Five Arguments Homosexual Activists Use to Shut You Down (And Why They're Ridiculous)

NOTE:  These are just some of the ones I myself have heard, not a comprehensive list.

1.  "If it's not hurting anyone, what's so bad about it."
Statistics have shown that practicing homosexuals are far more likely to contract HIV, be drug users, commit suicide and have low life expectancy.  Here's just a sampling of that.

- Homosexuals of both sexes are fourteen times more likely to attempt suicide, and 3 and a half times more likely to attempt suicide successfully.  This is despite increasing societal tolerance of the homosexual lifestyle.

- The life expectancy of male homosexuals nowadays, with the advent of the AIDS virus, is only thirty-eight; only 2 percent live past age sixty-five.

- One study in San Francisco estimated that 43 percent of male homosexuals had more than 500 sexual partners; seventy-nine percent of them were strangers.  Sexual promiscuity always hurts

Homosexuality does hurt, no matter what activists say.

2.  "Homosexuality is natural."
A Catholic Answers tract on homosexuality deals very well with this one.

Many homosexuals argue that they have not chosen their condition, but that they were born that way, making homosexual behavior natural for them.

But because something was not chosen does not mean it was inborn. Some desires are acquired or strengthened by habituation and conditioning instead of by conscious choice. For example, no one chooses to be an alcoholic, but one can become habituated to alcohol. Just as one can acquire alcoholic desires (by repeatedly becoming intoxicated) without consciously choosing them, so one may acquire homosexual desires (by engaging in homosexual fantasies or behavior) without consciously choosing them.

Since sexual desire is subject to a high degree of cognitive conditioning in humans (there is no biological reason why we find certain scents, forms of dress, or forms of underwear sexually stimulating), it would be most unusual if homosexual desires were not subject to a similar degree of cognitive conditioning.

Even if there is a genetic predisposition toward homosexuality (and studies on this point are inconclusive), the behavior remains unnatural because homosexuality is still not part of the natural design of humanity. It does not make homosexual behavior acceptable; other behaviors are not rendered acceptable simply because there may be a genetic predisposition toward them.

For example, scientific studies suggest some people are born with a hereditary disposition to alcoholism, but no one would argue someone ought to fulfill these inborn urges by becoming an alcoholic. Alcoholism is not an acceptable "lifestyle" any more than homosexuality is.

Just because something isn't chosen, doesn't mean it's natural.

3.  "Scriptures against homosexuality no longer apply."
By this, they mean the Old Testament Scriptures against homosexuality, most commonly Leviticus 18:22 ("Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, because it is an abomination").  They argue that such things were only ceremonial and were superceded by the New Covenant in Christ.  Wrong.  It is a moral imperative, and all the Old Testament moral imperatives remain in place.  Besides, even if this wasn't the case, why would the New Testament also speak so strongly against homosexual behavior?

For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature.  And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error.  And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient...Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them.  (Romans 1:26-38, 32)

Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

The Scriptures are consistent in condemning homosexual behavior as sinful, Old Testament and New.

4.  "Jesus never speaks ill of homosexuality."
He never mentions incestous child molestation either, but does that make it ok?  The Scripture citations above, written by the Apostle Paul, render this argument refuted as well.  (Remember, an Apostle was one who had seen the Risen Christ and hear His teachings)

5.  "You're so judgemental."
As Catholics, we believe in the principle of "love the sinner, hate the sin".  We believe that we must love and respect our brothers and sisters, but that we must also warn them when their behavior goes against the will of God.  Homosexual behavior clearly goes against the will of God, and is a dangerous lifestyle that leads to many health issues.  Since when was warning someone of this bad?  Warning someone so that they can repent and not have to face the consequences of sin is the most loving thing a person can do.

Pax Christi.

Christmas and Updates

Well, the Christmas feast has passed.  Don't worry, the season hasn't ended; for us Catholics, Christmas lasts until January 10th.  =)

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday, filled with joy at the celebration of the birth of our Savior. 

Now, for the updates.

1.  I'm going to make an extra effort to post everyday with more relavent posts.  Your help would be appreciated; if you see something recent that could use some commentary from a Catholic perspective, send it to me.

2.  I also have a fanfiction accout.  I'm hoping to start writing again soon.  Stay tuned.

Pax Christi.

Fedzilla Passes the Health Care Deform Bill

It's official, the Senate version of the health care bill has passed.  Merry Christmas America, from the Democratic Party.  *throws up*

Why am I sick?  Let's count the ways that this bill will ruin health care in America.

1.  Rationed health care for seniors.
2.  Substandard, government run care.
3.  Federal dollars for the continued slaughter of innocent babies in abortion mills.
4.  It's a massive, unconstitutional power grab by the federal government (contrary to what the Democratic Congressional stooges say, there is no mandate for a government takeover of health care).
5.  It'll grow the already bloated federal deficit by billions.
6.  Americans will be forced to buy in or face fines.

Let us pray this monstrosity doesn't make it out of the house.  Time to get the tea partiers mobilized. =)

Pope John Paul II and Other News.

