Democratic Platform Includes Free Abortions, Official ‘Gay Marriage’ Support

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Posted on September 6, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

(Source: Catholics For The Common Good).

By Michelle Bauman

Charlotte, NC, Sep 5, 2012 (CNA/EWTN News)– For the first time in American history, a major U.S. political party has incorporated support for a redefinition of marriage into its official statement of beliefs.

The Democratic Party’s platform, formally adopted at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 4, supports “marriage equality,” a phrase used by those who wish to redefine marriage to include homosexual couples.

The platform, which outlines the party’s official views on a variety of subjects, called for the full repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for federal purposes and protects states from being forced to recognize the gay unions of other states.

It also called for the passage of the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, which would require the federal government to recognize same-sex “marriages.”

While the document voiced support for the freedom of “churches and religious entities” to determine how “marriage as a religious sacrament” should be administered, it did not include any mention of individuals or groups that hold religious objections to recognizing and supporting civil marriage.

It also noted that the administration has redefined the word “family” in immigration regulations to include homosexual relationships.

Affirming its support of abortion with no restrictions, a redefinition of marriage and free birth control for all women, the Democratic Party said in its official statement of positions that it is committed to “pursuing policies that truly value families.”

The platform also recognized the importance of good fathers and noted President Obama’s initiatives to support and encourage fatherhood.

“We all have a stake in forging stronger bonds between fathers and their children,” it said.

The president has drawn criticism for acknowledging the irreplaceable role of fathers while at the same time undermining this important role by supporting “same-sex marriage,” which renders fathers unnecessary and optional.

The Democratic platform also removed references to “God” but noted that faith-based organizations have played a “central” role throughout American history. It called for “constitutionally sound, evidence-based partnerships with faith-based and other non-profit organizations to serve those in need and advance our shared interests.”

“There is no conflict between supporting faith-based institutions and respecting our Constitution,” the document said, “and a full commitment to both principles is essential for the continued flourishing of both faith and country.”

At the same time, the party voiced its support for the controversial federal mandate that requires employers to offer health care plans that include free contraception, sterilization and early abortion-inducing drugs, even if doing so violates their consciences.

Widely criticized for its infringement upon conscience rights and freedom of religion, the mandate has drawn the opposition of individuals and organizations from across the religious and political spectrum, including objections from bishops in every Catholic diocese in the U.S.

However, the Democratic Party’s official statement of beliefs argued that the president “has respected the principle of religious liberty” in promoting “affordable family planning services.”

The party reiterated its commitment to “safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay” and opposed any restrictions or attempts to “weaken or undermine that right.”

In addition, it observed that Obama issued an executive order to repeal restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research and voiced support for “evidence-based and age-appropriate sex education,” although it did not elaborate on which types of sex education it considers to meet these criteria.

The platform also said that America must advance its “core set of universal values” around the world.

“President Obama and the Democratic Party are committed to supporting family planning around the globe,” it said, highlighting the president’s decision to overturn the Mexico City Policy, which bans U.S. funds from supporting foreign family planning groups that promote or perform abortions.

Insisting that “gay rights are human rights,” the party also said that the State Department is currently “funding a program that finances gay rights organizations” and vowed to “actively combat” the actions of other nations that it believes are engaged in “discrimination.”

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Washington state Catholic bishop warned over anti-gay marriage campaign

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

This from Reuters…

OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) – Washington state regulators have warned a Roman Catholic bishop that his diocese risks running afoul of state campaign finance laws if he follows through with a planned fund-raising effort opposing same-sex marriage on the November ballot.

State law prohibits organizations, including churches, from raising money from individuals to give to political campaigns, said Lori Anderson, a spokeswoman for the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.

“It’s not because it’s a church. It’s because it’s not a stand-alone individual,” Anderson said on Thursday.

The commission was calling into question a recent letter from Bishop Joseph Tyson to Yakima-area pastors urging them to distribute donation envelopes to parishioners during the weekend of September 8-9.

The money would go to Preserve Marriage Washington, the campaign to defeat legalization of same-sex marriage on the state’s November ballot.

The Democratic-controlled Washington Legislature voted this year to legalize same-sex marriage, and Governor Chris Gregoire, a Democrat and a Catholic, signed the measure into law during in February.

But the law was blocked from taking effect as scheduled in June when opponents submitted a petition for a repeal referendum on the November ballot. Referendum 74, subsequently certified as having collected enough signatures to qualify, asks voters to approve or reject the gay marriage bill enacted in February.

Tyson’s letter instructs parish priests not to open the envelopes once they are turned back in, but to place them into a pre-addressed security envelope to be mailed directly to Preserve Marriage, according to local media reports.

