Government to tighten laws against hate crime
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today that he had instructed Justice Minister Chris Said to embark on a consultation process to see whether the laws to prevent hate crime could be strengthened.
In a statement this afternoon, Dr Gonzi said he was speaking because there had been two incidents over the past three weeks which could have been motivated by homophobia.
The two cases, he said, were still being investigated and subject to court proceedings, but if homophobia was proved, this would be very worrying.
The country had to respect the dignity of all people, independently of one's colour, belief or orientation.
He said society should not judge individual persons and the laws had to be enforced.
The two cases referred to by the prime minister was an assault on two girls in Hamrun and, last Friday, an incident on a bus in Floriana.
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Yaz Tabone
Feb 9th, 10:47
we need to put a stop to all this.. in order to do that, we need to start educating. being gay is not a crime, it's not even a "choice" but it's just what some people are. why all this hatred and disrespect? i have many gay friends, i speak to some daily and it never crosses my mind to judge, i don't even say "ok this one is gay".. it just doesn't make a difference! i talk to them like i talk to any other.. i respect them.. if there is something you don't like, that is your problem, not theirs!
Colin Stanley
Feb 8th, 16:45
It is better to commit 5 holdups, because you might get a suspended sentence but discriminate against someone, you WILL go to jail
Mr Patrick Attard
Feb 8th, 14:29
Prosit Dr Gonzi.
Ikolli ngħid li kont sorpriż ħafna nisma din l-istqarrija.
Nispera li jkun hemm żviluppi konkreti din id-darba.
Dr. Inġ. Patrick Attard
charles caruana
Feb 8th, 11:44
How disappointing of Dr. Gonzi that he should jump so pompously on a fashionable bandwagon to collect a few extra votes and to give a 'with it' veneer to the party! And then they call Dr Muscat an opportunist, when both are worshiping at the altar of the latest fad in civic religion - political correctness. Whoever said that the political class is interested in everything except votes? Hate will never be legislated into non -existence. For that, what is required is the practice of the virtues, without which democracy itself is in danger.The legislator ties himself up in knots in singling out a couple of minorities for special legal protection, for one can come up with an endless list of minorities who can claim at some time or other that they have been victims of hate crimes. Even the term 'hate crime' is ridiculous, implying that our legislators become thought police on the constant lookout for any speech, writing or action that may or may not indicate the internal disposition of hate, as if they had nothing better to do. I ask Dr Gonzi, who is a practicing Catholic as far as I know this: will quoting St. Paul's words about homosexual activity during mass constitute a hate crime punishable at law? Will Church teaching that considers both extramarital heterosexual activity and homosexual activity as mortal sins amount to incitement of hate against both categories? This is not a speculative and theoretical question, for in Sweden a protestant pastor was actually sentenced to a month's imprisonment for teaching Christian morality about homosexual acts. This is the extreme to which PC madness can lead. Dr Gonzi, welcome to the happy ( I don't want to run the risk of hate crime by using the word 'gay' ) paradise of PC.
Mike Hunt
Feb 9th, 12:08
By the same token, some imams teach on how to properly beat your wife in pious islamic states. A lot of religious teachings are deviant and if political correctness is guilty of one mortal sin (pun intended), it's of being apologetic to the inhumanity of religious teaching.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Feb 8th, 02:21
I'm a white, christian, heterosexual guy and although I find gay couples a bit repulsive, i always believe in a 'live and let live' policy in my life so i might avert my eyes away but since they aren't invading my personal space i don't care what they do.
This reminds me of an incident a few years ago where i gave a big hug and kiss to my fiancee on the side stairs of the paola church's zuntier and was told off by what i presume to be a bitter old man for kissing near the church. I take it this guy never attended a wedding or he would have dropped dead.
V. Cauchi
Feb 7th, 21:25
For all those who are here inveighing against Christians who admonish homosexuals to return on the right path, knowing that most often this is a chosen path for the sake of modernity, the concluding extract of the Pope's message for Lent 2012 is very enlightening:
"Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil, yet there is a real need to reaffirm that good does exist and will prevail. Good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion”. Concern for others means being aware of their needs and “the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of “spiritual anesthesia” which numbs us to the suffering of others.
