Thursday, April 30, 2015
Review: The Purposeful Graduate | National Catholic Reporter
Review: The Purposeful Graduate | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This narrative shows two girls taking various paths to get an Mrs. degree. What could be more cliche? Individuals of both genders get married and find meaning - or don't - at college every day. Reprogramming learning modalities changes little - although certain scientific and engineering majors are definitely more directed to vocational goals. Others are better for graduate or professinal school. It would have been more useful to look at who did not finish and what they were doing. I bet getting married was on their agenda too - and that many probably took some time off an come back - or were not really clear on what a liberal arts education really teaches you - the answer is writing in your field, by the way. Of course, there are also many people who graduated and go into sales or retail on a management track (which frankly they could have done without the degree). For me, a B.A. was a gateway drug to an MPA - which I used fomrally in two public sector jobs and informally in government contracting. Of course, I mostly use it - as well as my Catholci education, writing on the Internet. Maybe the study should look at the Internet conent produced by graduates.
Links for 04/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/29/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSw. MGB: I doubt the Repubicans will read Silk. I just wish the Bishops and Staff of the Religious Liberty group would read it. It is interesting that religion was on a short stick. Of course, unmentioned is the fact that the Masons were heavily involved for a long time and are still a respected benevolent association. As for the GOP desire for religious liberty for those who want to, in essence, discriminate against gay couples getting married - or see the right of marriage to be blocked to them as a class (they are going yes yes yes!) the reality is such a feeling is moral scorn, not religious liberty and it is decidedly NOT protected under the First Amendment - nor should it be.
The Politco report on the gay marriage argument shows that Kennedy is being his old self in stirring the pot, the Roberts is letting people know how he is voting - which ends the issue and Scalia is showing he is a better Catholic than a Justice. Its not even going to be close.
The Politico headline on Republican candidates is only funny if you have a dirty mind. In June, marriage equality will likely be national settled law. The candidates will likley express the greivances of their mob and may even promise a Constitutional Convention to overturn it (which could happen - but is less and less likely as it turns out that married gay people are no better or worse than the usual kind). In 2018, they may still be talking the issue, but in 2020 it will be dead. It is certainly my hope that, no this matter, neither the Catholic Church nor the United States Government will desire to continue to be a tyranny.
The Politco report on the gay marriage argument shows that Kennedy is being his old self in stirring the pot, the Roberts is letting people know how he is voting - which ends the issue and Scalia is showing he is a better Catholic than a Justice. Its not even going to be close.
The Politico headline on Republican candidates is only funny if you have a dirty mind. In June, marriage equality will likely be national settled law. The candidates will likley express the greivances of their mob and may even promise a Constitutional Convention to overturn it (which could happen - but is less and less likely as it turns out that married gay people are no better or worse than the usual kind). In 2018, they may still be talking the issue, but in 2020 it will be dead. It is certainly my hope that, no this matter, neither the Catholic Church nor the United States Government will desire to continue to be a tyranny.
Review: Building Catholic Higher Education, Part II | National Catholic Reporter
Review: Building Catholic Higher Education, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Before I begin the second day, I was remiss in not mentioning the Fr. Ray Herman Center for Peace and Justice, which a group of us founded along with Fr. Bob Beck from Campus Ministries. We did abortion, militarism, race and of course Central America. We had a Mass every month and most of the participants were at least exploring a vocation. As far as I know, only one of us did follow a vocation and I seem to recall that she died on post of cancer. Very holy woman. That is how Catholic our school was and is.
On the question of research, if that means publishing, Loras stood behind no one without having teaching suffer. I guess it is easier to hit all the bases if you are smaller. On Notre Dame, the author of the book create mission statements from other materials to illustrate how it feels about itself as a Catholic university. I think that is called setting up straw men. Catholic mission and its support by the faculty are a major point of study, with faculty being required to have at least tacit acceptance of the goals of the school and existing in community, not as simply a group of smart people. He also states that ex-Catholics and dissenting Catholics must be nice about it - and present the material - although last I checked, universities do not provide material to professors to teach. Everyone presents his or her own syllabus, albeit one that likley has been approved. Even when I was a doctoral candidate, I had to come up with my own way to accomplish the seminar discussion objectives - although most of it was providing a forum to answer questions. Its why we actually listened to the lecture too. Of course, at Loras, we had to T.A.s, professors did it all.
On the matter of interdisciplinary learning, whether this occurs really depends on the comfort level of the faculty and whether it is appropriate. For example, in Civil Liberties, there was no Catholic rebuttal on birth control when we discussed Griswold v. Connecticut. We were all high powered pre-law majors and the curve for an A was 97% at midterm. Catholicisizing the course would have made us mad. Luckily, our professor was no dummy. All College Honors had that interdiciplinary flavor, as did some of the Philosohy and Classical Studies courses - and the more minor seminarians were in a course, the more likely it would be more Catholic. I am sure it is the same at Notre Dame. I doubt, of course, that the evolutionary biology class gives weight to creationists or it stupid cousin, intelligent design. Again, students would riot. The only exception would be teaching how to deal with such ardent luddites in a high school science setting. I would hope they also include Antropology discoveries that disprove the proposition that Moses wrote the Creation Story rather than it being an import form Babylon. Of course, that would invite a lawsuit. That would, of course, apply to any discussion of the sacred project of American Sociology. It must be data driven.
Sadly, when I was in college, the Grid Group Theory of Douglas and Wildavsky was not widely known. Luckily in doctoral school, I got it from the horse's mouth - as Aaron was doing a year at American and a series of lectures on Radical Egalitarianism. From my point of view, any effort to Catholicize American History must go through that prism. The delusions of patriotism by Catholics at the founding just have no basis - indeed a lot of what the Church thinks about itself is laid bare by a good Grid Group analysis. As always, let me point out that any examination of the founding that does not address Freemasonry is partial history (including the antagonism to the Church of Rome). As far as theology being the Queen of Sciences - that kind of medievalism has had its day. Cultural Theory is a much better referent to see how everything fits together. Anyone who considers himself an intellectual - Catholic or not, needs to become fluent in it.
The discussion of the Roman Church in Europe is interesting, but it should teach more than the good stuff. A lot of people were put to the sword for non-compliance. It was not exactly a moment where the Holy Spirit was allowed to work - and as the Church gained power, things got worse - with the Spirit likley comforting the victims, not the Church. Grid Group explains that one too.
As for Stienfels screed, its not my experience - although form my POV, Catholic Art from most of history is awful, showing the Holy Family to be caucasion when they were realy Afro-Asiatic Jews. I would love a self-critical analysis of Catholic thought in a Grid Group setting in all Catholic Universities -not because it should be mandated, but because it is quite necessary. Then we can keep the good and be self-critical of the rest. Now THAT is the purpose of a truly Catholic University. Also, see my first comments on our Social Justice Center at Loras to address what Catholicism in the world should look like. It is decidedly liberal.
On the question of research, if that means publishing, Loras stood behind no one without having teaching suffer. I guess it is easier to hit all the bases if you are smaller. On Notre Dame, the author of the book create mission statements from other materials to illustrate how it feels about itself as a Catholic university. I think that is called setting up straw men. Catholic mission and its support by the faculty are a major point of study, with faculty being required to have at least tacit acceptance of the goals of the school and existing in community, not as simply a group of smart people. He also states that ex-Catholics and dissenting Catholics must be nice about it - and present the material - although last I checked, universities do not provide material to professors to teach. Everyone presents his or her own syllabus, albeit one that likley has been approved. Even when I was a doctoral candidate, I had to come up with my own way to accomplish the seminar discussion objectives - although most of it was providing a forum to answer questions. Its why we actually listened to the lecture too. Of course, at Loras, we had to T.A.s, professors did it all.
On the matter of interdisciplinary learning, whether this occurs really depends on the comfort level of the faculty and whether it is appropriate. For example, in Civil Liberties, there was no Catholic rebuttal on birth control when we discussed Griswold v. Connecticut. We were all high powered pre-law majors and the curve for an A was 97% at midterm. Catholicisizing the course would have made us mad. Luckily, our professor was no dummy. All College Honors had that interdiciplinary flavor, as did some of the Philosohy and Classical Studies courses - and the more minor seminarians were in a course, the more likely it would be more Catholic. I am sure it is the same at Notre Dame. I doubt, of course, that the evolutionary biology class gives weight to creationists or it stupid cousin, intelligent design. Again, students would riot. The only exception would be teaching how to deal with such ardent luddites in a high school science setting. I would hope they also include Antropology discoveries that disprove the proposition that Moses wrote the Creation Story rather than it being an import form Babylon. Of course, that would invite a lawsuit. That would, of course, apply to any discussion of the sacred project of American Sociology. It must be data driven.
Sadly, when I was in college, the Grid Group Theory of Douglas and Wildavsky was not widely known. Luckily in doctoral school, I got it from the horse's mouth - as Aaron was doing a year at American and a series of lectures on Radical Egalitarianism. From my point of view, any effort to Catholicize American History must go through that prism. The delusions of patriotism by Catholics at the founding just have no basis - indeed a lot of what the Church thinks about itself is laid bare by a good Grid Group analysis. As always, let me point out that any examination of the founding that does not address Freemasonry is partial history (including the antagonism to the Church of Rome). As far as theology being the Queen of Sciences - that kind of medievalism has had its day. Cultural Theory is a much better referent to see how everything fits together. Anyone who considers himself an intellectual - Catholic or not, needs to become fluent in it.
The discussion of the Roman Church in Europe is interesting, but it should teach more than the good stuff. A lot of people were put to the sword for non-compliance. It was not exactly a moment where the Holy Spirit was allowed to work - and as the Church gained power, things got worse - with the Spirit likley comforting the victims, not the Church. Grid Group explains that one too.
As for Stienfels screed, its not my experience - although form my POV, Catholic Art from most of history is awful, showing the Holy Family to be caucasion when they were realy Afro-Asiatic Jews. I would love a self-critical analysis of Catholic thought in a Grid Group setting in all Catholic Universities -not because it should be mandated, but because it is quite necessary. Then we can keep the good and be self-critical of the rest. Now THAT is the purpose of a truly Catholic University. Also, see my first comments on our Social Justice Center at Loras to address what Catholicism in the world should look like. It is decidedly liberal.
Review: Building Catholic Higher Education, Part I | National Catholic Reporter
Review: Building Catholic Higher Education, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: When I started out, I did not expect much applicability outside the school. I am not sure whether this is true or not, because in the review, MSW generalizes and I am not sure whether that is MSW or the authors. I am no expert at Notre Dame. When I was picking schools it was too far away and had too high a drinking age compared to Iowa. I liked the reputation, but it was off the list.
Catholic identity issues seem to be a major discussion point. I suspect the degree of Catholic identity has to do with the students, not any attempts to program it by the Administration or the faculty. While it is essential that Masses be offered daily and on Sunday (and I condemn anyone who does not think that is vital), long gone are the days where we take attendance. Whether floors are mixed sex or not and whether who sleeps with who is an issue is a difference between Catholic and secular schools. Of course, that may be an Elmer Gantry issue - college students tend to behave the same regardless of creed.
Academics are interesting. Some courses could be taught anywhere. I was in political schience for a third of my program - including an internship where I was housed at Catholic University of America. The readings in Mullen Library I neeed for my last three credits had nothing to do with Catholicism, although I am sure there was an ethics course at the Nursing School where I read one of my books (because I could not check it out). My history program, as well, had not religious referents. That cannot be said for the All College Honors Course I was invited to take or the philosphy department courses. Also, because I had some background from High School, I confidently attempted to test out of three religious studies courses (one by the skin of my teeth - and it was offered by a priest from my High School!).
I am sure the whole identity thing would have been stronger had I taken these courses instead. Spanish courses were religion neutral, as were economics (at least they were Keynesian, not Austrian) and one of my English courses: critical writing for poetry and drama - yuck, should have waited for prose. I am glad I did not, because my teacher in World Literature, Part II, was Fr. Richard Shroeder. Father was one of the foremost Shakespeare scholars on the planet, along with a Catholic priest at Oxford - who we met. The course was amazing and the moral issues of Hamlet and of More's Utopia were discussed. My biggest regret is not taking both World Lits and all four of his Shakespeare courses. He would read the plays in his amazing voice and anyone who did not hear at least one of them does not know he has not lived.
Having Catholic professors may or may not be important. I now when I was a doctoral student at American, we vetted the candidates. Undergrads at Loras, as far as I know, had no such privilege. What made the difference was having priests for faculty and within certain deparments, like Classical Studies (Fr. William Most was at Loras - another one you had to know) and Philosophy and Religious Studies - we did not call it theology. Of course, some of the teachers were not at all orthodox and I don't think any were priests (maybe one). I am quite sure the Archibishop did not know of this or did not care - although this was before Fr. Curran upended all of the theology study by refusing to condemn masturbation and was fired by CUA. Totally silly but probably would happen today at CUA. Not sure if that would happen at Notre Dame. The priests also lived on our floor - although none of them reported any student morals violation - and they were ot necessary hidden. Still, it added to the place to have priests not only as teachers, but as dorm mates. I image locating consecrated religious would have the same effect. Is that a cocoon. I don't care, I enjoyed.
Notre Dame, Georgetown, CUA, Marquette (where I should have gone due to a certain redhead), Creighton and all the rest of that division are likely generalizable. Meanwhile the small midwestern schools - Loras, Regis, St. Thomas et al. have different circumstances - and these matter. The Jesuit schools are likely more alike then different and are not like the other Catholic Schools. The colleges owned and run by Sisters are liekly very different (and in my era were just getting around to admitting men). You can keep going and each would be a chapter in and of themselves - with much different data gathering than a case study on Notre Dame. I think that kind of thing would be more important than giving Fighting Irish alums a warm and fuzzy.
Catholic identity issues seem to be a major discussion point. I suspect the degree of Catholic identity has to do with the students, not any attempts to program it by the Administration or the faculty. While it is essential that Masses be offered daily and on Sunday (and I condemn anyone who does not think that is vital), long gone are the days where we take attendance. Whether floors are mixed sex or not and whether who sleeps with who is an issue is a difference between Catholic and secular schools. Of course, that may be an Elmer Gantry issue - college students tend to behave the same regardless of creed.
Academics are interesting. Some courses could be taught anywhere. I was in political schience for a third of my program - including an internship where I was housed at Catholic University of America. The readings in Mullen Library I neeed for my last three credits had nothing to do with Catholicism, although I am sure there was an ethics course at the Nursing School where I read one of my books (because I could not check it out). My history program, as well, had not religious referents. That cannot be said for the All College Honors Course I was invited to take or the philosphy department courses. Also, because I had some background from High School, I confidently attempted to test out of three religious studies courses (one by the skin of my teeth - and it was offered by a priest from my High School!).
