I've known several gay men and women. They were all decent folk, many with the same ambitions, fears and hopes of the majority of the nation. One man was instrumental in my staying the course early in recovery from alcoholism. None of the men ever "came on" to me, the women were more like sisters I'd never had. When one woman moved out of state I actually cried a bit, she'd been that kind and thoughtful towards me.
Nevertheless if someone pressed me about homosexual sex I'd come out strongly against it. It isn't only a matter of adhering to Church teaching, check out the statistics compiled by the CDC regarding the high percentage of gay suicide, domestic violence, substance abuse, etc. After that, yes, my Catholic beliefs kick in to ice the cake. Love the sinner but hate the sin.
So now as I see an increasing acceptance of homosexual sex practices and a complementary expectation of not just acceptance but outright advocacy from EVERYBODY, I wonder where it'll all lead. I wonder and worry about my own three small children.
Last night we saw a movie, "Good Boy", about dogs from outer space. One of the terrestrial canines was owned by implicitly gay couple (why else are two grown men shown sharing a house, pet, etc.?). It wasn't anything placed front and center, in your face style. But it was there.
How do I explain this when the time comes to help my kids know where to draw the line? You can bet that we Catholics will be more marginalized for our beliefs in the near future, where will it all lead?
I read of how the IRS, NSA, etc. have been used for political ends. I read of how "SWATTING" is becoming more a problem, of the increasing reach of CPS into the home environment. These things all play a part in my fears for the future. Just where the heck are we headed?
If my kids were grown or just not autistic I wouldn't worry so much. But in coming years they'll become more exposed to a culture increasingly at odds with Church teachings. They'll always be more dependent than most upon the social services offered by the government. Just how vulnerable will they be to real harm?
Yep, I spend a lot of time wondering where the Hell we're going and what the ride will be like before we get there.
As for homosexual behavior I'll choose my battles carefully. You can bet the time is coming soon when any criticism will be met with loud vehement outrage. But when I feel the need I'll speak out.
It's never acceptable. Never will be. End of story.
About Me
- Subvet
- A Catholic who follows Rome & the Magisterium. I'm against gay "marriage", abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, human cloning. Altar girls, Communion in the hand, Eucharistic Ministers and "Protestant" music in the Church doesn't bother me at all. A proud American retired submarine sailor. Our borders should be secured with a 10 ft. high fence topped by concertina wire with minefields out to 20 yards on both sides and an additional 10 yards filled with warning signs outside of that Let's get energy independent NOW! Back Israel to the max, stop appeasing followers of the Pedophile Prophet. Pro 2nd Amendment, pro death penalty, Repeal all hate crime legislation. Back the police unless you'd rather call a hippie when everything hits the fan. Get government out of dealing with education, childhood obesity and the enviornment. Stop using the military for sociological experiments and if we're in a war don't micromanage their every move. Kill your television, limit time on the computer and pick up a book. God's will be done and may He have mercy upon us all.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Gossip and "church folks"
I spent a brief time as a Pentecostal before wandering back to the Church. During that time I had several discussions with the pastor of the church I attended. During one he remarked how hard it was to deal with the "faithful" as they all were stubborn and righteous in their own eyes. From my own experience I can relate to that, I've found it easier to deal with recovering drug addicts and alcoholics than many of the devout.
One prime example came to light recently. The wife was with several other members of our parish visiting a woman who had been recently widowed. During the course of the conversations my wife was told the following about our own pastor: (A) He has dementia. (B) He's a Democrat! (C) He is lukewarm towards the pro life teachings of Catholicism.
My spouse and I agreed on the following; as for (A) the person asserting this had heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from a reliable source. Noted. (B) brings out a yawn. So what? I vote Independent, does that make me equally untrustworthy? (C) is bull crap. Both the wife and I have been present during more than one homily where the right to life for all humans was very emphatically asserted.
Sometimes I wonder if Christ didn't welcome crucifixion, at least it allowed Him to to get away from all the day-to-day crap his apostles were doing and all the backstabbing/gossiping that was going on.
