I saw this on my Facebook newsfeed today and decided to share it with my friends.  I have several Pro-Palestine friends, but I've got vast swaths who simply don't know / don't care about what's been going on in and around Gaza.  

I think this is a succinct and creative way of explaining some recent history behind the current problems.  

Later on, I saw this article come through my newsfeed courtesy of Katherine at Having Left the Altar.  

Seeing the photos instantly brought to mind an event known as the "Kristallnacht." Translating to "Night of the Broken Glass," the Kristallnacht occured throughout Germany in November of 1938.  Nazi guards raided Jewish businesses, arrested Jews for trumped up charges, and destroyed so many Jewish homes and places of worship that the streets were covered in broken glass (hence the moniker).  

Apparently the same thing is happening in France as Palestinian supporters are attacking Jewish homes and businesses to protest what is happening in Gaza.  

*Sigh*

This is an incredibly sad and truly frightening chain of events.  We must pay attention to history as it begins cycling back to rewrite itself.  We know the story... we need to do a better job of holding ourselves to higher standards.  We cannot stand idly be as we did before.  We MUST speak out against this.  

How often have you gotten stuck driving behind a car with a busted up exhaust?  

It kicks back a disgusting black cloud of gross that you inevitably have to drive through.  If you don't already have your ventilation set to "circulate in-car," you're punished with breathing in the putrid fumes.  


Can you tell how much I hate this circumstance?

Well, color me incredulous today.

I was driving into work when I noticed a line of five cars driving placidly behind a large truck spewing VOLUMES of filth into the air.  

The fumes were black, but not one of these cars moved to get around the offending vehicle. 

INCREDULOUS!

I wasn't going to wait around for them to come to their senses.  I switched lanes and drove right past all six of them.  

The rest of the way to work, I kept wondering why the other five vehicles didn't follow suit. There was a completely open lane to their left.  They definitely weren't following the truck for directions.  Why, then, would all of them be content to remain behind a truck spewing poison into their cars?

It was then that I realized how often we each do this in our own lives.  

How often do we remain content to follow a leader that is so obviously spewing something dangerous?  

I'm a big culprit when it comes to bad language.  I slip into using terrible language when I'm surrounded by others who do the same.  Oh Lord, I'm terrible when it comes to this. 

There are clear paths that I could easily steer myself onto that would take me past the foul-language, but I remain.  Why?  Because sometimes it's easier to coast along and not demand better for oneself.  

And that's a terribly embarrassing thing to realize about yourself.  But realize it I did as I scoffed at the other "idiot drivers" who didn't see it.  *Cringe*

We do this so often in our lives.  Personal relationships, work relationships, even political ones.  Our leaders often try to shove unsavory fumes down our throats and we allow it. We can and must do better for ourselves.  We need to seek out the other paths that take us beyond the poisonous actions of those we are behind.  

One bad exhaust and here I go waxing political.  In truth, though, I think the analogy works.

I admit I had no idea this was part of our national anthem.  However, I'm not altogether surprised it's gone "missing" during our various celebrations and sporting events.

Kudos to this marine.  Kudos to those who stood up to join him with their hands over their hearts.

Well done Francis Scott Key.  Well done.

Special thanks to Justin Bell (@ajustbell) for giving me permission to use the above photo for tonight's entry.  He was present for the Procession and took some really incredible photos. Looking through them, my eyes truly began to well up with gratitude for the outpouring of love for Christ within the Eucharist.  

Lord, You are loved. Forgive us for neglecting to show our love like this more often. 

By now, you've all heard of the repugnant event that was to be hosted on the Harvard campus.  I, like many of my Catholics, joined my brothers and sisters in Boston in a national show of solidarity through prayer, fasting and sacrifice. 

There is nothing more I can possibly say on this matter that hasn't already been outline hundreds of times by others who have written about this.  I will say, however, that I was incredibly hurt by such an event being promoted.  Physically, painfully hurt.  

So from 7pm until 8pm, I locked myself away and offered the hour in union with the entire Church.  I offered it in reparation for the mockery of Christ, I offered it for the conversion and repentance of those responsible, and I offered it for the strength and clarity of those with the power to stop it.  