I am sure the whole identity thing would have been stronger had I taken these courses instead. Spanish courses were religion neutral, as were economics (at least they were Keynesian, not Austrian) and one of my English courses: critical writing for poetry and drama - yuck, should have waited for prose. I am glad I did not, because my teacher in World Literature, Part II, was Fr. Richard Shroeder. Father was one of the foremost Shakespeare scholars on the planet, along with a Catholic priest at Oxford - who we met. The course was amazing and the moral issues of Hamlet and of More's Utopia were discussed. My biggest regret is not taking both World Lits and all four of his Shakespeare courses. He would read the plays in his amazing voice and anyone who did not hear at least one of them does not know he has not lived.
Having Catholic professors may or may not be important. I now when I was a doctoral student at American, we vetted the candidates. Undergrads at Loras, as far as I know, had no such privilege. What made the difference was having priests for faculty and within certain deparments, like Classical Studies (Fr. William Most was at Loras - another one you had to know) and Philosophy and Religious Studies - we did not call it theology. Of course, some of the teachers were not at all orthodox and I don't think any were priests (maybe one). I am quite sure the Archibishop did not know of this or did not care - although this was before Fr. Curran upended all of the theology study by refusing to condemn masturbation and was fired by CUA. Totally silly but probably would happen today at CUA. Not sure if that would happen at Notre Dame. The priests also lived on our floor - although none of them reported any student morals violation - and they were ot necessary hidden. Still, it added to the place to have priests not only as teachers, but as dorm mates. I image locating consecrated religious would have the same effect. Is that a cocoon. I don't care, I enjoyed.
Notre Dame, Georgetown, CUA, Marquette (where I should have gone due to a certain redhead), Creighton and all the rest of that division are likely generalizable. Meanwhile the small midwestern schools - Loras, Regis, St. Thomas et al. have different circumstances - and these matter. The Jesuit schools are likely more alike then different and are not like the other Catholic Schools. The colleges owned and run by Sisters are liekly very different (and in my era were just getting around to admitting men). You can keep going and each would be a chapter in and of themselves - with much different data gathering than a case study on Notre Dame. I think that kind of thing would be more important than giving Fighting Irish alums a warm and fuzzy.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Links for 04/28/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/28/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Iowa is strange, with social conservative (and socially liberal) Evangelicals, with pro-life Catholics who are also very pro-union. Of course, the press never covers the economic progressivism or how the GOP badly abused Iowa workers by letting the IBP take over go full speed ahead in the mid 80s with no effort to save union contracts.
Congratulations to the new bishop of Santa Fe. I hope this means a promotion.
Prayers for Nepal. MSW mentions CRS. If you have money, please send it along today.
Congratulations to the new bishop of Santa Fe. I hope this means a promotion.
Prayers for Nepal. MSW mentions CRS. If you have money, please send it along today.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Links for 04/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Heartland is donig a publicity stunt. How is that news? At least we now know that the Pope is not seeing them, so they are saving face by a pubic display of idiocy. Pathetic.
Bravo to the USCCB for a program to get refugee kids certified at home before they come here, presumably more safely than the coyotes will take them. The coyotes are desparate becauce no one wants to come and be part of the American economy - and that ruins their business.
Shame on Bishop Kurtz for joining with C Street in their anti-gay efforts. Their battle is obviously lost, both on the private sex front - and has been for a while although I am sure there are those who would turn back the clock - and on the marriage equality front - as only Scalia is opposed. The NOM arguments have always been pathetic and based upon the mistaken notion that Marriage is all about conception - which has never been ture, else two of my uncles could never have married late in life. Marriage is leaving your family of origin (or your last family} and joining to make a new family as you chose. It has always been that way and that fact has been missed by too many to defend "traditional marriage" which needs to be gotten rid of - because it is part of the male is boss hierarchism that is woefully out of date.
Bravo to the USCCB for a program to get refugee kids certified at home before they come here, presumably more safely than the coyotes will take them. The coyotes are desparate becauce no one wants to come and be part of the American economy - and that ruins their business.
Shame on Bishop Kurtz for joining with C Street in their anti-gay efforts. Their battle is obviously lost, both on the private sex front - and has been for a while although I am sure there are those who would turn back the clock - and on the marriage equality front - as only Scalia is opposed. The NOM arguments have always been pathetic and based upon the mistaken notion that Marriage is all about conception - which has never been ture, else two of my uncles could never have married late in life. Marriage is leaving your family of origin (or your last family} and joining to make a new family as you chose. It has always been that way and that fact has been missed by too many to defend "traditional marriage" which needs to be gotten rid of - because it is part of the male is boss hierarchism that is woefully out of date.
CL Remembers Albacete | National Catholic Reporter
CL Remembers Albacete | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Very good witness to the Resurrection. Given the other options, I find resurrection by a benevolent God to be the least frightening - everything else essentailly destroys the mind - not a pleasant prospect.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Links for 04/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Jackson Lears essay is horrible, jumping from a sceed on a term he does not seem to understand - which now applies to Bill and Hillary Cliton, Tony Blair and libertarian economists Hayek, Freidman and von Mises. I don't see that ideology pulling anyone out of the humanities. Instead, it is because at some point if you are in a non-major and non-general education (formally known as distribution) course, you can only go so far because the upper level courses are reserved for majors. Even the humanities.Is political science a humanity? Probably not, although we tended to take lots of history too and at Loras College had history faculty teach our foreign policy courses. We also had a series of compartive politics courses that were anything but Neo-liberal - and they certainly werer not neo-conservative. MSW would have freaked out in a semester of Middle Eastern Politics taught by Professor Clark. Lets just say he did not care what the zionists thought of him (not that there were many on campus. If there are neo-liberal schools, they would be George Mason University - the von Mises Institute and the University of Chicago. But that is only certain departments. As for the impetus to get a job - if you cannot, Graduate School helps.
The Department of Education also has a program to pay only ten percent of your income for ten years for student loans, which only works if you are working. If you get on the forebearance track, the capitalization of interest is by far a bigger worry. Get rid of that piece of it and the financial statement of DEd will likely be more acurate, as more and more of us die with student debt that is not inheritable, which he does mention. His remarks on having an education that can give you a job are an interesting counterpoint to Jackson Lears essay, which condemns that practice. My suggestion is still to combine the first two years of college with the last two of high school, both at public expense (including Catholic school), with employers hiring people before junior year and funding the rest of education (with a service requirement and a tax credit to lower the cost).
The essay by Gershon on Brooks is interesting. I wonder how he compares it to The Book of Virtues by William Bennet? This is definitely part of the conservative literary tradition. I hope we are not so far gone that this is considered reactionary, I expect you might even find this character study at AA Club book shelves where outside literature is sold (though not for meetings). The work of Bill W. is of this calibre. I wonder if he was included in those biographed?
The Department of Education also has a program to pay only ten percent of your income for ten years for student loans, which only works if you are working. If you get on the forebearance track, the capitalization of interest is by far a bigger worry. Get rid of that piece of it and the financial statement of DEd will likely be more acurate, as more and more of us die with student debt that is not inheritable, which he does mention. His remarks on having an education that can give you a job are an interesting counterpoint to Jackson Lears essay, which condemns that practice. My suggestion is still to combine the first two years of college with the last two of high school, both at public expense (including Catholic school), with employers hiring people before junior year and funding the rest of education (with a service requirement and a tax credit to lower the cost).
The essay by Gershon on Brooks is interesting. I wonder how he compares it to The Book of Virtues by William Bennet? This is definitely part of the conservative literary tradition. I hope we are not so far gone that this is considered reactionary, I expect you might even find this character study at AA Club book shelves where outside literature is sold (though not for meetings). The work of Bill W. is of this calibre. I wonder if he was included in those biographed?
MSW Responds to Douthat | National Catholic Reporter
MSW Responds to Douthat | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: We read this in the links, right? Thought so. The press will saw what the press will say - Francis appears not to have changed. Of course, the fact that he is a post-Vatican II Jesuit does mean something - something the Trads won't like - even as he honors collegiality among the bishops in letting thems say it. I don't think the Finn affair changes that or matters that much - the scandal was that he was not removed a year ago. Nothing new here.
The Synod is new and yet I doubt there was space included for what were undoubtedly more radical changes. The Bark of the Church does move slowly, even and especially on downhill streams. It seemingly never goes up - unless it finds the right lock and dam. This is not to say, of course, that there are not some bishops looking for one - and because the Church is not a democracy - the Trad have gone to great pains that it not be - Francis could go with anything suggested. This is why the Trads worry - the believe in unilateral papal action. Now it is sure to bite them and they cannot do anything about it because of their belief in the system.
The Trads have a false hope that St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ended the Vatican II energy. Looks like there is a generation of bishops who would disagree with that - the ones like Francis who were new priests then and those who were teens and inspired by the renewal of the Church. It is Francis, who is a parish priest and scripture scholar first last and always, but it is also those masses who want more from the Spirit of Vatican II. As for the biographies, Francis is the leader but he is also the vanguard and any biography of him has to include the "second wave" of Vatican II, which will simply, if nothing else, outlive the leading Trads.
The Synod is new and yet I doubt there was space included for what were undoubtedly more radical changes. The Bark of the Church does move slowly, even and especially on downhill streams. It seemingly never goes up - unless it finds the right lock and dam. This is not to say, of course, that there are not some bishops looking for one - and because the Church is not a democracy - the Trad have gone to great pains that it not be - Francis could go with anything suggested. This is why the Trads worry - the believe in unilateral papal action. Now it is sure to bite them and they cannot do anything about it because of their belief in the system.
The Trads have a false hope that St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ended the Vatican II energy. Looks like there is a generation of bishops who would disagree with that - the ones like Francis who were new priests then and those who were teens and inspired by the renewal of the Church. It is Francis, who is a parish priest and scripture scholar first last and always, but it is also those masses who want more from the Spirit of Vatican II. As for the biographies, Francis is the leader but he is also the vanguard and any biography of him has to include the "second wave" of Vatican II, which will simply, if nothing else, outlive the leading Trads.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Links for 04/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: One thing is certain, if the Clinton Foundation book is written or funded by one of the usual suspects it won't be fair or balanced. I am certain the e-mails probably do concern it - most likely because once you are on a mailing list, it is impossible to get off. Why keep her in the loop? Last I checked, Bubba has heart condition. She has to know at least a little about what is going on. There are also probably e-mails about his health. I am sure there are also e-mails about Chelsea - and they are extremely private about her. If anyone wants to know anything about the Foundation, I am sure there are 1099's with more detail than you ever want to see.
Eve Tushnet's piece is a review by Wesley Hill, a gay man who accepts the Church's teaching on how he can't get married or even have sex. How self loathing became a virtue is just sad. You can guess that I don't agree - of course the fact that the review was in The American Conservative was not a good sign. The real truth is that marriage is kind of a do it yourself institution - it is made by the parties themselves, priest optional (at least that is what they told us in marriage prep). That society finds it vital is no surprise - as it is the mechanism by which one legally and morally puts away their siblings and parents and clings to their spouse. It is intimate. It involves sex and the exclusive rigtht thereto. That gays and lesbians want it is a function of what happens when they don't have it - lots of executable legal paperwork that some institutions will ignore anyway, especially the Church. Making it marriage and the Church cannot ignore the relationship, whether as client (especially patient) or employee. Indeed, it won't be long before internal pressure will do away with all this nonsense on leaving gay marriage out of the spiritual life of the Church.
It seems that the Cardinal Newman Society dislikes NCR as much as MSW. It is fascinating that they cite as an authority the recently deposed Bishop Finn. Amazing. I am not sure why MSW ever gives them ink - they seem to be entirely fringe and blissfully unaware that they are named after a saint who was quite arguably gay, who was buried with his lover, another priest and though because of this inconvenience the Church tried to separate the graves and found that they could not. Ask CNS about this and I am sure they will put their fingers in their ears and stomp their feet. Too sad.
Eve Tushnet's piece is a review by Wesley Hill, a gay man who accepts the Church's teaching on how he can't get married or even have sex. How self loathing became a virtue is just sad. You can guess that I don't agree - of course the fact that the review was in The American Conservative was not a good sign. The real truth is that marriage is kind of a do it yourself institution - it is made by the parties themselves, priest optional (at least that is what they told us in marriage prep). That society finds it vital is no surprise - as it is the mechanism by which one legally and morally puts away their siblings and parents and clings to their spouse. It is intimate. It involves sex and the exclusive rigtht thereto. That gays and lesbians want it is a function of what happens when they don't have it - lots of executable legal paperwork that some institutions will ignore anyway, especially the Church. Making it marriage and the Church cannot ignore the relationship, whether as client (especially patient) or employee. Indeed, it won't be long before internal pressure will do away with all this nonsense on leaving gay marriage out of the spiritual life of the Church.
It seems that the Cardinal Newman Society dislikes NCR as much as MSW. It is fascinating that they cite as an authority the recently deposed Bishop Finn. Amazing. I am not sure why MSW ever gives them ink - they seem to be entirely fringe and blissfully unaware that they are named after a saint who was quite arguably gay, who was buried with his lover, another priest and though because of this inconvenience the Church tried to separate the graves and found that they could not. Ask CNS about this and I am sure they will put their fingers in their ears and stomp their feet. Too sad.
Dems Need to Oppose TPP & Fast-Track Trade Authority | National Catholic Reporter
Dems Need to Oppose TPP & Fast-Track Trade Authority | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The reason for the Clinton tech boom was not so much innovation as it was the cutting of capital gains tax rates, which had lots of IPO businesses start and fail miserably. As for trade and union employment - what caused businesses to seek such deals and close factories is the cutting of the top marginal tax rate from 70% to 31% when it was all said and done. This meant that CEOs could make changes and not have the inevitable personal gains be taxed away. It is regretable, of course, that Clinton hired Larry Summers who convinced him to go along with all kinds of insanity. That Democratic Presidents do so is why the Greens have such a strongly held belief in the equivalency of the two parties. The Green Party may get its point out to the voters (who are also consumers and therefore placated). Only if that happens (maybe with Bernie Sanders as the nominee) will the Democrats think they have enough of a left flank to change their tune. I am not counting on it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Links for 04/22/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/22/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Al Rovati's piece is nice - a bit less political than the one I put on NCR and the Examiner at http://www.examiner.com/article/pilgrimage-of-mercy. Still, baptizing Mercy as important an aspect of Christ as being the Word is radical and has its implications for the Synod on the Family.
