can be achieved by simply waving banners and slogans at each other. Real in-depth dialogue is needed.
Coat hangers?!
Good grief.
Well if you can get a nice collection of free coat hangers , whose complaining ?
Allan,
It's neither. It's common sense. When did the last successful protest against Muslim "customs" take place in Europe? The Muzzies simply turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. Futile.
Bernard,
They're leaving, trust me. The RCC keeps registers of membership which are rather distorted. Each time a child is baptized into the Church it counts as a new soul for the master. But a chap has to actually take steps to have his name removed from said register, and very few bother.
I believe a similar situation exists with other Xian denominations.
You may think church attendance here in L.America is "hale and hearty". I assure you it isn't. The churches in my adoptive city are virtually empty on Sundays. The peeps play football instead.