There were no adoration hours available to me locally, so I chose to unite myself by reading about the Eucharist in a little booklet I picked up about a year ago.  It's been sitting in my drawer waiting for this day.  I pulled it out and spent the hour in prayerful reflection of the lessons contained within.

The booklet is titled The Most Blessed Sacrament and is written by Fr. Stephano Manelli, OFM.  I thought it fitting.  Fr. Manelli creates a quilt of reflections patched together by various saints who were entirely devoted to our Divine God hidden in the Eucharist.  

Folks just don't understand how Catholics can adore what - to them - amounts to be a cracker.  God would never, in their minds, appear as something so insignificant.  God is majestic - divine!  He would not stoop so low as to appear as bread and wine.  

And yet this is exactly who we know God to be.  This is precisely why we praise Him, honor Him and love Him.  The Divine and Unencompassable God consents to become the most base staple of nourishment so that He can mercifully feed us in an intimate and personal way.  That is how loving our God is.  He is not this mythical creature who is too self-important to care for His children.  Instead, He bends over backwards to be near to us.  He cares not for golden ciboriums or tabernacles encrusted with jewels; He years to take refuge within the depths of our soul.  He wishes to enjoin Himself to our deepest, truest essence so that He can fashion us to Him and make us more like Himself - divine.  

This is why Satan hates the Eucharist.  He can't stand that the Divine God humbles Himself so basely for the likes of humanity.  It is why he seeks to mock and sully the truest, most blessed gift ever given to humanity.

St. Augustine once exclaimed of the Eucharist, "Although God is all-powerful, He is unable to give more; though supremely wise, He knows not how to give more; though vastly rich, He has not more to give."

Why is this?  Because in the Eucharist, we are given God's Incarnate Son.  Jesus comes to us fully (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) to feed us and nourish our souls with effusions of Divine Grace.  God cannot give more than the gift of Himself in this humble form.  This blessed gift is the summation of His promise to be with us always.  

Methinks I'll be doing a lot more meditating on the Eucharistic Lord in the coming months.  The media still isn't entirely sure if the mockery took place or not.  Some reports are saying it happened in a Chinese restaurant across from campus, others are reporting that it has been pushed off indefinitely.  Either way, evil is beginning to get increasingly brazen, and a more constant meditation and show of Christian love is necessary to combat this treachery. 

Did any of you participate in the 7-8pm vigil?

A friend of mine posted the above video to Facebook.  I knew what it was as soon as I saw it.  A reader had sent it my way and said maybe I should think about sharing Myla's story as a way to break the silence.  

I'm not there yet.  But I am really, really glad that there is a push to get stuff like this out in the open.  

When my friend posted this, he said something great:  "I didn't realize the prevalence of this event. I love how families are allowing the child to remain a part of their family and honoring her/him at special times - birthday, thanksgiving, christmas and/or other winter holidays. For those who are uncomfortable with sharing this, GET OVER YOURSELF!  The child was part of life however briefly, is loved and will always be remembered."

I immediately thought, Right on, we WILL always love and remember them!  And of course you didn't realize the prevalence.  NO ONE realizes the prevalence because no one talks about it.

I then wondered why.  I mean, on a personal level, I know why I don't talk about it.  But on a grander scale, there had to be a reason.  It hit me, and I commented the following:

I know this is a good chunk of the reason I keep silent.  I'm not ready to handle their emotions on top of my own.  I'm not ready to handle the questions or the judgement or even the sympathy that might result from Myla's story being out there amongst family and friends.

But the point of this video is spot on, and I do think the reason so many of us don't speak out more is because our culture - a culture steeped in death and selfishness - cannot accept the grief of parents who prove their misguided stance on life within the womb is not compatible with reality.  We are a thorn in their logic.  

Please be warned - the linked article has a moderately graphic image for some of you involving blood.  No bodies are shown, but blood smeared on the wall in letters is.

