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Pope Out of Touch on Homosexuality: Blair

Former PM advocates 'metaphorical' reading

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted Apr 8, 2009 2:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – It's time for Pope Benedict to rethink his outdated views on homosexuality, charges former British prime minister Tony Blair. The Vatican considers homosexuality a "tendency" toward "moral evil," citing biblical references. But Blair, a Catholic convert, tells the gay magazine Attitude that religious leaders should treat the Bible as metaphorical, rather than literal, in order to expand tolerance.

“We need an attitude of mind where rethinking and the concept of evolving attitudes becomes part of the discipline with which you approach your religious faith,” said Blair, who has started a foundation to boost understanding of world religions. "If you read the whole of the Old Testament and took everything that was there in a literal way as being what God and religion is about, you’d have some pretty tough policies."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (3)]

Pope Benedict XVI meets with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair during a private audience at the Vatican two years ago. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO)

Pope Benedict shakes hands with then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair during a private audience at the Vatican in 2006. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Pope Benedict XVI meets with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the Vatican in 2007. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO)

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I think what is interesting is that if you went into any Catholic Church, particularly a well-attended one, on any Sunday here and did a poll of the congregation, you’d be surprised at how liberal-minded people were. - Tony Blair

The items of individual legislation matter a lot, but I think it’s the general shift in climate that is perhaps the most important point. - Tony Blair

We need an attitude of mind where rethinking and the concept of evolving attitudes becomes part of the discipline with which you approach your religious faith. - Tony Blair

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Pope Out of Touch on Homosexuality: Blair