Islam and The Blessed Mother
As this Zenit article points out, although Catholic Christianity and Islam diverge on several aspects regarding the Virgin Mary, there is a significant shared level of honor that both religions accord to her. From this, Mark Shea asks what I think to be a very intriguing question: Given the general phobia that Protestant Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have toward according respectful honor to The Blessed Mother, how effective are they in converting Muslims to not just Christianity, but to Protestantism? If there are any numbers on this, I'd love to see them.
Saturday, May 31, 2003
How You Were Conceived and to Whom You Are Born to Determines Whether You Have a Right to Live
Yet another sad and bad judicial decision in Florida.
Yet another sad and bad judicial decision in Florida.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
"Saving" Gays is an Issue of Religion, Not Politics
So says David Horowitz, who responds to demands that he apologize to Christian conservatives.
Why do I owe Christians an apology, since I have not attacked Christians? To accuse a Jew of attacking Christians is a serious matter and goes to the heart of the political problem that "social conservatives" often create for themselves when they intrude religion into the political sphere. Why is religion even an issue in what should be entirely a political discussion?
So says David Horowitz, who responds to demands that he apologize to Christian conservatives.
Why do I owe Christians an apology, since I have not attacked Christians? To accuse a Jew of attacking Christians is a serious matter and goes to the heart of the political problem that "social conservatives" often create for themselves when they intrude religion into the political sphere. Why is religion even an issue in what should be entirely a political discussion?
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Friday, May 23, 2003
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Well Excuse Him for Being Catholic
Cardinal Arnize's remarks about homosexuality during a Georgetown graduation ceremony draws fire.
Ed Ingebretsen, a professor of English at Georgetown and a priest in the American Catholic Church, said on Wednesday that Cardinal Arinze's remarks were in line with Catholic doctrine, but nonetheless seemed out of place at the commencement ceremony.
"These things are exactly what he's paid to say," Professor Ingebretsen said. "[But] it's a graduation; why he decided to do the pro-family thing no one seems to know."
Professor Ingebretsen said he was compelled, as a writer, to post a short apology on the email subscription list "on behalf of Catholics" for Cardinal Arinze's "insensitive remarks", which he termed "un-Christian".
Could someone please explain to me how Cardinal Arinze's remarks can be consistent with Catholic doctrine on the one hand, yet "un-Christian" on the other? What the heck are the Jesuits smoking?
Cardinal Arnize's remarks about homosexuality during a Georgetown graduation ceremony draws fire.
Ed Ingebretsen, a professor of English at Georgetown and a priest in the American Catholic Church, said on Wednesday that Cardinal Arinze's remarks were in line with Catholic doctrine, but nonetheless seemed out of place at the commencement ceremony.
"These things are exactly what he's paid to say," Professor Ingebretsen said. "[But] it's a graduation; why he decided to do the pro-family thing no one seems to know."
Professor Ingebretsen said he was compelled, as a writer, to post a short apology on the email subscription list "on behalf of Catholics" for Cardinal Arinze's "insensitive remarks", which he termed "un-Christian".
Could someone please explain to me how Cardinal Arinze's remarks can be consistent with Catholic doctrine on the one hand, yet "un-Christian" on the other? What the heck are the Jesuits smoking?
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
SCOTUS Punts Sectarian Prayer Case
Last year, a California state appellate court ruled that a city council sponosored invocation in which Jesus Christ was referred to was unconstitutional. On appeal, the California Supreme Court refused to review the matter, and now the SCOTUS has done the same. That's too bad, since I believe there is sufficient case law to uphold the constitutionality of a government sponsored "sectarian" prayer/invocation (See, e.g., Marsh v. Chambers).
Last year, a California state appellate court ruled that a city council sponosored invocation in which Jesus Christ was referred to was unconstitutional. On appeal, the California Supreme Court refused to review the matter, and now the SCOTUS has done the same. That's too bad, since I believe there is sufficient case law to uphold the constitutionality of a government sponsored "sectarian" prayer/invocation (See, e.g., Marsh v. Chambers).
