| December 17, 2007 | Volume 83, Number 4 | |
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Faith transcends partisan ideologyAt first I chuckled when I read the letter in the Dec. 3 issue of The Catholic Virginian lambasting this paper as well as “the Catholic leadership” for being “anti-American, liberal, and extremely left wing.” Then I just shook my head. I am a cradle Catholic who returned “home” a few years ago and what led me home was the fact that the Catholic faith transcends partisan ideology and simply focuses on our faith. We as Catholics are neither “liberal” nor “conservative”- simply Roman Catholics. To critique this letter further, I do not see “regular support for illegal immigrants” in this paper. I have only seen this paper request that we as Catholics follow the “Golden Rule.” We have an obligation as Catholics to embrace the sanctity of life and care for and comfort the poor. I do not see that as “embracing illegal immigration.” The “priest sex scandal” saddens me as well. However, these are but a minuscule fraction of the dedicated individuals who answered the call to priesthood. You cannot judge a whole profession by the horrible actions of a few individuals. As for the “lack of support” for the fighting men and women, I believe that the writer may have overlooked many of the articles honoring efforts to support the military — including one profiling my former pastor David McGuire who joined the Air Force as a chaplain this May. I also do not believe caring for God’s creation and being good stewards of the earth is promoting a “myth” of “man made global warming.” Finally, as to the assertion that women are treated as “second class citizens,” at my parish women have many leadership positions and play an intricate part in the day to day operations and ministries. I don’t see how that makes women “second class citizens.” With all of the good the Catholic Church does, unlike the O’Briens, I believe I DO belong to a faith (not an “institution” as the writer labeled the Church) that can be held as an example of good in the world. I invite the O’Briens to not make judgement on an entire faith based on one’s political views and misconceptions and simply “Walk by Faith.”
Abstinence funding cuts deploredI believe it was John F. Kennedy in the very early 1960’s, who made an infamous statement, while stumping for votes, to the effect that he would never allow his Catholic faith to influence the decisions he would make as the President of the United States. In the 12/3/07 CV article “Governor cuts funds for abstinence education,” it appears that Governor Timothy Kaine would rather follow Planned Parenthood than the teaching of Jesus Christ given through the Catholic Church. Planned Parenthood, the enemy of life itself, commended Kaine for removing abstinence funding while continuing funding for contraceptive-based sex ‘education!’ Contraception is “intrinsically evil.” Besides, doesn’t Kaine know that eventually contraceptives fail, resulting in STDs, AIDS, “unplanned” pregnancies, and abortion? Some teens will “do” drugs, so shouldn’t we be teaching all teens where to get undoctored dope and sterilized needles? We’re told teens are incapable of remaining chaste. Since some are going to fornicate anyway, we should teach them all how to “protect” themselves. By this logic, we need to give them condoms, appropriate pills, and whatever. If we don’t, then we don’t care!!! What sanctimonious deception. Only chastity works. Many societal ills are the result of the sinful misuse of our reproductive gifts. What would Jesus do? Certainly not push Gardasil or condoms or any deceptive “protection.” Our Lord would only counsel holiness followed with the words “Avoid this sin” (JN 8:11).
‘Voice of sanity’ said neededAn urgent plea to Mr. and Mrs. John O’Brien of Norfolk who asked to be removed from the CV mailing list: Don’t do it! Your voice of reason and sanity is desperately needed. The headlong rush of the Church to accommodate left-wing political evils is very wrong, indeed. But “…as the gates of Hell shall not prevail....” Let us then maintain hope that those remaining of clear vision exert all the influence possible to minimize the Church’s cooperation in her own destruction and the destruction of our Christian culture, heritage, civilization and nation. It is altogether proper for one’s religious convictions to inform and shape his/her political views. It appears, however, that many allow their religious beliefs to be guided by their political slant. This is backward and wrong. Please stay with us Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien, and any others who might consider “bailing.”
Interfaith dialogue shows differencesI read Barbara Hughes announcement in the CV that she had been appointed the Bishop’s liaison to the Jewish and Muslim communities of Southern Virginia with some interest. Inter-religious dialogue is a vitally important activity at any time and even more so now. Thus, it is imperative that all who are involved in this effort — especially Ms. Hughes in her new position — become fully grounded in the authentic history and reality of the relationships between the world’s three great monotheistic religions. Unfortunately, Ms. Hughes referred to “Constantine’s Sword,” a seriously flawed and error-filled description of past interactions between these faiths, as an important resource in her desire to learn more. In doing so, she may have misled many CV readers into thinking that this text was a good way to learn more about Islam and Judaism and their relationship with Christianity. It is not. Rather than recapitulating its many errors here, readers are advised to review Notre Dame history professor Thomas F. X. Noble’s analysis of the book available on the internet at: http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2182. There are many excellent resources now available ranging from the very scholarly to the well-researched but nonetheless easily readable paperbacks. It is only when dialogue is based on the truth that there can be any real progress made in understanding and reconciliation. Thus, what Ms. Hughes must avoid is the temptation to minimize real differences in an attempt to smooth over disagreements and disputes. To successfully accomplish this, she needs our prayers and informed support.
Atheists threaten religion supportI recently read an Associated Press article about a weekend gathering of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the nation’s largest atheist organization, in Wisconsin. The article cited a call by their co-president to “recharge the batteries of separation of church and state activism” and detailed what was being done to “spread the message that religion is the root of many evils.” Contrary to their malicious “message,” a vast amount of good is being done by religious organizations and churches of all denominations to relieve human suffering and promote moral values. The truth begs the question: What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and all the others in their spiritual vacuum, doing to serve the needs of humanity? It is evident their sole focus is on the eradication of religion in any form under the pretext of separation of church and state — a script all in their network follow in a consolidated attempt to reinvent the First Amendment and wipe God out of our lives. I have to wonder how atheists, spreading the message that religions are the root of many evils, are able to reconcile their accusation with the many evils rooted in the repressive, totalitarian regimes of atheistic Communism. Could it be their godless political itinerary is following the same socialist route?
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