Robert Christian's piece is cute. It ia amazing that he mentioned neither Capitalism in reference to the problem with the plutocrats (as if people having too much money was the flaw in our system), not understanding that consumerism is the safety valve that keeps capitalism in place in the developed world and that some type of socialistic solution is the solution. While fixing primaries is a good idea - I would do it by giving anyone with more than 15% of support in a caucus in each district an equal amount of funding - it probably would be just for show. Incumbents usually keep their jobs because they figured out how to do them, at least in the House. I used to live in Virginina, which is an open primary state. Never did a Green, Libertarian or Socialist hijack a primary and win the General. As for money in general, the problem is not capitalists buying elections - it is that they buy everything generally. I wrote a whole book about these things ten years ago. Oh, as far as the domination of pro-choice forces at the Democratic Convention - generally these delegates are teachers and they have an opinion reflecting their own reality. If you don't like their view, change their reality by paying them more.
The Archbishop of Chicago preached a eulogy for his predecessor Tuesday nite. I am told it is worth a look.Aren't such vigil's called wakes?
Robert Christian's piece is cute. It ia amazing that he mentioned neither Capitalism in reference to the problem with the plutocrats (as if people having too much money was the flaw in our system), not understanding that consumerism is the safety valve that keeps capitalism in place in the developed world and that some type of socialistic solution is the solution. While fixing primaries is a good idea - I would do it by giving anyone with more than 15% of support in a caucus in each district an equal amount of funding - it probably would be just for show. Incumbents usually keep their jobs because they figured out how to do them, at least in the House. I used to live in Virginina, which is an open primary state. Never did a Green, Libertarian or Socialist hijack a primary and win the General. As for money in general, the problem is not capitalists buying elections - it is that they buy everything generally. I wrote a whole book about these things ten years ago. Oh, as far as the domination of pro-choice forces at the Democratic Convention - generally these delegates are teachers and they have an opinion reflecting their own reality. If you don't like their view, change their reality by paying them more.
The Archbishop of Chicago preached a eulogy for his predecessor Tuesday nite. I am told it is worth a look.Aren't such vigil's called wakes?
Episcopal Accountability & the 'Reverse Caiaphas' Policy | National Catholic Reporter
Episcopal Accountability & the 'Reverse Caiaphas' Policy | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Let's look at the possibilitys of accountability. MSW lists a few. First, attitude adjustent - be more like Francis. Sadly, there is now way of knowing if it is a change of heart or better PR. Second is if removing a bishop is bad for episocopal PR - while I agree that getting rid of a baddy helps, it is still a question of image over fact. It is nice if a removed bishop renews himself as a priest, but that is not the point. In the old days archbishops had teeth, at least as far as appealing decisions - but this modern world makes everying straight to the Nuncio and Rome. Still, after Vatican II, bishops gained more independence, which had been waning. Vatican II went in the right direction, but not nearly far enough.
Strong Metropolitans or Archibishops meeting in local council leaves matters with the hieararchy and the special medievalism that has the faithful cringe and the atheist community poke fun. Most of the world is becoming more democratic while the hierarchy preserves authoritarianism. This is why the Hierarchy hated the idea of democracy because they knew that one day they would be next. I think we have passed that day. Not only should bishops be elected again by priests and people, adding that they should be removed in the same way is long overdue.
There was nothing sacred about the post-Constatine structure that only got worse with time. It can and should be dispensed with. Indeed, while priests should still be ordained - both male and female, they should be hired by parish councils headed by a lay deacon administrator. Whether the deacons and priests form an electoral assembly or it should be all the faithful is probably a decision that will transition with time, but let the laity make it clear - its largely our property, not the bishops' being administered and our souls being cared for. If after that, a diocese goes rogue, that is a job for attitude and preaching - but it is less likley to happen. Rule from below will also settle some of the pelvic natural law questions that the Church as mangled terribly - which has people of good faith walk out. It is time for that to stop.
Strong Metropolitans or Archibishops meeting in local council leaves matters with the hieararchy and the special medievalism that has the faithful cringe and the atheist community poke fun. Most of the world is becoming more democratic while the hierarchy preserves authoritarianism. This is why the Hierarchy hated the idea of democracy because they knew that one day they would be next. I think we have passed that day. Not only should bishops be elected again by priests and people, adding that they should be removed in the same way is long overdue.
There was nothing sacred about the post-Constatine structure that only got worse with time. It can and should be dispensed with. Indeed, while priests should still be ordained - both male and female, they should be hired by parish councils headed by a lay deacon administrator. Whether the deacons and priests form an electoral assembly or it should be all the faithful is probably a decision that will transition with time, but let the laity make it clear - its largely our property, not the bishops' being administered and our souls being cared for. If after that, a diocese goes rogue, that is a job for attitude and preaching - but it is less likley to happen. Rule from below will also settle some of the pelvic natural law questions that the Church as mangled terribly - which has people of good faith walk out. It is time for that to stop.
Links for 04/21/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/21/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The only consequential change in the abortion debate is to point out the extent to which the right to life movement is a scam to assist the Republican Party, with the knowing participation of the Catholic bishops.
Pope Franics is no Walter Murphy or any other fictional character who bumbles about with no sense of collegiality with this brother bishops. If only he would. There will be no pronouncements like Jesus made on his being the bread of life. Women will not suddenly be ordained. Indeed, only those bishops, like Burke, who have their own failures in collegiality, will feel any sting. He is a Vatican II era Jesuit that survived in Argentina, so he knows how to deal with mine fields. How he deals with those of the future is yet to be determined. I suspect Francis is a modernist but won't rub it in the face of traditionalists just yet.
The RFRA in Indiana when beyond the federal law, which essentially prohibited actions of the government to infringe over personal religious liberty - and maybe even group liberty. The problem with the Indiana law is that is blessed discrimination by individuals against other individuals, with state action being incidental. I could never have won - in Indiana or anywhere else. The Federal Civil Rights Act is more than enough weight to render such state law moot. A fear of cooperating with evil does not justify acts that are evil themselves.
Pope Franics is no Walter Murphy or any other fictional character who bumbles about with no sense of collegiality with this brother bishops. If only he would. There will be no pronouncements like Jesus made on his being the bread of life. Women will not suddenly be ordained. Indeed, only those bishops, like Burke, who have their own failures in collegiality, will feel any sting. He is a Vatican II era Jesuit that survived in Argentina, so he knows how to deal with mine fields. How he deals with those of the future is yet to be determined. I suspect Francis is a modernist but won't rub it in the face of traditionalists just yet.
The RFRA in Indiana when beyond the federal law, which essentially prohibited actions of the government to infringe over personal religious liberty - and maybe even group liberty. The problem with the Indiana law is that is blessed discrimination by individuals against other individuals, with state action being incidental. I could never have won - in Indiana or anywhere else. The Federal Civil Rights Act is more than enough weight to render such state law moot. A fear of cooperating with evil does not justify acts that are evil themselves.
The resignation of Bishop Finn | National Catholic Reporter
The resignation of Bishop Finn | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Maybe no champaigne, but a few hallelujiahs are definitely in order. A clericalist's clericalist found no protection in authority - just ruin - as must happen when collegiality is ignored in favor of personal privilege, for the traditionalism of office and the protection of Rigali and Burke. No wonder justice is slow at times. Whether or not this marks a permanent change or just a one time incident will develop with time. I see no female ordination, lay election of bishops or even mandatory adherence to the Dallas norms. Only time will tell here.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Links for 04/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Fr. Serra event is a must do, assuming you can get tickets. If you are of California stock, check with your Senators or members - although it may be easier to go with another state - who have fewer tickets but fewer requests.
Congratulations to the CRS employee on his or her marriage. Sadly, it cannot be blessed publicly by a priest. The real issue is whether priests will do so privately - its what the Trads really fear. I have no use for either of those other witch hunters and they are best ignored as fringe.
The same goes for Weigel, whose entire compass seems to be who he likes and who he dislikes. Such moral decision making belongs in the third grade, but I will not give that idiot the satisfaction of even clicking on the link.
Congratulations to the CRS employee on his or her marriage. Sadly, it cannot be blessed publicly by a priest. The real issue is whether priests will do so privately - its what the Trads really fear. I have no use for either of those other witch hunters and they are best ignored as fringe.
The same goes for Weigel, whose entire compass seems to be who he likes and who he dislikes. Such moral decision making belongs in the third grade, but I will not give that idiot the satisfaction of even clicking on the link.
Remembering Cardinal Francis George, OMI | National Catholic Reporter
Remembering Cardinal Francis George, OMI | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The death of Cardinal George is hardly a surprise. I suppose if anyone is a witness on why to avoid active euthanasia, its is Francis George - as his depression could have made it a realistic option - but that was not in him. An article by him on the topic would have been the capstone of his legacy, at least for conservative Catholics.
I never really met the Cardinal, but did hear him say Mass at both the Annual Gathering in Chicago and at the Centennial Mass for Catholic Charities at the National Bascillica of the Immaculate Conception (which is how you are supposed to say it, the official title is clunky, as is calling St. Pio by St. Padre Pio or fittling Pope in St. John Paul the Great's name. That he devoted so much to the movement for Catholic Charity says all you need to know about him as bishop. The doctrinal arguments are just recreation, which I will join in with the memory of Francis George one last time.
I actually like the new-old translation, if only for reasons of international Church unity. The prayers are somewhat clunky, but no one really listens to those anyway - they may has well be in Latin - and that was before the translation change. The Eucharistic Prayer options are not unlovely in most spots and it just takes some gettng used to. I call it the new-old translation because much of it could have been taken from the pre-Vatican II English follow-on pages. It is an accomplishment that the priest still faces the people and that English is actually used - however this reform will likely be as far as the counter-revolution goes.
As for the Evangelicals - they exist on the left as well as the right. It is odd that in places where they still think the Pope to really be the anti-Christ, they follow his lead on abortion and birth control - as if they had anywhere else to go. Of course, the bishops are not alone on opinons on reform. Catholic Health and Catholic Charities staked out a separate position and it carried that day enough for Catholic votes to push the reform over the top, Catholic legislators who know they were doing the right thing and it would cost them re-election. Pity that misnamed outfits like the Susan B. Anthony Fund made that happen and that some bishops took it upon themselves to get revenge over the nuns - a revenge that Pope Francis has ended.
The contraception and religious liberty flap was regrettable because the Bishops allowed themselves to be made sport of for what turned out to be an effort by Valerie Jarrett to make it an issue to mobilize women for the election. The election is over - Valerie's guy won and nothing will change that. Its time to stand down.
Now we come to the city on the hill imagery. Gary Wills and E.J. Dionne will likely have something to say about that too - but a Catholic bishop invoking it is almost comical. The whole idea behind the Massachusetts colony was to get away from English Catholicism, which was tainted by the Romanism of what they believed to be the anti-Christ. The irony is tragic. Luckily, all the little explosions of fervor tend to peter out quickly and I don't see right wing Protestant Evangelicals taking the stage again. If anything, the Disciples of Christ are the true heirs of that original movement (at least as far as my family history goes) and they are decidedly NOT conservative. They are still faithful - indeed, faith abounds on the left - with faith being reliance on God and not adherence to the social structure called the Church.
The nation is not known for its peculiar peculiar Chrisitianity - but for the peculiar freedom that it resides in, including the lovely debate just engaged on whether contraception should be ressurected as an issue fifty years after Griswold v. Connecticut (and the answer is still no). Still, a debate on the conscience of an employer and of each employee is wonderful to have, not because the employer has any say but because it opens the door to talking about the evils of capitalism - and I will debate that any day, any hour. Those who disagree had better bring a first aid kit because it could get messy.
That bundle of rights and adherence to good government under the separation of powers defined by John Adams and Montesque is what distinguishes Ameria, as well as our instinct to jump into every fight, even when it is not a good idea. Iraq is case in point and Afghanistan is gettng that way, but only because we have not sent Wes Clark to negotiate our way out. Still, much of that culture is derived from the kind of univeral brotherhood practiced not by the Church, but by the Masons. Before touting our American ideology, lets make sure we know where we get it. Its not the Church but a group where, even though they now allow Catholics in, the Church has not returned the favor.
On the Neo-con thing - neoconservatives are former liberals who believe in a strong defense, especially where it regards support for the state of Israel. Any Catholic is advised not to support what has become the blood bath of our time. There is no other acceptable use of the term and I am sure it did not apply to the Cardinal and I am sure it applies to one Michael Sean Winters. Nothing more and nothing less. The Cardinal was simply a Traditionalist, or maybe a Neo-Trad to deliniate him as one like St. John Paul the Great (their leader), who is not publicly rejecting Vatican II, but not shy about tinkering with it.
There, one last set of arguments in memory of Frank George. Rest In Peace.
I never really met the Cardinal, but did hear him say Mass at both the Annual Gathering in Chicago and at the Centennial Mass for Catholic Charities at the National Bascillica of the Immaculate Conception (which is how you are supposed to say it, the official title is clunky, as is calling St. Pio by St. Padre Pio or fittling Pope in St. John Paul the Great's name. That he devoted so much to the movement for Catholic Charity says all you need to know about him as bishop. The doctrinal arguments are just recreation, which I will join in with the memory of Francis George one last time.
I actually like the new-old translation, if only for reasons of international Church unity. The prayers are somewhat clunky, but no one really listens to those anyway - they may has well be in Latin - and that was before the translation change. The Eucharistic Prayer options are not unlovely in most spots and it just takes some gettng used to. I call it the new-old translation because much of it could have been taken from the pre-Vatican II English follow-on pages. It is an accomplishment that the priest still faces the people and that English is actually used - however this reform will likely be as far as the counter-revolution goes.
As for the Evangelicals - they exist on the left as well as the right. It is odd that in places where they still think the Pope to really be the anti-Christ, they follow his lead on abortion and birth control - as if they had anywhere else to go. Of course, the bishops are not alone on opinons on reform. Catholic Health and Catholic Charities staked out a separate position and it carried that day enough for Catholic votes to push the reform over the top, Catholic legislators who know they were doing the right thing and it would cost them re-election. Pity that misnamed outfits like the Susan B. Anthony Fund made that happen and that some bishops took it upon themselves to get revenge over the nuns - a revenge that Pope Francis has ended.
The contraception and religious liberty flap was regrettable because the Bishops allowed themselves to be made sport of for what turned out to be an effort by Valerie Jarrett to make it an issue to mobilize women for the election. The election is over - Valerie's guy won and nothing will change that. Its time to stand down.
Now we come to the city on the hill imagery. Gary Wills and E.J. Dionne will likely have something to say about that too - but a Catholic bishop invoking it is almost comical. The whole idea behind the Massachusetts colony was to get away from English Catholicism, which was tainted by the Romanism of what they believed to be the anti-Christ. The irony is tragic. Luckily, all the little explosions of fervor tend to peter out quickly and I don't see right wing Protestant Evangelicals taking the stage again. If anything, the Disciples of Christ are the true heirs of that original movement (at least as far as my family history goes) and they are decidedly NOT conservative. They are still faithful - indeed, faith abounds on the left - with faith being reliance on God and not adherence to the social structure called the Church.