“It’s not our envelope,” Tyson told local television station KIMA-TV. “We’re not collecting the money, and we’re not taking the money. Preserve Marriage Washington is doing that. We’re going to follow the state law.”

But Anderson said she was not swayed.

“That can’t happen under our state law,” she told Reuters. “It doesn’t matter if they haven’t looked at the contributions.”

The commission has not heard directly from the diocese, but it sent Tyson a letter Thursday outlining the relevant campaign finance rules, Anderson said.

LETTER OF THE LAW

Under state law, only individuals are allowed to collect donations and give them to a political campaign, and in doing so must take down each donor’s name, address, occupation and employer. If the donation is above $25, that information must then be made public by the campaign.

The diocese may pass out campaign donation envelopes to its parishioners, but it cannot collect them or act in any way as an intermediary, Anderson said. The church is free to create a political action committee to raise money, and could then transfer donations to other campaigns as it sees fit, she said.

Organizations found to have violated state campaign finance laws can be fined up to $10,000 for each transgression.

Several diocese officials reached by Reuters said they were not authorized to comment. Tyson did not immediately return telephone calls.

Wake Forest University divinity professor James Dunn said the diocese’s fund-raising plans could also threaten its federal tax-exempt status as a non-political religious organization.

Handing out donation envelopes for a political campaign in church “is in blatant violation of the spirit of the law,” Dunn said, adding that the Internal Revenue Service has not strictly enforced that law in recent years.

The rest is here.

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The Declaration of the Highest Church Council Regarding the Sentence in the Case of the Desecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

(Source: Pravmir.com)

The highest council of the Russian Orthodox Church has published an official statement regarding the decision of Moscow’s Khamovnichesky District Court about the disorder in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

The Russian Orthodox Church considers it essential to clarify once again her position with regard to the blasphemous act committed in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and likewise regarding the decision rendered upon it.

While we acknowledge the necessity of a corresponding reaction from the state, we must call attention to the fact that the judicial evaluation of this act falls outside of the sphere of competency of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The determination of measures of prevention and of punishment belong entirely to the prerogative of the secular court. The Church does not possess the leverage of power necessary to implement right judgement, and does not strive to possess it. Therefore we shall not examine what falls out from political or aesthetical points of view. The pastoral duty of the Church is to render a moral evaluation of the events that have taken place.

That which has taken place is blasphemous and sacreligous. It is a conscious and intentional offense against holy things, the manifestation of a crude enmity towards millions of people and their feelings. It is therefore entirely impossible to agree with the attempts to present what has happened as a prayer, albeit in an entirely non-traditional form. Regretably, such attempts have disoriented many people, including certain members of the Church, who remain ignorant concerning the blashpemous and nasty words that were pronounced on the amvon of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The disorder in the temple was a continuation of some deeply immoral public actions that had been previously committed by these same persons and their associates, which actions have gone unpunished.

Blasphemy is a grave sin. An Orthodox Christian may neither participate in blasphemy, nor approve of it, nor support it directly or indirectly.

There is a difference between sins against man and sins against God. If a Christian find himself to have personally received offense, he is called to forgive the one who has sinned against him. But the forgiveness of one who sins against God is not possible without the sincere repentance of the one who has sinned against Him. We read in the Gospel how Christ, while he forgave those who encroached upon Him as a man, at the same time warned against the possibiity of sin against the Holy Spirit: “But whoever sins against the Holy Spirit will not have forgiveness unto the age, but an eternal judgement is attributed to him.” (Mark 3.29) Blasphemy is the chief distinction of an enemy of God, as it is written in Revelations: “And he opened his mouth to blaspheme against God, to blaspheme His name, and His dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.” (Revelation 13.6). Continue reading →

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Philip Jenkins: The New Soviet League of Militant Godless

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

(Source: RealClear Religion). It sounds like a scriptwriter’s dream.

Here we have Russia, a vastly powerful country with a floundering democracy, facing the imminent threat of tyranny. That danger is personified by Vladimir Putin, a former KGB man who looks like, well, a former KGB man, as imagined by John Le Carré. Standing in his way is a gallant resistance movement symbolized by an all-female rock band, a group of punky young performance artists called Pussy Riot.

After playing for democracy in a daring public venue, they face a show trial that could send them to prison for years. Around the world, politicians and celebrities speak out, supporters organize solidarity demonstrations. The film is a natural: can we get Aubrey Plaza as the band’s leader? Will Madonna do a cameo? This is too good to be true!

