Posted on 11/25/2008 12:25:34 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Vice President-elect Joe Biden liked to say that his Catholicism created an entire culture that shaped his views on public policy as well as private and personal obligations. Biden is just old enough to remember the Catholic ghetto in which whole neighborhoods were called by the name of the local Catholic parish. The Catholic press was filled not only with news about Catholic matters but advertisements for Catholic social events, Catholic undertakers, Catholic vacation destinations. In the early 60s, when Biden was finishing college, 70 percent of Catholic children in Philadelphia still attended parochial schools. The consumer culture was just beginning to put its hideous, materialistic id into most Catholics’ identity.
We are far removed from that world. Yet, the vestiges of that culture still motivate Biden and, if yesterday’s news conference is any indication, some of it has begun to rub off on President-elect Obama. During the Q-and-A after he announced his economic team, Obama repeatedly demonstrated a certain intellectual disposition that is classically Catholic: the "Both-And."
One of the most basic divisions in the intellectual life of the sixteenth century was the Catholic insistence on this "Both-And" approach to theology while the great Protestant reformers – Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Cramner – set out their theological challenge invoking "Either-Or" distinctions. The Reformation theologians insisted that it was grace, not nature, that perfected the human soul, that it was Scripture only, and not Tradition, that guaranteed the authenticity of the Church, and that it was faith, not works, which achieved salvation. The only counter-example I can think of was Luther’s famous observation that a Christian was "simul justus et peccator," at the same time justified yet still a sinner. (And, if Luther had written only that thought, it would be enough to guarantee his status as a theologian of orginality and genius.)
Catholic theology, on the other hand, tries to see past the apparent differences to a common source. So, grace perfects nature in Catholic ethics, Scripture and Tradition both flow from the same font of revelation, and faith and works must go hand-in-hand.
The press are all reformers: Their questions are designed to force a choice, a distinction. But, whether the topic was tax cuts or the Big Three automakers, Obama insisted on this "Both-And" approach. The point of repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy was both an effort at social justice and a requirement of fiscal discipline as Obama tries to keep the budget from getting too out of whack, even while he plows ahead with his tax cuts for the middle class which, again, serve both to strike a more just balance in society and as an economic stimulus. The Big Three need to be saved and they need to be saved in such a way that turns the industry toward more environmentally friendly vehicles. And, the stimulus package also must serve two masters: "Not only do I want this stimulus package to deal with the immediate crisis, I want it also to lay the groundwork for long-term, sustained economic growth." If Bellarmine had been an economist…
I know, I know: I can hear the abortion-only brigade getting up from their fainting spell and angrily arguing against any linkage of the President-elect with the Catholic Church, still less with one of its leading intellectual saints, Robert Bellarmine. But, friends, cool down your laptops. Obama is not going to be received into the Catholic Church anytime soon. I know that. You know that. Most importantly, he knows it. That is not the point. The point is that a fundamental intellectual disposition that has served Catholic theology well through the years seems to have found its way into this man’s head, and the reason is probably similar. The "Both-And" has long allowed the Church to focus on maintaining unity within the Church, even at the expense of nifty theological innovations. One of Obama’s strongest selling points, especially to unaffiliated and other swing voters, was his repeated call to move beyond the partisan nastiness and find common ground. After eight years in which George W. Bush has channeled that strange mixture of humility and ferocity that is at the heart of orthodox Calvinism, Obama’s pursuit of "Both-And" common ground, even when it is a little fuzzy, is a welcome tonic for a nation that has never been as divided as the political class would have you think it is.
If he’s thinking like a Catholic, the end of the world can’t be too far off. /sarc
LOL - I stopped reading it when I saw who posted it.
More like Catholics think like The Messiah, The Obama, The One (piss be upon him).
You shall know them by their fetish--er, I mean, fruits.
The more I see dribble like this the more I realize a lot of protestants are just plain stupid. To take this garbage hook, line, and sinker is so typical of those lacking in intellect.
Yeah, some folks should just stick to their nude priest fetishes. Although after awhile I am sure the keyboard needs a good cleaning.
Imagine taking to the internet each day searching for something—anything—that makes someone else’s faith look bad (especially if it involves nudity).
Self-denial of the Blessed Sacraments appears to be very poisonous for the soul.