First off, this just in from the Vatican;

Pope Benedict XVI has signed a decree recognizing the late Pope John Paul II's life of “heroic virtue.” With his signature, Benedict XVI throws the door wide open to the beatification of the much-loved Polish Pontiff and gives him the title "Venerable."

On Saturday morning, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints led by Archbishop Angelo Amato met with Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a dicastery of the Holy See and to present decrees for papal approval.  Pope John Paul II's name was among the Congregation's nominations for those possessing “heroic virtue.”

The next step towards canonization of John Paul II is a second decree to be signed by the Pope that attributes a miracle to him.  It is thought that this miracle will be one that has already taken place but has not yet been officially recognized. The miracle involves a French nun who was cured of Parkinson´s disease through John Paul II's intercession.

Following the approval of his first miracle, Venerable Karol Woytilya would be eligible for beatification, and pending a second miracle, he could be declared a saint.

The Vatican has processed his case in record time.  Since the Pontiff´s death, less than five years have passed.  Five years is the normal amount of time that must go by before the Holy See can begin the investigation process. In this case, Pope Benedict made an exception just a little over a month after John Paul II's death in March of 2005.

Among other documents signed by Benedict XVI on Saturday morning were decrees authenticating the heroic virtue of Pope Pius XII, Pontiff during World War II; the martyrdom of Jerzy Popiełuszko, a Polish priest killed in 1984, and a second miracle attributed to Bless Mary McKillop, who will now become Australia's first saint. (CNA )

Yes, Pope John Paul II has been declared Venerable, another step on the road to canonization.  DEO GRATIAS!

Now for the other piece of news.  My Christmas vacation to Massachussetts starts tomorrow, and as such I will not be posting for the next couple of days.  You can follow my updates on my new Twitter account .

Pax Christi and Merry Christmas.

Mass Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

First Reading:  Micah 5:1-4
Now you are walled about with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike upon the cheek the ruler of Israel.  But you, O Bethlehem Eph'rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel.  And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.


Psalm:  Psalm 80:2-3, 15-6, 18-19
before E'phraim and Benjamin and Manas'seh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved!
the stock which thy right hand planted.
They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance!
Then we will never turn back from thee; give us life, and we will call on thy name!
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! let thy face shine, that we may be saved! 


Second Reading:  Hebrews 10:5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.  Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God, 'as it is written of me in the roll of the book."  When he said above, "Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Lo, I have come to do thy will."  He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.  And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


Gospel:  Luke 1:39-45
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."  


God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Note to All Catholics: Please Support the Advent Conspiracy

It's that Christmasy time of year again.

You know what that means; classic stop motion Christmas specials on TV, chefs teaching tasty recipes for Christmas dinner, carolers visiting your door to sing joyful songs to warm hearts, churches opening up the collection boxes so that the poor in their neighborhoods can have a nice Christmas.

But there's something else that comes with the yuletide season, something that never fails to rear it's ugly head; commercialism.

Every Christmas we're bombarded by advertisements shouting at us to buy, buy, buy.  We're told that we must find that "perfect gift" to make out loved ones happy.  We pour our resources into material things, as though that is what true love is all about.  We suffer from horrible stress.

Now, there is nothing wrong with buying and giving gifts, but this commercialism is distracting us from the real reason for the season; Christ the Lord.

Portland pastor Rick McKinley has had enough.  He has started a new movement amongst Christians.  It's name?  The Advent Conspiracy.

The purpose of the Advent Conspiracy is to take a stake to the heart of Christmas commercialism.  Instead of spending all our money on gifts for friends and family, Pastor McKinley is urging us to donate that money to the poor and homeless.  Change your whole attitude about giving at Christmas, he says.

Catholics, are we going to sit by, or are we going to lend our own hand as servants of the Lord to this effort?

I say, let's do it!

Fine nice little gifts that really mean something, and then give a real gift to those who need it most.  My prayers are with Pastor McKinley and all those who support the Advent Conspiracy.

Are you game?

Obligatory Cute Link # 1

http://forums.furaffinity.net/showthread.php?t=57875


For the ooey, gooey win.

The Right and Wrong Way to Encourage Repentance

If there is one thing that any Christian, much less any Catholic, should know, it's this;

If you want to get to heaven, you need to repent.  It's a given.  Forgiveness of sins cannot happen without sincere repentance.

What happens if you don't?  There's no way of sugar coating it.  You will go to hell.  It's not pleasant, but then again, when has eternal separation from God and the suffering that comes with it ever been pleasant?

Jesus himself warned of this, as did Our Lady of Fatima when she showed the children seers a vision of the fate that awaits sinners.  There was a very good reason for this though.  The purpose was to let people know what happened if they didn't repent of their sins, not to terrify them into fear of punishment.

Unfortunately, any talk of hell nowadays is ripe with this.  People blast others with terrifying images of eternal damnation in order to terrify them into repentance.  They don't even know that hell truly looks like the way they are showing it, yet they do it.

There are two types of contrition, or sorrow for sins.  One is imperfect contrition, or sorrow motivated by fear of punishment.  By terrifying people into mortal fear of punishment, you encourage this.  While it's sincere, it is simply not the ideal.

