-Pope Francis: Conscientious Objection is a Human Right
by Dr. D ~ September 29th, 2015
(Pope Francis- from Wikipedia)
Pope Francis says that he views conscientious objection as a human right when asked about Christians who refuse to participate in same-sex marriages. From the Blaze:
When asked aboard the papal plane whether he supports individuals who refuse to violate religious conscience as in the cases of those who decline to grant gay marriage licenses, the pontiff seemingly offered up support for people like Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, NBC News reported.
“I can’t have in mind all the cases that can exist about conscientious objection … but yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right,” he said in remarks that were translated by pool reporters. “And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right.”
Response: We agree. It should be considered a human right. Conscientious objection for religious reasons has great historical and constitutional support in America.
However, that tradition is now under assault when it comes to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. When Quakers refuse to participate in combat or Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to say the Pledge there has always been considerable understanding and support from liberals and progressives. But that does not seem to be the case now that conservative Christians wish to refrain from participating in any way in same-sex marriages.
Those who refuse are increasingly cast as bigots and the dominant culture seems to applaud the use of judicial force. Very few see a human right for Christians to object to the new ‘law of the land’ when it comes to marriage.
This response by the Pope naturally received very little attention by the main stream press who pick and choose among the Popes statements looking for support for more liberal ideas from the leader of the largest Christian organization, the traditionalist Catholic church. *Top
