Barron's idea of evangelization to 'nones' misses the mark

Barron's idea of evangelization to 'nones' misses the mark
I saw nothing objectionable in the presentation of the death penalty in terms of doctrine, although it is not something I agree with. While it is up to God to judge those executed, it is up to society, which because of free will is now sovereign, to protect itself. This includes prison guards and even convicts. The standard is danger, not justice (as it is for late term abortion). Note that life without parole is seen by prisoners as a death penalty, but a slowly administered one. It is better to get it over quickly.

Evangelization means one thing, the witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and all of us, whether that is at the end of time or when we die. We are not simply memories in the world of ideas, nor are we reduced to nothingness by death, by close exposure to God or to Nirvana. Instead, we have faith that we will survive in body and spirit and on the last day we shall see God in the flesh.

I know people who listen to the Bishop. From what I hear, his moralism is practical rather than on eternal life. While this is more comfortable for the Nones, without an eventual link to life eternal it is simply a discussion of ethics. While Barron can certainly offer useful suggestions, on most moral issues we can think for ourselves. Gone are the days when we need the Church to do our thinking for us. Given that the Church often ignores both natural and social science in its moral teachings, relying instead on the authority of papal or episcopal thrones. Most of the Nones and the faithful have no use for such teachings, especially regarding sexual ethics and its glorification of an asexual ideal. Barron's support of masculine jingoism does not inspire faith either.

That the hierarchy is also known for past corruption in service to their thrones is simply a riff on the same tune. Finally, the Nones are not driven by a commitment to existential philosophy. The thought is simply ridiculous. They simply do not trust what the Church says - even if there were no child abuse. Refusing to ordain women and its support of the Republican Party are also core issues, as is its archaic governance.

We do not need to evangelize the Nones nor rely on some sort of spiritual conversion among the clergy. A retreat will not help. Actual change will. Evangelization, morality and governance can be improved without loss of the essentials of faith. Simply getting off the throne is enough. Preaching the Gospel only needs words when necessary. Limiting Catholic education to academia while ignoring adult and practical education is an example. Instead of prison ministry, we need to take the rehabilitation of both addicts and the mentally ill from the government to a Church sponsored therapeutic setting. Of course, until the throne is abandoned, the Church should not be trusted by either government or society.