The ideal is to encourage perfect contrition, or sorrow motivated by the love of God.  How do you do this?  Warn people where there sin is taking them and the reality of it, but do no horrify them with an endless stream of terrifying images.  Show them the love of God by being the same way toward them; remind them that God has a plan, and show them the path that they must follow.

God bless.

Hat Tip to Australia

Apparently, the folks down under have decided to make web filters to block out pornographic and illegal content on computers so children can't view it.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/k.....-1225771256672
http://www.techworld.com.au/article.....ossible_conroy





I tip my hat to the good folks in Australia who came up with this.  Though, IMO, it would be even simpler to just make pornography illegal.  But of course, the sexual perverts wouldn't stand for it.  Oh well, they'll have to deal with it.  Porn is evil and doesn't belong in civilized society.

CBO Updates on Obamacare: It's Not Looking Good

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has taken another look at the health care reform bill currently in the senate, and they've found out a couple things that aren't going to help those wanting to get it passed.

According to a recent CNSNews article, the current Senate health care bill will force some middle class Americans to pay what amounts to a $15,200 federally mandated yearly insurance fee.  With middle class Americans currently having the make cut backs in order to make ends meet (I should know), no one can possibly afford this, especially in a bad economy.

In another article, the CBO estimates that by 2019, American taxpayers will be spending $196 billion a year on Obamacare, but 24 million will remain uninsured.  Wasn't this whole thing about reducing health care costs and getting Americans the health coverage they need?  I wonder how the media will spin this one.

The more I learn about this monstrosity currently in the Senate, the less I like it.  And apparently, there's a lot of people who agree with me.  According to an e-mail I received from the American Family Association, a new CNN poll suggests 61% of voters are now opposed to Obamacare.

Here's Another Gem from the Greenies

Once again, courtesy of LifeSiteNews.

December 14, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Population control groups have been using the hype surrounding the Copenhagen climate change conference to promote their solution to hypothetical impending environmental catastrophes. Earlier this month, two pieces appearing in the same edition of the Guardian revisited a report by Britain's Optimum Population Trust (OPT) that suggests that people in wealthy first-world countries should "offset" the carbon cost of their jet-setting lifestyles by paying to prevent the births of poor children in the developing world.

John Vidal, the Guardian's environment editor, wrote that the OPT's report suggesting a "radical" plan to cut carbon emissions was the "best bet" to reduce global warming trends. In August, the OPT issued a report claiming to have made a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to work out exactly how much "carbon emission" a child born in the developing world costs.

Anyone else starting to think this whole Copenhagen thing was a bad idea?

Once upon a time, such a Malthusian outlook on the value of human life was regarded with either suspicion or, more commonly, outright contempt, and for good reason; every single human life is sacred.  Now, in today's secularized, de-Christianized culture, such a thing barely makes a ripple.

Even the far-left, normally ones to jump to the third world's defense at the slightest hint of "oppression", have been conspicuously silent.   No cries of "Western racism", no calls for boycotts or anything like that.  Just silence.

Could it be that radical green rhetoric, with it's near religious devotion to "sustainability" and unspoiled nature and its contempt for human development, if not human existence, be having a negative effect on our culture?  I would say it is.

I pray that people come to their senses.

Adultery Ads on Buses?

Lin
I found this little gem browsing around LifeSiteNews in my endless quest for wisdom.

TORONTO, December 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) today rejected a proposed advertizing campaign that woulud have involved wrapping its streetcars with advertisements for the Ashley Madison Agency, an online dating site that promotes adultery.

The advertising plan would have seen one of the city's streetcars wrapped in purple with the phrase, "Life is short. Have an affair," in bold letters running from front to back on both sides. The phrase would also occupy every ad slot inside the vehicle.

And here I thought the atheist ads on the buses were annoying.

An online dating site promoting adultery?  Now we know our culture is going to hell in a hand basket.

Link to the article here.

A Lesson From the Tiger Woods Affair: The Importance of Marriage Fidelity

It's been all over the news.  Tiger Woods has cheated on his wife with multiple women.  When I heard last, the total number of mistresses was up to 11.

Decent people, I hope, are disgusted and appalled.  This was clear betrayal.  When he married his wife, he made a vow to love her for the rest of his life.  A promise, not only to his wife, but to God as well.  And now, he's broken that promise in about the worst way possible.

What do the Scriptures have to say about what he did?  Let's have a look.

Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers...
--1 Corinthians 6:9


Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
--Hebrews 13:4


Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God.
-- James 4:4


It's clear; adultery is a mortal sin.  Have we forgotten this?


Let's refresh our memories.  Marriage fidelity is important, not only for our emotional well-being, but spiritual as well.  Remember your marriage covenant and keep it, as Christ remembers his to his Church.

LSAT and HOA Outrageousness

I took my LSAT test this morning.  Can you say exhausting?  I thought I had it bad sitting for the SAT and ACT tests when I was applying for college.  This one beats them all easily.

I mean, what the heck is a logic game?  Silly little questions that don't look like they'll help me at all in law practice.  And they were TOUGH!  I'm surprised I didn't get a headache trying to work them out.  The logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections were much easier, though they wore me down too.  Thank goodness it's over.

Now, onto the second portion of this post.

