Don't miss this week's Catholic Carnival here. Subtitled Feast before Famine, you're sure to find something interesting.
God bless,
Jay
January 2008 Archives
I thought this was pretty well done. It's a video covering the topic of Sola Scriptura, the protestant notion of Scripture Alone. Basically this is one of the pillars holding up the protestant version of Christianity. But is it true?
If you can't see it, go here.
Thoughts?
God bless,
Jay
The more I learn about Barak Obama's voting record on life, the more stunned I am. How has this man stayed in politics? I'm really asking. Take a look at this video - would Jesus Christ vote for Barak Obama?
Does anything else need to be said? I wish this was an exaggeration, but it is not. And I hope Christians pay attention and do NOT vote for Barak Obama. Also check out Obamanation.com, which includes one page on Abortion and the Black Community in particular. Abortion is a holocaust, particularly for African-americans (by design - go research Margaret Sanger). Vote pro-life in the next election.
God bless,
Jay
Welcome to the Wilderness of the Internet. And the voices of Catholics calling out in this wilderness.
This was a very interesting Catholic Carnival for several reasons. First, the posts were extremely diverse – more diverse than I can remember in one Carnival. Second, there was a little controversy: two of the submitted posts specifically disagreed with this post on “Attachment Parenting” by the author Greg Popcak. So I thought I would pull those posts together first and point to the original article. Here are the posts that address Popcak’s points:
First we have Permission for Catholic Moms to Relax a Little at Catholic Matriarch in My Domestic Church. Take a deep breath, Moms, and read her thoughts on parenting. I think she makes an excellent point.
Seeking Guidance in Raising Catholic Families at My Domestic Church also offers a take on Popcak’s article. This article specifically addresses the points made and offers her thoughts on Catholic parenting.
What do you think? Post your comments on each blog and see what others think as well. And now for the rest of the Carnival (perhaps it should be named “Diversity,” but I couldn’t resist the wilderness quote):
Story Time! at Mommy Monsters explores adoption and how to tell your family’s “story” to your children.
What is Salvation? at Deep Furrows explores the nature of Salvation and the two meanings of the word. What do you think?
Don’t Blink! You might miss it! at Christus Vincit points out that Septuagesima is coming up quickly. This year we have an early Ash Wednesday, so it happens next Sunday. Confused? CV will straighten you out . . .
Still Composing Psalms at Rifugio San Gaspare has a link to Father Keyes’ psalms composed in honor of St. Gaspar. He is staying about 8 to 10 weeks ahead of schedule, but also in the midst of composing English antiphons for the Holy Week Psalter. Wow!
And the Meek Shall Inherit the Last Pew in the Corner Behind the Pillar at Adam’s Ale asks (and answers), “should churches have hiding places?” Think about it for a second, before you read Father V’s take.
What price grace? at Eastward, Catholic Soldiers! takes a shot at explaining exactly what Grace is, where it comes from, and how we respond to it.
I Want to Remember at Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering is a wonderful letter from a mother to her infant daughter – and a reflection on what Sarah wants to remember and preserve about this precious time.
Little White Caskets at . . . and if not . . . reflects on the nature of death, especially to the young, and how it has touched everyone – even you.
Memorize the Faith: And Most Anything Else at Book Reviews and More is a review of the book by Dr. Kevin Vost. He recommends it as an excellent resource – go take a look.
God’s Gentleness; Our Longing at HMS Blog is a great reflection on the Mass readings concerning the Baptism of Our Lord. Do you know someone who is waiting for God unaware?
The Top 10 Questions are answered at Aggie Catholics. These are the ten questions most often searched for at the site. Pretty interesting.
For us football nuts, Philip Rivers: Catholic Quarterback? at Domestic Vocation starts with an EWTN interview of the Catholic quarterback, but includes other video clips and a question: is this how a Catholic athlete should act? Add your two cents (or quarter . . .).
Anonymous Accountability at Children & Chocolate and Other Paths to God points out that we are accountable to someone above for our actions – even if we don’t realize it. Time to be the best (at everything) you can be.
The first step is the hardest and Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office: Getting Started at Postscripts from the Catholic Spitfire Grill gives just the advice you need to get moving on the Divine Office. Includes some great resources for those interested in praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Gifts at A Penitent Blogger reflects on two of God’s gifts by starting with Monday’s reading from Samuel. Do you see these gifts in your life?
And For those who are very, very serious . . . at Toward Contemplation explores the Carthusian vocation and what it means to be a Carthusian.
Having a bad day? An Answered Prayer at Kate Wicker explained how God answered her prayer: through her 3-year-old child. God works in amazing ways when we need it!
First tremendous book of the Year at A Third Way reviews St. Therese: A Treasured Love Story by Archbishop Fulton Sheen and comes away with a deeper appreciation of Archbishop Sheen and St. Therese.
