Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Catholibertarian: Thank the Catholic Founding Fathers For the First Amendment
Kevin and I have been working on our new blog Catholibertarian and while we're still in the midst of adding links to our blogroll, political and Catholic lists we decided this would be the right time to spread the word about our blog. If you have any suggestions for our blog please do let us know as we are new to the WordPress format. Kevin has written a post called Thank the Catholic Founding Fathers For the First Amendment. I hope you enjoy reading it, as it is very informative, interesting and a great piece of work IMO.
The First Amendment has a quasi-sacred status in the minds of most Americans because that is the amendment that guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. On that note, it guarantees the protected status of what I am doing right now in this blog. This tendency to imagine that the First Amendment is the product of divine inspiration in nearly the same sense if not degree as the Bible is even more prevalent in those who lean toward Libertarianism. The latter are sometimes tempted to see the U.S. Constitution, and even more so its Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments), especially the First and Second, as akin to holy writ. For some of us, the First Amendment is the more revered of the two, but not because of the liberty it upholds in the sphere of political speech, but because the first freedom it supports is not that of speech or the press, but the free exercise of religion.
What most people do not know is that we owe the freedom of religion we enjoy here in this constitutional republic in no small part to the efforts of Catholic, most especially Charles Carroll of Carrolton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a delegate from Maryland, which, of the thirteen original colonies, was the only nominally Catholic one – indeed, the other delegates from Maryland were all Episcopalians. CONTINUED
I Will Not Now Nor Shall I Ever Put Up With Anti-Catholic Bigotry
There is a difference between useful criticism of a particular religion and just spouting words of hate against one's religion. This includes when a person just simply spouts off words without backing them up with facts. When someone consistently targets another's religion and solely focuses on attacking it consistently time after time one should not be surprised that a person who believes in that religion might get upset and defensive. I am sick of certain conservative bloggers who have consistently engaged in Catholic bashing without giving useful or healthy criticism. Apparently, I have lost a few conservative friends over the discussion defending the biblical truth that the Sabbath is on Sunday under the New Covenant. It is also distressing that those who claim to be open-minded about biblical controversies weren't really open to being persuaded to the counter position even when shown biblical text and historical evidence. I will always defend my Faith. Following Christ and His Church are the most important things in my life and if people can't handle or understand that then I really feel sorry for them. If they decide to unfriend me or stop following my blog oh well because in the end I know in my heart and soul that I am staying true to my beliefs. When someone respects my religious beliefs I respects theirs. It is as simple as that.
Secularism Encroaches on Freedom of Religion
(CNA News).- "In an exclusive interview obtained by CNA, Dr. John Haas of the National Catholic Bioethics Center asked Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington D.C. about some of the issues facing the Church in the “contemporary context.” In his reply, Archbishop Wuerl spoke about the role of and need for religious freedom in society, a role which is dramatically changing."
Phil Cooke points out how in America free speech is being stifled in the world of science. F.R. points out how the Supreme Court has infringed on our freedom of religion while allowing secularism to run rapant, pretty much unchallenged and unfetttered in our society while freedom of religious expression has been severely restricted and limited to approved areas in our society.
The Jeremiah Project points out several cases where encroaching secularism has violated our freedom of religious expression.
In Our Schools...
Freedom of speech and press is guaranteed to students unless the topic is religious, at which time such speech becomes unconstitutional. [Stein vs. Oshinski, 1965; Collins v. Chandler Unified School district, 644 F. 2d 759, 760 (9th Cir. 1981).]
Remove student prayer: "Prayer in its public school system breaches the constitutional wall of separation between Church and State." [Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421, 425 (1962).] On June 26, 1962, the Supreme Court bans the New York State school prayer, "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country."
It is unconstitutional for students to hear prayers of the Chaplain of the U.S. House or Senate. [State Board of Ed. vs. Board of Ed. of Netcong, 1970]
Remove benedictions and invocations from school activities: "Religious invocation...in high school commencement exercise conveyed message that district had given its endorsement to prayer and religion, so that school district was properly [prohibited] from including invocation in commencement exercise." [Graham v. Central Community School Distict of Decatur County, 608 F. Supp. 531, 536 (W.D.N.Y. 1985; Kay by Disselbrett v. Douglas School District 719 F. 2d 875 (or. Ct. App. 1986; Jager v. Douglas, 862 F. 2d 824, 825 (11th Cir. 1989).]
If a voluntary, nondenominational prayer is coercive, what would you call the left indoctrination that has become the staple of modern pedagogy, from condom distribution to AIDS education to multiculturalism to Earth worship?
Prayer before athletic events is unconstitutional. [Jager vs Douglas, 1989]
In Our Court Rooms...