My state is home to one of the country's oldest surviving veterans of World War II, 90 year-old Col. Van T. Barfoot (U.S. Army, Ret.).  For thirty years, this man would go out to the flag pole he had on his yard, raise the flag in the morning, and take it down in the evening.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  Right!?

Well, recently, the Homeowner's Association where he lives doesn't think so.  They're now suing him to have the flagpole taken down.

No, that wasn't a typo.  They're suing a 90 year-old World War II veteran, and Medal of Honor winner to boot, over a freaking flag pole.

Is this how our country treats our veterans nowadays?  Back in the day, veteran status was a mark of honor.  Now, they're treated no better than anyone else.  These men risked their lives to serve their country, and we repay them with stuff like this.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch article on this travesty.

What is this nation coming to?

*Sigh*

As if we needed any more proof that the Episcopal Church has lost any semblance of being a Christian Church, I find this little number, from an Episcopal Bishop, nonetheless.

Yep, that's right, the Episcopal Diocese of Massachussetts will now allow its clergy to "solumnize" homosexual "marriages".

This is just the latest in a long train of deviations from orthodox Christianity in the Episcopal Church, and indeed, seemingly, most of the "mainline" Protestant churches.  First the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, now the Episcopal Church.  Who's next?

The Graces of Advent

As we move into Advent, it will be profitable for us to remember some very important things.

1.  Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Western Church.  As such, it is appropriate, I think, to use this time as a period of renewal of our spiritual lives.  Allow yourself to become more immersed in prayer; pray often to take advantage of the wonderful graces that come from this season.  Attend Mass daily to receive the grace that comes from the Eucharist.  Renew your soul in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Use the newfound graces to do God's will to help those in need.

2.  Thank God for every blessing over the year that you can think of.  Every happy moment, every loving friend and family member, every grace, is a gift from God Almighty.  Thank Him and praise Him fervently.

3.  Prepare yourself to celebrate the birth of Christ by reading the Scriptures and reflecting on them.  Lection Divina, and ancient practice of spiritual reading, is especially valuable.  Use it.

Have a blessed Advent, filled with grace.

It's About Time

November 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With the Patrick Kennedy Communion flap and the recent action of the Bishops of Spainhaving opened up the issue of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians, it is worthwhile to review the position of the Vatican on the matter.

Since the controversy came to a head in 2004, the stance from the Vatican on the matter has been clear and consistent.  For the Pope and top Curial Cardinals in charge of the matter there is no question about the responsibility to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians who obstinately support abortion. In fact, the issue was closed as early as 2004 with a letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.

Full article can be found here.

I must say, it's high time we all started getting serious about this.  Why should the Body and Blood of our precious Lord be given to those who so obstinately deny the right to life for the unborn?  Catholics who support abortion are unworthy to receive the Eucharist, plain and simple.

Obama Makes No Mention of God in Thanksgiving Proclamation

Via LifeSiteNews

[link]

To all Catholics who voted for Obama:  That "hope and change" still working out for you?

The Top Ten Turkeys of 2009

This year was filled with joy, happiness and a sense of improvement, despite the hard times we have been having.  This year was also filled with a motley collection of boobs, stooges, bunglers and just plain nitwits who made us all throw our hands up and shout "WHY!?".

Therefore, in honor of this Thanksgiving, I hereby present my list of the top ten turkeys of 2009.

10.  Sarah Silverman:  Star of her own Comedy Central program and first class foul-mouth, Sarah Silverman is no stranger to controversy -- though she certainly is one to civility.  Silverman hit rock bottom however, with an October 2009 obscenity laced tirade against world hunger.  Her solution?  

“What is the Vatican worth, like 500 billion dollars? This is great, sell the Vatican, take a big chunk of the money, build a gorgeous condominium for you and all your friends to live in…and with the money left over, feed the whole f---ing world.”

The Catholic League was quick to point out that the Church operates more hospitals and feeds more of the world's poor than any other private organization, and regularly runs a deficit due to all her giving.  Therefore, for firing her mouth off without thinking --again-- Sarah Silverman has earned herself the tenth spot on this list.

9.  Chris Matthews:  MSNBC anchor and host of Hardball Chris Matthews is well known for his aggressive interviewing style.  He's also become well known for a November 23rd interview with Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, RI, in which he gave the Bishop an insulting lecture on the Church's refusal to support the Senate version of the health care reform bill.  At issue?  The fact that the bill is expected to be amended to include public funding of abortion services.  Matthews refused to even allow the Bishop to respond and instead attacked the Church for it's refusal to compromise her moral principles.  For that, he has earned the number nine spot on my list.

8.  Phil Attey and ChurchOuting.org:  The Church is no stranger to hatred from the militant homosexual movement for its uncompromising support for traditional marriage.  Phil Attey, a DC homosexual activist and self-described "Liberal-Gay-Ardent Obama Supporter" (try saying that one ten times fast), took this to the next level with his new project ChurchOuting.org.  The sites purpose is as follows:

According to one news report, “Attey is going to approach priests he thinks are gay, and warn them that they better stop lobbying against gay people, seeing how gay they are…or…else?”