The nation is not known for its peculiar peculiar Chrisitianity - but for the peculiar freedom that it resides in, including the lovely debate just engaged on whether contraception should be ressurected as an issue fifty years after Griswold v. Connecticut (and the answer is still no). Still, a debate on the conscience of an employer and of each employee is wonderful to have, not because the employer has any say but because it opens the door to talking about the evils of capitalism - and I will debate that any day, any hour. Those who disagree had better bring a first aid kit because it could get messy.
That bundle of rights and adherence to good government under the separation of powers defined by John Adams and Montesque is what distinguishes Ameria, as well as our instinct to jump into every fight, even when it is not a good idea. Iraq is case in point and Afghanistan is gettng that way, but only because we have not sent Wes Clark to negotiate our way out. Still, much of that culture is derived from the kind of univeral brotherhood practiced not by the Church, but by the Masons. Before touting our American ideology, lets make sure we know where we get it. Its not the Church but a group where, even though they now allow Catholics in, the Church has not returned the favor.
On the Neo-con thing - neoconservatives are former liberals who believe in a strong defense, especially where it regards support for the state of Israel. Any Catholic is advised not to support what has become the blood bath of our time. There is no other acceptable use of the term and I am sure it did not apply to the Cardinal and I am sure it applies to one Michael Sean Winters. Nothing more and nothing less. The Cardinal was simply a Traditionalist, or maybe a Neo-Trad to deliniate him as one like St. John Paul the Great (their leader), who is not publicly rejecting Vatican II, but not shy about tinkering with it.
There, one last set of arguments in memory of Frank George. Rest In Peace.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Links for 04/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter MSW. MGB: I agree with those parents. The younger bomber has lost his dangerousness - though exile of some sort, like prison, is necessary of the public well-being - unless of course we found it was his idea. The needed execution in this case happened when they got his brother in the street. Sadly, that is how BPD rolls - indeed, they were trying to save the people a trial for the younger one too, but the cameras stopped them.
David's remarks are very interesting regarding the questions of law v. conscience and the law written in hour hearts. Of course, that is a bit more real - or could be - than a conference on polarizations is likely to get. Too bad - because it essentialy is a question not of conscience but of who decides what the natural law is, the Curia and Ordinaries or the people themselves - and why not the latter?
There is likely no military solution to Israel and unless the United States attacks it - and Obama won't do that - not with the number of Jews who are or were on his staff. It won't come until even American Zionists agree that rounding up all Palesntinians in Gaza and the West Bank to more easily kill them is wrong. I am familiar with the proposition, as the Parajmos happened concurrently with the Holocaust - except the former was more successful among my fellow Sinti. Until you know what I just said, don't talk to me about genocide. The only solution is probably when remnant of our peoples decide they want to test whether the right of return applies to the other ten tribes (that was a big hint).
David's remarks are very interesting regarding the questions of law v. conscience and the law written in hour hearts. Of course, that is a bit more real - or could be - than a conference on polarizations is likely to get. Too bad - because it essentialy is a question not of conscience but of who decides what the natural law is, the Curia and Ordinaries or the people themselves - and why not the latter?
There is likely no military solution to Israel and unless the United States attacks it - and Obama won't do that - not with the number of Jews who are or were on his staff. It won't come until even American Zionists agree that rounding up all Palesntinians in Gaza and the West Bank to more easily kill them is wrong. I am familiar with the proposition, as the Parajmos happened concurrently with the Holocaust - except the former was more successful among my fellow Sinti. Until you know what I just said, don't talk to me about genocide. The only solution is probably when remnant of our peoples decide they want to test whether the right of return applies to the other ten tribes (that was a big hint).
Polarization in the U.S. Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal | National Catholic Reporter
Polarization in the U.S. Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This apporach to humility is very Ignatian and you can find it duplicated in the Seventh Step of Alcoholic Anonymous' 12 Steps. No surprise a Jesuit Pope would cite it. It is interesting that MSW would cite the clergy sex abuse as an example of pubic humiliation leading to humility in the hierarchy. If only that were true. Sadly, there was no existential angst in the episcopacy - only Public Relations problem and a full court press to protect Vatican assets from being attached. The Archbishop of San Francisco and his continuation of the culture wars after they are basically lost is another example that does not get to public humiliation bringing humility. Humility would be to realize he needs to start celebrating gay weddings - it would be changing the doctrine on homosexuality and realizing the only reason some think it immoral is that they find it icky. Not even Francis has gotten to that level of humility - not even enough to realize putting a culture warrior in the Fire Island of the west was a dumb idea.
I am glad Notre Dame is putting on a conference on polarization. Sadly, the bishops learned from the Obama speech affair - only that they don't get to say anything (and should not) about universities they don't own. Indeed, we need to officially junk the idea of the imperial bishop controlling all things Catholic in their benefice. Oh, love the shameless plug. I disagree on the polarization of thecommentariat and the leadership of the Church not being reflected in the faithful - one only see my Facebook pages to see it both causes and is caused by such polarization among people in the pews - and thoses who stay away from the pews but are Catholic nonetheless. I hope the conference has a wide variation of views, but I doubt we will be seeing Courdeleone, Chaput, Burke (who would just denounce it anyway) or Lori. It would be fund to see the Pope order them to be there. Not likely - he is one who buys into the collegiality of bishops mythos. Pity.
I am glad Notre Dame is putting on a conference on polarization. Sadly, the bishops learned from the Obama speech affair - only that they don't get to say anything (and should not) about universities they don't own. Indeed, we need to officially junk the idea of the imperial bishop controlling all things Catholic in their benefice. Oh, love the shameless plug. I disagree on the polarization of thecommentariat and the leadership of the Church not being reflected in the faithful - one only see my Facebook pages to see it both causes and is caused by such polarization among people in the pews - and thoses who stay away from the pews but are Catholic nonetheless. I hope the conference has a wide variation of views, but I doubt we will be seeing Courdeleone, Chaput, Burke (who would just denounce it anyway) or Lori. It would be fund to see the Pope order them to be there. Not likely - he is one who buys into the collegiality of bishops mythos. Pity.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Links for 04/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It used to be that, albeit conservative, Heritage was a decent place that everyone respected and at least took the time to argue with. The current incarnation is a joke and is no longer conservative - its reactionary. Ryan Anderson is the kind of creep you would expect at a meeting of the John Birch Society. Now the Birchers are no longer a valuable part of the GOP, they are the GOP. Sad.
I hope that Bishop McElroy's sermon is the low water mark of his tenure as bishop. He seems like the real deal, but there may be a point where he stops on responding to the Spirit of Prophesy (and that is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit) and pulls up short on change. I hope we don't find that point - that he remains awake to the Spirit and helps those who are afraid get over their fears.
I hope that Bishop McElroy's sermon is the low water mark of his tenure as bishop. He seems like the real deal, but there may be a point where he stops on responding to the Spirit of Prophesy (and that is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit) and pulls up short on change. I hope we don't find that point - that he remains awake to the Spirit and helps those who are afraid get over their fears.
The Mess in San Francisco | National Catholic Reporter
The Mess in San Francisco | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am not so sure the full page ad is a bad idea. If correspondence is stopped at the Chancellor and the Archbishop does not grant a meeting or takes their calls, the ad is essential. They could also nail them to the Cathedral door. What is more regretable is the need to have Francis remove the Archbishop - which essentially means that the Holy See, not the individual bishop, is liable for their conduct in covering up child sexual abuse. Not following the Dallas Charter is suspect, but if ignoring the Charter leads to more abuse, the Holy See should pay.
The way to solve this is to abandon our Medieval organizational structures. In the early Church, before it was coopted by Rome and then Constantinople, bishops were elected (and in some cases, were probably removed). Do that now and the ad would be for Catholics to assemble and consider the Archbishop's removal - although given the ancient ways, he would nevr have been permitted to serve in that Archdiocese. Bishop Finn would have been removed by now as well.
The other reform is to abandon the convention that the bishop holds all assets as personal property. This is worse than anachronistic. There was a place for it after the Great Terror in France - but such threats are gone. Elected and removal bishops might be just a bit of an incentive to follow the Dallas Charter (which seems more like a press release than a bindng regulation.
Finally, an arranagment such as this would change how doctrine is developed. Elected bishops gave us Calchedon and the Creed. Agreeing on the nature of God and Jesus by a democratically elected council was not a bad thing then and it would not be now. MSW needs to quit defending that kind of worn out tradition.
The way to solve this is to abandon our Medieval organizational structures. In the early Church, before it was coopted by Rome and then Constantinople, bishops were elected (and in some cases, were probably removed). Do that now and the ad would be for Catholics to assemble and consider the Archbishop's removal - although given the ancient ways, he would nevr have been permitted to serve in that Archdiocese. Bishop Finn would have been removed by now as well.
The other reform is to abandon the convention that the bishop holds all assets as personal property. This is worse than anachronistic. There was a place for it after the Great Terror in France - but such threats are gone. Elected and removal bishops might be just a bit of an incentive to follow the Dallas Charter (which seems more like a press release than a bindng regulation.
Finally, an arranagment such as this would change how doctrine is developed. Elected bishops gave us Calchedon and the Creed. Agreeing on the nature of God and Jesus by a democratically elected council was not a bad thing then and it would not be now. MSW needs to quit defending that kind of worn out tradition.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Pope Francis: Gender theory is the problem, not the solution | National Catholic Reporter
Pope Francis: Gender theory is the problem, not the solution | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Both nurturing and earning are necessary roles, but they are not nature - they are economic and social constructs. On farms, everyone can do everything and have, although usually the males hunt because they can run longer and survive turnabout by the prey - women are too important to put at risk in such society. Still, in this world of change, men can stay home and be perfectly fine, even for an infant (no so much for puberty of girls). Indeed, until women are fine with men never going back to work, they will never destroy the glass ceiling, which is there to take out competition. Women need to start taking out the competition by letting them nurture, be school parents and, gasp, golf.
Links for 04/15/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/15/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Borowtiz's piece is funny and a bit mocking at having a video rather than a rally - and that she is acting as if she is not well known - of course considering who she is known for being married to, may not be a bad thing. Still, its an interesting barometer to see who likes an dislikes her by how they react. Mocking the GOP for their reaction is priceless.
You can always walk in most neighborhoods as long as you have identification. Indeed, I am no sure who cold stop you from going to Beacon HIll. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because I would rank Carmel, California at the top. Woodland-Normanstone in DC is a pack of mansions in a block. Did not make the list. Kings Point, Long Island is amazing and if you want off the wall, do Dubuque, Iowa in the heights and Anacostia, DC along MLK. I say that because the stone and architecture is the same and they look neat. And yes, I have walked down that stretch of MLK alone and with a campaign parade - and for MLK day (although when you are holding a Free DC Banner and trying not to drop it, you can't really see. Even more impressive is Sixteenth Street in early May. Nothing is more beautiful. Even Groves Point, Michigan or San Antonio, TX - especially Terrell HIlls, which has lots of pretty flowers, the postwar home style - which has never been changed McMansions not allowed, but in the summer in back yards, clothing is optional.
In the movie, Whoopie led the choir for St. John Paul II (or a dramatic facsimile). Of course, the anchor song of the piece is Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee sang by the students - with Lauren Hill in her break out performance. Very hep and very spiritual, like the characters meant it.
You can always walk in most neighborhoods as long as you have identification. Indeed, I am no sure who cold stop you from going to Beacon HIll. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because I would rank Carmel, California at the top. Woodland-Normanstone in DC is a pack of mansions in a block. Did not make the list. Kings Point, Long Island is amazing and if you want off the wall, do Dubuque, Iowa in the heights and Anacostia, DC along MLK. I say that because the stone and architecture is the same and they look neat. And yes, I have walked down that stretch of MLK alone and with a campaign parade - and for MLK day (although when you are holding a Free DC Banner and trying not to drop it, you can't really see. Even more impressive is Sixteenth Street in early May. Nothing is more beautiful. Even Groves Point, Michigan or San Antonio, TX - especially Terrell HIlls, which has lots of pretty flowers, the postwar home style - which has never been changed McMansions not allowed, but in the summer in back yards, clothing is optional.
In the movie, Whoopie led the choir for St. John Paul II (or a dramatic facsimile). Of course, the anchor song of the piece is Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee sang by the students - with Lauren Hill in her break out performance. Very hep and very spiritual, like the characters meant it.
Oh Happy Day in San Diego | National Catholic Reporter
Oh Happy Day in San Diego | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Congratulations to the bishop, who seems to have been promoted out of a See where a culture warrior is tilting at windmills against gay rights. He is a churchman, who I hope like Bernardin looks to the sheep rather than Rome - and is willing to tell the Roman Curia and his fellow bishops where dogma is no longer passing the smell test of reality in the modern world - since there is no left or right, there is orthodoxy and modernism. Everything modern is not, but everything that is consdered orthodox must be saved. Oddly, orthodoxy was achieved by the democracy of the Council - not from anyone issuing a Bull from Rome. indeed, the contents of the faith regarding Christ were made orthodox, it was by a vote of elected bishops - and in some cases conflicts got bloody - even after the issue was settled. Blood need not be spilt anymore, but all need not be preserved.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Links for 04/14/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/14/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: While on the civil rights angle of so many sexual issues, the libertarian impulse must be honored, the case for moral liberatarianism takes a different tack. It must be a moral code that makes us the most free - as in lacking in moral habits that become compulsions - and not just in the sexual realm. A little moral libertarianism might be good for some of the princes of the Church, who revel in self-importance to such an extent that their ability to exercise moral freedom is suspect. This is another way of repeating what the Master said about his gentleness and humility of heart, his yoke is easy and his burden light. Moral libertarianism strives, or should strive, to make use of natural law - not the relativistic kind you find in the Curia and their Infallible Magisterium - but the kind we reason out for yourselves.
I am sure the Crossroads event will be bittersweet for those who loved the Monsignor. I am sure that remembering the good times will crowd out the self-pity that is such a danger in grief.
Jeb Bush as Mr. Catholic will cause some serious soul searching on whether the Capitalist impulse is inconsistent with Catholic teaching. Would that it also leads to an examination of the pro-life movement as to whether it is a political fiction or what it is advertised as. The Governor who kept a dead woman away from her reward may not be the person we want as President Catholic. Still, the debate will be wonderful if we are bold enough to ask the tough questions of both Bush and ourselves. Of course, this will likely lead to four more years of Democratic rule.
I am sure the Crossroads event will be bittersweet for those who loved the Monsignor. I am sure that remembering the good times will crowd out the self-pity that is such a danger in grief.
Jeb Bush as Mr. Catholic will cause some serious soul searching on whether the Capitalist impulse is inconsistent with Catholic teaching. Would that it also leads to an examination of the pro-life movement as to whether it is a political fiction or what it is advertised as. The Governor who kept a dead woman away from her reward may not be the person we want as President Catholic. Still, the debate will be wonderful if we are bold enough to ask the tough questions of both Bush and ourselves. Of course, this will likely lead to four more years of Democratic rule.