Most people with that kind of fixation would seek professional help for a compulsion. Guarantee that something like that starts to take a life of its own and begins to interfere with relationships (especially with Christ). It’s like being a alcoholic or addicted to pornography except the drug is hatred and the “precious” (see the Lord of the Rings) is finding as many hit pieces about Catholics as possible each day. Truly sick.
Prayer is the only way to drive that demon out.
Hell, Biden isn’t even Catholic.....
He’s closer to Judas.....
Just ask the bishops.....
LOL, I just read the replies.
They have talked a lot about the poor, and not much about life. SO while this article is a bit odd, it is reflecting a true view out there.
Love it!
Here are some FR threads that support that thesis.
Pray for LIFE!
Lose-Lose on Abortion; Obama's threat to Catholic hospitals and their very serious counterthreat.
Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston stepped in it (Re: Fr. Newman)
Obama Picks Staffer of Pro-Abortion Group as Comm Director
Catholic Leader: Excommunication Possible for Backing Pro-Abortion Bill
The Death of Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama (Catholic Caucus)
Pew study finds election coverage of religion was shallow (don't we know it!)
Biden experiencing troubled conscience over abortion, says Bishop Aquila
Guest Opinion: Fr. Jay Scott Newman in the Lion's Den
Interview with Bishop Hermann on the Courage to Die for Life
U.S. Bishops Cut All Funding to ACORN, Activities Funded Hard to Determine
Pew Study Finds Less Than One Percent of Election Coverage Included Abortion
Douglas Kmiec: Barack Obama More Catholic Than Previous Pro-Life Presidents
Newman in the Lion's Den (For taking care of business.)
How Tom Daschle Might Kill Conservatism [Obamacare: make us dependent, then how to shrink gov't?]
Obama Selecting Most Anti-Life&Family Rads He Can Find-plans to dismantle protection for marriage
Cardinal Stafford Stands by Criticism of Obama
Catholic Church Warns Obama of War between administration and Church
Kmiec: Barack Obama More Catholic Than Previous Pro-Life Presidents (Total Moron Alert)
Bishop discusses reasons behind cutoff of ACORN funding
Planned Parenthood Prez Falsely Says Election Means Catholics Pro-Abortion
A Pro-Life Nughtmare: Daschle Appointed as the new Secretary of Health And Human Services
Planned Parenthood CEO Claims Cardinal O'Malley Out of Step With Catholics
S.C. POLITICIAN RIPS CATHOLICISM
Election Results Don't Mean Pro-Life Movement to Stop, Limit Abortions is Dead
Pro-life movement: Both ends against the middle
Abortion: Obama’s nightmare.
A Pro-Life Nightmare: Daschle Appointed as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services
(Not Embryonic)Stem Cell Method Seen as Success (New York Times Buries the Story)
(Anti-)Catholic slur draws ire from council colleagues (South Carolina)
Catholics Who Vote for Freedom of Choice Act Could Face Automatic Excommunication ( 'bout time! )
She'd Be Perfect for the Job -- (Not!) [When did you stop beating your captured Islamo-Nazi?]
The abortion president
Catholic Bishops finally step up against abortion Democrats
The Coming "War" Between the Obama Administration and the Catholic Church
Catholic Caucus: How to Fight FOCA with all resources of the Church
Fr. Newman Responds to Diocesan Concerns about Pro-Abortion Voting Letter
What Catholics Can Expect
Election Part I: “We Have No King But Caesar [Obama?]” (Reality Alert)
Pope says Catholics in politics must follow faith
Vatican cardinal: Obama is 'Aggressive, Disruptive and Apocalyptic'
AmP Poll: Was SC priest right to suggest confession for Obama voters? [Catholic Caucus]
OKAY OF EMBRYONIC CELL RESEARCH WILL INTRODUCE HIDDEN DANGER..PROPHESIED AS 'COMPARABLE' TO ABORTION
Finally, a Religious Leader with Guts
Bishop Blasts Pro-Choice Politicians (Bishop from Biden's "hometown")
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Our Pastor is in the news because of this article
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Voting bishops [Catholic Caucus]
On the end of Catholic Hospitals
Catholic professor'Kmiec] draws protesters Conservative voted for Obama
Catholic Church drops ACORN funding
Obama has first telephone conversation with the Pope
Catholic bishops will fight Obama on abortion
Catholics gird for fight with Obama on abortion, Paterson, NJ bishop takes a leading role
Jill Stanek: Moving On After Barack Obama, How a Disabled Boy Restored My Pro-Life Fire
Catholic Bishops Urge Huge Anti-FOCA Campaign to Stop Abortion Expansion (Might Close Hospitals)
Abortion and Euthanasia Bringing about the Demise of Catholic Health Care: Catholic Obstetrician
To accept abortion is to challenge God, Lord of all things...