And indeed it is. Putin may be a thug, and Pussy Riot might be feminist warriors for human rights, but the particular act for which they faced trial is much more controversial than is commonly reported in the West. Continue reading →

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Good News for Religious Freedom!

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Posted on July 27, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

Source: Patheos

BREAKING: Feds Halt HHS Mandate Enforcement on Small Business Owner

July 27, 2012 By Elizabeth Scalia

The Newland Family employ about 250 people in their small business, and they try to live out their consciences as Catholics, which means they offer a health insurance plan, that does not include coverage of sterilization or contraception. And the Obama administration’s Department of Justice did not like that.

Now, they have a “stay” of sorts, on the ruinous (and I believe unconstitutional) “contraception mandate” ordered by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as part of Obamacare.

DENVER — A federal court issued an order Friday that halts enforcement of the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate against a Colorado family-owned business while an Alliance Defending Freedom lawsuit challenging the mandate continues in court. The mandate forces employers, regardless of their religious or moral convictions, to provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception under threat of heavy penalties.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys obtained the first-ever order against the mandate on behalf of Hercules Industries and the Catholic family that owns it. The administration opposed the order, arguing, contrary to the U.S. Constitution, that people of faith forfeit their religious liberty once they engage in business. The mandate could subject the Newlands to millions of dollars in fines per year if they don’t abide by its requirements.

“Every American, including family business owners, should be free to live and do business according to their faith. For the time being, Hercules Industries will be able to do just that,” said Legal Counsel Matt Bowman. “The cost of freedom for this family could be millions of dollars per year in fines that will cripple their business if the Obama administration ultimately has its way. This lawsuit seeks to ensure that Washington bureaucrats cannot force families to abandon their faith just to earn a living. Americans don’t want politicians and bureaucrats deciding what faith is, who the faithful are, and where and how that faith may be lived out.”

Read the rest, here

More Coverage Here:

The 35-page complaint, Newland v. Sebelius, was filed in April in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and U.S. District Judge John Kane is expected to issue an opinion Friday denying or granting the injunction. Defendants named in the lawsuit include Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Department of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

The Newlands argue that the mandate forces them to “violate their deeply held religious beliefs” and unconstitutionally coerces them to violate those Catholic beliefs under threat of fines and penalties, according to court documents.

“The mandate also forces the plaintiffs to fund government-dictated speech that is directly at odds with the religious ethics derived from their deeply held religious beliefs and the moral teachings of the Catholic Church that they strive to embody in their business,” the complaint reads.
Department of Justice spokesman Charles Miller could not be reached for comment early Friday.

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Tick, tock…

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

Dear Speaker Boehner & Leader Reid,

The First Amendment to our Constitution begins “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This explicit protection of rights of conscience is as fundamental to us as our unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

A rule enacted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forces individual and institutional employers to purchase health insurance for employees which provides free abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization procedures and contraceptive medications. Acknowledging that this mandate burdens the free exercise of religion of many Americans, the rule contains a limited accommodation for “houses of worship” but which is defined so narrowly as to exclude many employers with religious or moral objections, including religious hospitals, schools and charities.

Because the rule compels such employers (whether they be individuals, institutions or corporations) to violate deeply-held tenets of faith and conscience, it is in direct violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. We fervently petition Congress to act immediately to repeal or amend this rule to protect the free exercise of religion and the rights of conscience of all Americans.

As signers of this petition, we do not represent any particular religious faith or political party. We are people of many faiths, and some of no particular faith. We have no uniform view on contraception. We are, however, unified as Americans in our support of the primacy of rights of religion and conscience. We affix our names here because we believe the mandate represents an unprecedented and unnecessary intrusion into the civic and economic life of people of faith and conscience and sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.

We respectfully request the United States House of Representatives to take immediate action to preserve “rights of conscience against the enterprises of civil authority.” After such a protection passes the U.S. House, we respectfully request its approval by the United States Senate.

You can sign here.

In Christ,

+Fr Gregory

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Post-Religious Thinking

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Posted on July 18, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

David Gelernter, the Yale professor of computer science, has an alarming yet cautiously exuberant book out, America-Lite: How Imperial Academia Dismantled Our Culture (and Ushered In the Obamacrats). He tells us where we are and how and why we got here, and gives readers a pep talk, encouraging them to be the light (not “lite”) we need. He talks about it all with National Review Online’s Kathryn Jean Lopez.

LOPEZ: Why is that “post-religion” bit so important?