"Being concerned for others, also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. He points to an aspect of Christian life, which has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction: “It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality, rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy, and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other”.
http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=561028
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 7th, 21:09
Finally he speaks. I mean it is time to try and attract the gay and lesbian vote, isn't it Dr Gonzi?
Victor Vella
Feb 7th, 20:28
This is not an issue. The issue is that Gonzi has to remove the skalda from his small finger as in his own words the Maltese cannot continue to live with these uncertainties that he is embroiled in. The usual manipulation of the mind as now this Gonzi PN is well known for. Deviation from the true problems facing himself and his party as Malta cannot stay anymore with a hung parliament. We can afford with a one man farce at tal-Pieta, but not hijacking the majority of the population of Malta and Gozo to a handful of Gonzi PN clique .
Gerry Cowie
Feb 7th, 19:37
Surely this article is about hate crime. What then does Karl Consiglio's comment mean? The non introduction of gay "marriage" is not a hate crime! How ridiculous is that? That's like saying that not getting anything he wants is a hate crime!
Also where are all the animal lovers who appear in their hundreds when something happens to a dog - ie Star - yet fail shamefully to have anything to do with stories involving humans?
Mario Mamo
Feb 7th, 21:26
For a very simple reason. Angels like STAR return hate and torture with LOVE and DEVOTION. Homo sapiens returns love with TREACHERY, MURDER, ROBBERY, ENSLAVEMENT and all other vile actions that he is capable of. Actions that would be impossible to list.
Luke Lanzon
Feb 7th, 23:15
humans have a voice animals don't.......(at least a voice that we don't understand), but you seem worried!! the more things become equal to humans as a species and the less religious it gets, the more it shows in your comments.
Karl Consiglio
Feb 8th, 23:54
"The non introduction of gay "marriage" is not a hate crime!"
Imagine not being allowed to marry the one you love.
Valerie Borg
Feb 7th, 19:27
A lot of you don't understand at all what is happening here. It's not about just claimming you're gay if you fall victim to a fine from a wardons etc. It's about hate. So if you are targeted by someone because of your gender or orientation, eg Homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual or transgender, male or female there will be law enforced that will protect the victim. Now the issue arises more in LGBT due to uneducated and non christian society. Yes I mean the christians that claim they love and respect others but speak of LGBT community in disgust. This all just comes to show how much you all don't understand the issues that LGBT people face everyday of their lives. Everyone is all about what's in it for them. You don't know how it feels to not be safe in your surroundings because of showing affection to the person you love disgusts others. What right do you have over someone else who is not harming anyone. Again if you don't like it don't look. If this was happening to heterosexuals you'd be the first to look for more protection in the law. Everyone no matter what label you have deserves to be protected but when more incidences arise from homophobic people because of someones orientation then of course there needs to be something done about it.
Jo Grima
Feb 8th, 01:35
very well said !! prosit valerie
Emma Xerri
Feb 7th, 19:22
For sure, the perpetrators of this crime should be taken to Court for assault and battery. The sexual orientation of the victims is secondary, but of course government is going to jump on every chance it can get its hands on to reduce our rights and freedoms.
Karl Consiglio
Feb 7th, 18:06
But its not enough to strengthen the law, government must be exemplary by introducing gay marriage, otherwise the government is being a hypocrite.
Jo Grima
Feb 8th, 01:37
I agree 1000000%
V. Cauchi
Feb 7th, 18:05
It is also government's duty to abide by the laws of Malta and to enforce the protection of minors in the country. In yesterday's case another paper is reporting the two girls were 21 and 17, a minor, and pictures of gay rights demonstrations in Valletta and lately in Hamrun show several faces of persons who cannot be over 18. Besides, the local gay rights movement is also asking for better education in schools that recognised the reality of same-sex relationships, and for government to recognise same-sex couples in its policy.
Any change in law should also make the PROTECTION OF MINORS adamant, from the Police in their investigations into possible defilement and the brain washing of young children into a behavioural change into this "different" way of life which they may later regret but not be able to come out of even because of the reputation they might have earnt, to the Children's Commissioner and Education top brass in schools who should see to such mindset not pervading our children's minds.
Nobody sells his soul for a few votes. This issue, and what the MGRM are asking for, should be more of a hot topic than divorce, only if conscientious people simply speak out before the law is drafted and show their disgust at public manifestations of affection taking place. The nation wants to keep its soul; unfortunately, politicians and promoters have other interests to look after.
