A Dangerous Road

USCCB President Cardinal Francis E. George recently addressed an "historic gathering" at BYU on the need to "stand together" in the defense of religious freedom. While it is certainly praiseworthy to defend innocent human life and marriage between a man and a woman, one might be forgiven for finding some of his remarks rather troubling. For example, if "true religious freedom" means the right to "influence the public square", how can one ignore the fact that his comments - taken to their logical end - advocate that non-Catholic religions influence laws regarding any number of sinful, immoral actions for which their adherents feel are "rights"? Particularly with regard to Mormons, does he not realize that 'full religious freedom' for them would include polygamy? It is certain that Mormons would practice polygamy today had it not been for laws curbing their "religious freedom". Such restrictions are actually a good thing, are they not? Presumably even the Cardinal would not push for their 'religious freedom' in this matter.

And when the Cardinal says that "government should never stand between its citizens and almighty God", he seems to gloss over the fact that just about every false religion probably believes they are following God's will - even if they are manifestly acting in opposition to it. Clearly, to put a justifiable obstacle between a person and his false conception of God can be the right thing to do - e.g. outlawing polygamy (even if someone thinks God desires it); stopping someone from murdering (even if they think God 'wants' them to kill); etc.

Furthermore, blanket calls for 'religious freedom' with reference to a country's laws seem to ignore the fact that laws based on falsities are not just. Rather, to be just, laws must be based on actual truth. To encourage false religions to exert influence on laws can be a dangerous road to travel. It is only when society's laws are founded upon the teachings of the one religion founded by Jesus Christ - Catholicism - will there be true religious freedom. To argue otherwise is shortsighted.

"Truth has its rights - or, rather, it is truth alone that has the right to claim liberty." (Gueranger)

"[I]t is contrary to reason that error and truth should have equal rights." (Pope Leo XIII, "Libertas Praestantissimum", 1888 A.D.)

"[F]reedom negates and destroys itself, and becomes a factor leading to the destruction of others, when it no longer recognizes and respects its essential link with the truth." (Pope John Paul II)

"[W]hen freedom is detached from objective truth it becomes impossible to establish personal rights on a firm rational basis; and the ground is laid for society to be at the mercy of the unrestrained will of individuals or the oppressive totalitarianism of public authority." (Pope John Paul II)

Related: Truth / Error (Reflections)

[2/26]

Setback for personhood initiative

A personhood measure in Nevada recently suffered a setback as a state judge ruled that a one-line (14 word) ballot measure was too broad and covered more than one subject. The simple pro-life measure which was rejected read: "In the great state of Nevada, the term 'person' applies to every human being."

Regarding the ruling, the judge said, "The issue to me is, are we adequately informing voters on what they're voting on" and claimed that "There's no way for the voter to understand the effects of the initiative."

Cynic's translation: "Truth be d*mned. Who cares if they're persons? We don't want to have to give fellow human beings rights if doing so might interfere with our materialistic lifestyles."

The decision is expected to be appealed.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (Jer. 1:5)

[1/11]

Both sides claiming victory

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What pro-lifers may call a "'huge, fatal blow' to the abortion lobby and a step forward in the 'unraveling' of Roe v. Wade", pro-aborts may refuse to acknowledge as a defeat. The issue at hand involves a South Dakota law which was upheld by a federal court. The law requires that doctors inform a woman having an abortion that the abortion "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being."

The court, which said that the term "human being" could be used in a "biological sense" and not an "ideological" sense, overturned a requirement that women be notified that abortion "increases the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts", saying this was "untruthful and misleading" (tell that to affected women!). The court also overturned the provision that a woman be told that she has an "existing legally protected relationship with her unborn child."

Reportedly, both parties are considering whether to appeal.

Facing the prospect that women will hear that their planned abortion "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being" - even though they will not hear about their increased risk of suicide or that they have a legal relationship to their babies - a pro-abortion proponent still had the audacity to state that "We're thrilled."

Yea right.

[8/24]

The good & the bad, and the ridiculous

The following is a short summary of certain good & bad elements from Notre Dame's controversial commencement ceremony & the events surrounding it...