This is an article regarding the wave of anti-Christian crime that's been sweeping through Russia and the surrounding areas in the wake of the Riot sentencing.  A few people are now dead in connection to the crime-spree (whether capitalizing on the fame of the trial or not is to be determined) and countless churches and communities have been victimized through desecration, theft and violence. 

We are to be tried once more in the public square. Anti-Christian fervor is building, and we can expect more of this to spread even to within our own borders.

Arm yourselves, Church Militant. Prayer is your sword; the saints are your armor. Your battle cry is Truth and that Truth is Christ.

So a wonderful friend of mine left a link on my wall this morning regarding the proposed boycott of Chick-Fil-A that has now extended down to my hometown of Philadelphia.

Blah.

I had read about it here last night, but it was about 2am and I didn't have the energy to find words for the irritation I felt.

Luckily, Nicole found someone who did it for me and was kind enough to share his words this morning.  I'm returning the favor by sharing it with all of you.

Please take a moment (especially if you appreciate Mr. Mendte's common sense) to drop him an e-mail at [email protected] to let him know.  I certainly did. 

And remember - this is NOT just about gay rights, this is not about a chicken place, and this is not about our righteous indignation regarding either side of the issue.

This is about our freedoms and how politicians, pundits and yes, even some journalists, are going out of their way to cloud the fact that our liberty is being threatened.  Not only is it being threatened, but it's being bullied, battered and spit upon - all in the name of "tolerance."

Again... the hypocrisy... it hurts.

Op-Ed piece by Ross Douthat that was run in the NY Times.  This one is highlighted by Fr. Z over at WDTPRS.

This on the heels of the NY Times running THIS story that aims to shame other journalists into doing their jobs and not allowing the government (Republican and Democrat alike) to color the news.

Methinks the NYT just garnered a tip of my hat.

Well done, NYT.  Well done.

Let's say my mother is driving a car.  We're about to take a curve too harshly.  Considering there's a canyon to the left of us, if she continues speeding, we're likely to tumble into the abyss.

Do I refrain from telling her to slow down because I'm afraid I might hurt her feelings for criticizing her driving?

No.  I like my life.

Instead, I'd say, "Hey Mom, you need to apply the brakes because if you don't, we're likely to take a tumble neither one of us will enjoy."

Would I be judging my mother to be a bad driver?  No.

Would I be judging her behavior to be bad?  Yes.

Might she feel as though I'd judged her to be a bad driver?  Yes, it's a possibility.

If she feels as though I've passed a negative judgement on her, does that mean I have?  No.

Even knowing that she might have her feelings hurt as a result of my criticism, should I refrain from suggesting she slow down?  NO.

As I've said in previous entries, I simply do not have the personality to sit on the sidelines while someone is acting in a way that is either harmful to self or others.  I can't.  I automatically put a familiar face on these folks and my decision is made - political correctness be damned. 

That is exactly what we are asked to do as Catholics.  The quote "Judge not, lest ye be judged" is often given as a means to stifle this responsibility.  However, if we read juuust a little bit further, we'll come to understand that this misrepresented quote (found on everything from billboards to memes to T-shirts) means something much different than the sound byte it's utilized as.

Here is the quote in its entirety (from the New American Bible, so the wording is slightly changed):

Jesus said to His disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”  Matt 7:1-5

In other words, use your God-given intellect to discern judgement.  It isn't necessarily meaning we should condemn, but it's certainly charging us with the responsibility of properly judging all things with equality.

In fact, there are quotes all over the Bible specifically commanding this of us.

In the gospels, Luke echoes Matthew in Chapter 6 with "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven... For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

John (7:24) relays Jesus saying "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteously."

In Proverbs (3:21), "Preserve sound judgement and discernment."

In the Letter of St. Paul to the Phillipians (1:9-11), "And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."

And my favorite (also from Luke 6) stating, "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."

I'm successfully irritated.  My charity level is low to non-existent right now, so I apologize in advance.

There has been yet another striking blow to religious freedoms today... this time in Denmark. All over the world, governments are attempting to put religious freedom to death, and no one is any the wiser.  Why?  Because it's all being done under the guise of social justice.

