Disqus - Latest Comments for DoubtingThomas

Re: Michael Sean Winters on Stupak as a Principled Champion: Just Not Getting It

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:55:00 -0000

Nobody finds herself "unexpectedly pregnant." Even the Virgin Mary had a prior warning...

Re: Oscar Romero to the U.S. Catholic Bishops: Now is the Time to Recover Your Consciences

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:48:21 -0000

"No debate. No discussion. No attempt to gather the faithful together and develop a shared lay-episcopal approach to the significant issue of health care, based on lay-episcopal dialogue and shared governance of the church."

There is no debate, or discussion or "lay-episcopal dialogue" on this issue. What the church teaches is what the Church teaches, pure and simple and that hasn't changed in 2,000 years. I too disagree with how the Bishops handled this crisis in that I think they did not speak out soon enough. And Stupak is only speaking out against the bishops to cover himself and justify his last minute defection. The bishops are the teaching authority of the Church, the successors of the Apostles and the deputies of the Pope, who is the earthly representative of Jesus Christ.

Pastoral guidance and leadership of the Church is not about a dialogue. It is about speaking the Truth, even if it is unpopular and people don't want to hear it. I for one am glad that the Bishops did take a stand, even if it was too little and too late.

Last of all, why would anyone with any sense trust a pro-abortion President, the most pro-abortion President ever, to follow through on a promise to limit abortions?

Re: Stupak Under Attack: What Have the Bishops Wrought?

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:42:23 -0000

Stupak is a modern day Judas. I am sorry, but that is the truth. My only question is what constituted his thirty pieces of silver...

Re: What Benedict Knew When: Wisconsin Priest Abuses 200 Deaf Boys; Ratzinger Informed

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:40:51 -0000

I take anything the New York Times says about Catholicism in general, and the Pope in particular not with a grain, but a very generous helping, of salt.

Re: Anthea Butler on the Self-Chosen Irrelevancy of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:37:38 -0000

I have often wonder about the alliance between Evangelical Christians and many Roman Catholics. Doesn't really make all that much sense to me...but when I try to point it out to other Catholics involved like me in the pro-life movement, they choose to ignore it.

Also, I don't think its entirely fair to say that Bishops have totally aligned with the Right. Their views on immigration and capital punishment are decidedly on the Left, another fact that is conveniently ignored by many Right-Wingers who happen to be Catholic, just as the teaching on abortion is ignored by Leftists who happen to be Catholic.

Re: Singing, Strange Land: Lenten Questions Circling Through the Soul

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:28:41 -0000

"And in this country, a Catholic journalist guru defending—laughing about—torture."

Who was that?

Re: Dispatch from the Front: Catholics and Mormons United in Defense of Religious Freedom

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:26:40 -0000

I am afraid I have to disagree with that analysis. In the backlash following Prop 8, Mormon churches as well as Catholic ones were targeted by radicals, some with threats of "burning them to the ground." There is much talk of hate speech legislation and many fear that religious groups will be pressured to say the politically correct thing in regards to issues such as gay marriage.

This is America. Forcing religious leaders to say something that goes against what they believe (even if you disagree with that belief) is a violation of freedom of religion as well as freedom of speech. Since Mormons and Catholics are the most vocal on the issue, the meeting makes sense.

This is about religious freedom.

Re:

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:21:00 -0000

I am reminded of the parable of the weeds among the wheat. Jesus allows weeds in His Church for whatever reason (who exactly is the wheat and who are the weeds depends on what side of the debate someone is on). They choke the wheat in an attempt to destroy faith and Christ allows them, because so remove them might uproot some of the wheat. But in the end, He comes, burns the weeds and gathers the wheat into His barn.

God will take care of the weeds. All job is to wait, hope, pray and do His Will.

Re: Dispatch from the Front: What Kind of Leadership Is This?

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:11:40 -0000

funny pic...lol

Re: DNC Asks Me for Money: No Human Rights Focus, No $$

DoubtingThomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:11:01 -0000

I believe (and hope) that what are seeing here is the erosion of the two party American system. Liberals are dissatisfied with the Democrats and conservatives with the Republicans. Essentially both parties are exactly the same when it comes right down to it, in our country there is very little difference between the two. Yet another reason I am an Independent...

Re: A Response to John Allen re: "Evangelical Catholicism" among Catholic Youth

DoubtingThomas — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:23:48 -0000

whoops...i guess I qualify as "a socially maladjusted young male obsessed about the rubrics of the Mass"...meh

I've been called worse...

Re: A Response to John Allen re: "Evangelical Catholicism" among Catholic Youth

DoubtingThomas — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:22:14 -0000

Us young "evangelical Catholics" (I guess I am one) didn't hop on the orthodox band wagon just because of JP2. We did it because leaders in the "progressive church" were (and still are) seriously lacking. Us young people search for the Truth and when we don't get it from the people in authority, we tend to leave. John Paul and Benedict preached that truth and that is why so many young people followed them. Young people have a keen sense of understanding when something is wrong and don't like hearing BS. We want the Truth.

Re: Controversy about the National Prayer Breakfast: Parallels between The Family and Opus Dei

DoubtingThomas — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:08:45 -0000

"The Family"

That just sounds creepy...

Re: Holy Stories and Marginalized Communities: Shift to New Readings of Scripture in the Churches Today

DoubtingThomas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:23:01 -0000

I agree. There is so much symbolism in the image that appeals to the Aztec culture. And Mary usually appears as a native of whatever place she is appearing at.