 In other words, to intimdate priests into compromising the Church's moral teachings by objecting to her condemnation of homosexual "marriage", or risk being outed to the world.  For making friends and influencing people -- through blackmail, Phil Attey and ChurchOuting.org earn the number 8 spot on my list.

7.  The European Court of Human Rights:  Ostensibly in place to protect the basic rights of all Europeans, the European Court of Human Rights must have an exception clause in its charter when it comes to Christians.  On November 3rd, the Court ruled that all crucifixes in Italian classrooms must be removed.  Because displaying the symbol of Italy's majority faith violates human rights, they say.  Needless to say, the Italians weren't too happy about this, and displayed some serious intestinal fortitude when mayors across the country ordered the crucifixes to remain in place, defying the ruling.  For showing callous disregard for the rights of Italian Catholics to display their faith in public, the European Court of Human Rights earns the lucky number seven spot on my list.

6.  The Freedom from Religion Foundation:  The supposed "voice" of America's atheists, the Freedom from Religion Foundation made waves with its "Imagine No Religion" billboard campaign.  That one was certainly bad enough, but the Foundation had the dubious honor of kicking off the nation's culture wars in 2009 by demanding that the Detroit suburd of Warren remove a municipally funded nativity scene, arguing that it violated the Constitution by being a public display of faith (ok I made that last part up, but it sure seems they think that way).  For once again demanding America's religious heritage be kicked to the curb, the Freedom from Religion Foundation earns the number six spot on my list.

5.  Van Jones:  Obama's "Green Jobs Czar" (as if the word "czar" isn't bad enough) attracted controversy in 2009 when several embarassing little snippets came to light, including...

- His association with STORM (Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement), a Marxist political group that candidly advocated a communist revolution in America.

- His advocacy for the release of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal

- The fact that his name appeared on a petition issued by 9/11Truth.org, a website that contends that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were an "inside job" perpetrated by the Bush Administration.

For being a political hack of the Obama administration and hiding his radical past, Van Jones earns the fifth spot on my list.

4.  The University of Notre Dame:  Formally one of the great institutions of Catholic higher learning in the country, Notre Dame elected to sacrifice it's Catholic identity on the altar of "hope and change" when it conferred an honorary law degree on President Barack Obama in 2009.  Obama's persistent support of abortion-on-demand and homosexual "marriage" flew in the face of the Church's 2000 year old moral teachings, an as a Catholic institution, the school had a duty to stand for those teachings, yet failed to.  For discarding its Catholic identity in favor of political correctness, the University of Notre Dame earns the number four spot on my list.

3.  The CCHD (Catholic Campaign for Human Development):  Every November 22nd, Catholics around the country receive little envelopes asking for donations to support the the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the anti-poverty arm of the USCCB.  The mission of the CCHD is "to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education".  In 2009 however, investigative reporting by EWTN and other Catholic news outlets revealed that CCHD funds have gone to organizations that support the opposite of good community -- mostly through pro-abortion and pro-homosexual "marriage" activities.  Among these organizations are;

- ACORN
- Chinese Progressive Association
- Los Angeles Community Action Network
- Women's Community Revitalization Project
- San Francisco Organizing Project
- Young Workers United
- Preble Street

The USCCB's reponse; defund just two of these groups; Chines Progressive Association and Young Workers United... after they were funded.

For flagrantly defying Church teaching by financially supporting groups which promote evil, the CCHD earns the third spot on my list.

2.  Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN):  ACORN first gained public notoriety in 2008, when evidence surfaced that ACORN staffers were committing voter fraud in several states by submitting fake voter application forms, adding untold numbers of votes for Obama that simply didn't exist.  In 2009, ACORN went even beyond that.  Activists Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe, released a hidden camera video from an investigation they undertook of ACORN offices in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Brooklyn, San Diego, San Bernadino, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.  Posing as a prostitute and a pimp, the pair videotaped ACORN staffers giving advice on home loans, tax evasion, and disguising the identities of underaged prostitutes brought in from El Salvador.  ACORN's response was to accuse the pair, without any evidence whatsoever, that the videos had been dubbed over or staged in some way.  The only thing they got was that their relationship with the 2010 U.S. Census was terminated.  For giving advice on how to sell children as sex slaves and then making false accusations to save their own collective skin, ACORN earns the number two spot on my list.

1.  President Barack Obama:  Elected on a wave of "hope and change" grandstanding, despite that fact of his consistent support of abortion-on-demand, infanticide in the form of partial-birth abortion, and homosexual "marriage", President Barack Obama made many grandiose promises, nonetheless that he would shrink the deficit.  Instead, he piled on $787 billion in pork and earmarks in his "economic stimulus" bill, and piled on further billions rescuing failing companies and banking institutions, adding to the already bloated federal deficit.  In addition, he threatens to add further billions by passing a massive health care bill including a "public option" (read, gateway for government run healthcare) into law.  For breaking his promise to the American people and saddling our children and grandchildren with massive federal debts, President Barack Obama earns the number one spot on my list.

Thanksgiving Novena

Please join me over the next nine days praying this novena.

To pray it, simply think of something that you are thankful for, one each day, and say a short prayer of thanksgiving to God Almighty, along with a trifecta (1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be).  I will be posting the prayers I say in my blog each day.

God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving.