One prime example came to light recently. The wife was with several other members of our parish visiting a woman who had been recently widowed. During the course of the conversations my wife was told the following about our own pastor: (A) He has dementia. (B) He's a Democrat! (C) He is lukewarm towards the pro life teachings of Catholicism.
My spouse and I agreed on the following; as for (A) the person asserting this had heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from a reliable source. Noted. (B) brings out a yawn. So what? I vote Independent, does that make me equally untrustworthy? (C) is bull crap. Both the wife and I have been present during more than one homily where the right to life for all humans was very emphatically asserted.
Sometimes I wonder if Christ didn't welcome crucifixion, at least it allowed Him to to get away from all the day-to-day crap his apostles were doing and all the backstabbing/gossiping that was going on.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The days of comfortable Catholicism are gone.
Found this via Pewsitter:
A call for Catholics’ bolder, more outspoken stance for the Gospel rang clear this morning at the 10th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, an event drawing together Catholic clergy, lay leaders, non-profit organizations, and individuals to pray for the nation.
Delivering an invigorating clarion call for unashamed and unwavering public witness for the religious liberty, marriage, and the sanctity of life was special guest, Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American ideals and Intuitions at Princeton University.
“The question each of us must face is this: Am I ashamed of the Gospel?,” declared George to a ballroom largely filled with Catholics and some faithful Protestants.
According to George, “We American Catholics who have had it so good, having become comfortable” forget Jesus’ timeless truth that, “If you want to be my disciple, take up my cross and follow me.” George continued, “But there will be no ignoring that truth now, my friends.”
There is no denying the increasing hardships Christians face at home and abroad, all for placing their faith in Jesus Christ. “Powerful forces and currents in our society press us to be ashamed of the gospel,” said George. “Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on the sanctity of human life and all stages and condition. Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on marriage as the union between husband and wife.”
“There are costs to discipleship. Heavy costs,” explained George. “To be a witness to the Gospel today, my friends, is to make one’s self a marked man or woman. It is to expose one’s self to scorn and reproach. To unashamedly proclaim the Gospel in its fullness is to place in jeopardy one’s security, one’s professional aspirations and ambitions … ones’ standing in polite society.”
“There was a time not long ago when things were quite different. When we could be comfortable Catholics.” George continued, “But those days my friends are gone. They are not coming back anytime soon.”
Drawing a striking comparison between the Jews’ acceptance and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus to America’s changing attitude towards Christ. George explained, “You see, for us and for our faithful evangelical friends, it is now Good Friday. The memory of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jesus into Jerusalem has faded.” He continued, “Yes [Jesus] had been greeted not long ago by throngs of people…shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. [Similarly,] Jesus rode into the Jerusalem of Europe and the Jerusalem of the Americas and was proclaimed Lord and King.”
“In those days it was comfortable to be a Catholic. But those days are gone. Friday is coming. Friday is here. The love affair with Jesus and his Gospel is over,” said George, “The America’s no longer welcome his message. Away with him they say. Give us Barabbas.”
“Oh things were easy during those Palm Sunday days,” said George. “But now it’s Friday and the days of acceptable Christianity are over.” Willingness to stand publicly for Christ when it is culturally unacceptable and perhaps unforgivable, according to the professor, is inevitable.
“Jesus is before Pilot. The crowds are shouting ‘crucify him.’ Where are we?,” asked George.
“Where are you and I? Are we afraid to be known as his disciples? Are we ashamed of the gospel?
Will we seek to fit in, to be accepted, to live comfortably?”
Now is not the time to hid our witness to the gospel, . Most assuredly Christians — Catholics and Protestants alike— will face persecution from the elites of secular society for our faith. Ignore the intimidation tactics, encouraged George.
“They tell us we are on the wrong side of history,” said George. “History is not our judge. God is our Judge.”
