http://trueslant.com/allisonkilkenny/2010/04/11/the-case-for-arresting-the-pope/ http://www.news.com.au/world/richar...ope-benedict-xvi/story-e6frfkyi-1225852464459 Interesting stuff. I wonder if they actually could/will or if it's just sabre-rattling.
Difficult to tell. The Catholic Church is definately in sever dificulty now. If Dawkins pulls this off - or the Papocracy cancel the visit, then Id say all religions had best watch out, 'cos a new Sherriff is pulling into town, called Dr. Science.
I think the main issue would be depoliticising the whole thing. Plus, if it does go down there will be a fairly sizable chunk of the Earth's population that will orchestrate some kind of backlash. Will be interesting for sure
The Pope is a head of state, so he might carry diplomatic immunity with him, so unless you think the Swiss Guard are going to do it or, for that matter, permit it, I can't see it happening. EDIT: Scratch that, apparently heads of state do not have diplomatic immunity.
Apparently He may not be considered a head of state as there is debate on whether or not the Vatican is itself a state.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7578024/Richard-Dawkins-planning-to-have-Pope-Benedict-arrested-over-crimes-against-humanity.html I know it's from the Telegraph (*spit*) but in my defence I got the link from someone else
The Daily ToryGraph is not quite the facsist rag that it once was. In general the content is a lot more balanced than it used to be in Mrs T's time. Rabid nationalist fascism is well handled by the Daily Mail and the Daily Express.
I don't know if this is just all talk but if it does happen, then either half of the world would be angry or all religion would be wary. I support Richard Dawkins but i think this is just all talk.
This isn't Pinochet. You'd be arresting the spiritual leader of all Roman Catholics. You'd be angering a billion people and some of those people hold a lot of power. How much would it cost us? Such unilateral action would be bad for our economy and bad for our image overseas. If the pope has a case to answer let the ICC issue a warrant for his arrest first - at least then, we are only following ICC directives.
Bill Maher had a perfect analogy for this issue: When the current Pope was in his previous Vatican job as John Paul’s Dick Cheney, he wrote a letter instructing every Catholic bishop to keep the sex abuse of minors secret until the statute of limitations ran out. But just remember one thing. If the Pope was – instead of a religious figure – merely the CEO of a nationwide chain of day care centers, where thousands of employees had been caught molesting kids and then covering it up, he’d be arrested faster than you can say, “Who wants to touch Mr. Wiggles?” He's right. If the Pope was anyone else, he'd be in jail. Period.
But he's not anyone else. Period. If the ICC investigates and decided that there is a case to answer, fine, he should be held to account before a court of law. But that hasn't happened yet. If the Pope was anyone else, Dawkins wouldn't care.
But's that's not a reason for why he ought to be above the law. Someone should get the ball rolling... True.
Isn't this about the same as the plans to get Blair and Bush arrested for war crimes ? Because that went to plan didn't it.
Hah! I love that this idea is even getting thrown around. Best of luck to you guys over in the UK...you'll get a lot of respect from me if this goes through.