Mr F J Brincat
Feb 7th, 18:38
Not everyone that attended the gay rights demonstrations is gay - in case you have trouble understanding; you don't need to be gay to abhore and condemn violence. And young people have a right to protest as well you know. And the use of brain matter is not exclusive to your goodself.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Feb 7th, 21:16
V Cauchi should understand that even minors are homosexual. Attend a pride march as was held last weekend in Melbourne and you will soon realise how many young poeople are either gay or lesbian. Minors do not need to be protected from homosexuality. They need to be protected from abuse and assault (sexual or otherwise) and from ignorance and the brainwashing into heterosexuality that you exemplify so well.
Antoine Psaila
Feb 7th, 17:36
Meta ha naghmlu ligijiet sura kontra l vjolenza fuq l anzjani !!!!!! Dawn kienu sempliciment zewg kazi f'mitt qamar. Il vjolenza fuq l anzjani issir spiss specjalment ghal serq.
Mark Zerafa
Feb 7th, 18:50
Hateful as they may be, attacks on senior citizens are never an end in themselves. When senior citizens are attacked, the perpetrator is (usually) after their belongings. What makes homophobic attacks particularly horrific is that they are motivated by sheer hate - the victims are beaten up simply for being the persons they are. Legislation against mugging and robbery is already in place. Spot the difference?
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 7th, 17:11
Is there an EU-subsidized NGO that lobbies for the rights of victims of assault when said victims are elderly heterosexual, white and Christian or is it young gays, blacks and muslims only that deserve protection in this country?
J. J. Borg
Feb 7th, 18:01
There probably isn't but if you feel so strongly about it and think you have a case, why don't you do something? Mhux tistenna l-bajtra taqa f'halqek, kif nghidu bil-Malti.
Emma Xerri
Feb 7th, 19:09
@D. Galea
That is right, it is open season if you happen to be White and Christians or Atheist, living in your own country. And this unfortunate trend is going on all in previously majortiy White Christain nations. We have become second-class citizens, always at the whim of others, that we might insult some religion or other or harbour realistic thoughts that happen not to be politically correct. It is amazing how our leaders all attend the same 'Conferences' where they all get the 'memo',then go back to their respective countries and unfurl the plan. From Sweden to Malta to Canada etc, they are all on the same page, if you know what I mean.
Ramon Casha
Feb 7th, 20:09
If there are consistent, targeted attacks on any of the groups you mentioned for no other reason than the fact that they belong to those groups, then yes, they should set up a group and I would support them. However I don't believe there is such a phenomenon.
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 7th, 17:01
Can one calim haressment for being black or gay if one gets booked by traffic police or wardens for an alleged infringement?
Will mugged old people get more sympathy and solidarity if they claim that they are gay, black or muslim?
Ms Maria Vella
Feb 7th, 16:07
so if I am attacked just for the sake of it do I get less attention than if I were lesbian or coloured? is this what it is saying?
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 7th, 16:25
Ms Vella, Have you ever been physically attacked BECAUSE of your sexuality or because of the color of your skin?
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 16:42
@Ms. P.M Graham
A few years ago my uncle was beaten in the village feast because there was a little animosity between his family and the family of the aggressor. Having a law which distinguishes between an attack on a person and an attack on a homosexual would AUTOMATICALLY IMPLY that my uncle (his case is long closed now) is discriminated against because of his sexual orientation. Now is that fair? Wouldn’t it be better if we had a LAW FOR EVERYONE?
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 7th, 17:03
@Mr Graham, I got verbally abused a number of times for being a practicing Roman Catholic. Will I qualify for sympathy from such as your good self?
Colin Stanley
Feb 7th, 17:15
Yes , this is what happens with PC. If he hit them he should be charged, as if he had hit anyone else. and by the way, on the recording,some woman called him names.
carlos ellul
Feb 7th, 17:31
Yepp that what it means.
Jo Grima
Feb 7th, 17:39
if i were the government i would also start fining people €1000 who pass comments like yours Ms Maria Vella. so your question has been answered !!
carlos ellul
Feb 7th, 17:44
Does it really matter Mr Graham? Isn't a punch a punch irrespective of the victim's sex, colour of his skin and religion?