A Word about Mother Theresa at A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars does exactly as advertised and also includes a direct quote from her – on silence.
With that, I’ll quietly step out of the room.
God bless,
Jay
Go check out this week's Catholic Carnival. Focused on our culture, it includes sections on Faith, Media, and Politics. I'm sure you'll find something interesting - if you check it out.
God bless,
Jay
My plan is to add a series of posts on the 2008 Presidential candidates that explores their stands on social issues that are important to Christians. I’ll start with what I believe is the most important social issue: abortion.
There’s a lot of screaming and yelling – particularly from liberal-leaning Christians – when the issue of abortion comes up in political contexts. “It’s not the only issue” or “we can’t be one-issue voters” is often cited as a reason to simply ignore (or at least overshadow) where a particular candidate stands on abortion. However, I think this is a critical mistake. More than being a single issue, where a candidate stands on abortion shows a lot about his/her character and where their priorities lie. If a candidate isn’t willing to protect the most vulnerable of America’s citizens will he protect anyone else?
To illustrate, I’ll use Barak Obama. Senator Obama actually voted no on a bill that would require health care professionals to provide medical attention to babies born during a botched abortion. In other words, if a child miraculously survives an abortion, doctors (according to Senator Obama) should simply watch as the child dies. How can we trust a man like this to protect any right that isn’t politically expedient? And how will he vote on other moral issues with a clear right and wrong?
So yes, other issues are important. But there is no issue that is more illuminating about a presidential candidate than his stance on a pure moral issue that popular opinion would suggest only affects those who can’t vote. So don’t understate the importance of abortion just because you agree with a candidate on some other issue. This is especially important in 2008, because the next president will likely be able to choose at least one Supreme Court Justice.
And, before you comment, I know that you can’t legislate a pro-life culture. In other words, judges can’t simply make the US pro-life, but they can limit abortion. By making partial-birth abortion illegal, for example. Making the US pro-life is a matter of changing the culture, something no judge or president can do. But they can positively influence it and sometimes that is enough.
I took the major candidates and found their stances:
DEMOCRATS: Still kneeling before the altar of abortion.
Hillary Clinton: Supports Roe vs. Wade. Opposes ban on partial-birth abortions.
"I have an obligation to my constituents to make sure that I cast my vote for Chief Justice of the United States for someone I am convinced will be steadfast in protecting fundamental women's rights, civil rights, privacy rights, and who will respect the appropriate separation of powers among the three branches."
— Statement on the Nomination of John Roberts to be Chief Justice, September 22, 2005
John Edwards: Supports Roe vs. Wade. Opposes ban on partial-birth abortions.
On the decision to ban partial-birth abortion: "The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election."
— Statement, April 18, 2007
Barak Obama: Supports Roe vs. Wade. Opposes ban on partial-birth abortions. As we noted, Senator Obama actually voted against a bill requiring health care professionals to provide medical attention to babies born alive during a botched abortion.
"I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women."
— Statement, April 18, 2007
REPUBLICANS: Not much better this year.
Rudi Giuliani: Currently, supports Roe vs. Wade. Supports ban on partial-birth abortion (not a clear history against).
I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think that there are ways in which we can reduce abortions.
— Republican debate, May 15, 2007
Mike Huckabee: Pro-life. Against Roe vs. Wade. Supports ban on partial-birth abortions. Opposes Federal funding of abortion.
I'm pro-life because I believe life begins at conception, and I believe that we should do everything possible to protect that life because it is the centerpiece of what makes us unique as an American people. We value the life of one as if it's the life of all.
— Republican debate, May 15, 2007
John McCain: Has changed his stance recently. Now against Roe vs. Wade and supports ban on partial-birth abortion.
"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of life and integrity of the judiciary. The ruling ensures that an unacceptable and unjustifiable practice will not be carried out on our innocent children...as we move forward, it is critically important that our party continues to stand on the side of life."
— Statement, April 18, 2007
Mitt Romney: Has also changed his stance. Currently against Roe vs. Wade and supports ban on partial-birth abortion.
"I've always been personally pro-life, but for me there was a great question about whether or not government should intrude in that decision. And when I ran for office, I said I'd protect the law as it was, which is effectively a pro-choice position. About two years ago when we were studying cloning in our state, I said, look, we have gone too far; it's a brave new world mentality that Roe v. Wade has given us; and I change my mind...I won't apologize to anybody for becoming pro-life."
— Republican debate, May 3, 2007
I think these are the major candidates at this point (please comment if you think someone else should be included). As I add additional posts on this topic (candidates on their social stances), I’ll link to them from the bottom of this post.
Hope you enjoy – and I hope you all really consider the person you vote for in the 2008 presidential election.
God bless,
Jay
