| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Therion Ware" |
| Date: |
26 Oct 2003 10:41:05 AM |
| Object: |
Not Only In America: Storm over Italy crucifix ruling |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3215445.stm
Storm over Italy crucifix ruling
A controversy has erupted in Italy over a court ruling ordering a
state kindergarten to remove crucifixes from its classrooms.
A judge in the central town of L'Aquila upheld a complaint by an
Italian Muslim leader, Adel Smith.
The ruling has re-opened a bitter debate about religious symbols.
A law dating back to the fascist period requiring crucifixes to be
hung in classrooms has never been fully repealed.
The BBC's Frances Kennedy in Rome says the case is set to have
far-reaching implications.
It centres on a nursery and primary school near L'Aquila, about 100
kilometres (60 miles) from Rome.
The president of a Muslim group, Adel Smith, initially suggested that
a symbol from the Koran should be displayed alongside the crucifix in
his children's classrooms.
When this was denied, he took his complaint to the courts.
Catholic fury
The judge ruled that the crucifixes showed "the unequivocal desire by
the state, when it comes to public education, to place the Catholic
religion at the centre of the universe", in disregard for other
religions.
You cannot remove a symbol of the religious and cultural values of a
people just because it can offend someone
Cardinal Ersilio Tonini
The school has 30 days to carry out the judge's order and remove the
crucifix.
The argument has shocked the Roman Catholic Church.
"Such decisions will spread intolerance towards symbols of the
Christian faith," Bishop Rino Fisichella told La Repubblica newspaper.
Another leading prelate, Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, said the ruling
offended the majority of Italians and the spirit of the constitution.
"You cannot remove a symbol of the religious and cultural values of a
people just because it can offend someone," he said.
However one teacher's union welcomed the move, saying it was a
reinforcement of the secular character of the education system.
Church and state
Several Italian newspapers have compared the case to the controversy
in France over moves to ban Islamic headscarves in schools.
The decision by the judge in L'Aquila could increase tensions between
Catholics and atheists, and between Christians and Muslims, said La
Repubblica on Sunday.
Italy has a rapidly growing Muslim population - mainly of recent
immigrants - which is put at more than one million, according to the
latest estimates.
The laws on crucifixes in schools dates back to the 1920s, when
Catholicism was state the religion in Italy.
Although a revised accord between the Vatican and the Italian
Government ended Catholicism's position as state religion in 1984, the
crucifix law has never been repealed.
However, the presence of crucifixes in classrooms is left to
individual head teachers.
Last month, Education Minister Letizia Moratti said the cross should
remain in state schools and hospitals.
She also endorsed controversial funding for Catholic schools.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/europe/3215445.stm
Published: 2003/10/26 13:36:28 GMT
© BBC MMIII
--
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- Attrib: Pauline Reage.
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| User: "Clayton of Green Gables..Tra la la la la" |
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| Title: Re: Not Only In America: Storm over Italy crucifix ruling |
26 Oct 2003 07:49:30 PM |
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"Therion Ware" <autodelete@city-of-dis.com> wrote in message
news:e7unpvcmnfjmnte1gov9h835ctkgh0tv55@4ax.com...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3215445.stm
Storm over Italy crucifix ruling
A controversy has erupted in Italy over a court ruling ordering a
state kindergarten to remove crucifixes from its classrooms.
A judge in the central town of L'Aquila upheld a complaint by an
Italian Muslim leader, Adel Smith.
<snip>
"Such decisions will spread intolerance towards symbols of the
Christian faith," Bishop Rino Fisichella told La Repubblica newspaper.
Oh...the irony...the hypocrisy...THE TERRIBLE, OVERWHELMING IRONY AND
HYPOCRISY!!!!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
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| User: "Al Klein" |
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| Title: Re: Not Only In America: Storm over Italy crucifix ruling |
26 Oct 2003 12:30:12 PM |
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On Sun, 26 Oct 2003 16:41:05 +0000, Therion Ware
<autodelete@city-of-dis.com> posted in alt.atheism:
Another leading prelate, Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, said the ruling
offended the majority of Italians and the spirit of the constitution.
"You cannot remove a symbol of the religious and cultural values of a
people just because it can offend someone," he said.
By the same logic, you can't refuse to remove it just because doing so
offends Christians.
--
"...I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do.
When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand
why I dismiss yours."
- Stephen F. Roberts
(random sig, produced by SigChanger)
rukbat at optonline dot net
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