FVDKZ2QCZJHH

Society's Tolerance of Evil

Society has grown and changed over the years.  Unfortunately, for every great good that has come about, great evil has followed not to far behind.  And, increasingly, our society has begun to tolerate evil in its various forms.

Many will argue that there is no longer any such thing as good and evil.  Those notions died a long time ago, they say.  There are no good or evil, only what we perceive.  This is a false notion.  There is, and will always be, acts that are inherently evil, just as there are acts that are good.

Our society has become numb to those inherently evil acts.  Evil actions happen everyday, and not just the ones that make the headline news.  Every single day, great sins are committed; thousands of unborn babies die in abortion mills; married couples use contraception, closing out the marital act to new life, and do so with no thought whatsoever; the airwaves are infested with pornography, excessive violence, and other morally unacceptable acts, and no one says anything about it; people treat their fellow human beings as trash for any perceived reason, no matter how slight, and show an utter lack of conscience and remorse for their actions because they think such things are an acceptable way to deal with people.

It's inescapable; as our society loses its moral underpinning, as provided by the Church, the religious institutions and the traditional family, we have begun to tolerate these inherently evil acts.  Now, whenever we see these little acts of evil being performed, we either ignore it or, in worse cases, we cheer it on.  We find justification for our sinful acts, and rather than trying to change things for the better, we continue on our path, a path leading us toward ruin.

We must learn to recognize evil and combat it.  We must find our moral underpinnings again.  We must, before our society falls completely under.

The Solemnity of Christ the King

From Catholicculture.org

The way to "enter" into God's Kingdom "does not permit shortcuts"; rather, "every person must freely welcome the truth of the love of God. He is Love and Truth and both love and truth never impose themselves: they knock at the door of the heart and mind and, wherever they may enter, they bring peace and joy. This is God's way of reigning; this is his project of salvation, a 'mystery' in the biblical sense of the word, which is a plan that is revealed little by little throughout history." — Pope Benedict XVI

The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as an antidote to secularism, a way of life which leaves God out of man's thinking and living and organizes his life as if God did not exist. The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner Christ's royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.

Today's Mass establishes the titles for Christ's royalty over men: 1) Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence wields a supreme power over all things; "All things were created by Him"; 2) Christ is our Redeemer, He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession; 3) Christ is Head of the Church, "holding in all things the primacy"; 4) God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as his special possession and dominion.

Today's Mass also describes the qualities of Christ's kingdom. This kingdom is: 1) supreme, extending not only to all peoples but also to their princes and kings; 2) universal, extending to all nations and to all places; 3) eternal, for "The Lord shall sit a King forever"; 4) spiritual, Christ's "kingdom is not of this world".

— Rt. Rev. Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas

 Litany of Christ the King:

Antiphon: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor: to Him be glory, and empire for ever and ever.

V. He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

R. All kings shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ the King, hear us.

Christ the King, graciously hear us.

Who didst receive crowns and tribute from the Magi,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who rulest by love the Holy Family of Nazareth,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who, as King, served Thy people in the example of filial obedience,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who drawest to Thy realm the fishermen to be fishers of men,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Whose Kingdom is not of the spirit of this world,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who art King not of the Jews alone but of all creation,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who wast mocked in false purple by the little rulers,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who wast crowned with piercing thorns,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who wast nailed to Thy throne on Golgotha,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who didst ransom Thy people by the royal Sacrifice of Calvary,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who didst purchase Thy Kingdom with the Blood of the Atonement,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who in Thy Resurrection wert the First-born from the dead,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who in Thy glorified body art risen triumphant,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Who art throned and crowned at the right hand of Thy Father,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

In Whom are all created things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Beneath Whom are all thrones and dominations,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Beneath Whom are all principalities and powers,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

By Whom all things consist,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

To Whom all the nations of the earth are subject,

May all nations serve Thee, O Lord.

Through Whom all things are reconciled unto Thy Father,

V. His power shall be an everlasting power,

R. And His Kingdom a kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

That the peoples of this world may know themselves subject to Thee,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may put off their vainglory,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may dispel the evils laicism has brought upon society,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may hearken to Thy fiat,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may bow their heads before Thee,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may know Thy reign is eternal,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may submit to Thy just and gentle rule,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may recognize Thy Vicar on earth,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may freely accept his rule for Thy sake,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That they may know that Thy Church, being Thee Thyself, cannot die as nations die,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That the Gentiles may be restored to mercy,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That to Christ the King all things may be restored,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

That in the Prince of Peace true peace may by all be found,

We Beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:

Spare us, O Christ our King.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:

Hear us, O Christ our King.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:

Have mercy on us.

V. His power shall be an everlasting power, which shall not be taken away:

R. And His Kingdom that shall not decay. Alleluia.

Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, Who in Thy beloved Son, King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things anew: grant in Thy mercy that all the families of nations, rent asunder by the wound of sin, may be subjected to His most gentle rule. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end,

R. Amen.

Prayer to Christ the King:

O Jesus Christ, I acknowledge Thee as universal King. All that has been made, has been created for Thee. Exercise all Thy rights over me. I renew my baptismal vows, renouncing Satan, his pomps and his works; and I promise to live as a good Christian. In particular do I plege myself to labor, to the best of my ability, for the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church.