Monday, May 19, 2003
Lookism?!
There are apparently several pending employment lawsuits that have been filed by people who claim they were discriminated against on the basis of their attractiveness, or lack thereof. One guy is even claiming his obese appearance makes him eligible to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
There are apparently several pending employment lawsuits that have been filed by people who claim they were discriminated against on the basis of their attractiveness, or lack thereof. One guy is even claiming his obese appearance makes him eligible to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
With Apologies to Relapsed Catholic, From Our Bulging "Aw, Lighten Up!" Files
A supermarket chain in Denmark has withdrawn from sale sandals with the images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on them after criticism from religious groups.
What's the "problem"? The images are on the portion of the slipper that the bottom of your foot normally covers.
A supermarket chain in Denmark has withdrawn from sale sandals with the images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on them after criticism from religious groups.
What's the "problem"? The images are on the portion of the slipper that the bottom of your foot normally covers.
SCOTUS Will Review "Vouchers Part II" Case
To a large extent, the case of Davey v. Locke may be more significant than the Cleveland vouchers case the Court ruled on last year. In Davey, the state of Washington has asserted its "Blaine Amedment" law as justification for denying a state scholarship to a college student who wanted to study theology and become a minister. "Blaine Amendments," of course, are laws that specifically prohibit a state government from directly funding any program that is religious in nature, or connected to a religious institution. Several states have these laws, including California, and they were originally fueled by widespread anti-Catholic sentiment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although I am not confident that the SCOTUS, as a whole, will address the bigoted origins of "Blaine Amendments", I expect that individual justices like Scalia and Thomas will.
To a large extent, the case of Davey v. Locke may be more significant than the Cleveland vouchers case the Court ruled on last year. In Davey, the state of Washington has asserted its "Blaine Amedment" law as justification for denying a state scholarship to a college student who wanted to study theology and become a minister. "Blaine Amendments," of course, are laws that specifically prohibit a state government from directly funding any program that is religious in nature, or connected to a religious institution. Several states have these laws, including California, and they were originally fueled by widespread anti-Catholic sentiment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although I am not confident that the SCOTUS, as a whole, will address the bigoted origins of "Blaine Amendments", I expect that individual justices like Scalia and Thomas will.
Friday, May 16, 2003
Don Quixote Lives!
Larry Klayman's Judicial Watch sues the U.S. Senate over the Democrats filibustering of judicial nominees.
Larry Klayman's Judicial Watch sues the U.S. Senate over the Democrats filibustering of judicial nominees.
School Authorities Penalize Student for Missing Class to Sing at Bush Speaking Event
They must be anti-Bush Democrats. (Link via Drudge)
They must be anti-Bush Democrats. (Link via Drudge)
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
And the Rapure Index is at 166! Sure am gonna miss all my Fundamentalist and Evangelical friends down here.
And the Rapure Index is at 166! Sure am gonna miss all my Fundamentalist and Evangelical friends down here.
"Everybody Runs"
This is recurrent quip by actor Tom Cruise in Minority Report, a movie that is set in a future where people are arrested for crimes that they think about committing, but have yet to act upon. Well, it looks as though California is getting ever closer to this Big Brother scenario with the state Assembly's passage of AB 458 which, if signed into law by the governor, would require pro-homosexual sensitivity training for all California foster parents. The underlying presumption, of course, for this requirement is that there is something profundly wrong with any person who believes homosexuality to be a disorder, and morally disapproves of any sexual conduct related to it. Thus, in order to prevent future "hate" crimes, the state must take preemptive steps to reorient what it believes to be dangerous thinking among some people. Scary stuff, huh?
This is recurrent quip by actor Tom Cruise in Minority Report, a movie that is set in a future where people are arrested for crimes that they think about committing, but have yet to act upon. Well, it looks as though California is getting ever closer to this Big Brother scenario with the state Assembly's passage of AB 458 which, if signed into law by the governor, would require pro-homosexual sensitivity training for all California foster parents. The underlying presumption, of course, for this requirement is that there is something profundly wrong with any person who believes homosexuality to be a disorder, and morally disapproves of any sexual conduct related to it. Thus, in order to prevent future "hate" crimes, the state must take preemptive steps to reorient what it believes to be dangerous thinking among some people. Scary stuff, huh?
