Posted on 01/14/2006 8:13:49 PM PST by RWR8189
The only reason that the above-named Senators call themselves "Catholics" is because nobody has ever heard of - or cared about - the importance of the "Episcopalian vote". I have as much right to call myself "Senator" as they do to call themselves "Catholics". The central building block of their entire political structure is the legalized murder of the unborn. The live in dread of the day Roe is overturned and the matter is returned to be decided by the various state legislatures because they know it will be shown that the majority of Americans do not support it. I think these phonies will also be less likely to try to use their "Catholic" status for electoral purposes in the future because they, rightly, expect that Pope Benedict will mince no words in putting them in their place. It's not that they care what the Pople thinks, but they know it will drive away the few remaining ignorant Catholic voters they might still have.
Excellent article. What amazed me in the hearings and in reading Alito's Dissents was how conditioned Kennedy and Schumer were to 'emotional reasoning' - as evidenced by the silly rendering of the "strip search of a 12 year old" compared to the the principled reasoning of Judge Alito.
I think you make an excellent point. Rural Newfoundland (my starting point) is full of the products of the old Catholic education system. Some of that legacy was undesirable, but everyone can read, and can handle very complex theological concepts.Meeting a fisherman who can still read latin, and tell you about Horace is an interesting tribute to the skills of the old Church.
It could be that a thoughtful examination of that system with a view to re-instate the benefical aspects of it is overdue.
For instance, the Protestant ministers in this small town area are much more content with the Alito nomination vs the Miers (Evangelical) nomination despite the fact that the SCOTUS will be predominately Catholic when Alito is confirmed. That is amazing in itself when you look at the history of small town America and the relationship between Protestants and Catholics.
Despite the sweeping generalization by this author that Catholics are better educated than Evangelicals, there are many Evangelicals who would more than qualify for a seat. I find this implication divisive and damaging.
On the other hand, if the next nominee is once again a Catholic, we shall see what that means for the alliance and what the implications are for Evangelicals seeking nomination.
I now see the Church as our Velveeta coccoon, from which we eventually emerge into our adult state as Christians.
Those "brick and mortar" institutions have been dying, if not dead, since the era of upward mobility/white flight of the immediate post-war era. In NYC, you can see two Catholic Churches but two blocks from one another, which are nearly empty at 11AM on Sunday. Why should such structure be kept open if there are no parishioners or even potential parioshioners?
Which brings us to another aspect of "Catholic" upward mobility not mentioned by the author: declining religiosity of newly affluent Catholics. For people such as my father and mother, the Church represented the world of row houses, corner taverns, authoritarian nuns, and blue collar frustration. Affluence "liberated" them from that world. The Church for folks like my parents (and there are MANY like them) represents a "throwback" to a down-marker world that they have no desire to return to.
As far as the Church become a national joke, let's be real. The Church has a SERIOUS image problem. When one mentions the Catholic Church to the average man in the street, do they think Bells of St. Mary or do they think of Pervert Priests?
pervert priests and irrelevant,boring homilies
I am reminded of the statement that "God will not be mocked!". While these "fallen" apostates will continue on for a few years, in the scheme of life, they and their efforts will be forgotten.
Affluence also "liberated" them from children. We have the paradox of 4,000 square foot houses with six bedrooms and garages for four cars including SUVs that haul 8 people; this for a family with one or two children.
"Old media" also has demonized the Boy Scouts, who successfully fought pedophilia by excluding gays from leadership positions.
>>To attack one section of Christianity in this day and age, is to waste time.<<
God Bless you.
May I borrow this as my new tagline?
Rudyard Kipling and a professor friend were driving about the countryside in Vermont, discussing philosophy. They stopped to water their horse, and continued their discussion. The professor remarked, "As Montaigne said . . ." and quoted something. The farmer looked up from the water bucket and said, "'Tweren't Montaigne that said that - 'twas Mon-TES-kee-ew." And of course it was.
**Catholicism is the most visible public philosophy in America, and the Catholic Church is a national joke.**
A question for the author:
Then why is the Catholic Church growing so much? Your reasoning is seive-like.
What's ironic is that some of us have learned in Alito's confirmation hearing that both Kennedy and Durbin were once staunch pro-lifers.
Number of Catholics Rises by 15 Million (Diocesan Priests Increase; Religious Decrease)
Spanish Catholicism still very robust (3 shrines and The Sagrada Familia)
Catholics outsource praying to India
Catholic Priests in India 'Outsourced' to Meet Clergy Shortage in West
Christian Coalition head (in Ala.) becomes Catholic
Church growth continues for Catholic and Pentecostals; six mainline denominations decline
Young people turn against their parents' 'church lite'
Pope calls US Church to repentance and renewal
A father for the 11th time - Widower becomes Catholic priest
Number of Adults Who Don't Attend Church Service Doubles
Huge Christian growth shocks China's leaders
Church Attendance Increased : Protestants have now clearly overtaken Catholics in church attendance
Catholics Trail Protestants in Church Attendance [Gallup]
Church Attendance Linked to Longer Life
Dozens of Episcopalians Follow Leader into Catholic Church
Thousands prepare to join U.S. Catholic Church this Easter
Where Have All the People in the Pews Gone?
More Than 150,000 People to Join Catholic Church Holy Saturday
Spirituality on the rise on college campuses
Analysis: Rome up, Protestantism down?
Benedict's Logic: A Church Contracting & Expanding Simultaneously
CHRISTIANITY EXPLODING WORLDWIDE; 3RD WORLD SENDING MISSIONARIES [V ENCOURAGING DOC]
Christianity taking over the planet?
Local pews straining to hold increasing Catholic population
Catholic Church is losing sway in Europe (Opinion from Ireland)
Has the Catholic Church given up the Ghost?
Statistics Reveal Africa Is (Catholic) Church's New Hope
Chicago Ordains Largest Class of Priests in a Decade
Foreign priests want to fill a need- if Americans let them
Reviving a dream: Big hopes of little congregation growing for Orthodox church
Ancient rhythm: Converts to Orthodoxy growing in America
Catholic Church Prepares for Cold War With Evangelists
IS THE CHURCH LIKELY TO SHRINK--AND SHOULD IT?
Church Attendance in Germany Experiences Huge Growth after Pope Benedict Elected
A Church That Packs Them In, 16,000 at a Time
(Catholic) Church Growing Everywhere Except Eurpoe
Scranton former Anglicans to be received as a body into the Catholic Church
A Letter from a Former Episcopalian
Catholic Sanctuaries Expand as Available Priests Decrease (Catholic MegaChurches Alert!)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.