Re: Loyalty Oaths and Pretensions to Power: Vatican Expects American Nuns to Take Oath of Fidelity

DoubtingThomas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:20:58 -0000

actually I wasn't defending the oath of loyalty, I think its a bad idea. loyalty to the person of the Pope was what got us messed up during the Middle Ages. whereas vows of obedience are vows to act in obedience to one's religious superiors when they are acting in God's Name and according to his will.

Re: Holy Stories and Marginalized Communities: Shift to New Readings of Scripture in the Churches Today

DoubtingThomas — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:03:16 -0000

Well technically the dark skinned girl was a princess. She was dressed as one anyway. Who interestingly enough was pregnant. She stood in front of the Sun, showing that she was greater than the false Sun god and stood upon the crescent moon, a symbol of the blood thirsty serpent god of the Aztecs: the god to whom the Aztecs sacrificed millions of innocent human lives.

The connection to Scripture? The 12th chapter of Revelation, the Woman Clothed With the Sun, who battles the Great Dragon or Serpent.

Re: Loyalty Oaths and Pretensions to Power: Vatican Expects American Nuns to Take Oath of Fidelity

DoubtingThomas — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:49:10 -0000

An oath of loyalty? Really? I mean I'm pretty it was this kind of thing that St. Thomas More died for. Irony?

Plus, these women take vows of obedience. That should cover it. (Should being the operative word)

Re: More Reflections on John Paul II's Canonization: The Cult of Personality

DoubtingThomas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:38:41 -0000

I am sorry if you took my comments personally- they were not meant as personal attacks or to be offensive- I just try to "call it like I see it" and that was the impression I got from your arguments.

John Paul stood for the Truth and spoke it fearlessly- and at times that Truth seemed divisive and offensive- so be it. Jesus spoke the Truth and it even cost Him followers, many followers and probably led to His death. He held the Church together in the midst of attacks from every direction. He stood against communism. If at times his words or teachings upset people, he was only following the divine example of His Lord.

Lastly, I do not understand how anyone can not consider Pope John Paul to not be a holy man. Can you give me an example of an action that was "unholy?" Sainthood is about a man or woman's relationship with his/her God not how well he/she held hands and sang kumbiyah

Re: Empire Declines: Today I Get Flu Shots, a Narrative and Meditation

DoubtingThomas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:28:53 -0000

Nice pic.

I fear we are swiftly going the way of the Roman Empire as well.

Re: Bearing Witness: One Bread, One Body--The Revolutionary Implications of Communion

DoubtingThomas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:22:39 -0000

Don't forget...that at least in the Catholic Church...we are brought into Communion with Christ Jesus and through Him into Communion with our brothers and sisters. It is through our sharing in Holy Communion that we become the Body of Christ.

Re: Because I Say So: Rome Defends Choice to Make Pius XII a Saint

DoubtingThomas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:15:06 -0000

I actually agree with you there. I wish that the Vatican would be a more vigorous job defending Pius.

Re: Because I Say So: Rome Defends Choice to Make Pius XII a Saint

DoubtingThomas — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:36:18 -0000

http://www.nydailynews.com/...
This canonization is all about relationships with our Jewish brethren. Contrary to popular belief, Pius did a great deal to save Jews from the Nazi death camps. He accomplished by remaining publicly silent and acting behind the scenes than he would have by making a public spectacle. If he had, Hitler would have invaded the Vatican, dragged off the Pontiff and that would have been the end of that. The degradation of Pius is a sad attempt by those who wish to drive a system of anti-clericalism and make up lies to slander men like Pius. History and the truth will vindicate him.

Venerables Pius XII and John Paul the Great, pray for us

Re: Christmas Arrives: Mary and Joseph Still Search

DoubtingThomas — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:27:05 -0000

C'mon.
I personally find it sad that on the night celebrating the Incarnation of the Son of the God in the womb of Mary, a teenage unwed mother, the Democrats are ramming through a health care bill which will result in many unborn children- children in situations much similar to one in which the unborn Christ was placed in- will be killed before they even have a chance to breathe. Children who are completely innocent, just like the Holy Innocents who were massacred by Herod.

In fact, in this whole debate, that is the part of the Nativity story that I am focused on- the similarities between those innocent infants killed in Bethlehem under the order of Herod and the innocent infants no being killed with the complicity of Obama, another ruler who places his political power above being right with God.

Re: The Bishops Assert Their Authority: U.S. Catholic Bishops Tell Us about Marriage

DoubtingThomas — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:27:45 -0000

Honestly, I think the Catholic Bishops in the US have done an exceedingly good job of bucking papal authority for some time now. Just look at the debacle with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In my opinion, the USCCB is far from marching in lock stop with the Holy Father.

I find it funny that we are both upset with the Bishops but for two very different reasons.

Re: It's Time: Shutting Down the GayTM

DoubtingThomas — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:13:11 -0000

I am afraid that the Roman Catholic hierarchy and American democracy have never been BFFs. The Enlightenment principles our nation was founded on are fundamentally anti-clerical. Not to mention most of the Founders were Masons and thus most likely not fans of the Catholic Church. The problem is that most Catholics have been making compromises to try to "fit-in" with American democracy and avoid persecution and now we have the problems we do now.