A 188 year-old copy of the King James Version was found in a Virginia dumpster. The book was in four pieces and had some water and fire damage but is otherwise intact. The man is fending off $1,000 offers for the book.
I wonder if the person who dumped it realizes that it was theirs.
Pretty cool!
This should be worth jumping for: The 664-page United States Catholic Catechism for Adults has been released. Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl, who wrote his own popular catechism, chaired the committee that handled the writing. I am eager to get my hands on it, jokes about what might be in an American Catechism aside.
The cover even has a nice Byzantine icon on it.
Here is the latest on the Connecticut pastor who seems to have disposed of $1.4 million (that is, only over the past six of 15 years as pastor) while living a tony lifestyle with a male companion. Note that the indignant bishop is the same one who refused to do anything when the parocial vicar and some lay people brought the matter to his attention. Naturally the vicar got in trouble for this.
Sometimes I'm ashamed to be a Catholic ...
Talk about PC run amok (IMHO) — a woman was forced by police to take down a sign she had put up saying "Our dogs are fed on Jehovah's Witnesses." The sign had been up for over thirty years before anyone took issue with them.
You can argue that it's inappropriate or tacky or whatever, but is it illegal? In fact the police themselves said that the charge was made that it was "distressing, offensive and inappropriate," none of which are illegal in my book.
A radio station in the Fresno area changed format from religion directly to sex. It calls itself "Porn Radio". They play sexually-oriented songs and spice up tamer ones with sexual moans and groans.
Interestingly, Baptists are having similar issues to Catholics with their colleges. Colleges are chafing at doctrinal requirements and attempts to rein them in, grousing about "academic freedom" and so forth. Their response? Terminate their relationships with the denomination. Will this be something the Catholic Church sees?
The Jehovah's Witnesses have requested and been granted associate status with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization, which is odd given that opposing the United Nations as "a world empire of false religion" has been their schtick for 80 years. The article notes, 'A recent publication since the organisation obtained its recognition describes the UN as "a disgusting thing in the sight of God and his people".'
The strategy may be a subversive one. An internal document calls it a "theocratic war strategy" and says, "In time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth. It is done unselfishly; it does not harm anyone; on the contrary it does much good."
I'm not sure I buy that; while it sounds plausible in theory, there are practical problems, such as scandal. Suppose the Catholic Church became an affiliate of Planned Parenthood for some subversive reason? The intent might be good (ok I can't think of a scenario where good could come of this but work with me here, suspend disbelief for a moment), and perhaps in a sneaky way it might advance our cause, but it would look really bad and scandalize people if it were discovered.
It kind of reminds me of the morally dubious things the CIA does to get things done. I wonder if a devout Christian could ever work in the CIA without seriously contradicting his faith. Heck, a basic rule of our faith is lying is categorically wrong, and how often do they rely on lies and deception to do their work?
Anyway others think the tack has baser motivations: They need to cultivate respect with governments who refuse to recognize them.
(Thanks to R.C.)
The Philadelphia Boy Scouts have been fighting a battle for three years with the city, as the city wants to evict them from their subsidized headquarters over their policies excluding gays. The discrimination, they claim, "violate city policy and law", yet in an interesting twist, apparently the city would be placated if they paid full market rent instead.
Huh?
You mean it's ostensibly illegal to discriminate against gays, but if you pay us a tidy sum, we'll overlook your violation of the law? In other words, we don't care about the principle, we just want the money.
Not that I believe for a moment that it's a violation of the law. The Supreme Court already ruled that they are free to discriminate against gays.
Just more funny business going on in today's local governments.
The Wall Street Journal has a fascinating article
It tells the story of a man whose father was near death in the hospital. Hospital staff, far from merely giving the patient or family the freedom to die, tried repeatedly to force it down their throats. The man was not a believer, but saw through the facade and refused to cooperate. They molested him so badly about it he lied and told them they were Orthodox Jews (who don't allow it), which finally gave them some breathing room.
The father had a dramatic recovery, proving they made the right decision.
What a shame this stuff goes on in hospitals.
A 201 year-old North Carolina law prohibiting cohabitation has been struck down by a state court. The lawsuit was brought when a 911 operator was threatened by her boss, the Sheriff, to either get married, move out, or find another job. The ruling said that the law "violated Hobbs' constitutional right to liberty," citing the Supreme Court ruling that struck down sodomy laws.
I suppose it was a fait accompli. Virtually no one enforces these laws anymore so it's not really surprising. On the one hand I support the laws, on the other hand even I can't imagine actually enforcing them, much less figuring out how to defend them.
Gays in Provincetown, Mass. — a major gay enclave — have started to hurl epithets at heterosexuals and threaten their opponents. The chief derogatory term they employ is "breeder", thus demonstrating that not only do we have contraception and homosexuality for those who want them, but those who choose to have children are ridiculed and taunted for their choice. What used to be normal and natural is now scorned with hatred. What once was a matter of "Accept us for who we are" has become "We hate you." And as I reported earlier, people who signed a petition against gay marriage had their names posted on a website where gay people can take matters into their own hands and administer their own kind of justice.
One telling quote is as follows:
Joe Solmonese, president of gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said the petition signers invited trouble by taking a position that says "loud and clear that you believe that gays and lesbians should be treated as second class citizens."
In other words, you got raped because you dressed provocatively. And Zindane did nothing wrong. The whole point of a liberal democracy is that we should be able to disagree with one another without doing violence to one another. I have a right to believe that gay marriage is wrong. Whether you think this makes you a second-class citizen is immaterial. I don't condone violence against KKK members even though I fervently disagree with their philosophy. You don't say that the KKK invites trouble by believing what they believe as a response to attacks against them.
Quo vadis?
