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Why I will welcome the Pope to the United Kingdom

Tomorrow, history will be made. Pope Benedict XVI is to enter British soil - the first Papal to do so since 1982 by John Paul II. Benedict will travel to four cities; London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow in four days. His intentions is to meet Protestant and Supreme Governor, Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron. The 83-year old will be addressing the nation with series of masses. This visit however, will be the most controversial with Catholicism as a religion seems to be at a rocky patch.

So what is the big fuss with the Pope coming to the UK? Why do people such as Stephen Fry despise his visit? It's a long list which the media looks to increase by the day. The religion is portrayed as racist, homophobic and well, everything against equality. It is quite harsh that Catholicism is being pin-pointed this way. Not every Catholic is like that. And surely, Pope Benedict XVI doesn't think everything negative?

As a religion, Catholicism is very well known and is still loved worldwide. Ireland and Italy still take their Catholicism seriously and is more dominant than Protestant. Although Protestants and Catholics have their differences and attack each other via the media, it must be known that they believe in one person who has effected billions around the world - Jesus. It's another religious matter which must be looked at. Jesus would not have wanted this hatred and rivalry between religions. He was all for peace and harmony.

Less and less people attend church and it's obvious that young people disregard it. I have noticed that more people "don't believe in God" and are therefore considered as atheists. During my days in school, both primary and secondary, fellow students groaned, moaned and on occasions skipped Religion lessons. It's an important and highly debatable subject but unfortunately the 21st Century demands us not to attend church on Sunday morning's or synagogue's and instead wake up later and play on computer games. It's a viewpoint which although has to be respected, it would be useful to help children for the future to open their eyes and be proud of their heritage and religion will help them regardless.

It's obvious that there is a larger divide separates people who do and don't believe in either religion or God. It's a shame that people don't believe how the world was evolved. I only say that just to join a worldwide debate. It's a sensitive subject and I do believe that God did make the world.

Back to the main point, the Pope's visit will hopefully bring people back in faith and see Catholicism's good points rather than the bad. Their viewpoints are unintentional. They are also effected by the power of the media and judge people different than other's. Everyone interprets things differently and if someone doesn't share your point of view, it's cool to sit down and chat, discuss, debate and enjoy every one's company. It's not a big deal which a mass protest has to be formed. No one likes that.

It is also a worthy point that George Bush Junior made frequent trips to the UK. We were against his wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, his health system and the way he ruled the United States but we allowed him to come. We treated him like any other civilian, so why not do the same with Pope Benedict XVI?

Our hope is for the next four-five days to flow well without any problems, it's advised that we must respect that the Pope is here to visit and do some masses. He's not here to ruin or complicate anything.

Let's make this clear. I'm not a Catholic and do not attend church but I do believe in miracles and God created the earth by the Big Bang. So what I've written above wasn't for nor against Catholicism. I believe in respecting other people's point of view. If anyone disagrees with another, take it at your stride and for a more peaceful environment, do not react in a way which will cause even more problems.

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