Danish parliament has just passed a law making it MANDATORY for all churches in Denmark to provide homosexual marriage ceremonies.

Take a second and let that process (if you're not too busy hurling).

A government is attempting to FORCE entire religious communities to utilize their sacred houses of worship for a ceremony that goes directly against their religious beliefs as a people.

I'm beyond disgusted. 

Once again the issue of religious freedoms is ignored because folks are too busy crying foul over the issue of homosexuality.

I don't care if two men want to get hitched through civil unions.  Be my guest.  I draw the line, however, when those two men attempt making a mockery of our Sacrament by committing such a sacrilege in front of the Blessed Sacrament in a Catholic Church. 

As I said on Facebook, welcome to the reason I refuse to vote in favor of anyone trying to push this through our court system.

As I said in a previous entry, Australia is quickly following suit. The US won't be far behind.

I'm all for homosexuals getting hitched in churches that condone it. I am NOT okay with a government stepping in to force ANYONE to accept a union that cannot be recognized by aforementioned religion.

Catholic priests cannot "consecrate" a union that is considered abhorrent and inherently sinful. No matter how much a government wants to kick, scream and cry, a faithful Catholic priest cannot (and will not) call a blessing down upon that which is mortally sinful.

Even if one tried to, do you think God would say, "Ya know what?  Alright... since you asked so nicely, I'll be sure to go against that which I've stated - repeatedly - and reward you for your impressively arrogant disobedience."

Again, Lord, mercy. 

My friend, Christina, said something to me that has been bouncing around in my head for the last few days:

There's something about a fire that doesn't seem to burn you. [This] issue had fire written all over it and you just jumped on in like it was a bubble bath.

Ah... the story of my life.

Last week, when I wrote that "Alone" entry, I got several follow-up messages from the person the entry was originally about.  He gave me permission to post his story here, because I honestly think it's something that folks should be aware of, especially those of us who are active on Christian blogs / forums.

While I was chatting with some folks on a Christian forum, a young man timidly asked for advice with an issue he'd been struggling with.  We happily agreed to hear him out.  He identifies himself as homosexual, he's 19, and he still lives home with his "strict Christian parents."  He loves his parents dearly, but he hasn't "come out" to them, yet.  He was looking for advice on how to best do it without having them disown him.

Within minutes the thread was lighting up with comments like:

"It's a phase."                                        "Keep that to yourself until you get it fixed."
"You'll go to hell!"                                  "You SHOULD be disowned."
"Homosexuality is a disease."                                ETC...

Seriously.  I was absolutely FLOORED.  I immediately jumped in to dispel the notion that his sexuality was a one-way ticket to hell that needed to be exchanged through a one-night stand with a woman (suggested by a particularly vulgar member who, until that point, had been the most proper one of the bunch!).  I then pointed out that the various responses were less than Christian in content. 

You'd think I stumbled upon a hellmouth or something.  Not only was I trying to defend this person against attacks, I was on the receiving end, myself, with no hope of respite.  To say anything contrary to "Gays are evil, hell-bound freaks of nature" was tantamount to painting yourself with a bulls-eye and handing out arrows during open season.  I felt HORRIBLE because all that viciousness simply caused this young man to pull away, completely embarrassed, ashamed and hurt by the torrent of verbal abuse.  Worse, he assumed that response was a unanimously Christian one because no one took a stand against it!!!  Heaven forbid!

For the record:

Condemning a person is NOT CHRISTIAN CHARITY. 

Suggesting that they commit a mortal sin in order to "reverse" another perceived mortal sin is NOT CHRISTIAN CHARITY. 

Responding to a plea for help with vitriol and wishes for the emotional distress of family abandonment is NOT CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

This gentle young man and I have been blessed to have several discussions on this now.  He now understands that regardless of his sexuality, he is a body and soul created and loved by God.  He understands Catholic teaching on homosexuality, and though he doesn't agree with it, at least he doesn't believe Catholicism teaches he's got a sure-ticket to hell just for being attracted to other men.  He also feels better about talking to his parents about this.  After all, a parent's duty is to love above all else.  Heck, our job as humans is to love above all else.  Loving doesn't mean accepting the sins of another, but it DOES mean accepting the person for who they're made as and helping them carry the crosses uniquely granted by God to help them on their path towards Heaven.