Clinton & Rubio Enter the Race | National Catholic Reporter
Clinton & Rubio Enter the Race | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: These candidates show what Faith Dane demonstrated with her bugle in Gypsey - everybody's got a gimmick. To be cynical, with two Cubans in the race it is hard to see Rubio and Cruz not splitting that vote in Florida - or winning any points with the Mexican and Central American communities given their stance on immigration. One wonders if the Republican world is looking for a second position Latino. If so, I don't think the Latino vote will fall for either of them - especially when you legitimately as Marco Who?
Hillary did speak of a vast right wing conspiracy - and then it showed itself in a link between the Paul Jones legal team and Ken Starr. This little cabal and those funding them now takes the form of the Tea Party - after being the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (how Orwellian is that title?). They don't like Hillary going back to her days in the Nixon impeachment, when she was already dating Bill - back when people were actually going after John Kerry because he came back and opposed the war publicly. Before all of that we had the John Birch Society, who seemingly thought there was a Communist behind every tree - and whose sugar daddy was Mr, Koch, Sr. When FoxNews stops taking press releases from the RNC as actual news, I will stop belieiving in a vast right wing conspiracy.
One of the right wing conspiracy rumors is about sex, namely that Mrs. Clinton goes both ways. While it seems to be true for Mrs. Roosevelt, it has no traction with Hillary - and even if true this would show society has changed some of its double standards. Machieavelian? Maybe - you kind of have to be when a vast right wing conspiracy is gunning for you. Still, there is some truth to the rumors that she is a bit harder than she looks. Funny how THAT would not come up if she were a man - and her time at state was no less remarkable than Papa Bush's time as director of the CIA (experience which seemingly helped him in the Iran-Contra affair - something he was never investigated for). And for every chant of Benghazi, the counter chant is bin Laden.
One of the reasons that the campaign against Obama in those quarters never got beyond the racist dities about Barck the Magic Negro is that everone thought Hillary would win the nomination and they werer ready for her. Oops. As for the nomination this time, the main lesson Hillary needs to have learned is that you must contest caucus states - because they will go to whomever courts them.
This announcement has pretty much sealed the deal. O'Malley of Baltimore probably won't get any money unless he suddenly gets pro-life religion and Jill Biden is likely going to Delaware on weekends to look at retirement options for the Vice President - although he might just surprise people in a race without, or even with, Hillary. The main point is that no one on the right wing has any kind of economic justice on their radars. None - well, except for justice for those who earned or otherwise got their money. The rest of us are ready for Hillary.
Hillary did speak of a vast right wing conspiracy - and then it showed itself in a link between the Paul Jones legal team and Ken Starr. This little cabal and those funding them now takes the form of the Tea Party - after being the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (how Orwellian is that title?). They don't like Hillary going back to her days in the Nixon impeachment, when she was already dating Bill - back when people were actually going after John Kerry because he came back and opposed the war publicly. Before all of that we had the John Birch Society, who seemingly thought there was a Communist behind every tree - and whose sugar daddy was Mr, Koch, Sr. When FoxNews stops taking press releases from the RNC as actual news, I will stop belieiving in a vast right wing conspiracy.
One of the right wing conspiracy rumors is about sex, namely that Mrs. Clinton goes both ways. While it seems to be true for Mrs. Roosevelt, it has no traction with Hillary - and even if true this would show society has changed some of its double standards. Machieavelian? Maybe - you kind of have to be when a vast right wing conspiracy is gunning for you. Still, there is some truth to the rumors that she is a bit harder than she looks. Funny how THAT would not come up if she were a man - and her time at state was no less remarkable than Papa Bush's time as director of the CIA (experience which seemingly helped him in the Iran-Contra affair - something he was never investigated for). And for every chant of Benghazi, the counter chant is bin Laden.
One of the reasons that the campaign against Obama in those quarters never got beyond the racist dities about Barck the Magic Negro is that everone thought Hillary would win the nomination and they werer ready for her. Oops. As for the nomination this time, the main lesson Hillary needs to have learned is that you must contest caucus states - because they will go to whomever courts them.
This announcement has pretty much sealed the deal. O'Malley of Baltimore probably won't get any money unless he suddenly gets pro-life religion and Jill Biden is likely going to Delaware on weekends to look at retirement options for the Vice President - although he might just surprise people in a race without, or even with, Hillary. The main point is that no one on the right wing has any kind of economic justice on their radars. None - well, except for justice for those who earned or otherwise got their money. The rest of us are ready for Hillary.
Links for 04/13/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/13/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Interesting focus on Mrs. Jesus in Archbishop DiNoia's Easter Homily, but it did not look too long, so that is good. As far as Wolf Hall, no desire and no cable access, so it does not matter. Ready for Hillary was slick campaign, perhaps too slick, like her announcement. Front runners need to balance a band wagon effect with the perception of inevitability - and not in a good way. When you are a consultant, its too much fun to latch on to those feelings. Probably not good for the candidate. Hopefully she will remember what I told her about dealing with the abortion issue - which is to lay out how much its about organizational preservation rather than actually ending abortion. It is simply not an issue in play outside of state capitals that don't know the meanding of the word no and federal courts that are very oblliged to say it. If abortion is your only objection, re read what I said and pronounce yourself ready for Hillary.
The papal bull: Misericordiae Vultus | National Catholic Reporter
The papal bull: Misericordiae Vultus | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Interesting piece (or peace). You could see Francis' strong scriptural knowledge in weaving this together - what is essentially an invitation to pilgimage and confession (and as yet t be named indulgences). The start date is interesting as the anniversary of Vatican II's closing. I am sure there are those who still want the Council to be treated as just another part of the Church of St. Piux X, rather than a bit more of a break from the past. This will disappoint them. The continuity he especially wants, however, is with the Lord - who showed mercy and was mercy.
He also cites St. John Paul II's encyclical on mercy - which should have George Weigal's head spinning. Still, we must forgive George if we wish to be forgiven. There is no mercy without forgiveness of others. The sending out of Missionaries of Mercy is interesting - both as a spiritual activity and as doing an end run around the local ordinaries. The reference to the criminals and the corrupt to not just go to Confession but to get out of the life is interesting - and likely as much directed to his home as to Rome. This dovetails nicely into the long paragraphs on justice and mercy - and justice being not whatt we usually think. There is no comfort here for George Weigel either. Or for Cardinal Burke. He does reach out the Marian movement, however - although I suspect his vision of Mary is more like mine than it is Weigel's.
MSW calls this a counter-cultural teaching - which it is - but rejecting the culture of cruelty and embracing one of mercy. He makes comments about paragraph 15 counter-acting Libertarianism - which is funny because I did not see any mention of Ayn Rand, Freidrich Hayek or von Mises. It looked to me like Francis was talking about Capitalism. Of course, attacking Libertarianism is a lot easier than saying that the Pope has capitalism in his sights.
Francis is not only the world's parish priest (although I hope most parish priests are following the scriptures in their homilies like he does), he is its Sunday School teacher. I don't think he had staff do all those scripture quotes. He teaches the Bible like he wrote it himself, especially the beautiful psalm references.
As MSW points out, Francis is saying a lot about Confession and Confessors. It will be interesting if he can find some way to talk us all out of the nagging guilt that precedes most of us who approach the Confessional or Reconciliation Room. It probably comes from making innocent children start so early.
MSW also gets a little excited at the end, calling the Bull and Mercy un-modern. I disagree. This was not written for pre-industrial Catholicism. It is squarely on point - and sociologists of religion do talk about Mercy in the context of the Church and churches, as do 12 step programs - yet this is the most important thing we have seen lately - and the Jubilee is timed to occur after the Second Synod on the Family. Now that is interesting.
He also cites St. John Paul II's encyclical on mercy - which should have George Weigal's head spinning. Still, we must forgive George if we wish to be forgiven. There is no mercy without forgiveness of others. The sending out of Missionaries of Mercy is interesting - both as a spiritual activity and as doing an end run around the local ordinaries. The reference to the criminals and the corrupt to not just go to Confession but to get out of the life is interesting - and likely as much directed to his home as to Rome. This dovetails nicely into the long paragraphs on justice and mercy - and justice being not whatt we usually think. There is no comfort here for George Weigel either. Or for Cardinal Burke. He does reach out the Marian movement, however - although I suspect his vision of Mary is more like mine than it is Weigel's.
MSW calls this a counter-cultural teaching - which it is - but rejecting the culture of cruelty and embracing one of mercy. He makes comments about paragraph 15 counter-acting Libertarianism - which is funny because I did not see any mention of Ayn Rand, Freidrich Hayek or von Mises. It looked to me like Francis was talking about Capitalism. Of course, attacking Libertarianism is a lot easier than saying that the Pope has capitalism in his sights.
Francis is not only the world's parish priest (although I hope most parish priests are following the scriptures in their homilies like he does), he is its Sunday School teacher. I don't think he had staff do all those scripture quotes. He teaches the Bible like he wrote it himself, especially the beautiful psalm references.
As MSW points out, Francis is saying a lot about Confession and Confessors. It will be interesting if he can find some way to talk us all out of the nagging guilt that precedes most of us who approach the Confessional or Reconciliation Room. It probably comes from making innocent children start so early.
MSW also gets a little excited at the end, calling the Bull and Mercy un-modern. I disagree. This was not written for pre-industrial Catholicism. It is squarely on point - and sociologists of religion do talk about Mercy in the context of the Church and churches, as do 12 step programs - yet this is the most important thing we have seen lately - and the Jubilee is timed to occur after the Second Synod on the Family. Now that is interesting.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Killing Christianity | National Catholic Reporter
Killing Christianity | National Catholic Reporter by PZ. MGB: I have written about this divorce issue extensively. More so since my wife left me. In some cases, a second marriage should not only be accommodated, but the first marriage ended officially the by the chruch.
Adultery, violence, drunkenness with no attempt at recovery (same for drug abuse) and responding to attempts by inlaws to end the first marriage (which, by the way, is what Jesus was talking about in the
Gospel - that this should not happen). Here is the catch, this should never free the offender to marry again - unless the wronged party gives both forgiveness and permission for them to marry again. The injured spouse should be allowed to insist the marriage stay intace or is freed to marry but binds the other not to - at least in the Church. That would be interesting in practice, both for forgiveness examples and for standing on ones right - but mostly how it affects the other offending party. Of course, let us hope they do not get homicidal.
Adultery, violence, drunkenness with no attempt at recovery (same for drug abuse) and responding to attempts by inlaws to end the first marriage (which, by the way, is what Jesus was talking about in the
Gospel - that this should not happen). Here is the catch, this should never free the offender to marry again - unless the wronged party gives both forgiveness and permission for them to marry again. The injured spouse should be allowed to insist the marriage stay intace or is freed to marry but binds the other not to - at least in the Church. That would be interesting in practice, both for forgiveness examples and for standing on ones right - but mostly how it affects the other offending party. Of course, let us hope they do not get homicidal.
Links for 04/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: ACE is a good way to have a public school also be private - but with public money. Sounds good to me, but I would still mandate continuation of the collective bargaining agreement - if only to see if that is what is wrong with the public schools or if its the interference of the central administrative and political structure. And I would never send my child to an Orlando public school - until now.
I would have no question about hiring the employee. The problem is the bishop - but its essentially his school under law, which is also a problem. Unless the teacher has multiple lovers and is modeling promiscuity - in which case he probably could not be hired - then he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Of course, there are those who polyamorous who would disagree - and maybe there are right - although most people cannot handle such a life style. Of course in Utah, polyamory should be legal (not just poligamy, because it is a religious tenent. So, if one religious tenant can be binding, it seems another can be freeing - but that is the case for poliamory, not monogamous homosexuality.
Market Watch is a hysterical tool of the capitalists. I predict nothing because the Encyclical is not yet out.
I would have no question about hiring the employee. The problem is the bishop - but its essentially his school under law, which is also a problem. Unless the teacher has multiple lovers and is modeling promiscuity - in which case he probably could not be hired - then he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Of course, there are those who polyamorous who would disagree - and maybe there are right - although most people cannot handle such a life style. Of course in Utah, polyamory should be legal (not just poligamy, because it is a religious tenent. So, if one religious tenant can be binding, it seems another can be freeing - but that is the case for poliamory, not monogamous homosexuality.
Market Watch is a hysterical tool of the capitalists. I predict nothing because the Encyclical is not yet out.
Indiana's RFRA: the fallout, Part II | National Catholic Reporter
Indiana's RFRA: the fallout, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: MSW seems to find only two approaches among the bishops. I would rather think of it as at least two. The bishops that favor tolerance, including in Indiana and Georgia, have been a breath of fresh air - although I would prefer that they not suggest a time for more discernment and dialogue. My impresson is that civil rights law, or at least the princples behind it, were fairly clear - equal access to all if you have a store front business - and no one is saying that these bakers need to order from the Adam and Steve Cake Topper Company in San Francisco (don't look for it, I made it up).
Then there are the Lori and Chaput crowd. They do seem strident in the name of coalition politics and maybe that is it (which if so kind of colors how we need to seem them when they talk about abortion). The other possibility is that they are fully convinced that gays and lesbians who have sex are going to Hell and that they must stop them, have them repent and go through therapy to make them heterosexual (think the center operated by Michele Bachmann's husband - who seems to have been a client). Stopping gay marriage is their first step in reaching them and reminding them of their flawed behavior as part of an attraction disorder. Worse, if they lose on this issue - they feal the whole of Catholic moral teaching is lost, including female priests and abortion, et al.
The third undiscussed option is hopefully some very quiet bishops who are Lori and Chaput's worse nightmare - who reject that there is anything sinful about being gay or in being sexually active while gay - with marriage being the best hope for that occurring safely and morally. They were the ones who, as priests, were pushing the Wonderfully Made meme as well as the sex is a gift from God meme. By the way, both of those are correct. Forty years ago, we were sure we would find a genetic cause. Didn't happen. Epigenetics did, however - which found the biology connected to what we know - the homosexuality seems to arise during pregnancy, but before birth and is linked to genetic factors. Those of us who are spiritual - and hopefully that includes some bishops - see that not as disorder, but God's creative work - no more to be cured than white skin (which is risk factor for cancer). As far as the female priests thing - yeah, we hope they are willing partners on that to.
The problem is that dissent is never met with debate or respect, it is anathemized. Priests and even bishops are fired for telling the truth. It is why so many have hope in Francis - that he will let the truth be spoken without retribution from those like Burke, Chaput and Lori.
