Posts Tagged ‘religion’

Fr Baron makes the Priestly Celibacy Point.

Posted: May 16, 2009 by datechguy in catholic
Tags: ,

Not the one about vows but the one about priorities:

This distinction between God and the world is the ground for the anti-idolatry principle that is reiterated from the beginning to the end of the Bible: Do not turn something less than God into God.

Isaiah the prophet put it thus: “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my thoughts above your thoughts and my ways above your ways, says the Lord.” And it is at the heart of the First Commandment: “I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods besides me.” The Bible thus holds off all the attempts of human beings to divinize or render ultimate some worldly reality. The doctrine of creation, in a word, involves both a great “yes” and a great “no” to the universe.

Now there is a behavioral concomitant to the anti-idolatry principle, and it is called detachment. Detachment is the refusal to make anything less than God the organizing principle or center of one’s life.

His argument is a more doctrinal argument than a practical one. It will convince no non catholic and the subtitles will not impress non practicing Catholics.

…this makes it the perfect argument for CNN to present in the pro side on their debate in commentary.

St. Paul talks about being all things to all people, I’m afraid Fr. Baron’s heart is in the right place but his argument serves nothing but to give CNN a fig leaf of balance.

The Roe effect lives

Posted: May 15, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news
Tags: , ,

I guess James Tarento is raising a pint over this .

If these trends continue mark my words, in the same way they have on guns you will see the democratic party slowly move toward the pro life position or at least into neutrality. It may even happen in my lifetime if i can lose about 40 pounds.

The MSN has often said that if the republicans become more pro abortion then the party will thrive. It is exactly the opposite, the moment the democratic party becomes an acceptable choice for religious pro life people then the republican party will be in deep trouble, not the other way around.

It’s a phony argument

Posted: May 13, 2009 by datechguy in catholic
Tags: ,

The Orthometer via the Curt Jester cuts though the nonsense concerning the Fr. Cutie scandal:

He is unapologetic about it. He only regrets causing people pain, not violating his promises, not committing the mortal sin of adultery (the woman is evidently a divorcee). He is so unrepentant that he went on national TV where he said that celibacy is good, but it should be optional for priest. (And the man caught in adultery said, “Marital fidelity is a beautiful thing, but it should be optional.”)

Fr. Richtsteig then hits another 3:

If you want to know what I think about priests “falling in love” and leaving, read this. Said briefly, it is the equivalent of a married man falling in lust with another woman and leaving his family because he can’t control his hormones. Human beings are rational animals not just animals. Yes, we have feelings, but we use our mind and will to discern which are in accord with God’s will and should be acted upon.

I am also not much interested in ‘dialoguing’ with those include Cutie who want to use this challenge the Church’s apostolic teaching on celibacy. One does not need to be sexually active and/or married to lead a normal life or be free from loneliness. No one ever died or became ill from not having sex. If you think optional celibacy is the or a panacea for problem clergy, take a long hard look at Orthodox, Protestant, or Jewish clergy.

We all struggle with our own temptations, I know I do and the Curt Jester has solid advice on it:

He said that he had been under spiritual direction since he was tempted against celibacy and that this is something he struggled with. Too bad he did not take this temptation more seriously and worked to avoid situations where he would be tempted. Becoming a minor celebrity and media personality and being nicknamed “Father Oprah” was probably not the most prudent course if you are particularly tempted in this manner. We should flee from those situations where we know we are easily tempted.(emphasis mine)

Not doing so is like eating food that you know you are allergic to.

The Anchoress gets the last word.

Posted: May 13, 2009 by datechguy in catholic, opinion/news
Tags: ,

Like Mika I’m starting to get Miss Californiaed out but the Anchoress makes a point that is worth quoting:

Let this be a lesson to young ladies everywhere, but especially young ladies who profess Christ; if you’re going to take off your top for a camera, be prepared (sooner or later) to have to answer for it, both in this world, and the next. But in this world, the chances are you will have to defend your nudity against the jeers, sneers and fake prudery of those “open-minded” folks who would never, for an instant, tolerate anyone telling them what they should or should not do with their own bodies, but will crucify you for the choices you made with your own. You’ll have to answer for it because when you profess yourself a Christian, you choose exile, and you will be held to a different standard, entirely, than the world’s.

And that is not a bad thing, but you girls must think about that.

In the next world, of course, you’ll have to answer to Christ, himself, who is much more merciful than the rest of us. He will likely ask you why you threw your pearls before swine.

He may gently ask you if you realized at the time that your actions could lead others into sin, by helping them to treat another human being (you) as a “thing”.

And I can tell you from personal experience: that is one awful question to have to contemplate and answer.

This is the cellphone internet business squared.

Older Entries
Newer Entries