Keep folks like this in your prayers.  It takes a lot of courage to be upfront about your deepest struggles, especially when you've got the whole world ready to rip into you. 

And this is why I tend to step into the fire with seemingly little regard for the flames.  On the other end of the verbal assault, someone is feeling the effects.  On the other side of the computer screen, someone is being made to feel subhuman.  When these hot-button conversations ignite, there is someone, somewhere being given a very incorrect view of Christianity through the poor examples of those who laud themselves as being the epitome of Christian practice.  I can't help but feel my own heart break for them. 

So yes.  I frequently involve myself in these types of conversations and threads because if I don't, who will?  Be the change you wish to see, right?  If I had kept my mouth shut and just allowed them to steamroll this person, what type of image would he have of Christianity?  Would there be no nugget of hope regarding coming out to his parents?

And what of the people who could easily have offered their own "Likes" or commentary to mine?  Instead of private messaging, they could have helped this young man feel something of the love of God.  Instead, he was left with a very bitter taste in his mouth, spoon-fed by supposedly loving Christians.

Our duty is not to stand by and allow such ill-feelings to spread.  Our duty as Christians is to love God by loving one another - not silently... not ashamedly... not timidly.  We are called to live our love out loud. 

If that means dancing in the fire, bring on the flames.

Special thanks to Creative Minority Report for not only having the full ad, but the full text here.

Another special thanks to Nicole for dropping this off via FB.  I'd seen it being talked about on a few blogs, but I hadn't gotten the full text until now!

I'll deal with the Catholic vs. Muslim NTY Ad issue at another time.  Today I want to focus on the Catholic ad.

I'm all for free speech.  I honestly don't mind that they paid for an ad that voiced their opinions.  That being said, I'm unsurprised that they chose to exercise their freedom of speech by once again attacking Catholicism and seeking to muddy the real issues that surround US Catholics at present.

I'll take the text and respond - one at a time - to their ludicrous statements.  My comments are in red.


Dear ‘Liberal’ Catholic: 

It’s time to quit the Roman Catholic Church.

It’s your moment of truth. Will it be reproductive freedom, or back to the Dark Ages? Do you choose women and their rights, or Bishops and their wrongs? Whose side are you on, anyway? 

Common ploy to polarize!  You're attempting to juxtapose issues that don't actually exist.  For example, in attempting to contrast our Bishops and "their wrongs" with women and "their rights" it appears that the two are at odds.  In truth, Catholics are

attempting to continue
providing women with
the most comprehensive
healthcare possible. 

And these are only a few examples - a very tiny sampling of the almost unfathomable amount of resources we dedicate to providing reliable, charitable healthcare to ALL people all over the world.  But sure - this is simply a matter of us suddenly wanting to stop providing what is a vital part of our Catholic identity.  Of course.  That makes perfect sense.  <sarcasm>

It is time to make known your dissent from the Catholic Church, in light of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ ruthless campaign endangering the right to contraception. If you’re part of the Catholic Church, you’re part of the problem.

I didn't realize that practicing my faith somehow trampled on your rights.  In speaking out against this mandate, I'm not stopping you from purchasing condoms, pills or even abortions.  I'm simply attempting to keep myself from footing the bill for your lifestyle choices, especially when those lifestyle choices go directly against my faith.  Isn't this what you've always wanted?  This is the Church attempting to stay out of your bedroom.  Stay out of my wallet, k?

Why are you propping up the pillars of a tyrannical and autocratic, woman-hating, sex-perverting, antediluvian Old Boys Club?

Your proof for any of those completely fallacious statements is where?  And that whole sex-perversion comment makes me laugh.  We're upholding sexual intercourse to be a holy, beautiful and intimate bond between husband and wife.  You folks are the ones attempting to make it a free-for-all that is free from emotion, respect, and responsibility.