Divine Heart of Jesus, to Thee do I proffer my poor services, laboring that all hearts may acknowledge Thy Sacred Kingship, and that thus the reign of Thy peace be established throughout the whole universe. Amen.

The Feast of the Presentation of Mary

From the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume III:

This feast commemorates the dedication of the church of Saint Mary which was built in Jerusalem near the site of the Temple.  With Christians of the East, the Latin Church also recalls on this day the tradition according the which Mary as a small child was presented to the Lord by her parents in the Temple.


Prayer:

Eternal Father, we honor the holiness and the glory of the Virgin Mary.  Mary her prayers bring us the fullness of your life and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Friday Penance

Throughout the ages, the Church has observed Friday as a day of penance.  Catholics around the world are required to perform some act of penance on Friday.

Why do we do this?  The answer is simple; Friday is the day that our Lord Jesus Christ died upon the cross, and in doing so redeemed mankind.

By performing penance on Friday, we unite ourselves with the Cross.  As he suffered for us, so we deny ourselves some comfort for His sake.  We fulfill Christ's command to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him (Mark 8:34).  

The way one peforms Friday penance varies according to location.  The norms for the United States, where I live, are that one must perform some act of penance of their choosing.  A good way to do this is to give up something one enjoys for the day.  The traditional act of penance, however, is that one abstains from meat on Friday (something that is still required on Lenten Fridays).  However you perform it, remember that you are doing it for one reason only; to honor our Lord's sacrifice upon the cross.

God Bless.

Prayer Request

I might have a job lined up.  Please keep me in your prayers that I might finally find employment.

Sunday Mass Readings: November 15, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:  Daniel 12:1-3
"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.  Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.  But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. 


Psalm:  Psalm 16:5, 8-11
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.


 keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.


Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.


For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.


Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.


Second Reading:  Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.


Gospel:  Mark 13:24-32
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.  "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Nor'easter

If any of you have been watching the weather, a big nor'easter came through my area.  My power was knocked out for a bit and the city is flooded.

Being the weather buff that I am, I'll try and take some pictures of the area for you guys.  A little something to pass the time.

Pax Christi

Why Do We Need Purity?

The answer is simple: impurity is devastating.  Rampant sexual immorality, objectification of women into sex objects, glorification of sexual promiscuity and the wide and easy availability of pornography have created a climate where impurity is the order of the day and sexual restraint is viewed a backwards, which has had a devastating effect on the psyche of this country and is partly responsible for our society's moral implosion.

Why do I say this?  Well, consider it in the light of the following.

1.  Impurity destroys marriages:  Addiction to pornography causes a person to objectify the human body and human sexuality.  Sex loses it's procreative and unitive purpose ("babies and bonding") and becomes a simple means of selfish gratification.  Husbands (and in some cases wives) become increasingly dependent upon sexual pleasure.  Over time, the demand for more sexual pleasure places a strain on the marriage, causing the impure party to seek pleasure outside the marriage (in a worst case scenario) or takes one into more sexual sin which places even more strain on the marriage until it finally breaks.  The fact that America's rampant divorce rate jumped when the "Sexual Revolution" of the 1960s came about speaks for itself.

2.  Impurity warps one's view of human sexuality:  God created sex, and as such, it is good.  But He created it with for two very specific purposes, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses, is not something simply biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person as such. It is realized in a truly human way only if it is an integral part of the love by which a man and woman commit themselves totally to one another until death....The spouses' union achieves the twofold end of marriage: the good of the spouses themselves and the transmission of life. These two meanings or values of marriage cannot be separated without altering the couple's spiritual life and compromising the goods of marriage and the future of the family.  The conjugal love of man and woman thus stands under the twofold obligation of fidelity and fecundity.  (CCC 2362-2363)

Sex was created for the twofold purpose of procreation and unity of the spouses in the context of a valid marriage between one man and one woman; for the transmission of new life into the world, and for the purpose of bringing the spouses into an act of self-giving love for each other.  Sex is sinful when it is sought for any other reason.  This is why lust is considered to be such a grave sin; the seeking of sex for the purpose of selfish satisfaction of one's own pleasure perverts the sexual act away from its God-ordained purposes and destroys the notion of sex as a life giving act in the mind of the person.  The more impure acts one indulges in, the worse this perversion gets.


3.  Impurity destroys the ability of a person to form healthy relationships:  Sexual pleasure is a very powerful force.  If it is not tempered by proper sexual morality, formed in accordance with Christian virtue, it is like an addiction; like drugs, one must seek out more sexual impure acts in order to feed one's addiction.  Such a need makes it impossible to form meaningful relationships with members of the opposite sex; one's perception is destroyed by their addiction, and they see them not as a human worthy of dignity, but as an object to be used for their own pleasure.

4.  Impurity is spiritually lethal:  Pornography, lust, fornication, masturbation, and others are all mortal sins because they are a misuse of the sexual faculty by taking sex outside of its purpose; "babies and bonding" in the context of a marriage between one man and one woman, as explained in the above paragraphs.  But even more devastating is the fact that lust and others are "gateway" sins.  From personal experience, these sins led me to commit even greater sins because the grace that was once present in my soul was no longer there; mortal sin had removed it.  This is true for others; sexual addiction leads one to commit more and more sin in order to feed it.  Only the saving grace of Christ can help the person.

