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(response to post 34) It doesn't surprise me that there are people like that, particularly among some of the American clergy. To tell you the truth, I have a severe problem with those who question a person's "authenticity" in terms of conservatism or religion just because they are different in some way. I think it's illogical to judge someone on just those grounds. I don't think it does any good when people just throw insults at each other, and forget about logical arguments. This is what leftists have the reputation for doing, not conservatives. As for everything else you said, I think that incident you had with your priest was pretty funny!

I have a severe problem with those who question a person's "authenticity" in terms of conservatism or religion just because they are different in some way.

Well, I would agree with that statement up to a certain point. I mean, liturgical rules allow for a certain leeway on many different aspects of the Sacraments. But certainly there are a great many ways that being different can and does invalidate Sacraments, and thereby negates any "authenticity." Especially in America, Catholics sadly have to be on guard for liturgical abuse. And generally speaking, priests who disregard or hold little regard for anything but the "bare minimum" as pertains to their priestly duties, can generally be counted on to hold unorthodox views (either privately or publicly) regarding the faith. And although this is a problem that our Church has faced since Christ's time (Judas was an apostle, after all), it's still our duty to be aware so that souls are not misled.