Remove the Ten Commandments from view: "If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments are to have any effect at all, it will be to induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the commandments...this...is not a permissible state objective under the Establishment Clause...The mere posting of the copies [of the Ten Commandments]...the [First Amendment] prohibits." [Stone v. Gramm, 449 U.S. 39, 42 (1980).]
The ACLU has filed suit against Etowah County Circuit Judge Roy S. Moore asking that prayer be banned from his chamber and that he be ordered to remove a copy of the Ten Commandments from the wall above his bench. [Birmingham News/Birmingham Post-Herald, April 1, 1995.]
In California and Pennsylvania, prosecutors were banned from referring to the Bible in state courtrooms. [Pat Robertson, newsletter, March 1993.]
In the Public Square...
The city of Vienna, Virginia put up a secular Christmas scene alongside a nativity scene to avoid trouble. But that wasn't good enough for the ACLU, who filed suit, won, and had the nativity scene removed. Intimidated by the ACLU, city leaders asked the Vienna city chorus to sing only secular songs at the Christmas program. To its credit, the chorus refused. Now the city has dropped the program altogether. [D. James Kennedy, Coral Ridge Ministries newsletter, October 31, 1994]
More here
Phil Cooke points out how in America free speech is being stifled in the world of science. F.R. points out how the Supreme Court has infringed on our freedom of religion while allowing secularism to run rapant, pretty much unchallenged and unfetttered in our society while freedom of religious expression has been severely restricted and limited to approved areas in our society.
The Jeremiah Project points out several cases where encroaching secularism has violated our freedom of religious expression.
In Our Schools...
Freedom of speech and press is guaranteed to students unless the topic is religious, at which time such speech becomes unconstitutional. [Stein vs. Oshinski, 1965; Collins v. Chandler Unified School district, 644 F. 2d 759, 760 (9th Cir. 1981).]
Remove student prayer: "Prayer in its public school system breaches the constitutional wall of separation between Church and State." [Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421, 425 (1962).] On June 26, 1962, the Supreme Court bans the New York State school prayer, "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country."
It is unconstitutional for students to hear prayers of the Chaplain of the U.S. House or Senate. [State Board of Ed. vs. Board of Ed. of Netcong, 1970]
Remove benedictions and invocations from school activities: "Religious invocation...in high school commencement exercise conveyed message that district had given its endorsement to prayer and religion, so that school district was properly [prohibited] from including invocation in commencement exercise." [Graham v. Central Community School Distict of Decatur County, 608 F. Supp. 531, 536 (W.D.N.Y. 1985; Kay by Disselbrett v. Douglas School District 719 F. 2d 875 (or. Ct. App. 1986; Jager v. Douglas, 862 F. 2d 824, 825 (11th Cir. 1989).]
If a voluntary, nondenominational prayer is coercive, what would you call the left indoctrination that has become the staple of modern pedagogy, from condom distribution to AIDS education to multiculturalism to Earth worship?
Prayer before athletic events is unconstitutional. [Jager vs Douglas, 1989]
In Our Court Rooms...
Remove the Ten Commandments from view: "If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments are to have any effect at all, it will be to induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the commandments...this...is not a permissible state objective under the Establishment Clause...The mere posting of the copies [of the Ten Commandments]...the [First Amendment] prohibits." [Stone v. Gramm, 449 U.S. 39, 42 (1980).]
The ACLU has filed suit against Etowah County Circuit Judge Roy S. Moore asking that prayer be banned from his chamber and that he be ordered to remove a copy of the Ten Commandments from the wall above his bench. [Birmingham News/Birmingham Post-Herald, April 1, 1995.]
In California and Pennsylvania, prosecutors were banned from referring to the Bible in state courtrooms. [Pat Robertson, newsletter, March 1993.]
In the Public Square...
The city of Vienna, Virginia put up a secular Christmas scene alongside a nativity scene to avoid trouble. But that wasn't good enough for the ACLU, who filed suit, won, and had the nativity scene removed. Intimidated by the ACLU, city leaders asked the Vienna city chorus to sing only secular songs at the Christmas program. To its credit, the chorus refused. Now the city has dropped the program altogether. [D. James Kennedy, Coral Ridge Ministries newsletter, October 31, 1994]
More here
S.E. Cupp Vs. TYT: Atheist Defends Christianity & Claims There is Anti-Christian Bias in the Liberal Media
Here is S.E Cupp who is an atheist defending Christianity and religious freedom while also showing examples of the MSM's anti-religious bias versus an agnostic who blindly doesn't see this bias in the media and their attacks on religion or refuses to see it while defending the media's slant or attacks on Christianity and religion.
Bill Maher Slams Islam
[Warning: Strong Language] Although I disagree with about a third of the video, it is great in its criticism of Islam.
H/T Creeping Sharia
U.S. Catholic Bishops Pro PelosiCare: USCCB Anti-Liberty??? & Anti-Freedom???