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Someone Needs a "Time-Out"
...and a conversion to the truth.
Reports published in Roll Call and the Washington Times say [Congressman Jim] Moran (D-Va.) recently got into a shouting match with a priest at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria. Roll Call reports the confrontation followed a Mass in which the homily touched on life-related topics. Moran is reported to have complained to one of the parish priests, who in turn asked Moran, "How can you reconcile yourself as a Catholic with your views on abortion?"
Moran is said to have shot back, "You priests don't know anything about abortion!" According to a parishioner, the priest responded, "Congressman, put away the talking points. Talk to me
as your priest." Roll Call reports a fuming Moran then reportedly walked away, the priest's final comment was, "Congressman, one day you will need me, and I will be here."
...and a conversion to the truth.
Reports published in Roll Call and the Washington Times say [Congressman Jim] Moran (D-Va.) recently got into a shouting match with a priest at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria. Roll Call reports the confrontation followed a Mass in which the homily touched on life-related topics. Moran is reported to have complained to one of the parish priests, who in turn asked Moran, "How can you reconcile yourself as a Catholic with your views on abortion?"
Moran is said to have shot back, "You priests don't know anything about abortion!" According to a parishioner, the priest responded, "Congressman, put away the talking points. Talk to me
as your priest." Roll Call reports a fuming Moran then reportedly walked away, the priest's final comment was, "Congressman, one day you will need me, and I will be here."
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Scoring Error May Cost Some New Lawyers Their "Ticket"
I smell many lawsuits.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners, which produces the 200-question multistate portion of the bar exam taken in almost every state, last week warned bar officials in 48 states that the scores of all 20,204 law students who took the test in February are being recalculated because of a clerical mistake.
...
"The scoring error was detected and every jurisdiction is affected," said Erica Moeser, president of the national conference. "The error is being corrected" as quickly as possible and states are being notified, she said. The problem was discovered at the beginning of May.
I smell many lawsuits.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners, which produces the 200-question multistate portion of the bar exam taken in almost every state, last week warned bar officials in 48 states that the scores of all 20,204 law students who took the test in February are being recalculated because of a clerical mistake.
...
"The scoring error was detected and every jurisdiction is affected," said Erica Moeser, president of the national conference. "The error is being corrected" as quickly as possible and states are being notified, she said. The problem was discovered at the beginning of May.
Apparently, Crime Pays When You're Attractive
"We already know that attractiveness affects sentences, but this study found that only a simple word -- 'handsome' or 'pretty' -- has an effect," Per Schioldborg, a psychology professor at the University of Oslo, told Reuters. "I was surprised."
Guess maybe we should extend our equal protection laws to the terminally ugly. Either that or start subsidizing cosmetic surgery with federal and state tax dollars.
"We already know that attractiveness affects sentences, but this study found that only a simple word -- 'handsome' or 'pretty' -- has an effect," Per Schioldborg, a psychology professor at the University of Oslo, told Reuters. "I was surprised."
Guess maybe we should extend our equal protection laws to the terminally ugly. Either that or start subsidizing cosmetic surgery with federal and state tax dollars.
Monday, May 12, 2003
In Case You Haven't Seen It Yet
Here's the California "Catholic Dirty Dozen" ad that American Life League is buying space for in several state newspapers.
I had no idea State Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin was Catholic. Truly disappointing that he favors abortion rights.
Here's the California "Catholic Dirty Dozen" ad that American Life League is buying space for in several state newspapers.
I had no idea State Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin was Catholic. Truly disappointing that he favors abortion rights.
Friday, May 09, 2003
Man Fined for Cheering Gay Neighbor's Death
OK, it wasn't very nice, but how 'bout recognizing a little free speech? Oh yeah, this happened in Germany.
OK, it wasn't very nice, but how 'bout recognizing a little free speech? Oh yeah, this happened in Germany.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)