Then there are the Lori and Chaput crowd. They do seem strident in the name of coalition politics and maybe that is it (which if so kind of colors how we need to seem them when they talk about abortion). The other possibility is that they are fully convinced that gays and lesbians who have sex are going to Hell and that they must stop them, have them repent and go through therapy to make them heterosexual (think the center operated by Michele Bachmann's husband - who seems to have been a client). Stopping gay marriage is their first step in reaching them and reminding them of their flawed behavior as part of an attraction disorder. Worse, if they lose on this issue - they feal the whole of Catholic moral teaching is lost, including female priests and abortion, et al.
The third undiscussed option is hopefully some very quiet bishops who are Lori and Chaput's worse nightmare - who reject that there is anything sinful about being gay or in being sexually active while gay - with marriage being the best hope for that occurring safely and morally. They were the ones who, as priests, were pushing the Wonderfully Made meme as well as the sex is a gift from God meme. By the way, both of those are correct. Forty years ago, we were sure we would find a genetic cause. Didn't happen. Epigenetics did, however - which found the biology connected to what we know - the homosexuality seems to arise during pregnancy, but before birth and is linked to genetic factors. Those of us who are spiritual - and hopefully that includes some bishops - see that not as disorder, but God's creative work - no more to be cured than white skin (which is risk factor for cancer). As far as the female priests thing - yeah, we hope they are willing partners on that to.
The problem is that dissent is never met with debate or respect, it is anathemized. Priests and even bishops are fired for telling the truth. It is why so many have hope in Francis - that he will let the truth be spoken without retribution from those like Burke, Chaput and Lori.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Links for 04/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: If the Kochs stuck to pot and left the coal out, they could change the GOP for the good. Unlikely
The Flannery O'Connor quote on Ayn Rand shows that Flannery was a good Catholic and an excellent writer - and it has been going around the net for a few days now.
This quote sounds like Pope Gregory as about to serve guests or be a guest (probably the former). My takeaway from the Emmaeus Gospel has always been that it shows how much Jesus saw himself in the Scriptures, which proved to be a revelation to him - quiet reading and a story from his Mother, not a bush burning in the dessert.
The Flannery O'Connor quote on Ayn Rand shows that Flannery was a good Catholic and an excellent writer - and it has been going around the net for a few days now.
This quote sounds like Pope Gregory as about to serve guests or be a guest (probably the former). My takeaway from the Emmaeus Gospel has always been that it shows how much Jesus saw himself in the Scriptures, which proved to be a revelation to him - quiet reading and a story from his Mother, not a bush burning in the dessert.
Indiana's RFRA: The Fallout, Part I | National Catholic Reporter
Indiana's RFRA: The Fallout, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Civil Rights Act is fairly, no private discrimination for an open business. If a bakers sensibilities are violated that easily, then she can form a boutique business by referral only with no store front. The RFRA, of course, is about the government not taking action against people whose religious ritual takes them outside law or regulaiton - like smoking marijuana (won't be a problem soon), eating Peyote (nice if that was ditto) or sacrificing a chicken (save me a thigh).
I doubt the framers ever intended it to be a way for Hobby Lobby to object to birth control measures that it feels are abortive (by the way, life begins at gastrulation, so both Hobby Lobby and the Church are wrong). The last two also claim the ability to not just avoid matters violating their own conscience rights - but week to impose their consciences on the people who work with/associate with them. That is not religious freedom, it is religious power.
The question of coopeeration with evil is an interesting one. Lets settle it - getting married is never evil, gay or straight. In that hypothetic confessional of a bakery employee, I would not assuage her conscience about baking the cake - but would prick it about why she considers what the clients are doing is an evil act. Gay sex is not evil if you are gay and stick to one person. Spending a life with another person in love and care (because sex is at most one percent of one to three days week) is a glorious experience - one that is not to be denigrated by bakers or by Catholic Hospitals - the latter of which created the gay marriage crisis because they thought letting the long time companion in (let alone have them be the decision maker) was cooperation with evil. It wasn't. They were doing the evil.
Cake bakers need to bake their cakes and if gay marriage offends you (not good, but you), then do not stock or offer to order the cake topper, apologize that this is new for you and the gay couple (or the more gay plannier) will likely understand and get it themselves. By the way, turnabout is fair play. I have quite a few Facebook friends and political friends who are Atheists. If one of them is a baker, florist, caterer, whatever, do they have a conscience right to not serve a Catholic (see cooperation with peodophilia as there reason) ordination or wedding? If you say yes to one, seems you have to say yes to the other - except that the atheist probably would not think of such bad behavior - even if it is not in any reference to sin.
People do not go out of their way to do evil, with rare exceptions. Even abortionists mostly do so out of concern for their female patients. They are simply blind to the rights or even the moral existence of the first trimester embryos involved - and they are a bit leary of the second trimester abortions - which are not performed lightly.
Bishops transferring pedophile priests? That is evil. I want liberal Catholics to pay attention to that (and they largely are), not to cake bakers. Indeed, many of us think that all this attention to birth control is a deflection from attention to the latter issue. Indeed, I suspect many of those Bishops who are so adamanent about religious freedom believe that they have a religious freedom right to discipline these priests as they see fit. The answer to that is no.
I doubt the framers ever intended it to be a way for Hobby Lobby to object to birth control measures that it feels are abortive (by the way, life begins at gastrulation, so both Hobby Lobby and the Church are wrong). The last two also claim the ability to not just avoid matters violating their own conscience rights - but week to impose their consciences on the people who work with/associate with them. That is not religious freedom, it is religious power.
The question of coopeeration with evil is an interesting one. Lets settle it - getting married is never evil, gay or straight. In that hypothetic confessional of a bakery employee, I would not assuage her conscience about baking the cake - but would prick it about why she considers what the clients are doing is an evil act. Gay sex is not evil if you are gay and stick to one person. Spending a life with another person in love and care (because sex is at most one percent of one to three days week) is a glorious experience - one that is not to be denigrated by bakers or by Catholic Hospitals - the latter of which created the gay marriage crisis because they thought letting the long time companion in (let alone have them be the decision maker) was cooperation with evil. It wasn't. They were doing the evil.
Cake bakers need to bake their cakes and if gay marriage offends you (not good, but you), then do not stock or offer to order the cake topper, apologize that this is new for you and the gay couple (or the more gay plannier) will likely understand and get it themselves. By the way, turnabout is fair play. I have quite a few Facebook friends and political friends who are Atheists. If one of them is a baker, florist, caterer, whatever, do they have a conscience right to not serve a Catholic (see cooperation with peodophilia as there reason) ordination or wedding? If you say yes to one, seems you have to say yes to the other - except that the atheist probably would not think of such bad behavior - even if it is not in any reference to sin.
People do not go out of their way to do evil, with rare exceptions. Even abortionists mostly do so out of concern for their female patients. They are simply blind to the rights or even the moral existence of the first trimester embryos involved - and they are a bit leary of the second trimester abortions - which are not performed lightly.
Bishops transferring pedophile priests? That is evil. I want liberal Catholics to pay attention to that (and they largely are), not to cake bakers. Indeed, many of us think that all this attention to birth control is a deflection from attention to the latter issue. Indeed, I suspect many of those Bishops who are so adamanent about religious freedom believe that they have a religious freedom right to discipline these priests as they see fit. The answer to that is no.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Links for 04/08/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/08/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Bowman's piece is funny sad, but I bet the contributors to CatholicVote.org liked it - as well as certain conservative bishops who would love to say these things but have the discretion not to - except Burke of course.
Archbishop Kupich's article is interesting, but since he is just into his see, I suspect this was prepared for him - although it looks like he approve the result. Still, it is a bit soon to cut off answers. I need to check if the Cardinal has an open portal for this. I also hope they take free form answers, as all truth does not fit into their categories.
Robbie George is looking like an idiot. It was the mob who thought their religious rights were hurt by having to make cakes and arrange flowers for gay people (yes, it is as silly as sit sounds). This is just the response by people of conscience. He should get used to it. I hope such responses continue - although letting one slide through and hitting it with a Civil Rights Act enforcement action might be as equally satisfying. Of course, some would ask, if the baker and florist need to get a grip, why not the Church? I know the CRA is not in play, but they can still get a grip without losing a lawsuit - and now that the movement has congealed, the Church and Robbie George may have some right to be afraid.
Archbishop Kupich's article is interesting, but since he is just into his see, I suspect this was prepared for him - although it looks like he approve the result. Still, it is a bit soon to cut off answers. I need to check if the Cardinal has an open portal for this. I also hope they take free form answers, as all truth does not fit into their categories.
Robbie George is looking like an idiot. It was the mob who thought their religious rights were hurt by having to make cakes and arrange flowers for gay people (yes, it is as silly as sit sounds). This is just the response by people of conscience. He should get used to it. I hope such responses continue - although letting one slide through and hitting it with a Civil Rights Act enforcement action might be as equally satisfying. Of course, some would ask, if the baker and florist need to get a grip, why not the Church? I know the CRA is not in play, but they can still get a grip without losing a lawsuit - and now that the movement has congealed, the Church and Robbie George may have some right to be afraid.
Sen. Paul Enters the Race & the Totalitarian Itch of Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter
Sen. Paul Enters the Race & the Totalitarian Itch of Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Rand is running as a Republican, meaning he can be more hawkish on foreign policy and less doctrinaire on liberatarian economic and social theory. Whether there is any separation between Rand and Ron is doubtful, nor between Ron, Rand and Lew Rockwell. I doubt, however, that the subject will come up from his campaign and he can always say he was never on the Ron Paul Report staff. All the neoconfederate garbage that spewed from it that was an attempt to sell the Party in the south (where Rand lives, by the way), although I am sure both Rand and Ron agree on private discrimination not being covered in the Civil Rights Law of 1964. MSW's notes, of course, do not mention the subject. Good thing to, bacause the Religious Freedom movement, so precious to the Bishops, reflects that view as passed originally in Indiana - mostly on selling cakes and flowers to gay weddings (which have such a sexual connotation). I will agree, there is nothing at all Liberal about that - either from Rand Paul or certain Catholic Bishops, like Lori and Chaput.
I could stick out my tongue, give a Bronx cheer to the folks who went to BC and be done, but I have some more to say.
Rand is running, like his father before him, to prick the conscience of the voters, particluarly on the right, about freedom - although I am sure some of what he says will serve the Republican Party interest and turn off that part of its anti-regulatory base which serves the interest of donors like the Koch brothers just fine. It is good he is entering the race now, because he will likely be out of money with few delegates to show by next year at this time. He would have a much easier slog by going with the Libertarian Party, which I am sure would love to have him - indeed they seemed open to a Paul campaign in 2012 - and the Paulistas flooded both Americans Elect in 2012 and Unity*08 four years before. The problem is, any turnout at all would be blamed for the GOP losing in November - which is almost certain anyway - so certain that someone needs to muzzle Lori and Chaput before they turn abortion from a fringe issue to a Lost Cause (it is anyway, but acting like it is not is good GOP politics). Still, with Rand eventually out and Ryan never in, Ayn Rand will not have a date to the November election unless the LP recruits a really star candidate.
Now, to the conference. Keynote speaker Alan Ryan criticizes Libertarian as being concerned only with property rights. Maybe - especially on taxes, although keeping the government out of phones and Interenet accounts and legalizing weed, if not everything, is also on the most libertarian agendas. What is utmost, at least publically, is the Pledge, whereby every party member (and not all libertarians are party members, I certainly am not) promise not to use or advocate force or fraud against others (which is why real politicians find it hard to take). Libertarians are very doctrinaire, especially the most committed. Its not that they don't know about market failure, they don't care to know. They do have a solution - the same one Mitt Romney had and sadly the one the President is left with (because he won't mark to market) - let troubled mortgages work themselves out, either in bankruptcy or by paying them down. They are furiously opposed to any taxation, a position I equate with dining and dashing on the dinner check. Government services are all around us, and not paying for them is not an option - which makes them that much more against welfare programs - a vice even Catholic Republican Paul Ryan and Sam Brownback seem to have fallen for.
Still, while strident, many liberatians (not all) will discuss alternatives - although a libertarian socialist group of Facebook just booted me - or rather proposed it and I had my say and left. I was once on a radio call in show as a Christian Libertarian and debated that prospect against another Christian Libertarian. We mostly talked about whether in making all drugs legal, having mandatory treatment on the table was libertarian. I said yes, they said no and it was about autonomy, not property. My version of Christian Libertarianism involves free though on moral issues - but no set result highligting liberty - although I do have a bias toward less state action - as my posts on abortion over the years indicate. The other camp believes that Christ will take care of punishment, not the government. Really. On the environment, which Ryan discusses, I am more for cleaning the nest - using technical means and implementing them mandatorily as pollution is not a liberty right. Forcing others to move because you pump coal is not OK. I think this is much better than a carbon tax, but this is where I am more liberal. Carbon taxes are actually a product of conservative Charles Shultz.
Still, there are many types of libertarianism, something the conference ignored mostly. Indeed, you can find different versions of the same concept. We have mutualism (which is a form of anarchism), the types mentioned before, just to underline, the Austrians, especially von Mises, and the Geolibertarians - who follow Henry George but the Geo is an environmental reference. They want a single land value tax with no production taxes or payroll or sales taxes. Other libertarians favor a sales tax because it is voluntary - you don't have to buy stuff. We all have fun sparring with each other, so it is not as anti-liberal as you think - although movement and compromise are very rare, which self limits liberarianism as a force in and of itself, although it is often a component of other campaigns. See Paul Ryan, Rand Paul and the successful campaigns for recreation weed in Colorado and Washington State.
Wolfe is interesting, although there is more than Smith and von Hayek, especially when seen through the lens of the Georgists. Of course, there are Catholic writers who have all the answers to - like Chesterton and Belloc, who have their libertarian tendencies - OOP! That said, Hayek is wrong on the free market because he and most libertarian apologists for capitalism (and those are both libertarian and conservative) assume that if you are going to work, it is by free choice and the wage you get is by mutual agreement. That is probably the biggest piece of crap ever served in an economic agrument.
We live in a time where Ronald Reagan engineered a tax policy and a resulting economic system which ended the government penalty on making too much money, especially by taking it from your workers by restricting their pay and not your own. As a result, wages have mostly stayed even with inflation (except at the bottom, where more people become poor with a check that covers less each year), while the productivity gains over inflation all go to shareholders, managers (high level, not first line) and mainly to the CEO - who writes his campaign checks to keep this situation from happening - and he does not write them to the Libertarian Party or to Rand Paul - OK, maybe a small one.