A doctor and two nurses who were on staff during the Katrina evacuation are being charged as "principals to second-degree murder" in the deaths of several patients who died with suspicious levels of morphine and Versed. The charge brings a mandatory life sentence.
I mentioned this case earlier. I'm encouraged by the statement of Tenet Healthcare, "Euthanasia is repugnant to everything we believe as ethical health care providers, and it violates every precept of ethical behavior and the law. It is never permissible under any circumstances."
I am glad to hear them brought to justice, although I don't agree with a mandatory life sentence (it's not clear to me whether that means no parole or not). I think it should be enough to set an example but not the maximum (or near maximum).
The Netherlands approved a new Dutch pedophile party recently, claiming it was the voter's right to judge the appeal of political parties. Only three people belong to the party, whose name in Dutch is an abbreviation for "Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity". Those are surely some loaded terms! The article notes that while it would be unlikely to get the votes it needs to win a seat in Parliament, it would get "fewer than 1000". That's still a pretty frightening number, that there are nearly 1000 people that would vote for a pedophile platform!
(Thanks to John D.)
Dom Bettinelli is reporting that signers of the marriage petition (against gay marriage) are being intimidated by gay rights advocates, who obtain names and addresses of petition signers and then launch intimidation campaigns, which are escalating. Surprisingly, the Boston Globe reports. One activist even threatened to beat up his own mother over the issue.
I think this is only going to become worse. This is certainly not a "liberal" thing to do but they are doing it. Things are getting nasty. Arguably it's a hate crime, but it's unclear whether the courts will see it that way.
A chicken in Kazakhstan has alleged laid an egg with "Allah" written on its shell.
However, interestingly, I can find no clear photo of the "miraculous" egg.
Something happened a few years ago where someone sliced open a fruit or something and saw "Allah" written there. Assuming these incidents are true, I have to wonder what the deal is. Could it be coincidence? I suppose anything is possible, especially in the flowing Arabic script that probably lends itself more to randomness than our block script, but it would seem quite unlikely that nature would generate a five letter word. (Although recently someone found a tomato that said "Hi".) Could it be truly from God? Possible, perhaps God is working within the confines of their culture, but the idea of God encouraging Islam (not that "Allah" is restricted to Islam) doesn't sit well with me. Could it be Satan? Perhaps, but that seems to give him too much credit.
Interesting to think about, though.
In the interesting trivia department, the Holy See spent $9m over the death of Pope John Paul II.
Our country is become much more adult-focused, a report claims. They note a number of factors — including late marriages, late childbearing, longer life expectancy, and the prevalence of childlessness. In 1970, "73.6% of women ages 25-29 had at least one minor child at home; 30 years later, 48.7% did." One in five is childless (as of 2004); in 1976, it was half that.
They claim this isn't bad for children but I have a hard time believing that, if society as a whole starts to ignore children. For example, users on Yahoo! Answers pay little attention to the fact that there are children present, and use adult language and discuss adult topics. Subtle biases can creep in and affect children. They mention the loss of family-friendly programs at work; that could certainly affect children.
Vatican spokesman for more than two decades, Joaquin Navarro-Valles has retired, the Vatican announced today. He turns 70 in November. He is succeeded by Rev. Federico Lombardi.
Sad to see us lose a layperson in such a high position.
Paris Hilton has sworn off sex for a year to rediscover herself. Moreover, she's learned that one night stands are bad (hey, it's a start) and that men respect you more when you don't "hand it to them on a silver platter". I applaud this worthy realization. Let's hope she goes all the way and promotes saving sex until marriage.
87 year-old Billy Graham preached what may have been his final sermon to a large audience.
I think even as Catholics we can take inspiration from Rev. Graham. I certainly have a tremendous respect for him; he's almost like the Pope John Paul of the Evangelicals. He's never been hostile to Catholicism. While I disagree with his theology, I think he has genuinely brought hundreds of thousands of people into a saving relationship with Christ. Would that we as Catholics were as effective.
The Massachusetts Supreme Court — surprisingly, if you ask me — ruled that a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages can be put to voters. Thanks be to God! It still needs to be approved twice in a row by the legislature, but this addresses a lawsuit brought by gay and lesbian advocates before the court.
A 14-acre community garden in L.A. was plowed under by the landowner. This has been a controversial issue for some weeks, with fervent protests and some celebrities joining them (Darryl Hannah being one). Many clashes and arrests.
It has a very interesting history. Basically, the current landowner owned the land originally, but in the 1980s it was seized through eminent domain. The city's plans fell through, however, and control of the land passed to a food bank, which arranged for the garden plots. But the original owner sued, and the city settled by selling it to him for $5 million (they compensated him $4.8 million for it). A judge agreed in May to evict the gardeners.
I certainly support community gardening, and feel a lot of sympathy for the community members that gardened there for perhaps the better part of 20 years. On the other hand I see no obligation for this man to continue the gardens. The land was obviously wrongfully seized from him; he is simply reclaiming what was his in the first place. It's unfortunate about the gardens, but I'm not sure I see a just way around this.
Unfortunately I am not well schooled in Catholic social teaching so I am not sure what it would have to say. Anyone care to comment?
Two girls, age 17 and 18, flashed their breasts at a ride operator at a festival at a Catholic Church.
The priest there said, “It’s a shame these young women didn’t know the great gift and beauty they have as a woman." On the contrary it seems they do know about their beauty, otherwise they wouldn't be using it to obtain what they want. They definitely don't comprehend their own dignity, however. What they are doing is turning themselves into objects of use, degrading themselves, inciting men to see them as sex objects, not as human beings in the fullest sense. In a sense they are prostituting themselves.
Just an example of how people with severe brain injury can recover. (But note how strenuously they work to disassociate this from Terry Schiavo's case.)
