Catholic Church
Denver Child Refused Catholic Schooling
11/03/10 13:33
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/denver_archbishop_explains_why_lesbian_couples_child_not_admitted_to_school/
The above is one of many stories about the decision of a Catholic elementary school in Denver to deny admittance to a child who has lesbian parents because her parents are lesbian. Let's say we agree with certain things, even if we don't: that lesbianism is wrong according to Catholic teaching, that the school has a responsibility to uphold certain Catholic moral standards, that the archbishop has a prophetic duty to witness to Catholic teaching, that the lesbian couple involved promoted their lesbianism to challenge the school's policy.
Does that mean that we punishb the child because her parents are lesbian?
I would think that charity-- love -- insists that we do not. What is the effect on the child from this decision: a lack of education in a Catholic faith, a lack of quality education provided by a Catholic school, removal from friends she's already met at the school, disruption of her life. Both the lesbian parents and the archbishop are responsible for putting the child in this situation.
And one must wonder whether the school expels the children of other Catholics who engage in practices that do not accord with Catholic teaching: what about divorced and remarried couples (without an annulment)? What about lawyers who defend criminals they know are guilty? What about people who support the death penalty or who are pro-choice?
All the archbishop has done here is make a bad situation worse. Perhaps if we cared more about individuals and less about dogma and doctrine, we might have more converts. Perhaps we should remember what Jesus said of the pharisees: white-washed tombs.
The above is one of many stories about the decision of a Catholic elementary school in Denver to deny admittance to a child who has lesbian parents because her parents are lesbian. Let's say we agree with certain things, even if we don't: that lesbianism is wrong according to Catholic teaching, that the school has a responsibility to uphold certain Catholic moral standards, that the archbishop has a prophetic duty to witness to Catholic teaching, that the lesbian couple involved promoted their lesbianism to challenge the school's policy.
Does that mean that we punishb the child because her parents are lesbian?
I would think that charity-- love -- insists that we do not. What is the effect on the child from this decision: a lack of education in a Catholic faith, a lack of quality education provided by a Catholic school, removal from friends she's already met at the school, disruption of her life. Both the lesbian parents and the archbishop are responsible for putting the child in this situation.
And one must wonder whether the school expels the children of other Catholics who engage in practices that do not accord with Catholic teaching: what about divorced and remarried couples (without an annulment)? What about lawyers who defend criminals they know are guilty? What about people who support the death penalty or who are pro-choice?
All the archbishop has done here is make a bad situation worse. Perhaps if we cared more about individuals and less about dogma and doctrine, we might have more converts. Perhaps we should remember what Jesus said of the pharisees: white-washed tombs.
Unemployment as Social Sin
15/12/09 11:48
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/us/15poll.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
The statistics here are frightening but not as frightening as they could be. How can anyone doubt the sinful nature of unemployment and the capitalism that causes it with this information? And yet, we hear more and more about abortion and so little about thespiritual cost that comes with unempolyment. These lives -- these lives of the unempoyed -- are just as valuable as those of the unborn and suffer just as much when their lives are aborted through capitalist profit. Where is the spiritual leadership for sustainable development, for sustainable green energy, for sustainable living.
Abortion results from the same carefree laissez-faire attitude that drives capitalism. It's the same as unemployment -- these lives are not valuable. These lives are not convenient. These lives are not profitable.
What we need is a change in attitude! A change away from the usury that controls our everyday lives. Until we live sustainable lives, we will always abort the unwanted because they aren't sustainable -- whether that's abortion of fetuses and embryos or abortion of whole living beings to a system of nihilism. Is it any wonder that zombies and vampires capture our modern minds they way they do?
The statistics here are frightening but not as frightening as they could be. How can anyone doubt the sinful nature of unemployment and the capitalism that causes it with this information? And yet, we hear more and more about abortion and so little about thespiritual cost that comes with unempolyment. These lives -- these lives of the unempoyed -- are just as valuable as those of the unborn and suffer just as much when their lives are aborted through capitalist profit. Where is the spiritual leadership for sustainable development, for sustainable green energy, for sustainable living.
Abortion results from the same carefree laissez-faire attitude that drives capitalism. It's the same as unemployment -- these lives are not valuable. These lives are not convenient. These lives are not profitable.
What we need is a change in attitude! A change away from the usury that controls our everyday lives. Until we live sustainable lives, we will always abort the unwanted because they aren't sustainable -- whether that's abortion of fetuses and embryos or abortion of whole living beings to a system of nihilism. Is it any wonder that zombies and vampires capture our modern minds they way they do?
Obama at Notre Dame -- OMG
13/04/09 15:55
A response to a NY Times article opposing Obama at
Notre Dame. Read
More...
Lenten Sacrifice
25/02/09 20:14
De Mello writes in the way to love that those things
which delight us and grip our souls can lead us to
God. What does that have to do with Lent?
Lent is about sacrifice, but it isn't about just any old sacrifice. Giving up coca-cola or candy is sacrifice, but the question is why ought one to sacrifice them? It's not because they are necessary for life. Nor are they necessary for living well. We sacrifice such sweets becuase, in the end, they aren't good for us, and they lead us toward evil, not towards good.
