The two parliamentarians from the small "Rose in the Fist" party said their gesture was to promote the legalization of gay marriage and granting legal recognition to unmarried couples.
Bruno Mellano and Donatella Poretti placed the Barbie and Ken-type dolls in the parliamentary nativity scene, each couple lying down embraced among the shepherds witnessing the birth of Jesus.
Each of the two doll couples, which parliamentary ushers removed after a few minutes, wore miniature placards with slogans in favor of gay rights.
"This is a vulgar and unacceptable double attack against both a (national) institution as well as a religious symbol," a group of women parliamentarians of the opposition conservative Forza Italia party said in a statement.
Luca Volonte, a member of the small centrist opposition Union of Christian Democrats, called the gesture a "pure attack against the religion practiced by the majority of Italians."
Italy is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic and nativity scenes, featuring figures of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals and three kings bearing gifts, are put but in many homes, squares and shops.
Some members of the opposition demanded the lawmakers be censured by the speaker of the lower house of parliament.
But even the Italian Communist Party, which supports gay rights and is also in the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Romano Prodi, distanced itself from the action.
One communist parliamentarian called it "a grave political error" that would not help homosexuals.
The two leftist politicians carried out their gesture just before Pope Benedict, speaking to pilgrims and tourists at the Vatican, said Christmas creches were part of Christian culture that had to be defended.
In recent weeks, several state schools have decided not to erect the nativity scene. Some shops decided not to sell them, saying they were not popular or did not fit their image.
But even Education Minister Giuseppe Fioroni has criticized such schools, saying they had gone too far in banning nativity scenes which could instead be used as tools for inter-religious dialogue.
2006-12-20 06:55:12 · 13 answers · asked by cryingrainbow 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061220/wl_nm/pope_nativity_dc
2006-12-20 06:55:28 · update #1
Well, first off it is disgusting to think about anyone in the nativity scene being gay. The nativity scene is a beautiful thing. It is the birth of my saviour Jesus Christ. Gays need to leave that alone. They always attack christians, but if we say one thing about them, their rights are being abused. What about Christians rights? God is pure and Holy. I don't care who is gay, just leave it out of symbols of God. He does not approve. And Jesus was not gay. He was celabate or however you spell it. That is the biggest lie. Jesus was pure and innocent.
2006-12-20 07:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a mockary of the Christian faith. THere are other ways to get their message across, and this is not that way. They should not desicrate the Nativity set. Now, when they try to get their word out, all will remember what they did and many in Italy (a very Catholic place) will only think of them as the worst sort of people for their display with the Holy Family and Nativity set.
2006-12-20 07:04:06 · answer #2 · answered by sister steph 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I used to be all in a position to leap in this one. But you then took the edge out of it and gave me fun. Thanks. It's so well to grasp we nonetheless have freedom of speech. Enjoy considering that the best way matters are exchanging, I worry we can lose that alongside the best way. If Christians do not take a stand and battle the atheist , then we can all lose. The morals of this nation have dropped to an all time low and nonetheless falling.
2016-09-03 14:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by buch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is an intentional mockery of the Nativity scene. Whether you are Christian or not, you should be able to see that. However, it is expected. This kind of stuff does not surprise me one bit.
2006-12-20 07:05:40 · answer #4 · answered by Goober W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did hear of it...honestly, it's not a very smart way to get gay legislation to be passed. It's like if I want the Klingon's to pass pro-space travel legislation by putting up Vulcan statues on their temple, it's just not going to work.
I am pro-Gay rights, by the way...and obviously, I watch Star Trek.
2006-12-20 07:04:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It does not surprise me. They hate God and have no respect. They are now filling up on the punishment reserved for them and all blasphemers in this generation.
2006-12-20 07:37:18 · answer #6 · answered by Midge 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Done in poor taste, and has made them look foolish.
2006-12-20 07:01:56 · answer #7 · answered by <><><> 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to shock people to get them to pay attention so I don't think this display went too far.
2006-12-20 06:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by jenn_smithson 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I had not heard of it, but I think its a mockery.
2006-12-20 06:58:29 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus was openly gay and enjoyed it.
So called christians should follow their leader including in his life style, or at least respect it.
2006-12-20 06:59:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 8⤋