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 7th, 18:17
To J Aquilina, et al
In an ideal world one Law for everyone, where everyone was equal in the eyes of the Law would be perfect, but you only have to read some of the comments any time Gays are mentioned here to know that equal we are not. Some talk about Gays as if they are second class citizens, so it's actually people like them with that superiority complex that have brought about this situation. Not just here in Malta, but in every other country World wide that have had to introduce Laws such as these.
and Ms Galea, get back to me when you actually feel the teeth in your mouth break, your eyes swell and your nose break. I am talking PHYSICAL abuse.
and your comment, "Will I qualify for sympathy from such as your good self? " hmmmmm you truly don't understand do you, or may I suggest, want to understand, which from your own statement, in your post, "being a practicing Roman Catholic". is surprising ?
and it's MS!!
Mr Ellul, in an ideal World, in an ideal World.
carlos ellul
Feb 7th, 19:04
I presume that in an ideal world there will be no violence. Anyway imagine a scene were two persons got beaten up. One is an heterosexual and the other one is homosexual. How are you going to justify to the former victim that he is a lesser victim then the latter.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 19:10
@Ms. P.M Graham
"but you only have to read some of the comments any time Gays are mentioned here to know that equal we are not"
- Call it a strange hobby, but I read the majority of the comments and apart from one or two the majority condemns the violent act but still wish to have a law which is equal for everyone. The first people who’ll suffer from a law which does not consider everyone as equal will be those same people the law is trying to protect, since in the eyes of the law those people would be considered as different, something, which if I’m not wrong, gay people are completely against (being considered different)!
Emma Xerri
Feb 7th, 19:16
@Jo Grima
So you are all for muzzling people and taking away their rights of free expression? Then tell me that you are not a Fascist. A classic example of using minority rights to do away with the rights of the majority.
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 7th, 20:43
To Mr J Aquilina; I actually agree with your post in its entirety. It's so sad that it has come to this, and can I just say, thank you. I have enjoyed our correspondence :)
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 16:00
I agree with modernizing our current law. However I hope that we will have a law that considers EVERYONE as equal rather than just provide a different flavor of discrimination. The words of Claire Bonello as given in another article (“If a person is attacked because the aggressor feels some sort of personal animosity towards the victim, why should that attack be punished less severely than one where the aggressor hates the victim because of the latter’s religious affiliation or belonging to a minority group”) should be at the very heart of any new law!
Ms. P.M Graham
Feb 7th, 16:39
But isn't this why the Law is required because we are NOT all equal?
Maria Camilleri
Feb 7th, 16:54
Claire Bonello got the reasoning behind hate crimes all wrong in that article.
It is the punishment of random acts of violence on a group of people due to certain inherent characteristics (such as gender, sexual orientation, religion, race). The mens rea would be hate towards a group of people and such hate being expressed in violence which should be criminalised.
It would be childish to think that the inclusion of the above crimes would somehow belittle any other crime or increase discrimination on the discriminated.
francis Buhagiar
Feb 7th, 15:59
I strongly agree that the law should be enforsed and sex orientation should be respected by all and sundry. It is a question of etics when it comes to demonstrating our affections in public. Heere too the law has to be enfrced.
Darren Portelli
Feb 7th, 15:35
What a joke. The rest of the world, that includes me, is laughing at Malta. You people are supposedly a forward looking democracy yet in some aspects you are as intolerant as many religious states, like Saudi Arabia. Just last week we saw all the hateful language aimed at local Muslims when an illegal slaughterhouse was found in Malta. Your own laws make it impossible for Muslims or Jews or any other faith to legally operate their own food chain. This is 2012, and Malta cannot pretend it is in a bubble.
Charles W. Sammut
Feb 7th, 15:52
So we should allow animals to be tortured to death in the name of political correctness, multiculturalism and diversity.
Even The Netherlands, probably the most tolerant country in Europe has banned halal and Kosher slaughter of animals. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15610142
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 15:56
What’s a shame is a fellow Maltese who prefers to throw mud at his own country rather than provide POSITIVE criticism in order to help his country move forward. The TRUTH is that in general the Maltese are far from being homophobic or racist and throughout history have always been known to give a helping hand where needed.
D Muscat
Feb 7th, 16:18
Good thing you are Maltese. Saying such a sweeping statement as "you are intolerant " to a whole group in this case of Maltese would be considered a racist statement had you not been Maltese.