Lenten sacrifice is about giving up those things which drag our souls down. It is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to life. That is why itis just as valid -- perhaps more so -- to commit one's self to something rather than denying one's self something. Several years ago, I committed myself to writing for one hour a night, at least 500 words. I want to be a writer. I want to express myself, but I was approaching this goal in an ad hoc fashion. I let inspiration drive me. But ay Bradbury points out that inspiration doesn't come if it doesn't know where you're at. You have to sit yourself in the seat everyday at the same time, so the muse knows where to find you. So I committed myself. In the end, this meant I sacrificed something -- television. But had I given up television, I would have gone back to it after lent. Committing myself to writing helped me stay away from television after lent and helped me follow a path that brings me peace and love -- which in the end is God.
This year, I am committing myself to writing 500 words of philosophy per day. I am also committing myself to spening more time with my eight year old. In the end, this will require sacrifice, but it will also require growth. Christ's resurrection is about growth, more than about death.
Lent is about sacrifice, but it isn't about just any old sacrifice. Giving up coca-cola or candy is sacrifice, but the question is why ought one to sacrifice them? It's not because they are necessary for life. Nor are they necessary for living well. We sacrifice such sweets becuase, in the end, they aren't good for us, and they lead us toward evil, not towards good.
Lenten sacrifice is about giving up those things which drag our souls down. It is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to life. That is why itis just as valid -- perhaps more so -- to commit one's self to something rather than denying one's self something. Several years ago, I committed myself to writing for one hour a night, at least 500 words. I want to be a writer. I want to express myself, but I was approaching this goal in an ad hoc fashion. I let inspiration drive me. But ay Bradbury points out that inspiration doesn't come if it doesn't know where you're at. You have to sit yourself in the seat everyday at the same time, so the muse knows where to find you. So I committed myself. In the end, this meant I sacrificed something -- television. But had I given up television, I would have gone back to it after lent. Committing myself to writing helped me stay away from television after lent and helped me follow a path that brings me peace and love -- which in the end is God.
This year, I am committing myself to writing 500 words of philosophy per day. I am also committing myself to spening more time with my eight year old. In the end, this will require sacrifice, but it will also require growth. Christ's resurrection is about growth, more than about death.
Obama's Address to Congress
25/02/09 20:04
Well, it's interesting that Obama's address was at
the end of Mardi Gras, for what Obama did was call an
end to the party days that this country has been
caught up in. But it's also true that Obama calls us
to spend -- and to spend on things that will make us
better -- education, health care, and energy. So it
was surprising to see how many Republicans remained
seated how many times during the speech.
Just as with any lenten sacrifice, we cannot sacrifice those things necessary for life. Similarly, the government cannot ask the people to sacrifice what will make this nation stronger. Education will make this nation stronger, especially if we meet Obama's goal for college graduates in 2020. We will have a better citizenry and people able to offer more to the world with creativity and knowledge. Of course, big business and big government would oppose this. Education means people won't be as susceptible to the lies of big business and the propaganda that the Republican party has spouted since Reagan about business watching themselves.
Better health care will make us stronger. How can we continue to pour billions into a system that does not work and pretend that it is better than everywhere else. We have the highest infant mortality of anyindustrialized nation. Why aren't the pro-lifers concerned about that?! Doctors are deprived of their autonomy because the insurers determine what treatments are allowed. This can no longer continue. A better health care system means a better America.
Finally, we have the opportunity to become the leaders in alternative renewable energy sources. Why are we so far behind everyone? Because of big oil and big auto. Clean energy is the road to more jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. Clean energy is the means to saving our planet. Nothing else matters if we don't embrace solar cells and wind turbines.
So spend -- but spen wisely, and cut wisely. Obama has a vision, and his big plan is, not only workable, but necessary.
Just as with any lenten sacrifice, we cannot sacrifice those things necessary for life. Similarly, the government cannot ask the people to sacrifice what will make this nation stronger. Education will make this nation stronger, especially if we meet Obama's goal for college graduates in 2020. We will have a better citizenry and people able to offer more to the world with creativity and knowledge. Of course, big business and big government would oppose this. Education means people won't be as susceptible to the lies of big business and the propaganda that the Republican party has spouted since Reagan about business watching themselves.
Better health care will make us stronger. How can we continue to pour billions into a system that does not work and pretend that it is better than everywhere else. We have the highest infant mortality of anyindustrialized nation. Why aren't the pro-lifers concerned about that?! Doctors are deprived of their autonomy because the insurers determine what treatments are allowed. This can no longer continue. A better health care system means a better America.
Finally, we have the opportunity to become the leaders in alternative renewable energy sources. Why are we so far behind everyone? Because of big oil and big auto. Clean energy is the road to more jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. Clean energy is the means to saving our planet. Nothing else matters if we don't embrace solar cells and wind turbines.
So spend -- but spen wisely, and cut wisely. Obama has a vision, and his big plan is, not only workable, but necessary.