USCCB: Church should oppose FOCA 'early and often,' Niederauer (Pelosi's Archbishop) says
Cardinal [George]: Obama's Presidency Heals Racism, Now Time to End Abortion
CNN’s Rick Sanchez: Does the GOP ‘Have to Be Anti-Abortion’?
Catholic bishops plan to forcefully confront Obama
Niece of Martin Luther King Jr.: "The Dream" Is Not Yet Fulfilled
Barone: Media wanted Palin abortion
New York Subway Riders Respond to Ad and Share Post-Abortion Grief, Agony
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Niece{Dr. Alveda King]: Abortion Means Obama Doesn't Fulfill Dream
Bishops to present concerns on abortion, other issues to politicians
Kneeling Before the World [Catholic Caucus]
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life Receives Post-Election Death Threat
Barone: 'Liberal media' wanted Palin to abort
BISHOPS APPROVE BLESSING FOR CHILD IN THE WOMB
FIRST THINGS: Obama and the Bishops
Head of U.S. bishops says no compromise on abortion
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Novena for the Protection of the Unborn
Carving Out a Better Respect Life Position
Prez Herod (post election reflection)
Wash Post: Pro-Life Views "Ideologically Offensive" Vatican fires off warning to Barack Obama over stem cell research
Election of Obama a Disaster for Pro-Life Fight in EU and Africa: Prominent Kenyan Physician
Bishops will not skip debate on abortion and politics
Obama's Startling Reaction to Funeral Service for Baby Killed After Failed Abortion
MCCL [MN's largest pro-life organization] achieves nearly all pro-life goals in 2008 election
No "Presidential sleight of hand" on stem cells
Voting for Reproductive Freedom (NYT pro-abort alert)
Abortion Groups Confident Obama Will Push His Pro-Abortion Agenda
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling (Be prepared for the gas prices to go up)
Let us Celebrate Barrack Obama, Let us Celebrate Life
Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions Stem Cell, Climate Rules
Pro-Life Dem Breakthroughs (Bad News for FOCA?)
Stopping FOCA: EWTN TV w/ Gianna Jessen, Sister Nirmala, Archbishop Burke, among others(?)
Dr. Alveda King to Pro-Lifers: Forward, March
What America Has Done (Was the election about racial equality or the right to life?)
The Freedom of Choice Act: Radical Attempt to Prematurely End Debate over Abortion
Becket Fund to Award Canterbury Medal to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap.
Doug Kmiec to give election ‘post-mortem’ at Calif. seminary [Catholic Caucus]
Fighting FOCA (the time to act is now!)
Billy Graham Won't Advise Obama Because of Strong Pro-Abortion Position
Bishop Carlson: Our witness must grow stronger (Statement on election results)
Back to the Drawing Board (several bishops calling for Faithful Citizenship to be overhauled)
On Eucharistic Consistency (Florida bishop urges Biden to examine conscience before Communion)
Future Obama abortion legislation will violate conscience rights, PRI president says
THERE IS STILL A GOD IN HEAVEN!
Bill Berkowitz: Religious Right Down but Not Out
Freedom of Choice Act - Election Implications
A Post – Election Reflection: Pray, Plan and Participate
Payback Time: What Planned Parenthood Expects from Barack Obama
Life will not go on
Catholic Leaders React to Obama Victory, Offer Advice
Archbishop Chaput Eager to See Kmiec Deliver a Pro-Life Obama
History, Hyperbole and Horror (Eye opening)
[Electing Obama] A Grave Mistake and an Abiding Hope
Fight FOCA (Unlimited Abortion) Sign the Fight FOCA Petition ASAP Get Involved!!
Douglas W. Kmiec on 'Obama's Miracle'
"The Killing Must End”: Christian Defense Coalition to Launch Major Post-Inaugural Pro-Life Campaign
Pro-Life Advocates Urged to Renew Efforts Against Abortion After Election Loss
Obama Pushes Abortion on Day One With Emanuel Pick
Warriors with Our Eyes Fixed on Heaven (Bishop Finn's Excellent Column) [Ecumenical]
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