Brownback's silence on religion speaks volumes

The Hutchinson News ^ | June 15, 2003 | Mary Rintoul

[axel f]

Brownback's silence on religion speaks volumes

By Mary Rintoul

Sam Brownback says his religious affiliation is his private business.

The U.S. senator from Kansas has flatly refused to address the issue of his conversion a year ago to the Roman Catholic faith and his association with Opus Dei, an ultra-conservative offshoot of the church.

Brownback's silence speaks volumes.

The senior senator from Kansas should take a page from the book of a fellow Catholic politician, who came out swinging instead of ducking when the issue of religion was raised.

"I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish - where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source - where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials . . ."

Sen. Sam likely wishes for such eloquence. President John F. Kennedy was blessed with it.

Kennedy was the first Catholic ever elected president. And the issue of his religion came up time and again in the 1960 campaign. He was elected by the slimmest of margins, but he never fled the questions.

Unlike Kennedy, Brownback was not born into the Catholic faith. The senator's conversion - his wife and children remain Methodists - has raised questions and eyebrows. Not because of the faith he chose but because of the friends he keeps.

Brownback was lured to Catholicism by Opus Dei guru Father C. John McCloskey III. And since then, nearly every story about Opus Dei, whether written by the Catholic press or mainstream media, links Brownback and McCloskey.

Brownback, of course, won't comment on why he keeps getting mentioned with Opus Dei, which promotes self-flagellation - a practice more politicians should engage in, if you ask me.

Brian Finnerty, Opus Dei's director of communications in the United States, claims Brownback is not a member of Opus Dei. And that likely is true - membership requires a definite time commitment. Members are expected to attend Mass daily, pray the rosary daily, read the gospels daily and make a weekly confession.

Not exactly a schedule a busy senator like Brownback can keep.

Literally, Opus Dei means "work of God." It is a Catholic lay organization recognized by the Vatican, and it exhorts members to find holiness in daily living.

Not a bad idea. Until one digs a little deeper.

In addition to the daily and weekly chores and the self-whippings, Opus Dei numerates - members committed to celibacy and who typically live in an Opus Dei center or residence - embrace cult-like activities. Personal mail is read by an Opus Dei official; permission is needed to leave the residence; single women are not allowed any physical contact with men; members wear a tight band around their thigh for several hours each day as a reminder of Jesus' suffering on the cross.

Those are the activities that have been uncovered; other practices remain secret.

This is not normal.

Yet Brownback offers a telling no comment when asked to explain his new faith and why, even though he is not a member of Opus Dei, he is associated with the movement.

As a U.S. senator, he decides how to spend taxpayers' money. He helps craft laws for this country and participates in shaping foreign and domestic policies. The job calls for clear thinking and level-headedness. And it demands accountability.

The senator's association, whether by guilt or choice, with a secret society that practices cult-like activities under the auspices of the Vatican, should be exposed.

Brownback's life needs to be an open book. He cannot afford to operate in the dark, nor allow his personal life to be questioned or shrouded in Opus Dei mumbo-jumbo. Nor should his constituents condone such behavior.

Brownback chose a public life and public service. That means the light shines a bit brighter on his activities.

The senator from Kansas can stand in the shadows and whisper religious persecution. Or he can step up to the podium, as JFK did time and time again in 1960, and explain his faith and disassociate himself from Opus Dei.

A politician's religion doesn't matter. But a constituency's faith in that politician to conduct himself in the open - both privately and professionally - is critical to that politician's career and credibility.

Brownback's silence about his ties to Opus Dei begs the question: What does he have to hide?

Copyright 2003 The Hutchinson News

[RAT Patrol]

LOL. I know nothing of Connie Morris other than she's a Nazi who wants to deprive illegal immigrant children of an education because she is scared of them. LOL.

Actually, I think we should not leave the kids at home to fend for themselves. If we are going to tolerate illegal immigration, we can't punish innocent children if for no other reason than our own selfish interests. Nothing says "criminal recruit" like a bunch of latchkey illiterates who cannot even speak the language of the land. Still, I think Morris speaks for the concerns of many Kansans -- obviously -- and she deserves to be heard. I also think we should either enforce immigration laws or change the laws. Otherwise, why should law-abiding immigrants continue to respect the law? However, I am in no way an expert on the immigration subject. I can't fight every battle.