Just MHO but it's time to fish or cut bait. For several years now I've been hearing various prominent clerics say we're headed towards tough times as concerns being Catholic. They can't all be wearing tinfoil hats, nor do they all drink the Kool Aid supplied by fear mongering websites and radio shows. IMHO the handwriting is on the wall. Proof positive was evident in an episode of a daytime talk show ("The View"?) where Dear Leader very nonchalantly told the hosts that when it came to ObamaCare and it's funding, religious denominations would follow the law of the land. His statement was to the effect that "On the street what I say goes, inside their buildings they can determine how their church services run."
Its nowhere near exactly what he said, but the overall gist is the same.
Nor do I believe that should a Republican be elected in 2016 we'll be out of the woods on this. There are far too many people who feel somewhat the same way as our Chief Executive.
For too long we have placed how our Faith separates us from our fellow Americans on the back burner. Ecumenicalism is all very nice, gives a warm feeling when we all go along to get along. That attitude has gone on for decades now and to tell the truth, there was a real need for it not too long ago. In my own youth (50's and 60's) there were still cultural echoes from when Catholics were viewed very strongly as perpetual outsiders. We followed strange dietary rules, felt most folks other than ourselves were headed for Hell, proudly attended religious services held in a language not our own and in large part kept to ourselves. We were isolated from the world at large and to some degree from each other.
Like it or not, Vatican II helped change that. It needed changing. Yep, lots of abuses have been committed in the name of reform. Only idiots deny that. But the reform was needed.
One of the unintended consequences was the encouragement of a relativist mentality that sees no real difference between the Faith and it's Protestant children. Too bad, we DO possess the fullness of the Truth. If you're going to follow Jesus you should go with the best and accept no substitutes. End of story.
Too many of our fellow fisheaters have forgotten that. On the flip side of the coin, too many want to return to an isolationist mentality where we view with disdain non Catholics, priding ourselves as belonging to the One True Faith. May the Lord help them see the error of that! For we know that from those to whom much is given much will be expected. We should have a good dose of fear about that, holding ourselves to a higher standard of humility, love, forgiveness and all other professed Catholic virtues.
That higher standard requires us to boldly step out into the public eye, proclaiming our knowledge that much accepted behavior is unequivocally wrong. Remembering that those who deny Christ in this life will be denied by Him in the next; we should speak out the truth and accept all temporal consequences. In our growing culture of intellectual conformity that will undoubtedly lead to outright persecution. Yet we are called to endure it. No ifs, ands, buts or maybes.
Face it, the nation we knew as the USA is dead. Catholics need to uncouple themselves from the American centered thinking we've had for so long. Our country will soon disown us, the best we can do for it is live by the teachings of our Church. In the short run we'll be persecuted, but there may yet be a positive outcome for America if we hold fast. Even if that doesn't happen we need to follow Christ, remembering His promise that as He was persecuted so will His followers be.
God's will be done and may He have mercy upon us all.
A call for Catholics’ bolder, more outspoken stance for the Gospel rang clear this morning at the 10th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, an event drawing together Catholic clergy, lay leaders, non-profit organizations, and individuals to pray for the nation.
Delivering an invigorating clarion call for unashamed and unwavering public witness for the religious liberty, marriage, and the sanctity of life was special guest, Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American ideals and Intuitions at Princeton University.
“The question each of us must face is this: Am I ashamed of the Gospel?,” declared George to a ballroom largely filled with Catholics and some faithful Protestants.
According to George, “We American Catholics who have had it so good, having become comfortable” forget Jesus’ timeless truth that, “If you want to be my disciple, take up my cross and follow me.” George continued, “But there will be no ignoring that truth now, my friends.”
There is no denying the increasing hardships Christians face at home and abroad, all for placing their faith in Jesus Christ. “Powerful forces and currents in our society press us to be ashamed of the gospel,” said George. “Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on the sanctity of human life and all stages and condition. Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on marriage as the union between husband and wife.”
“There are costs to discipleship. Heavy costs,” explained George. “To be a witness to the Gospel today, my friends, is to make one’s self a marked man or woman. It is to expose one’s self to scorn and reproach. To unashamedly proclaim the Gospel in its fullness is to place in jeopardy one’s security, one’s professional aspirations and ambitions … ones’ standing in polite society.”