The USCCB(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) was NEVER AGAINST this health care bill. As a Catholic, I am appalled at the way the Catholic Bishops are perverting Catholicism and promoting liberal propaganda. The Catholic Church endorses tyranny upon the people as long as it ends up benefiting them. This is disgraceful. This is despicable. They only care about putting the tax burdens on the people so that they (the CHURCH) do not have to pay for it. The liberals only care about separation of church and state when it DOES NOT benefit them. The Church stood up for the sanctity of human life. I am happy about that. But, in all actuality the USCCB needs to stay the heck out of the health care debate. They need to focus on being good leaders. Maybe, they need to take a leap backward and go back to the seminaries, so that they can learn how to become good leaders who promote good traditional Catholic values, instead of this liberal garbage that they have given into spreading and ruining the mnds in churches. OUR CATHOLIC BISHOPS HAVE GIVEN INTO MORAL RELATIVISM and the powers of EVIL. There was NO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE!!! Every person should be outraged at this fact. The Catholic Bishops want to force us to provide for illegal immigrants who came here ILLEGALLY. I do think that these LEGAL MEXICANS should be helped, but in the proper venue. The proper venue is NOT HERE IN THE U.S., but rather in Mexico. Both America and Americans should help Mexico so that Mexico can help its own citizens. But, over in Mexico, where they belong, until they are willing to come to the United States the proper way. The Bishops should be getting on Mexico's case and strongly urging them to take care of their people. But, oh no. According to them, its acceptable for everybody to BREAK THE LAW and just come sneaking across the border into America as they please. I tell you what Bishops. Here's a challenge, because I am utterly fed up with you arrogant son of a guns. Bishops: You start walking the walk and not just talking the talk. I challenge our Bishops to actually spend some time in Mexico and help the country rebuild the infrastructure in Mexico. Call on businesses fom all over the World to start businesses and employ the citizens of Mexico. Call on the Mexican government to build and repair its infrastructure. Call on the government to help its poor. Please USCCB, actually do something, take responsibility, and take action for the lives in Mexico, instead of just pushing off that responsibility to one country in particular (United States) which wants to be able to secure its borders so that it can prevent another terrorist attack from occurring. Please be for our laws of governence and encourage ALL IMMIGRANTS TO COME HERE LEGALLY!!!!
In Cliif Kincaid article he explains further how Catholic Bishops helped to pass Pelosicare.
In Cliif Kincaid article he explains further how Catholic Bishops helped to pass Pelosicare.
Reverence VS. Idolatry of the Powerful
Should people idolize individuals that are powerful in the world?
I think that sometimes as people we can look up to individuals who should be revered but it can turn into almost like an obsession or idolatry. As individuals we can look up to people who we believe are role models but should we follow and look up to these individuals like they are the be all and end all of everything? We should not put individuals on pedestals like they can do no wrong. We have to realize that everyone is human and can make mistakes and can give in to the temptations of evil in our society.
How exactly were you raised to look at your church leaders?
While growing up I was taught that the priests were like Jesus and in effect almost like Gods. In my opinion the priests are representatives called by God but not in and of themselves like Gods. Priests are in no way perfect. Priests are susceptible to sin just as much you and me. I think that we need to stop putting priests on pedestals and realize that they are human beings that can sin also. Jesus is omnipotent and an all powerful, infallible God but we must not perceive priests in this light. Priests strive to be like God but are not infallible like God.
Priests and other church leaders are great people who are leading others by their good examples, in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am friends with many priests and revere them but do not idolize them. I just think as individuals we must realize that these powerful individuals are human also and can also be tempted and even give in to sin. In my opinion powerful individuals must be revered but not idolized.
I think that sometimes as people we can look up to individuals who should be revered but it can turn into almost like an obsession or idolatry. As individuals we can look up to people who we believe are role models but should we follow and look up to these individuals like they are the be all and end all of everything? We should not put individuals on pedestals like they can do no wrong. We have to realize that everyone is human and can make mistakes and can give in to the temptations of evil in our society.
How exactly were you raised to look at your church leaders?
While growing up I was taught that the priests were like Jesus and in effect almost like Gods. In my opinion the priests are representatives called by God but not in and of themselves like Gods. Priests are in no way perfect. Priests are susceptible to sin just as much you and me. I think that we need to stop putting priests on pedestals and realize that they are human beings that can sin also. Jesus is omnipotent and an all powerful, infallible God but we must not perceive priests in this light. Priests strive to be like God but are not infallible like God.
Priests and other church leaders are great people who are leading others by their good examples, in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am friends with many priests and revere them but do not idolize them. I just think as individuals we must realize that these powerful individuals are human also and can also be tempted and even give in to sin. In my opinion powerful individuals must be revered but not idolized.
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