GELERNTER: Post-religious thinkers don’t even live on the same spiritual planet as Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Americans. Old-time atheists struggled with biblical religion and rejected it; modern post-religious thinkers struggled with nothing. Since the Bible and biblical religion underlie the invention of America, it’s hard (unsurprisingly) for post-religious people to understand America sympathetically. Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural, the most sacred of American texts, is (precisely) a sermon describing North and South as equally guilty in God’s eyes for the sin of slavery and, ultimately, for the war itself:

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

The quote is from Psalms 19; Reagan’s famous “shining city on a hill” paraphrases the gospels. Expecting post-religious, Bible-ignorant thinkers to grasp America is like expecting a gerbil to sing Pagliacci. The gerbil might be brilliant in his way, but he’ll never make it in opera. (If this be species-ism, make the most of it!) How can my post-religious colleagues and countrymen, many of whom have never even opened a Bible, understand Lincoln or America or Americans?

Read the whole interview here” Dismantling of a Culture.

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The Source of Moral Goodness in Society

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Posted on July 13, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

(Public Discourse)

The legal institutions of a democratic and capitalist society are not designed to give people what is good and prevent them from getting what is bad; they are designed to give people what they want and not give them what they don’t want. For this reason, some people decry capitalism and democracy as amoral. Such views are misguided. In a democratic and capitalist society, there is a certain division of labor: it is up to the people themselves to become moral individuals with moral desires, while the political and economic institutions of the society implement the individuals’ aggregated desires. In any alternative system, there are institutions not accountable to the people and powerful enough to impose their will (really the will of the individuals who control the institutions) on everyone who disagrees with them. The historical record of such institutions has been terrifying, which is the best argument in favor of democratic capitalism. It is true that, in such a system, it may be harder to be moral when your understanding of morality is different from the majority view, but at least you will not often be forced into doing what you think is wrong. You may be seduced, but you will not be coerced. Democratic capitalism is a moral system, but in this system the guardians of morality are not institutions but the people themselves. Thus we read in the Book of Wisdom, A large number of wise men is the safety of the world.

Robert T. Miller is a Professor of Law at Villanova University, and as of August 2012 he will be a Professor of Law and Sandler Faculty Fellow of Corporate Law at the University of Iowa.

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Islamic terrorists target and kill more Christians in Nigeria

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Fr Gregory Jensen

From AP/ABCNews:

52 Killed in Central Nigeria Raids and Reprisals
By AHMED SAKA Associated Press
JOS, Nigeria July 8, 2012 (AP)

Raids and reprisal attacks have left 52 people dead in Christian villages near a Nigerian city where authorities have struggled to contain religious violence, officials said Sunday. Assailants launched “sophisticated attacks” on several villages near Jos early Saturday, said Mustapha Salisu, spokesman for a special taskforce made up of policemen and soldiers deployed in the area to curb years of violence. “They came in hundreds,” Salisu said. “Some had (police) uniforms and some even had bulletproof vests.” He said the special taskforce fought back for hours and lost two policemen in the battle. Salisu initially said that 37 people were killed including 14 civilians and 21 assailants. However, later in the day, Nigerian Red Cross official Andronicus Adeyemo said aid workers had counted 52 dead and more than 300 displaced people from the attacks. He did not give a breakdown. He said a federal lawmaker and a state lawmaker were ambushed and killed Sunday afternoon on their way to a mass burial for the victims.

[...]

Mark Lipdo, who runs a Christian advocacy group known as the Stefanos Foundation, gave a list of the 13 villages where he got reports of attacks. He said they were all Christian.

[...]

Nigeria, a multiethnic nation of more than 160 million people, is largely divided into a mainly Christian south and a predominantly Muslim north. Jos is located in the “middle belt,” at the meeting point of these two regions. Human Rights Watch says at least 1,000 people were killed in communal clashes around Jos in 2010. However, the rise of a northern-based Islamist insurgency known as Boko Haram has added a new dimension to the long-running conflict, fanning religious tensions in this flashpoint area.

[...]

All previous Jos attacks have targeted churches, a deliberate move to trigger more religious violence, many have said. They all sparked reprisals. Sts. Nunilio and Alodia, pray for us.

h/t: WDTPRS

It is easy to forget that religious persecution is still common in some parts of the world. Please remember these newest Christian martyrs their families, and especially their persecutors in your prayers.

In Christ,

+Fr Gregory

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Category Archives: Current Events

The Declaration of the Highest Church Council Regarding the Sentence in the Case of the Desecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

Philip Jenkins: The New Soviet League of Militant Godless

Post-Religious Thinking

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The Source of Moral Goodness in Society

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Islamic terrorists target and kill more Christians in Nigeria

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BREAKING: Feds Halt HHS Mandate Enforcement on Small Business Owner