“There was a time not long ago when things were quite different. When we could be comfortable Catholics.” George continued, “But those days my friends are gone. They are not coming back anytime soon.”
Drawing a striking comparison between the Jews’ acceptance and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus to America’s changing attitude towards Christ. George explained, “You see, for us and for our faithful evangelical friends, it is now Good Friday. The memory of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jesus into Jerusalem has faded.” He continued, “Yes [Jesus] had been greeted not long ago by throngs of people…shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. [Similarly,] Jesus rode into the Jerusalem of Europe and the Jerusalem of the Americas and was proclaimed Lord and King.”
“In those days it was comfortable to be a Catholic. But those days are gone. Friday is coming. Friday is here. The love affair with Jesus and his Gospel is over,” said George, “The America’s no longer welcome his message. Away with him they say. Give us Barabbas.”
“Oh things were easy during those Palm Sunday days,” said George. “But now it’s Friday and the days of acceptable Christianity are over.” Willingness to stand publicly for Christ when it is culturally unacceptable and perhaps unforgivable, according to the professor, is inevitable.
“Jesus is before Pilot. The crowds are shouting ‘crucify him.’ Where are we?,” asked George.
“Where are you and I? Are we afraid to be known as his disciples? Are we ashamed of the gospel?
Will we seek to fit in, to be accepted, to live comfortably?”
Now is not the time to hid our witness to the gospel, . Most assuredly Christians — Catholics and Protestants alike— will face persecution from the elites of secular society for our faith. Ignore the intimidation tactics, encouraged George.
“They tell us we are on the wrong side of history,” said George. “History is not our judge. God is our Judge.”
Just MHO but it's time to fish or cut bait. For several years now I've been hearing various prominent clerics say we're headed towards tough times as concerns being Catholic. They can't all be wearing tinfoil hats, nor do they all drink the Kool Aid supplied by fear mongering websites and radio shows. IMHO the handwriting is on the wall. Proof positive was evident in an episode of a daytime talk show ("The View"?) where Dear Leader very nonchalantly told the hosts that when it came to ObamaCare and it's funding, religious denominations would follow the law of the land. His statement was to the effect that "On the street what I say goes, inside their buildings they can determine how their church services run."
Its nowhere near exactly what he said, but the overall gist is the same.
Nor do I believe that should a Republican be elected in 2016 we'll be out of the woods on this. There are far too many people who feel somewhat the same way as our Chief Executive.
For too long we have placed how our Faith separates us from our fellow Americans on the back burner. Ecumenicalism is all very nice, gives a warm feeling when we all go along to get along. That attitude has gone on for decades now and to tell the truth, there was a real need for it not too long ago. In my own youth (50's and 60's) there were still cultural echoes from when Catholics were viewed very strongly as perpetual outsiders. We followed strange dietary rules, felt most folks other than ourselves were headed for Hell, proudly attended religious services held in a language not our own and in large part kept to ourselves. We were isolated from the world at large and to some degree from each other.
Like it or not, Vatican II helped change that. It needed changing. Yep, lots of abuses have been committed in the name of reform. Only idiots deny that. But the reform was needed.
One of the unintended consequences was the encouragement of a relativist mentality that sees no real difference between the Faith and it's Protestant children. Too bad, we DO possess the fullness of the Truth. If you're going to follow Jesus you should go with the best and accept no substitutes. End of story.
Too many of our fellow fisheaters have forgotten that. On the flip side of the coin, too many want to return to an isolationist mentality where we view with disdain non Catholics, priding ourselves as belonging to the One True Faith. May the Lord help them see the error of that! For we know that from those to whom much is given much will be expected. We should have a good dose of fear about that, holding ourselves to a higher standard of humility, love, forgiveness and all other professed Catholic virtues.
That higher standard requires us to boldly step out into the public eye, proclaiming our knowledge that much accepted behavior is unequivocally wrong. Remembering that those who deny Christ in this life will be denied by Him in the next; we should speak out the truth and accept all temporal consequences. In our growing culture of intellectual conformity that will undoubtedly lead to outright persecution. Yet we are called to endure it. No ifs, ands, buts or maybes.