Darren Portelli
Feb 7th, 16:32
Charles,
You're ignoring eveyr other slaughterhouse on the island. Most other western nations allow halal and kosher practises.
Joseph you're living in a bubble. Maltese may give a helping hand to people of other faiths but they see them as foreigners and will never see them as equals.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 16:53
@Darren Portelli
During my stay in the UK I never had problems with the people I used to work with – actually they were all great people and coming from different background too. Once I went out on my own and was immediately bullied; I was told that it is because the locals do not like foreigners!! The entire world is like that! Malta is a better because someone in need will usually always find a helping hand!!
Ms.D. Galea
Feb 7th, 17:07
Would you defend me if I get verbally abused for being a practicing Roman Catholic, or is bashing non- muslims free speech as far as you are concerned?
Darren Portelli
Feb 7th, 18:50
Ms.D. Galea
If you look at my comment then you'll see I already did just that by referencing religious states like Saudi Arabia.
You are simply deflecting the comment by using a red herring. And the odds of you being discriminated in Malta for being a catholic are probably slimmer than the odds of you winning the lotto the lotto the same day you get hit by lightning
Ramon Casha
Feb 7th, 20:12
The laws against animal cruelty are not there to target Muslims or Jews. They are there to prevent cruelty to animals and apply to everyone.
Ms O. ShamRock
Feb 7th, 15:09
at last!
William Calleja
Feb 7th, 15:07
Are the courts criminalizing the act of inflicting psychological harm on an individual through the use of xeno phobia or are we simply making that the law applies differently for assault cases where xenophobia is proven?
carlos ellul
Feb 7th, 14:57
Im a white, male, heterosexual...god save me. Mind you Im not justifying violence, however, violence (physical and verbal) should be punished in the same way (and fiercely) no matter who makes it and on whom.
Charles W. Sammut
Feb 7th, 15:48
Dear Carlos, you are the wrong colour, wrong gender and wrong sexual orientation. Expect that anything you say, do or even think, will be held against you. You are not entitled to an opinion and if you criticise, you will be accused of 'hatred'. But remember, even if you are not allowed to 'hate', you can love some more than others ;-)
Valerie Borg
Feb 7th, 16:19
Can you tell me of an incident when a heterosexual couple was assaulted because of their public display of affection? I am very interested in your answer? If yes then tell me was the thug arrested straight away?
Both incidents are clearly because of the sexual orientation of the victims. We are all human and we all deserve and have the right to feel safe in our own country. Now if we don't feel safe in our own streets cause of our sexuality because of the ignorance of others then yes a different law is well deserved. Don't judge before you walk a mile in other peoples shoes. Now it would be great if everyone was treated equally however in these cases the police didn't take action against the thugs until there was public outroar! If the law covered everyone equally these thugs would've been arrested for assault straight away.
carlos ellul
Feb 7th, 17:30
I have actually experienced incidents were heterosexual couples were harassed for their public display of affection. You may not notice but the world is filled with idiots and puritans. There were many reasons why it didn't degenerate into a full blown fight. Sometimes the BF was strong enough to ward them off. In other occasions, the BF had friends who stepped in and there were cases when the couple were mature enough to just leave the place and let the idiot take his 'win'. In the first case I was involved in persona.
I agree that the driver should be punished. I refuse to accept any type of abuse whether its physical or verbal. What I disagree on is in discriminating violence. If I punch you I should be punished as fiercely as if you punched me.
George Azzopardi
Feb 7th, 14:51
As always .. following PL's instructions! Thanks GonziPN!
Steve M. Engerer
Feb 7th, 15:31
Oh yes George... we are so lucky to have the PL & Joseph to give the government instructions!!!
Get a life!!
George Azzopardi
Feb 7th, 16:21
Yr welcome gbin .. hehehehe ;)
Jo Grima
Feb 7th, 17:45
LOL !! sad, very sad !! yes you George !!
George Azzopardi
Feb 7th, 19:41
@Steve M. Engerer ... I will get a life when GonziPN steps down .. and this will be pretty soon!!
Ġ. Agius
Feb 7th, 14:41
I think that whilst the arriva driver's reaction was a bit over the top, public homophobic displays should be made illegal. It's simply not God's way. Like one shouldn't condone public stealing or public adultery, one shouldn't condone other public sins which sadly have been made acceptable by the modus operandi of the modern ways!