Why are you aiding and abetting a church that has repeatedly and publicly announced a crusade to ban contraception, abortion and sterilization, and to deny the right of all women everywhere, Catholic or not, to decide whether and when to become mothers?

Because the Church is correct in attempting to stamp out that which is morally bankrupt.  We're NOT attempting to refuse women the right to choose whether / when to become mothers.  They're perfectly capable of doing that on their own.  It's as simple as saying "No, honey, not tonight."  Or are you attempting to assert that women are ignorant and incapable of understanding their own bodies well enough to address this issue themselves without the aid of harmful chemicals /invasive procedures? 

When it comes to reproductive freedom, the Roman Catholic Church is Public Enemy Number One. Think of the acute misery, poverty, needless suffering, unwanted pregnancies, social evils and deaths that can be laid directly at the door of the Church’s antiquated doctrine that birth control is a sin and must be outlawed.

Oh really?  Reproductive freedom goes both ways, dear.  How about we call it Reproductive RESPONSIBILITY.  Folks don't want to accept responsibility anymore.  It has nothing to do with freedom.  It has to do with a refusal of responsibility.  Freedom is as simple as saying "No, I'm not ready for a child, thus I'm not ready for the act that goes into creating a child" or even "I'm not ready (or willing) to have a child, thus I need to be aware of my body's signals that I'm fertile."

In the eyes of the Church, birth control, abortion and sterilization are mortal sins.  Our doctrine on this is not something that can become "antiquated."  So regardless of how much public opinion is influenced by your liberal thrust, the Church will remain firmly rooted in the Truth of the Teachings of Christ.  Thus, call us outdated all you want.  Truth is timeless, and no matter how many times you try to say 1+1=7, the Catholic Church will always discern your folly and seek to correct that folly for the good of Her people.

A backer of the Roman Catholic presidential candidate says that if women want to avoid pregnancy we should put an aspirin between our knees?

Apparently we must take his word for gospel because he's a Catholic.  Good thing there haven't been any folks who parade themselves as Catholic and do / say some REALLY anti-Catholic things (Pelosi, anyone?  Cuomo?  I could go on). 

Catholic politicians are urging that the right to contraception should be left up to states?
Nearly 50 years after the Supreme Court upheld contraception as a privacy right, we’re going to have to defend this basic freedom all over again?

Back to that whole "Truth is timeless" point.  Just because the SC said something's A-OK doesn't mean we have to agree.  We'll keep plugging away until all life (even that within the womb) is viewed with the respect and dignity it deserves.

You’re better than your church.

Correction - we ARE the Church.

So why? Why continue to attend Mass? Tithe?

To worship God in a way He specified was holy and good.
To join together as a community to renew our covenant with God as His family.
To listen to the Word of God and participate in His Death and Resurrection.
To partake of the Blessed Sacrament - something no other religion has.
To bear our petitions before the Throne of the Lord on the wings of our angels.
To unite ourselves more fully to the Church Triumphant, Penitent and Militant.
To express thankfulness for the blessings we've received through Divine Providence.
Annnnd, this list could seriously go on forever.

Why dutifully sacrifice to send your children to parochial schools so they can be brainwashed into the next generation of myrmidons (and, potentially, become the next Church victims)?

Of course it's seen as brainwashing to you.  And that's fine - no one's asking you to send your kids to Catholic school.  However, I know I intend to send mine to a Catholic school so they gain a firm foundation for TRUE Catholic teachings - not the misinformation you spread as fact. 

I also appreciate the comfort of knowing Catholic education does a much better job of helping children succeed academically than its secular counterpart.  And for the record, that information was compiled using the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

For that matter, why have you put up with an institution that won’t put up with women priests, that excludes half of humanity?

This simply shows your ignorance of Catholicism.  ALL people are part of the royal priesthood (men and women alike).  However, only men can belong to the ministerial priesthood through Ordination, and that's because women are NATURALLY able to become vessels of life.  Men can only gain that gift through the vocation of priesthood (in bearing Christ to the people through Consecration).  But since folks like you can't seem to grasp that dignity is not something measured by things you can pat yourself on the back for, just read this and learn why we believe women cannot be priests.

