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

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"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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