Wolfe gets the doctrinaire part right as far as the answers (although anyone with an answer favors it) - I would use both higher income taxes to get those CEOs in line and more imporantly would use Social Security Employer contributions - equalized and insured of course - to give workers employer voting stock to end the tyranny of the CEO and the system Hayek favored. As far as an opaque social order, the libertarians do seem to favor economic power becoming social power - but they do legitimately believe in minimizing the state - not just the regulatory state but the criminal justice system as well. If you want opaqueness, look to the USCCB and its religious freedom campaign, its pro-life directorate and institution for marriage (which luckily has no chance - none of them). Indeed, the little princes of the Church (the bishops) kind of like having the rich guy in charge - and using that power to do things like force pregnant high school girls to home school and expel anyone who has an abortion (or any lesbian or gay teacher - except priests of course - and some Catholic priests in Africa are famous for raping nuns and forcing abortions on them). Alan needed to look a bit at the Church too.
For Mary Jo Iozzio, if libertarians don't like ADA sidewalk ramps, it is because they don't like any taxes for roads. Yes, they have a deficit in empathy, until a friend is bound to a wheelchair. Still, the ADA is not a panacea - my brother's restaurant is now closed because there is not elevator and corporate Best Western did not want him spending the money. Can guests in a chair order room service? Of course and it would have been the best meal they ever had. Not now. ADA seems to be one of those answers that people are sure of that Wolfe warned us about among libertarians. Maybe that is a human condition.
Dana Dillon is absolutely correct - and let me add the most essential need to not only pay for babies to come into this world, but to pay the family a fully adequate wage for each additional child. Is the Church paying that adequate wage voluntarily? Nope. Very libertarian of them. I would make it a tax credit for each worker paid with wages - but I would get rid of food stamps, housing assistance etc., which often violate the dignity of the poor (the Libertarians don't mind as a rule, but I do and my situation is more libertarian) - while those who cannot work get paid to learn and get the same benefits through the training provider (and the same as the training provider, so no paid abortions if the training provider is the Church - assuming they are not offered).
Mark Silk is interesting. I have to admit, as I discussed above, that the Spiritual Libertarians are a throwback to those who opposed the Civil Rights Act's provisions on private discrimination, like Rand Paul who says he would not have voted for them - and now they have baptized them. Problem is, so have Bishop Lori and Archbishop Chaput - who should be expelled from the USCCB for being idiots. Not liberal or libertarian of me, however in liberty we have a penalty called shunning. Shun those two bishops or continue to have them as an embarrasment. Indeed, while back on the subject, cowtowing to the social conservatives, especially those from the Church, have caused many Republicans to leave or to not mention their affiliation or past affiliation with the Republican Party. Like I said, the USCCB needs to shun these two (and maybe Dolan and the missing Rigali - and especially Burke).
Locke and Madison are not card carrying Libertarian Party members - and neither was Locke or Whig or Madison a Federalist - at least when he was President. Still, they have ideas that the Libertarians point to, although some like Madison's slaveholder status. Madison also had an amendment, however, that was not adopted that would have prevented the Civil War. The Slave Power was more of a tyranny than most realize - with opponents of the system facing sometimes fatal consequences. A bit more free speech at the state level and stupidity might have been averted. I hope Schneck looks at Epps on this.
I don't know enough of Meghan Clark's talk to know if she understands libertarianism enough to attack it. I image she does - since Catholic Social Theory advocates liberal action on economics and the LP and company certainly do not. Of coures I do, but I would do it as a tax credit - because in a free market there is no incentive to pay a living wage for each child born (and not fire large families). That is the case with libertarianism, but also for most businesses and the Catholic Church as employer. I think Mary Jo Bane would agree. I love the fact that she quit the Clinton Adminstratation over Welfare Reform. She is right, a more anti-government stance would do the Church well in the Church itself taking on government functions rather than letting the government do it (like in Criminal Justice - see above on mandatory treatment). Of course, not only can markets and governments be corrupt - or maybe dysfunctional is better - but the same can be said for the Church. I would give it both government funding and more and more funding by employee-owners - which may be the only thing that makes them listen to the voices of the dissatisfied.
I would agree that libertarianism is only interesting to libertarians - and that is its problem. Still, as Mary Jo Bane points out (as well as yours truly) solutions which increase liberty are not bad - even for the Church. Of course, if libertarianism always included a sense of how our dedision apply to others, maybe there is a bit more empathy there than we thought. In the end, people do things based on the situation before them, not on ideology - even Presidents. That is what scares both Catholics and Libertarians about a large government that almost runs itself on both peace and war and women's health. While the libertarian epistomology is limited, so is the scholastic epistomolgy we find in the Curia. Still, training people to think for themselves on both moral ande economic issues is probably a good thing - but hard to do. Being taught is much more comfortable to both hierarch and student.
I could stick out my tongue, give a Bronx cheer to the folks who went to BC and be done, but I have some more to say.
Rand is running, like his father before him, to prick the conscience of the voters, particluarly on the right, about freedom - although I am sure some of what he says will serve the Republican Party interest and turn off that part of its anti-regulatory base which serves the interest of donors like the Koch brothers just fine. It is good he is entering the race now, because he will likely be out of money with few delegates to show by next year at this time. He would have a much easier slog by going with the Libertarian Party, which I am sure would love to have him - indeed they seemed open to a Paul campaign in 2012 - and the Paulistas flooded both Americans Elect in 2012 and Unity*08 four years before. The problem is, any turnout at all would be blamed for the GOP losing in November - which is almost certain anyway - so certain that someone needs to muzzle Lori and Chaput before they turn abortion from a fringe issue to a Lost Cause (it is anyway, but acting like it is not is good GOP politics). Still, with Rand eventually out and Ryan never in, Ayn Rand will not have a date to the November election unless the LP recruits a really star candidate.
Now, to the conference. Keynote speaker Alan Ryan criticizes Libertarian as being concerned only with property rights. Maybe - especially on taxes, although keeping the government out of phones and Interenet accounts and legalizing weed, if not everything, is also on the most libertarian agendas. What is utmost, at least publically, is the Pledge, whereby every party member (and not all libertarians are party members, I certainly am not) promise not to use or advocate force or fraud against others (which is why real politicians find it hard to take). Libertarians are very doctrinaire, especially the most committed. Its not that they don't know about market failure, they don't care to know. They do have a solution - the same one Mitt Romney had and sadly the one the President is left with (because he won't mark to market) - let troubled mortgages work themselves out, either in bankruptcy or by paying them down. They are furiously opposed to any taxation, a position I equate with dining and dashing on the dinner check. Government services are all around us, and not paying for them is not an option - which makes them that much more against welfare programs - a vice even Catholic Republican Paul Ryan and Sam Brownback seem to have fallen for.
Still, while strident, many liberatians (not all) will discuss alternatives - although a libertarian socialist group of Facebook just booted me - or rather proposed it and I had my say and left. I was once on a radio call in show as a Christian Libertarian and debated that prospect against another Christian Libertarian. We mostly talked about whether in making all drugs legal, having mandatory treatment on the table was libertarian. I said yes, they said no and it was about autonomy, not property. My version of Christian Libertarianism involves free though on moral issues - but no set result highligting liberty - although I do have a bias toward less state action - as my posts on abortion over the years indicate. The other camp believes that Christ will take care of punishment, not the government. Really. On the environment, which Ryan discusses, I am more for cleaning the nest - using technical means and implementing them mandatorily as pollution is not a liberty right. Forcing others to move because you pump coal is not OK. I think this is much better than a carbon tax, but this is where I am more liberal. Carbon taxes are actually a product of conservative Charles Shultz.
Still, there are many types of libertarianism, something the conference ignored mostly. Indeed, you can find different versions of the same concept. We have mutualism (which is a form of anarchism), the types mentioned before, just to underline, the Austrians, especially von Mises, and the Geolibertarians - who follow Henry George but the Geo is an environmental reference. They want a single land value tax with no production taxes or payroll or sales taxes. Other libertarians favor a sales tax because it is voluntary - you don't have to buy stuff. We all have fun sparring with each other, so it is not as anti-liberal as you think - although movement and compromise are very rare, which self limits liberarianism as a force in and of itself, although it is often a component of other campaigns. See Paul Ryan, Rand Paul and the successful campaigns for recreation weed in Colorado and Washington State.
Wolfe is interesting, although there is more than Smith and von Hayek, especially when seen through the lens of the Georgists. Of course, there are Catholic writers who have all the answers to - like Chesterton and Belloc, who have their libertarian tendencies - OOP! That said, Hayek is wrong on the free market because he and most libertarian apologists for capitalism (and those are both libertarian and conservative) assume that if you are going to work, it is by free choice and the wage you get is by mutual agreement. That is probably the biggest piece of crap ever served in an economic agrument.
We live in a time where Ronald Reagan engineered a tax policy and a resulting economic system which ended the government penalty on making too much money, especially by taking it from your workers by restricting their pay and not your own. As a result, wages have mostly stayed even with inflation (except at the bottom, where more people become poor with a check that covers less each year), while the productivity gains over inflation all go to shareholders, managers (high level, not first line) and mainly to the CEO - who writes his campaign checks to keep this situation from happening - and he does not write them to the Libertarian Party or to Rand Paul - OK, maybe a small one.
Wolfe gets the doctrinaire part right as far as the answers (although anyone with an answer favors it) - I would use both higher income taxes to get those CEOs in line and more imporantly would use Social Security Employer contributions - equalized and insured of course - to give workers employer voting stock to end the tyranny of the CEO and the system Hayek favored. As far as an opaque social order, the libertarians do seem to favor economic power becoming social power - but they do legitimately believe in minimizing the state - not just the regulatory state but the criminal justice system as well. If you want opaqueness, look to the USCCB and its religious freedom campaign, its pro-life directorate and institution for marriage (which luckily has no chance - none of them). Indeed, the little princes of the Church (the bishops) kind of like having the rich guy in charge - and using that power to do things like force pregnant high school girls to home school and expel anyone who has an abortion (or any lesbian or gay teacher - except priests of course - and some Catholic priests in Africa are famous for raping nuns and forcing abortions on them). Alan needed to look a bit at the Church too.
For Mary Jo Iozzio, if libertarians don't like ADA sidewalk ramps, it is because they don't like any taxes for roads. Yes, they have a deficit in empathy, until a friend is bound to a wheelchair. Still, the ADA is not a panacea - my brother's restaurant is now closed because there is not elevator and corporate Best Western did not want him spending the money. Can guests in a chair order room service? Of course and it would have been the best meal they ever had. Not now. ADA seems to be one of those answers that people are sure of that Wolfe warned us about among libertarians. Maybe that is a human condition.
Dana Dillon is absolutely correct - and let me add the most essential need to not only pay for babies to come into this world, but to pay the family a fully adequate wage for each additional child. Is the Church paying that adequate wage voluntarily? Nope. Very libertarian of them. I would make it a tax credit for each worker paid with wages - but I would get rid of food stamps, housing assistance etc., which often violate the dignity of the poor (the Libertarians don't mind as a rule, but I do and my situation is more libertarian) - while those who cannot work get paid to learn and get the same benefits through the training provider (and the same as the training provider, so no paid abortions if the training provider is the Church - assuming they are not offered).
Mark Silk is interesting. I have to admit, as I discussed above, that the Spiritual Libertarians are a throwback to those who opposed the Civil Rights Act's provisions on private discrimination, like Rand Paul who says he would not have voted for them - and now they have baptized them. Problem is, so have Bishop Lori and Archbishop Chaput - who should be expelled from the USCCB for being idiots. Not liberal or libertarian of me, however in liberty we have a penalty called shunning. Shun those two bishops or continue to have them as an embarrasment. Indeed, while back on the subject, cowtowing to the social conservatives, especially those from the Church, have caused many Republicans to leave or to not mention their affiliation or past affiliation with the Republican Party. Like I said, the USCCB needs to shun these two (and maybe Dolan and the missing Rigali - and especially Burke).
Locke and Madison are not card carrying Libertarian Party members - and neither was Locke or Whig or Madison a Federalist - at least when he was President. Still, they have ideas that the Libertarians point to, although some like Madison's slaveholder status. Madison also had an amendment, however, that was not adopted that would have prevented the Civil War. The Slave Power was more of a tyranny than most realize - with opponents of the system facing sometimes fatal consequences. A bit more free speech at the state level and stupidity might have been averted. I hope Schneck looks at Epps on this.
I don't know enough of Meghan Clark's talk to know if she understands libertarianism enough to attack it. I image she does - since Catholic Social Theory advocates liberal action on economics and the LP and company certainly do not. Of coures I do, but I would do it as a tax credit - because in a free market there is no incentive to pay a living wage for each child born (and not fire large families). That is the case with libertarianism, but also for most businesses and the Catholic Church as employer. I think Mary Jo Bane would agree. I love the fact that she quit the Clinton Adminstratation over Welfare Reform. She is right, a more anti-government stance would do the Church well in the Church itself taking on government functions rather than letting the government do it (like in Criminal Justice - see above on mandatory treatment). Of course, not only can markets and governments be corrupt - or maybe dysfunctional is better - but the same can be said for the Church. I would give it both government funding and more and more funding by employee-owners - which may be the only thing that makes them listen to the voices of the dissatisfied.
I would agree that libertarianism is only interesting to libertarians - and that is its problem. Still, as Mary Jo Bane points out (as well as yours truly) solutions which increase liberty are not bad - even for the Church. Of course, if libertarianism always included a sense of how our dedision apply to others, maybe there is a bit more empathy there than we thought. In the end, people do things based on the situation before them, not on ideology - even Presidents. That is what scares both Catholics and Libertarians about a large government that almost runs itself on both peace and war and women's health. While the libertarian epistomology is limited, so is the scholastic epistomolgy we find in the Curia. Still, training people to think for themselves on both moral ande economic issues is probably a good thing - but hard to do. Being taught is much more comfortable to both hierarch and student.
Links for 04/07/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/07/15 | National Catholic Reporter We can always hope that Anett and Gehring are correct and that Francis can bring at least Catholic conservatives around, but if he can't do that on economics, divorce or gay marriage, the prospects are dim. As long as our relationship with mega-polluter China is in its current dynamic, they won't upset the Chinese, even if they don't say that is what they are doing. I suspect it will take an American balanced budgt (with taxation on the rich making up the difference), harsher climate realities and innovatino and invention in power generation (maybe in Helium3 fusion) to bridge the warming gap.
Lori and Chaput want to keep hope alive on punishing those in favor of gay marraige. No compromise will do. They are spitting in the wind, because the next developments will be Catholic Hospitals honoring the wishesof gay spouses of patients (as they legally must) and giving gay emplloyees equal treatment (I am sure that boat has long sailed at many Catholic colleges). What they really fear is gay priests blessing gay unions, or even performing them with no civil ceremony - or demanding celibacy end so they can marry each other. There is no standing in the way of that, as the case against gay marraige was always slim and now gone, even as part of the sacarament. We don't require hetero fecundity and we believe the couple makes the marriage, priest optional. Only the "gay sex is icky" or "where are we going to get priests if gay applicants are not self loathing" reasons remain and these are not good reasons.