No self-respecting feminist, civil libertarian or progressive should cling to the Catholic faith.

Again, you're attempting to polarize things that honestly have no reason being a part of this discussion.  You're attempting to shame folks into leaving the Church because you view it as anti-feminist, stifled and archaic.  The Church is none of these things.  We respect our women, we revere tradition, and we are able to grow in spirituality courtesy of the Holy Spirit.  Just because we aren't willing to fall into the muck you call "progress" doesn't mean we can't be progressive.  We just think your version of "progress" is highly suspect and can be likened more to humanity slipping BACKWARDS into slime and filth.

As a Cafeteria Catholic, you chuck out the stale doctrine and moldy decrees of your religion, but keep patronizing the establishment that menaces public health by serving rotten offerings.

You have completely misunderstood the concept of Cafeteria Catholic, haven't you?

Your continuing Catholic membership, as a “liberal,” casts a veneer of respectability upon an irrational sect determined to blow out the Enlightenment and threaten liberty for women worldwide. You are an enabler. And it’s got to stop.

I agree that Cafeteria Catholics have to stop, but I think we differ on the reasons why, as these folks do nothing to cast ANY sort of respectability upon those of us who are faithful Catholics.  And as for your talk of Enlightenment... well... that's obviously hogwash as Catholicism is a beacon of truth in your sea of folly.  As much as you want to claim we're threatening women's health / liberty, we're probably the last bastion they've got that is willing to provide them the compassion and dignity they desperately need.

If you imagine you can change the church from within — get it to lighten up on birth control, gay rights, marriage equality, embryonic stem-cell research — you are deluding yourself.

For any Catholic that thinks they can change that stuff, you're not understanding the concept of dogma, and I'd agree with the statement of "you are deluding yourself." 

If you remain a “good Catholic,” you are doing “bad” to women’s rights.

Not only is a non-Catholic attempting to tell me I'm being "bad" but an atheistic one who HATES Catholicism.  No conflict of interest there, right?  Excuse me, waiter... can I please have a heaping serving of salt to go with this garbage?

You’re kidding yourself if you think the Church is ever going to add a Doctrine of Immaculate ContraCeption.

I bet you thought you were hilarious with that one, didn't you?  *Shakes head*  That's pathetic.

It is disgraceful that U.S. health care reform is being held hostage to the Catholic Church’s bizarre opposition to medically prescribed contraception.

No, what's disgraceful is that the current administration is attempting to dismantle our 1st Amendment rights and a portion of the population is perfectly content to stand by because they don't understand / care what's going on.

No politician should jeopardize electability for failure to genuflect before the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Again, while I'm sure you thought your imagery was hilarious, you fail to make any sort of substantial point.  No one is expecting politicians to genuflect before a bishop.  We (meaning faithful Catholics) want politicians to uphold the office they were elected for.  We want them to hear our voice and protect our right to freedom of religion.  If they fail to uphold the dignity of their office, we'll be sure to give them a good old-fashioned boot come next election.

(Question to ask your Bishop: Does he hold up an umbrella against the rain? Isn’t that just as “unnatural” as using a condom or diaphragm?)

Again, this foolish question makes no sense, but it betrays your view of sex.  For Catholics, sexual relations are a renewal of wedding vows.  It is the total giving of self by husband to wife (and vice versa).  Exactly what sort of loving, self-giving exchange is occurring between a human being and rain?

Your Church hysterically claims that secular medical policy is “an assault against religious liberty.”

It's not a hysterical claim, but I know you're trying with increasing fervor to make others believe that's all it is.  This is a proclamation of TRUTH.

You are savvy enough to realize that the real assault is by the Church against women’s rights and health care.

I see what you attempted to do there.  I know you're attempting to stroke my ego and make me go "Yeah!  I AM smart enough to realize the Church is really anti-women!"

Unfortunately for you, I'm actually much more intelligent and knowledgable about my faith than you are.  So how about you back off with attempting to tell me what my religion stands for and you go about your business of trying to prove to yourself that there is no higher power awaiting you at death.