Face it, the nation we knew as the USA is dead. Catholics need to uncouple themselves from the American centered thinking we've had for so long. Our country will soon disown us, the best we can do for it is live by the teachings of our Church. In the short run we'll be persecuted, but there may yet be a positive outcome for America if we hold fast. Even if that doesn't happen we need to follow Christ, remembering His promise that as He was persecuted so will His followers be.
God's will be done and may He have mercy upon us all.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
The lonely disposable children of our times
I got on this topic by thinking of a kid in my neighborhood. He recently moved into the area with his mom and sister. "Mom" is shacked up with one of the local trash here. It's an old scenario, the parent drags the kids along while she bangs the hell out of whoever is in her life at the present time. Unfortunately more often than not it means the kids are seen as lifestyle accouterments at best, as a nuisance quite often, as unwanted baggage at times.
So they had a dog that got nabbed by Animal Control after a neighbor called. The mutt was always on the loose, no tags and no collar. It's a friendly little pup, looks like a cross between a Lab and whatever. But this town has a leash law and when an animal is running loose like that it'll be more prone to pick up rabies, deer ticks or whatever.
Now I keep thinking of a small boy whose only real friend in this world has unexpectedly disappeared. Yeah, I'm prone to guilt trips ( I did NOT call Animal Control!). I also feel for kids with no real friends or fathers. Sue me. I just imagine how it feels to live in a strange house with a new boyfriend for Mom, going to a new school, having one of the bright spots in your life in the form of a puppy.
Then having that pup disappear.
So I'll hug my own kids a bit tighter tonight, say a rosary or two for the kids involved in this vignette and drop an anonymous letter off for the mom and boyfriend; telling them where the mutt went. Maybe they'll give a darn to the point of retrieving it. Maybe not.
What the hell else can I do?
So they had a dog that got nabbed by Animal Control after a neighbor called. The mutt was always on the loose, no tags and no collar. It's a friendly little pup, looks like a cross between a Lab and whatever. But this town has a leash law and when an animal is running loose like that it'll be more prone to pick up rabies, deer ticks or whatever.
Now I keep thinking of a small boy whose only real friend in this world has unexpectedly disappeared. Yeah, I'm prone to guilt trips ( I did NOT call Animal Control!). I also feel for kids with no real friends or fathers. Sue me. I just imagine how it feels to live in a strange house with a new boyfriend for Mom, going to a new school, having one of the bright spots in your life in the form of a puppy.
Then having that pup disappear.
So I'll hug my own kids a bit tighter tonight, say a rosary or two for the kids involved in this vignette and drop an anonymous letter off for the mom and boyfriend; telling them where the mutt went. Maybe they'll give a darn to the point of retrieving it. Maybe not.
What the hell else can I do?
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The Pope and Satan.
Evidently our Pontiff has no problems calling the author of evil by name: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/a-modern-pope-gets-old-school-on-the-devil/2014/05/10/f56a9354-1b93-4662-abbb-d877e49f15ea_story.html
Why shouldn't we believe in Satan? He and his ilk get lots of mention in the Bible. FWIW it's often mentioned that the greatest trick he's ever done was convincing most humans he doesn't exist.
I've never met a demon personally even if I believe I've met some evil people. But I've seen Hell in eyes of recovering alcoholics & addicts, so I'll go for the whole enchilada with no problem.
But I won't start imitating Flip Wilson and scream how "The Devil made me do it!" every time I slip into sin. We DO have free will and should hold ourselves accountable when we submit to temptation.
Why shouldn't we believe in Satan? He and his ilk get lots of mention in the Bible. FWIW it's often mentioned that the greatest trick he's ever done was convincing most humans he doesn't exist.
I've never met a demon personally even if I believe I've met some evil people. But I've seen Hell in eyes of recovering alcoholics & addicts, so I'll go for the whole enchilada with no problem.
But I won't start imitating Flip Wilson and scream how "The Devil made me do it!" every time I slip into sin. We DO have free will and should hold ourselves accountable when we submit to temptation.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
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