[AdA$tra]

LOL! I am not progressive enough to know.

The term "prgressive" is becoming "pervasive"....whatever that means.

[RAT Patrol]

Progressive is what liberals call themselves as they slide us all down to a socialist's hell.

[RAT Patrol]

I guess that should be a conservative's hell and a socialist's heaven. Oh whatever. You get the idea.

[Zack Nguyen]

If Brownback were linked with the National Council of Churches, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, or some other leftist group, the media wouldn't bat an eye.

[axel f]

I see both sides of this. (Rare for me.) I agree fully with what you're saying, but otoh Morris is a former public school teacher who dealt with this issue. This is why I need to read her book to understand her side.

[AdA$tra]

You get the idea.

Logic can be a b!^@# some times.

[Steel Eye]

I doubt that many kids are left home alone. Mexican families take care of their children, and their elders, better than most. And it is usually the kids who learn English first, often acting as interpreters for their parents. It is easier for the kids to adjust than their parents. Some parents send their kids here with older siblings, but they are usually always looked after.

While most people out here think immigration laws should be enforced, and that schools shouldn't be in the position of having to enroll illegal children, it has little to do with denying them an education. I think a lot of people may have voted for Morris because they are tired of all the liberal crap. Not because they thought she would crack down on illegal kids in our schools.

[RAT Patrol]

I think a lot of people may have voted for Morris because they are tired of all the liberal crap. Not because they thought she would crack down on illegal kids in our schools.

That's a good point. So, what do you think about paying for their kids education? I agree that it's unfair, but I do not see an alternative if we are not going to enforce immigration laws.

[Steel Eye]

We had a young fellow work for us one summer. (I guess that makes me part of the problem.) He already had a green card by then. One day, at lunch, he was telling us about going to school in Mexico. He was at school one day when there was an eclipse of the sun. He said the teacher poked a hole in the roof so the kids could watch the sunlight, and the shadow of the moon, on the floor of the classroom. My wife asked him... "Your teacher poked a hole in the roof?" He said "Yes. It was a tin roof. Like your shed." He didn't think anything of it. He came to the US with his older brother who had a work permit. He finished school in Texas. He's got kids of his own now. And a job. He pays taxes. It really doesn't bother that he went to school in this country, even if he wasn't legal at the time.

The liberals have twisted the question around. It shouldn't be a question as to whether or not they should be allowed to attend school. It should be a question as to whether or not they should be allowed to stay in this country. If they are here illegally, then going to school shouldn't even be an option. But like you say, we are not serious about enforcing the law. I don't know if it is because we want a cheap supply of labor of if it is just politics. Probably both.

[CarolAnn]

"If Brownback can lose an election, pigs can fly." "There is no chance he will be defeated."

I agree 100%. No one cares if Sen Brownback is now a Catholic. He got elected as an evangelical Christian, he can get re-elected as a Catholic.

[jonefab]

A politician's religion doesn't matter. But a constituency's faith in that politician to conduct himself in the open - both privately and professionally - is critical to that politician's career and credibility.

I wonder how this reporter felt about Clintoon's conduct in private? I suspect this doesn't "wash".

[axel f]

I wondered about that too. Especially when I read the part about "Brownback's life needs to be an open book." I wonder if this author felt the same way about the Clintons during the Monica thing or if it was a private matter.

[Steel Eye]

Good grief. I must have been tired last night when I wrote that. According to the Hutchinson News I'm supposed to be a seething, paranoid, Nazi racist. Because I voted for Morris. I must be getting soft.

I'd better get out today and kick some poor people out of the hospital. Steal some senior citizen's social security checks. Exploit some women. Participate in some unusual religious rituals. All those things we conservative love to do.

[conservonator]

Brownback was lured to Catholicism by Opus Dei guru Father C. John McCloskey III.

Lured?

[RAT Patrol]

Yeah, that makes sense to me.

I am sure I would have voted for Morris as a conservative, regardless of this issue. But I agree with you that it's been framed wrong. How's a newspaper gonna scare people away from voting conservative without an issue adjustment here and there? They really have to do it ya know.

[RAT Patrol]

ROTFL!!!!! about post #74. Ain't it the truth!!!