Dear Pope Benedict XVI
In 1968, Pope Paul VI wrote “Humane Vitae”, (On Human Life);
“an act of mutual love which impairs the capacity to transmit life which God the Creator through specific laws has built into it, frustrates His design which constitutes the norm of marriage, and contradicts the will of the Author of life… and is consequently in opposition to the plan of God and His holy will.”
"Similarly excluded is every action which, either in anticipation of the
conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its
natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render
procreation impossible"
I understand from my Catholic friends that such unnatural forms of birth control include
the Pill, the intrauterine device, foams, diaphragms,...
Philosophy
Dear Mr Cameron,
You argue that gay couples should have equal rights but suggest that religious groups decide for themselves whether or not to marry same-sex couples. Why is there an opt-out for any religious groups who choose not to allow their church to be used for marriage?
The last time I checked, this country is a secular one. Churches and religions are allowed to practice their beliefs, but within the boundaries of the law. Many also have charity status and get benefits from the taxpayer. So why oh why are you allowing churches to decide that they can turn their back on the traditional values of liberalism and enlightenment in this country?
Homophobia is a crime. Yet any religion that wants to can continue to be prejudiced against homosexuality and gay marriage. It can prevent...
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Dear Angus … can I call you Angus? Do you go by Gus?
I apologize if that seems too forward, but as I watched your video testimonial, it felt like you were one of my friends. Not because I’ve watched the show — I’ve only seen a few moments in passing before I tune into Person of Interest. But because you remind me of so many of my friends when we were just entering adulthood. I really felt like I knew where you were coming from, not so much of the making-six-figures-on-a-hit-TV-show thing, but more of the realizing-the-truth-and-needing-to-speak-out thing.
Which is why I was tremendously impressed with the substance of your testimonial interview. I found it to be a refreshing example of candor and courage. That you were doing this of your own initiative and volition — as opposed to...
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Dear Lord Sacks.
Jewish religious law states that circumcision is a mitzva aseh which means a "positive commandment" to perform an act and is obligatory for Jewish-born males and for non-circumcised Jewish male converts.
My understanding is that it is only postponed or abrogated in the case of threat to the life or health of the child. It is usually performed by a mohel on the eighth day of life in a ceremony called a brit milah. Although 19th century Reform leaders described it as "barbaric", the practice of circumcision "remained a central rite" and the Union for Reform Judaism has, since 1984, trained and certified over 300 practicing mohels under its "Berit Mila Program".
A new group, Milah UK, has been launched to promote the practice of Jewish circumcision in the UK. The new...
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"The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362
admonishments to heterosexuals.
That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's just that
they need more supervision."
Dr. Laura Schlesinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice
to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as
an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according
to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The
following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident,
which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as
informative.........
Dear Dr. Laura
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that
knowledge with as...
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