casual theology

Check out this story posted on American Papist

So, looking a the quotes below, it sure seems to me that some are lacking moral courage for the sake of being politically correct. “In the name of the Catholic Bishops of the United States, I would like to offer congratulations to President Barack Obama on his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. As he has graciously said, much of the work of realizing a more peaceful and just world for all persons and nations remains to be done; but the prize was given because as President of the United States he has already changed the international conversation.” – USCCB Statement on Obama winning Nobel Peace Prize "The awarding of the Nobel Prize for Peace to President Obama is greeted with appreciation in the Vatican, in light of the commitment demonstrated by the President for the promotion of peace in the international arena, and in particular also recently in favor of nuclear disarmament. It's hoped that this very important recognition will further encourage that commitment, which is dif...

Here's an interesting little section from JPII's encyclical... “It is frequently asserted that contraception, if made safe and available to all, is the most effective remedy against abortion…But the negative values inherent in the " contraceptive mentality "…are such that they in fact strengthen this temptation when an unwanted life is conceived. Indeed, the pro-abortion culture is especially strong precisely where the Church's teaching on contraception is rejected … despite their differences of nature and moral gravity, contraception and abortion are often closely connected, as fruits of the same tree … in very many other instances such practices are rooted in a hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept responsibility in matters of sexuality, and they imply a self-centered concept of freedom , which regards procreation as an obstacle to personal fulfillment.” ( Evangelium vitae , 13)

October is Right to Life month (apparently September was Neglect Your Blog by Not Blogging Month). I recently had the privilege of leading a discussion about the Culture of Death vs. the Gospel of Life at our parish. Pope John Paul II used the term “culture of death” in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium vitae to describe the growing acceptance of abortion, euthanasia, eugenics and other activities the violate the dignity and sanctity of the human person. So did you know...it is illegal in 18 states for a minor to get a tattoo even with parental consent, but in each of those states a minor can get an abortion? In eight of them parents don't even need to be notified much less give their consent, in the other states parental consent can be bypassed by another family member or court order.