Pope Benedict XVI defended religion from critics Sunday as he dedicated the Sagrada Familia church, a still-unfinished emblem of the Spanish city of Barcelona.
"This is the great task before us: to show everyone that God is a God of peace not of violence, of freedom not of coercion, of harmony not of discord," he said.
And he pushed back against what he sees as increasing secularism in the world, saying, "I consider that the dedication of this church of the Sagrada Familia is an event of great importance, at a time in which man claims to be able to build his life without God, as if God had nothing to say to him."
He also defended the traditional family, after Spain's Socialist government legalized same-sex marriage.
"The generous and indissoluble love of a man and a woman is the effective context and foundation of human life in its gestation, birth, growth and natural end," he said.
Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were in the full-to-overflowing church as the pope poured oil on the altar and rubbed it in with his hand, then swung incense over it.
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Anything to avoid another child-abuse scandal, eh?
I want one of those beenies that suckers awesome
I'd say that some of the most selfless people I've ever known are Christian, or other religious believers. That being said I'd like to avoid seeing another inquisition or crusade. I hope this little Jihad that's going on in the Middle East and Asia is the last of any holy wars mankind ever see. Everyone who's versed in history knows what happens within a religious monarchy and does not want to see it return. The strides in technology and medicine are not a result of a church that promotes healing rather they are in spite of a church that prays for plagues to end while saying such plagues are god's wrath. I love God and secular democracy. Only the weak would allow separation of church and state break their faith in God.
the problem is the leaders. they are too often phony in their beliefs and usually corrupt. this pope is one of the worst ever. a pedaphile himself, i beleive.
When there is peace between man and God, then there will be true peace. I don't see mankind working very hard or investing much in pursuit of peace with God. I see the exact opposite being pursued worldwide throughout history.
Maybe If they'd stop wearing shoes on their heads .... The golden speculum ...
Disregard any word that religious leaders speak on Earth because all religions here are being discontinued. Their existence has caused more harm than good. Valuable time and technological advancement has been wasted on weapons design and production.
One of these days a UFO is going to land here. A ramp will open and God will exit the spacecraft.
Soon thereafter, many can kiss their butts goodbye and the rest will have the same religion. The killing one another will stop and everyone will work together to do as instructed. Get one reproducing male and female to the nearest Earth like planet.
Of course, this is speculation but it may be exactly what is required. Someone will have to meet and greet.
If God has chosen someone then people best work together and straighten this planet up. I highly recommend invading Iran.
jim
You know nothing. If it weren't for religious charities, many would starve and die. You do nothing for society. You are a scourge. When you do some research, come back and stop talking out of your butt.
deism anyone?
Really.....who in their right mind is gonna take moralistic advice from a willful pedophile enabler?
@Phil. So.
Jobs help people survive. Churches exist to clean one's feet. Um .... pardon me, but that isn't my foot sir.
i don't believe this pope and his church have any moral credibility whatsoever. he is the leader of pedaphiles. up his. oh sorry. he probably likes that.
cesar-so ya think ya can dance?