The Good

* Some pro-life students boycotted their own commencement ceremony

* Bishop D'Arcy boycotted the graduation ceremony & spoke to pro-lifers at a Notre Dame pro-life rally [story here]

* Around 100 pro-life students attended the graduation wearing a pro-life symbol; These students remained seated while Obama received standing ovations

* Courageous individuals risked arrest in support of the pro-life cause. Those arrested included an elderly priest, Alan Keyes, and Norma McCorvey (the "Roe" of "Roe vs. Wade")

* Pro-life hecklers disrupted Obama's speech on several occasions

* The pro-life rally held at ND was attended by thousands [story here]

* Bishop D'Arcy called the pro-life students who boycotted their commencement "heroes" [story here]

* A selfless lady declined a prestigious ND honor [see previous news brief]

The Bad

* The "most pro-abortion president in history", Obama, received an honorary law degree from the nation's "most prestigious Catholic university", causing great scandal

* ND's president disregarded the bishops' statement, his own bishop's condemnation, and the public scandal to go forward with his "pet project". Despite this, students seem to support him overwhelmingly.

* Obama enjoyed the support of thousands of students & received a standing ovation; Attendees even chanted Obama's campaign slogan in response to pro-lifers' heckling

* Radical pro-abortion Obama received ND's honor & affirmed his pro-abortion stance while wearing a robe containing an inscription to the Holy Mother of God, "symbolizing dedication of all Notre Dame's activities to the Virgin Mary" [story here]

* There was no formal condemnation of ND's honoring Obama from Pope Benedict XVI (Archbishop Burke criticized the decision, but this is obviously not the same as if a condemnation had come from Pope Benedict himself)

* Some fear that "Notre Dame will become symbol of Catholic dissent" [story here]

The Ridiculous (pathetic, absurd)

* Obama's ridiculous call to find "common ground" over the murder of the unborn. Would he advance "common ground" on racial matters or would he reject racism outright?

* Hypocrisy of Obama on "respecting" each others views on abortion considering that he has shown no respect to the views of pro-lifers (and, of course, it isn't possible for pro-lifers to "respect" the views of those who advocate the killing of children) [story here]

* Hypocrisy of Obama concerning "conscience rights"; on one hand he claims to honor conscience rights, but on the other he works to remove protections already in place [story here]

* Fr. Jenkins' laudatory treatment of Obama; Embraces him, pats him on the back, almost seems to campaign for Obama

* The Vatican newspaper's response to the event fails to include a condemnation of the scandal; instead claims Obama seeks "common ground" on baby killing [story here]

[5/18]

Thank a ND student

The scandal over Notre Dame's commencement, which will feature & honor Obama, "the most anti-life president in U.S. history", has not been entirely devoid of 'signs of hope'. Although ND's President continues to act in defiance of the U.S. Bishops - not to mention basic Catholic common sense - and, unfortunately, also with some backing of ND students, many others have been strongly on the side of truth and life. Since the news first broke, dozens of bishops have spoken out against the decision, the area's bishop will be boycotting the commencement, another bishop has already held a Mass of reparation, one lady selflessly turned down a prestigious ND honor, donors have withheld millions in donations, and there has been "national outrage". And, in the course of events, Obama's anti-life policies have been exposed to those who might otherwise have been unaware of them.

One thing this country typically suffers from is apathy. In this case at least - thankfully - apathy has not been as readily apparent. Although it appears that the commencement plans will, unfortunately, go as planned, many pro-life students at ND are not taking this lightly. Recently, they have announced plans to hold a protest at their commencement. Also, many ND students are expected to boycott their own graduation. Some students may confront Obama over his pro-abortion position. Images of aborted babies may be draped along the way. Although this should be a special day - a day of joy - for these students, a cloud will be put over the event because their leader has chosen to betray Catholic principles and would not back down even in the face of condemnation by his bishop & public outcry.

In spite of this, it is good to see that there are courageous ND students who still hold sacred their Catholic values. Any student who boycotts the graduation for which they worked so hard to achieve in order to defend their Catholic beliefs is deserving of respect. This shows great character and gives hope and inspiration to others. May God bless and guide all ND students. And may all people support and thank those who do what is right, even at a high personal cost. [story here] [5/5]

Putting her faith first

Rather than putting her own interests first, Mary Ann Glendon, a former ambassador to the Vatican, has declined a prestigious honor from Notre Dame due to their honoring of Obama at their upcoming commencement. In her letter to ND's president she states, "as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions 'should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles' and that such persons 'should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.' That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it." Her letter was released to the public in order "to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision". Way to go, Mary! [4/27]