Some Statistics

Some recent statistics...

* Broken marriages lead to poverty & high 'social welfare' costs in the U.S.

-> Poverty rates for 'single parents' in 2008 exceeded 36%

-> Poverty rates for married couples with children in 2008 was under 7%

-> Around 75% of "means-tested welfare for low-income families with children" went to 'single parent families'

Source: Zenit

Related: Divorce (Topic Page)

* High rates of fornication in the U.S.

-> Out of wedlock births in 2008 exceeded 40%

-> Out of wedlock births in 2008 by race: White/Non-Hispanic-28.6%; Hispanic-52.5%; Blacks-72.3%

Source: Zenit

Related: Fornication Reflections

* Homosexuals & HIV

-> CDC study finds that in 21 metropolitan areas in the U.S., 1 in 5 practicing homosexual men test positive for HIV

-> About half of those infected were "unaware" they carried the virus which causes AIDS

Source: LifeSiteNews

Related: Homosexuality (Topic Page)

* Religious Ignorance

A new poll indicates that many Americans are ignorant of basic tenants of their faith. For example...

-> Nearly half (45%) of Catholics polled were unaware of transubstantiation & the Real Presence - essential teachings of the Catholic Church [Reminder: "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:29)]

-> Some 29% can't name the place of Jesus' birth (Bethlehem)

-> Close to 40% couldn't name the first book of the bible (Genesis)

Reportedly, atheists and agnostics performed best on the questions, whereas Catholics did poorly

Sources: Various

Related: Catholic Basics

[9/28]

Immoral vending machines

The newspaper of the Italian Bishops' Conference has condemned the plan to install vending machines which sell c*ndoms at a high school in Rome. The school will promote fornication by installing six such machines on campus.

"Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9-10) [Note: This, of course, refers to sin that remains unrepented]

[3/11]

Former bishop's excuses countered by "strongly worded" statement of priests

Former bishop and now Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo has brought scandal to the Church with the allegations that he fathered three children with three different women. Although he asked forgiveness, he refused to resign. He also said that "I am human, and therefore nothing human is alien to me" and further insisted that he told the truth. Rather than referring to his repeated acts of fornication as mortal sins (or even sins for that matter), he recognized "personal errors" and said that "the more important thing was "valuing, perhaps belatedly, but strongly, the blessing of human life."

Well, perhaps that is one way to look at it (especially if you're the guilty party who wants to keep your job rather than the poor illegitimate children who have been deprived of a proper family). But wouldn't it be better for souls if we instead considered what Scripture has to say on the topic? For example, consider the following passages...

1 Cor. 6:9-10: "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Rv. 21:8: "But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

When it comes to the serious sin of fornication (not to mention breaking your vows, abusing your position, depriving children of a proper home, etc.), shouldn't one be reminded of "unpleasantries" such as mortal sin & eternal hellfire? Rather than tolerating your excuses, shouldn't the fear of God be put in you? Can you even imagine a sinner coming up to Christ calling their sins "personal errors" and giving the excuse that "I am human, and therefore nothing human is alien to me"? Rather, wouldn't they be more likely to fall to their knees and beg forgiveness?

Fortunately in this case, some priests have spoken out forcefully regarding this grave situation, saying "If we fall into sin, not only do we repent and ask for forgiveness, we also assume the consequences without looking for cheap excuses or childish justifications". They also addressed responsibility, temptations, fighting for values, the value of celibacy, and the former bishop's harm to the family. Please, more plain speaking like this and fewer excuses! [story here] [4/28]

"Hate what is evil" (Rom. 12:9)+

It's hard to say whether lack of faith or poor catechesis are more to blame, but apparently many of today's Catholics have entirely lost their moral compass. A recent Gallup poll showed that...

* 40% of 'Catholics' find abortion morally acceptable (vs. 41% of non-Catholics)

* 67% of 'Catholics' find fornication morally acceptable (vs. 57% of non-Catholics)

* 71% of 'Catholics' find divorce morally acceptable (vs. 66% of non-Catholics)

* 61% of 'Catholics' find having an illegitimate child morally acceptable (vs. 52% of non-Catholics)

* 54% of 'Catholics' find homosexual relations morally acceptable (vs. 45% of non-Catholics)

Perhaps if Scripture readings at Novus Ordo Masses regularly included passages such as the following - rather than the "feel good" passages parishioners usually encounter - we would not suffer so many dissident Catholics...+ [Note: All passages below are from the New Testament]

* 1 Cor. 6:9-10: Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

* Rv. 21:8: But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

* 1 Jn. 3:8:Whoever sins belongs to the devil

* Heb. 10:26-27: If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.

* Gal. 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

* Mt. 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

+Reminder: Scripture references and translations may vary. We make no guarantee regarding any item herein. We recommend reading Scripture in full context in an appropriate Catholic Bible. Consult appropriate, competent Church authorities for assistance in interpreting / applying Scripture. Interpretation and application of Scripture should not be contrary to the perennial, official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Do not take Scripture passages out of context. Do not inflict or wish harm on yourself or others, break laws, take unsuitable/incautious or inappropriate/drastic actions, or take figurative items literally. We are not responsible for any interpretation / misinterpretation, application / misapplication, use / misuse, etc. of Scripture. Use of site is at your own risk and is subject to our terms of use. Click here for important cautionary statement and other important terms/information

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