Impurity is not just something we can ignore.  It's something that eats away at us, and can destroy the way we look at sex.  The only cure for impurity is a return to chastity and the observance of Judeo-Christian sexual values.  Our society is in desperate need of such a return.

Time to get to work, I think.

Veteran's Day

Every year on November 11th, our country gathers together to honor those who have served in our armed forces, fighting to defend our country and the liberties we hold so dear.  Heroes have been born in every major conflict this country has ever fought, from the American Revolution to the Iraq War, and continue to be forged to this day.  

These heroes need our prayers.  Let's give them to them, shall we?

Before you turn off the lights at night, I want everyone who reads this blog to say this prayer for our servicemen and women, and for all those heroes who have served and continue to serve.

God bless.

Heavenly Father, you have always blessed those who have fought to protect the innocent and their fellow man.  Just as you were with Judah Maccabees as he fought against the Greek rulers and liberated Jerusalem from them, be now with the men and women of our armed forces.  We ask you to keep the safe and bless them mightily.  Be with our veterans who have returned from foreign battlefields.  Comfort them in adversity and bless them with the love of their family and the appreciation of a grateful nation.  Send down your Holy Spirit to be their guide and protector.  We make these, as all of our petitions, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.


Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for them.


Saint Joan of Arc, pray for them.


Saint Brendan, pray for them.


Saint Maurice, pray for them.

A Call to All Pro-Lifers

WASHINGTON, DC, November 9, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Abortion supporters are furious over the House's passage of the health care reform bill HR 3962 with the pro-life Stupak-Pitts amendment, which would continue to ban the funding of most abortions by the government.

Planned Parenthood said that the bill with the pro-life amendment "would leave women worse off after health care reform than they are today"  and promised further effort so that women "do not become second-class citizens in a newly reformed health care system in the United States."

The amendment passed late on Saturday, November 7th, with 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats supporting the amendment and 194 Democrats voting against it.  The amendment prohibits the funding of abortion by the new federal government insurance program - the "public option" - and also prohibits the use of new federal subsidies to purchase an insurance program that covers abortion.

The anti-life forces are gathering in the wind.  This is a call for all pro-lifers to rise up and defend the Stupak-Pitts Amendment.  I encourage all who read this to write to your senators and representatives to keep the amendment in the bill.  Start petitions and protest to pressure lawmakers to keep it in the bill.  Don't let the culture of death make any headway here.

House Passes Health Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 7, 2009 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time (LifeSiteNews.com) - The U.S. House passed the historic health care reform bill Saturday evening by a very close 220 to 215 vote. The Democrats needed 218 votes to pass the bill. One Republican voted for the bill.

The bill includes the Stupak Amendment which basically contains the provisions of the long standing Hyde Amendment prohibiting any coverage of elective abortion by a government program.

The bill still requires approval by the Senate.

A loss for fiscal conservatives like myself, but hopefully a victory for the unborn.

Though I have doubts that the pro-choice fanatics that make up the Senate Democrats (including phony Catholics like Nancy Pelosi) will allow it to pass with the Stupak Amendment.

Christianity Is Not A Religion?

Yeah, you heard that right.

This is an apparently common belief amongst evangelicals, especially those of the fundamentalist branch.  The refrain is that the Christian faith isn't a religion, but a "personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ".  Yep, that's what they boil it down to; you and Jesus, no one else.

Some even go as far as to associate religious structure with devil worship and the Whore of Revelation, but I might be stretching that, so don't quote me.

Let's see how the dictionary defines religion

1.	a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2.	a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

3.	the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

4.	the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

5.	the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

6.	something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

7.	religions, Archaic. religious rites.

8.	Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

Pay close attention to number two.

Number two tells us a religion is a set of beliefs and practices agreed upon by it's practitioners.  Does Christianity fulfill this?  Let's make a short of list of the things most Christians agree upon.

1.  The Holy Trinity:  one God in three Persons

2.  The divinity of Christ

3.  The atoning death of Christ on the cross and His physical resurrection from the dead.

4.  The Virgin Birth

5.  The Second Coming

There you have it.  Seems the Christian faith does have a basic set of beliefs.  What about practices?  Most Christians I know of do at least one or more of the following.

1.  Daily prayer

2.  Attendance at weekly services

3.  Evangelization

4.  Aid to the poor and needy

Common practices?  So it seems.

It would appear then, that the Christian faith does indeed meet the definition of a religion.  Why then, do so many believe it isn't?

It all boils down to, in my humble opinion, two things:

1.  A dislike of having to live by a standardized moral code.

2.  The common evangelical belief that the Church that Jesus established is an invisible of union of all believers, rather than a divinely appointed institution.  What does that mean for them?  It means they don't have the authority to interpret Scripture for themselves, even though the Bible never says they do in the first place.

Suffice to say, you are a Christian, you practice a religion.  Religion is not a bad word, especially when the religion you practice is the one true faith once and for all delivered to the saints.