M Schranz
Feb 7th, 15:34
Mr Agius,
There is such a thing called separation of powers, thankfully. What you are suggesting is in itself tantamount to homophobia.
Karl Mercieca
Feb 7th, 15:35
What is god's way, Mr.Agius?
Frank Attard
Feb 7th, 15:47
@G. Agius: I hope I am mistaken, but I have a feeling that you wanted to say "homosexual" rather than "homophobic" in your comment above. If that is the case, I think you should go live in an extreme religious controlling state where "sinners" would be sentenced to death by stoning. But please do not take us back to the dark middle-ages with you!
Maria Camilleri
Feb 7th, 15:48
and maybe we should make sodomy a crime again... !
Michael Attard
Feb 7th, 15:51
God told you that? mann he told me something else... Sucks to be right now...
What you are saying is since stealing is illegal, granted but then you are saying the act being done in non-public area and/or not seen makes it ok? lol why would gay couples have to hide that within their own home..
Valerie Borg
Feb 7th, 16:04
if it disgusts you Mr Agius don't look. Does that mean if a gay person sees a heterosexual couple kissing in public, (happens all the time) do you see them being assaulted for doing it? Deal with it, homosexuals were around before god was even born!!!
Thomas Vella
Feb 7th, 16:04
Which god you referring too cause everyone has a different god, especially in Malta ?!
Franco Attard Trevisan
Feb 7th, 16:08
'a bit over the top'???????? are you kidding??? Apart from being homophobic that guy challenged two girls to fight!!!!!! and actually attacked them!!!
everyone has a right to walk our streets without being judged or even worse attacked....
Tell us more about 'God's way' but please make sure you present a document signed by god himself!
Kevin Camilleri
Feb 7th, 16:12
My God told me to Love and Respect everybody Mr. Agius! And I think that my GOD is the one that you are referring too... so please do not cause further harm to our Religion, because comments like yours increase hate not love.
Grazia Borg
Feb 7th, 16:23
Flopinjoni tieghi mghadniex nghidu xnahsbu li hu 'God's way' u bdin ic certezza. Li nahseb hu li Alla halaq lil kulhadd bimhabba kbira anki lil dawk li jistghu jidru differenti mill maggoranza tas socjeta.Anzi jien nemmen li ghal minoritajiet Alla ghandu mhabba specjali, ovjament din hi t-twemmien tieghi u mhux bilfors taqblu mieghi.
Ġ. Agius
Feb 7th, 17:01
the heterosexual way is the normal way, it's the natural way, it's god's way!!
After all he didn't send the holy spirit to a man, but to a woman, so yes, I do think that homosexual (I apologize for the earlier lapsus, yes it should have been homosexual not homophobic, obviously) acts in public should be legal. The unison between man and woman (after marriage, of course) is sanctimonious and approved by God Himself, the unison between man and man or woman and woman is the work of the devil and it pains me to see the morals of our Catholic country in the drains!
Luke Lanzon
Feb 7th, 19:47
It is people like you G Aguis that make me happy I left relligion for good.
Mario Mamo
Feb 7th, 21:01
Dear theologist, please be gracious to allow me a minute of your time. Is not everyone God's creation? And if you really believe that we were created on God's image you must have a problem here because our brothers and sisters who are being discussed here can't help being how they are. It is the excessive demonstration of love - or lust if you wish - that can be scandalous to kids. 'Saintly' grown ups can just look the other way and pray for the 'sinners'. Did not our Lord Jesus Christ preach about love to everyone? Did he exclude anyone? I am sure that if He were here with us today He would be the prime promoter of stiff laws against ALL hate crimes. Do not come to Me before you make peace with your brother. Acceptance is the ONLY way to be at peace with your neighbour. Tolerance and compassion are divine virtues. Do you have any of these? My impression is that you don't.
Mario Mamo
Feb 7th, 21:15
By the way. Any comments on this? http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120207/world/catholic-leaders-ask-forgiveness-for-child-abuse.405777
Something tells me that you consider this more forgivable than a person BORN a little different from me or you. I can assure you that being the way I am does not make me feel superior in any way. I am very much afraid to play God and condemn ANYONE.