Benedict XVI praises Religious Diversity and says differences in belief are marvelous

By Bro. Michael Dimond, O.S.B.
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Benedict XVI, Address to the new ambassador of the Republic of Suriname, December 13, 2007: “Your Excellency has noted the extraordinary ethnic and religious diversity present in your Country. Differences of origin, custom and belief are marvelous opportunities for people to learn and practice tolerance and sympathy for one another. Such habits build social cohesion and lay the groundwork for a robust democracy... I am grateful for your assurance of Suriname’s commitment to religious freedom...” (L’Osservatore Romano, January 16, 2008, page 5.)

First, Benedict XVI praises the “extraordinary religious diversity present in your country.” To praise someone because his country is home to many different false religions is to be an apostate (or to be Benedict XVI). Second, he says that “differences of belief are marvelous opportunities for people to learn and practice tolerance.” It’s “marvelous” because Benedict XVI doesn’t believe at all that it’s necessary to be a Catholic to be saved. Benedict XVI thinks it’s a neat thing that people belong to different religions and it’s a “marvelous” opportunity to tolerate false religions that lead people to eternal damnation. He then adds that these attitudes “lay the groundwork for a robust democracy.” Benedict XVI only cares about building a robust democracy; he could care less what religion people belong to.

Benedict XVI’s Recent Heresies

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Notes:

[1] L’Osservatore Romano, Jan. 25, 2006, p. 2.