Welcome back Bishop O'Connell. Good push, but be careful of doctor's orders. Infections in our site can still be fatal, so no being a hero. And watch your diet. My cousin Roger Miller, who was the Diciples of Chrsit Regional Minister of Kentucky, is has been dealing with amputation issues from diabetes as well. He had to give up his role when he started losing parts. He is now in Norwalk, Iowa helping out. This is not easy never gets that way. I pray for both of them. Interesting fact about the Disciples. Their General Minister is a woman. Hardly a mention in the news of either her elevation or her gender. Too bad we can't pull that off. Oh, a rural, midwestern Church - no issue at all. Lets not think we are so slick.
Lori and Chaput want to keep hope alive on punishing those in favor of gay marraige. No compromise will do. They are spitting in the wind, because the next developments will be Catholic Hospitals honoring the wishesof gay spouses of patients (as they legally must) and giving gay emplloyees equal treatment (I am sure that boat has long sailed at many Catholic colleges). What they really fear is gay priests blessing gay unions, or even performing them with no civil ceremony - or demanding celibacy end so they can marry each other. There is no standing in the way of that, as the case against gay marraige was always slim and now gone, even as part of the sacarament. We don't require hetero fecundity and we believe the couple makes the marriage, priest optional. Only the "gay sex is icky" or "where are we going to get priests if gay applicants are not self loathing" reasons remain and these are not good reasons.
Welcome back Bishop O'Connell. Good push, but be careful of doctor's orders. Infections in our site can still be fatal, so no being a hero. And watch your diet. My cousin Roger Miller, who was the Diciples of Chrsit Regional Minister of Kentucky, is has been dealing with amputation issues from diabetes as well. He had to give up his role when he started losing parts. He is now in Norwalk, Iowa helping out. This is not easy never gets that way. I pray for both of them. Interesting fact about the Disciples. Their General Minister is a woman. Hardly a mention in the news of either her elevation or her gender. Too bad we can't pull that off. Oh, a rural, midwestern Church - no issue at all. Lets not think we are so slick.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Examining the Encuentros | National Catholic Reporter
Examining the Encuentros | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That Spanish Masses are both full and particpatory why Anglo Masses tend to let the choir do the heavily lifting must be noted. I am sure there are some who wanted a different language at Mass - Latin - but as well go along, its not likely. One thing for the next meeting, however - both in Columibia and here - the problem of losses in the Latino Church of membership to the Protestants - especially in those nations where the Bishops focus on the upper class whiter hispanics while leaving the peasants to the care of missionaries. As immigrants move north, that dynamic moves with it. Hopefully the Episcopal members will discuss this - both in each meeting and between countries. I have not read the book - but I hope someone with a methodology like this author covers the Synods on the Family.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Is the Iran Nuke Deal a Good One? | National Catholic Reporter
Is the Iran Nuke Deal a Good One? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The fact is that this deal would not be possible if we still believed the lie that Iran is chomping at the bit to nuke Israel (and that Israel is not chombing at the bit to return the favor). Yes, Israel is not beheading Christians, but neither is Iran. They are sponsoring the people who are shooting at the people beheading Christians. Can't really say that about Israel, where Palestinian Christains are not being beheaded, but they are not staying around either. Pity, as most of them are either of the family of Jesus or of Samaritans or Jews who converted to Christianity. Like the Syrian and Iraqi Christians. At least they all won't be killes in a mutual nuclear holocaust.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Thinking about Barabbas | National Catholic Reporter
Thinking about Barabbas | National Catholic Reporter by Mary Ann McGivern. MGB: Jesus son of Jesus is probably a literary fiction that everyone forgot about, giving him a reality in the literalist community (which includes too many bishops). Jesus bar Jose was offered the deal of worshiping Satan and receiving worldly power in return. Barabbas to the deal that Jesus did not. He was a zealot, believing that violence is the answer to the world's problems, especially when they have to do with Israel (sound familiar?) In the eyes of the world, Barabbas won - he lived to fight another in the Zealot Party (which Jesus' brother Simon was actually a member of). Jesus lost - except that he didn't lose, he conquered death on the third day. The zealots kept busy and eventually made a futile last stand at Mosada, prefering suicide to martyrdom. We know what happened to the Jesus movement.
Links for 04/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The bishops are playing politics with this issue, even though Catholic teaching does not seem to. I am sure they hate having their own teaching thrown back in their face. Good job! The truth is, the Bishops are much more concerned with religious power than relgious freedom - meaning they want to be insiders in at least one party (and largely are) and have their word be law, even in the civil arena. For many of them, the washing of the feet is an empty ritual. They should try playing Peter in the re-enactment and let a woman do the washing.
Carly is pandering again - pay no attention to anything she says - I am sure it was worked out for her by a staff member adept at pandering to the GOP base. Cruz is even worse. I am not going to say either one is out, but the smart money is on Jeb, who is not being an idiot on this issue. In a year, we will know better who is bowing out quickly. My money is that Ted and Carley are out afte New Hampshire.
Carly is pandering again - pay no attention to anything she says - I am sure it was worked out for her by a staff member adept at pandering to the GOP base. Cruz is even worse. I am not going to say either one is out, but the smart money is on Jeb, who is not being an idiot on this issue. In a year, we will know better who is bowing out quickly. My money is that Ted and Carley are out afte New Hampshire.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Sacred Triduum Beckons | National Catholic Reporter
The Sacred Triduum Beckons | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Triduum is one act, but explaining it in conservative and liberal terms is inadequate to the study of that act. The terms Traditionalist and Modernist are more apt. The Tradition gives us all of what happened, or all of what we believed happed. 2000 years later, there is not much difference. Modernists look at what happened and interpret it in light of days events and new understanding of theology. The old model of a punishing God who needs a sacrifice in order to open the Heavens to His children is losing its credibility as an interpretation of what happened. Our loving God is not an Ogre. This does not mean the sacrifice did not happen, but the meaning behind the acts can lead us to a different spiritualiy - and in time to a different ethics.
The new interetation does not include the sin of Adam, because Adam and Eve were mythical, not historical, characters. Indeed, we don't trace to Eve but to Lucy or some other walking hominid like her. Did Lucy and her mate walk with God and eat from a tree that does not even exist in Southern Africa? No, but the Traditionalists can't cope with that loss because then they cannot find the need for salvation. Look around, everyone on the planet (save maybe the Bushman before they left their desert Eden after getting the royalties for The Gods Must be Crazy) has either a direct cross to bear, like poverty or addiction, or that terrible angst that has no cause they can find - which they seek relief from in religion and tradition, hoping their pain will be lifted - even though their pain is not the Hell the first group feels (who need some kind of dependence on God or a higher power to survive. Once they find it, they need no fasting - their penance is already served.
Triduum is one act that starts with the Eucharist - both its initiation and the promise, that Jesus will not drink of the fruit of the vine until he does so in the Father's kingdom. For most of the time before he dies, he is offered such a fruit - we know this was just after the crucifixion, but likely the entire night and morning his temptation was before him. Like anyone in the grip of a desperate sitation, the pain and the fear ratchets up in intensity and that was true for Jesus, as we learned both on Palm Sunday and on Friday. We know from science (studies on the Shroud actually) that Jesus' chest expanded - which is a sign of drowning - in his case dry drowning (its why they break the legs, so you can't prop up to breath). At some point he must speak with his mother and his nephew John , who he loves (son of his sister Mary Salome (also at the foot of the cross) and Zebedee), and gives Mary unto her grandson for care - essentially telling the source of the original divintiy narative in his life that he is not divine, he dying - and telling John to take care of his Nana Mary - not baptize all nations, the mission is gone, the missionary is dead. It is at this point that Jesus cries out, as we all cry out (especially those going through Hell already) God, where are you? What did I do to deserve this pain?!!! And that is it. Rest is gravy. He says he thirsts and while the other Gospel writers equivicate, the one who was there said he drank of the fruit of the vine (vinegar counts), and then dies.
When I first heard the Good Friday Gospel, it vexed me because of the inconsistencies of the drinking of the wine, but if you place the dismissing of the witnesses with the abandonment and discover why it happened, then you know the task of Jesus was never just to be slain, but to experience that pain of humanity which he could not do as God. He could empathise, but he could do that from afar - although being a poor working peasant is getting the most intense dose of unfairness, which betrayal by his own brother Rebi almost equaled. Suddenly there is no conflict in the text, and we all truly know that on that day he and the good thief were celebrating in the Kingdom of God. That joy is ours at Eastertide, both that we have a God who became one of us, and also felt the depth of our sorrow, but because, however it occurred, Jesus conquered death and moved among his friends and family. And he moves with us today, both in the Sacraments and in the lives of the the hungry, thirsty, naked, illiterate, lonely, imprisoned and dying. Those who are feeling that pain he felt on the Cross every day. The message to them is the same, your pain has been bought, find the Lord - or a God of your Understanding, and live. Here is where the liberal part comes in - if we claim to be a Christian nationa, than we need not only encounter people in the streets or prisons or AA meetings, we need to have society help meet their needs to - and to do it resepectfully - like we are doing it for Jesus. Because we really are. As for morality, I have written extensively on the moral implications of a suffering God. We can talk of that again some other time.
The new interetation does not include the sin of Adam, because Adam and Eve were mythical, not historical, characters. Indeed, we don't trace to Eve but to Lucy or some other walking hominid like her. Did Lucy and her mate walk with God and eat from a tree that does not even exist in Southern Africa? No, but the Traditionalists can't cope with that loss because then they cannot find the need for salvation. Look around, everyone on the planet (save maybe the Bushman before they left their desert Eden after getting the royalties for The Gods Must be Crazy) has either a direct cross to bear, like poverty or addiction, or that terrible angst that has no cause they can find - which they seek relief from in religion and tradition, hoping their pain will be lifted - even though their pain is not the Hell the first group feels (who need some kind of dependence on God or a higher power to survive. Once they find it, they need no fasting - their penance is already served.
Triduum is one act that starts with the Eucharist - both its initiation and the promise, that Jesus will not drink of the fruit of the vine until he does so in the Father's kingdom. For most of the time before he dies, he is offered such a fruit - we know this was just after the crucifixion, but likely the entire night and morning his temptation was before him. Like anyone in the grip of a desperate sitation, the pain and the fear ratchets up in intensity and that was true for Jesus, as we learned both on Palm Sunday and on Friday. We know from science (studies on the Shroud actually) that Jesus' chest expanded - which is a sign of drowning - in his case dry drowning (its why they break the legs, so you can't prop up to breath). At some point he must speak with his mother and his nephew John , who he loves (son of his sister Mary Salome (also at the foot of the cross) and Zebedee), and gives Mary unto her grandson for care - essentially telling the source of the original divintiy narative in his life that he is not divine, he dying - and telling John to take care of his Nana Mary - not baptize all nations, the mission is gone, the missionary is dead. It is at this point that Jesus cries out, as we all cry out (especially those going through Hell already) God, where are you? What did I do to deserve this pain?!!! And that is it. Rest is gravy. He says he thirsts and while the other Gospel writers equivicate, the one who was there said he drank of the fruit of the vine (vinegar counts), and then dies.
When I first heard the Good Friday Gospel, it vexed me because of the inconsistencies of the drinking of the wine, but if you place the dismissing of the witnesses with the abandonment and discover why it happened, then you know the task of Jesus was never just to be slain, but to experience that pain of humanity which he could not do as God. He could empathise, but he could do that from afar - although being a poor working peasant is getting the most intense dose of unfairness, which betrayal by his own brother Rebi almost equaled. Suddenly there is no conflict in the text, and we all truly know that on that day he and the good thief were celebrating in the Kingdom of God. That joy is ours at Eastertide, both that we have a God who became one of us, and also felt the depth of our sorrow, but because, however it occurred, Jesus conquered death and moved among his friends and family. And he moves with us today, both in the Sacraments and in the lives of the the hungry, thirsty, naked, illiterate, lonely, imprisoned and dying. Those who are feeling that pain he felt on the Cross every day. The message to them is the same, your pain has been bought, find the Lord - or a God of your Understanding, and live. Here is where the liberal part comes in - if we claim to be a Christian nationa, than we need not only encounter people in the streets or prisons or AA meetings, we need to have society help meet their needs to - and to do it resepectfully - like we are doing it for Jesus. Because we really are. As for morality, I have written extensively on the moral implications of a suffering God. We can talk of that again some other time.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Links for 04/01/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 04/01/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW, MGB: The Indiana law is irrelevant, as what it intends to do is in direct violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Bakeries, lunch counters, same bigotry. You don't need to do a same sex cake topper, but ya gotta bake the cake and make it taste good.
If Michelle Bachmann does not talk about and write about liberals, I would be shocked. As for the Church as a GOP problem - that's true. The USCCB is the Amen Corner of the National Right to Life Committee - which focuses on electoral campaigns and raises the abortion issue in ways that have nothing to do with the reality of the issue. That issue dependence, along with gay marriage, has turned the GOP into the party of the stupid - with abortion and marriage second only to overturning Obamacare and cutting taxes on the wealthy. And blocking immigration out of shear racism (which at least the Church is not part of). They would not help Latinos if it would get them votes - and it would. Mostly to keep a flow of underground workers from the border to meat packing plants that should still be unionized (they block that too. The GOP is running as designed - abortion to keep the base energized (with marriage) and every possible measure to aid business. Hyde, by the way, was a way for pro-choice Catholics to triangulate and say that they do not favor banning abortion (pluralism and all that) but won't dirty their hands funding it.
On St. John Paul, I am sure his early views, while visible later on, were muted by the anti-communism of his later years. Its not the atheisim that gets Marx a bad name, its that his words are very affective in organizing workers.
If Michelle Bachmann does not talk about and write about liberals, I would be shocked. As for the Church as a GOP problem - that's true. The USCCB is the Amen Corner of the National Right to Life Committee - which focuses on electoral campaigns and raises the abortion issue in ways that have nothing to do with the reality of the issue. That issue dependence, along with gay marriage, has turned the GOP into the party of the stupid - with abortion and marriage second only to overturning Obamacare and cutting taxes on the wealthy. And blocking immigration out of shear racism (which at least the Church is not part of). They would not help Latinos if it would get them votes - and it would. Mostly to keep a flow of underground workers from the border to meat packing plants that should still be unionized (they block that too. The GOP is running as designed - abortion to keep the base energized (with marriage) and every possible measure to aid business. Hyde, by the way, was a way for pro-choice Catholics to triangulate and say that they do not favor banning abortion (pluralism and all that) but won't dirty their hands funding it.
On St. John Paul, I am sure his early views, while visible later on, were muted by the anti-communism of his later years. Its not the atheisim that gets Marx a bad name, its that his words are very affective in organizing workers.
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