BHA: Govt welcome ‘outrageous’

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association comments on the Pope’s state visit to the UK, and on his opening address:

“It is outrageous that the UK government is honouring the Pope with a state visit.

“The damage done by the Holy See’s policies on sexual health, abortion, homosexuality and education are reason enough to refuse him such an honour.”

“The notion that it was the atheism of Nazis that led to their extremist and hateful views or that somehow fuels intolerance in Britain today is a terrible libel against those who do not believe in god. The notion that it is non-religious people in the UK today who want to force their views on others, coming from a man whose organisation exerts itself internationally to impose its narrow and exclusive form of morality and undermine the human rights of women, children, gay people and many others is surreal.”