As Nation columnist Katha Pollitt asks: Is it an offense against Jehovah Witnesses that health care coverage will include blood transfusions? The Amish, as Pollitt points out, don’t label cars “an assault on religious liberty” and try to force everyone to drive buggies. The louder the Church cries “offense against religious liberty” the harder it works to take away women’s liberty.

Mark Shea answers this way better than I ever could, so just read this.

Obama has compromised,

No, no he didn't.  In fact, he outright lied.

but the Church never budges, instead launching a vengeful modern-day Inquisition.

Yup.  And I'm quite pleased that She's finally mobilizing the Church Militant in defense of Truth!

Look at its continuing directives to parish priests to use their pulpits every Sunday to lobby you against Obama’s policy, the Church’s announcement of a major anti-contraception media campaign — using your tithes, contributions and donations — to defeat Obama’s laudable health care policy.

Have you actually been to any churches on Sunday?  That's an obvious "no."

The Church has introduced into Congress the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, ” a bill to place the conscienceless Catholic Church’s “rights of conscience” above the rights of conscience of 53 percent of Americans. That the Church has “conscience rights” to deny women their rights is a kissing cousin to the claim that “corporations are people.” The Church that hasn’t persuaded you to oppose contraception now wants to use the force of secular law to deny contraceptive rights to non-Catholics.

Wow - to be quite honest, you lost me at "conscienceless Catholic Church."  Also, what is this "53 percent of Americans" you're referring to?

But is there any point in going on?

Plenty, as you've yet to give me any solid reasons to leave what I know to be the fulfillment of God's promise for salvation.  We have the Sacraments, we have true, moral guidance, we have a community of good, charitable people who seek to extend their hands to help Divine Providence along.  We have the Church Triumphant and the Church Penitent pulling for us, and we've got the guidance of the Holy Spirit to navigate us through your treachery. 

You've got what?  Pills and condoms?  Moral bankruptcy?  A hopeless future in which life amounts to nothing more than personal gratification and selfish ideas of how others can be utilized for your own ends?

Yeah... no thanks.

After all, your misplaced loyalty has lasted through two decades of public sex scandals involving preying priests, children you may have known as victims, and church complicity, collusion and coverup going all the way to the top.

Ah, there it is... I was waiting for this to rear its head.  Yes, we've had our share of fallen leaders, same as everyone else.  There really isn't much we can do to rectify all the hurt and pain we've caused, but good luck to the world in attempting to pay us back for all the good we've done.  We are a sinful people, but in the end, our track record is much more golden than tarnished.  Though this is an ugly scar we will bear forever (and rightly so), it doesn't diminish the humane, holy, and charitable good we've done all over the world.

Are you like the battered woman who, after being beaten down every Sunday, feels she has no place else to go?

Really?  You seriously went with THIS imagery?  I guess you're really trying to bring home your whole "the Church hates women" argument.  Again - very sad.

But we have a more welcoming home to offer,

Like all those wonderful things I mentioned above???  Again - no thanks!

free of incense-fogged ritual,

Also free from holiness, blessings and God

free of what freethinker Bertrand Russell called “ideas uttered long ago by ignorant men,”

Apparently free from common sense and knowledge of what Catholicism actually teaches, too.

free of blind obedience to an illusory religious authority.

And to top it off, free from absolutes, tradition and reality.  Again, no thanks!

Join those of us who put humanity above dogma.

You're confusing humanity for personal gratification and immaturity - a life free from responsibility, meaningful relationships, and most importantly, God.  Pardon me if I don't come rushing over to sign up.

As a member of the “flock” of an avowedly antidemocratic club, isn’t it time you vote with your feet? Please, exit en Mass.

Again, I realize you think you're hilarious, but wow.  It's like your puns get more cringe-worthy with each passing paragraph!  I'll continue voting with my feet straight up the Communion line where I can kneel before my Lord and my God to accept Him with love and joy, content to bear Him forth to others. 



Amen, dear Lord - never allow me to tear myself away from Your Heart.