Comments for A Most Vexing Problem at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:08:22 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10755 Re Jacob: "Let them know that real Christianity isn't so much about Jesus, who when we really get down to it said pesky things that might not play well with our secular academic friends, but more about not judging anyone or saying anything that might bother people!" Actually, Christianity vis-a-vis the sorts of attitudes you describe really is about Jesus: the Jesus in question is one's "own personal Jesus"; a Jesus made in the individual's own image and who is an avatar of said individual's private judgment and "conscience." Hence that glib comment, flung about ad nauseum, known as "What Would Jesus Do?" - WSquared Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:49:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10754 May I encourage the author to ask Mr Dionne formally for what Mr Dionne's current evaluation is of the argument he made concerning the scope of the exemption? - Jim Thunder Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:27:59 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10753 Let us compare E.J. Dionne with Fr. Thomas Reese, the former editor of AMERICA magazine. The ink was barely dry on the papers installing Cdl Ratzinger as Pope Benedict when the new pope insisted that Reese be removed as the editor. Reese is still a darling of the Left, but his pulpit has been taken away. As long as the Church refuses to excommunicate dissident members, the fraud will continue that "we are saying the same thing-we are merely using different words." - Manfred Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:36:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10749 Since the vast majority of American bishop's find excommunication in defense of the faith distasteful and even abhorrent in this modern age; how can they suggest to the Catholic laity to excommunicate their own politicians from office in defense of the 1st Amendment? The self- described “Souled Out” Catholics such as E.J. Dionne, Augustine-inspired Catholics such as Nancy Pelosi and “Eucharistic-ally Bold” Kathleen Sebelius need not fear the Catholic voters because they understand their bishop’s influence. The threat of voter excommunication from office has no power due to the bishop’s refusal to exercise their own power. Consider that even Republican Catholics have not voted for Santorum over Romney on the critical life and moral issues. Perhaps Catholics are indeed rallying to the bishop’s call; personally practicing the separation of Church and State in their daily lives. Well done bishops, by adopting Americanism for decades you have ironically helped Catholics destroy the U.S. Constitution. - Matthew Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:59:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10747 God grant we be worth of the martyrs right down to our own day if it comes to that for us, which I suspect it will. - Dave Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:12:28 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10746 I think the way forward is to keep shrinking from the fight. When another Catholic stands up for what it truly means to be Catholic (you know silly things the Pope says that 95% of American Catholics are too smart to listen to), we need to abandon him, call him a religious nut and assure our (real) secular friends that we didn't mean to offend them by letting our coreligionist get out of line! Let them know that real Christianity isn't so much about Jesus, who when we really get down to it said pesky things that might not play well with our secular academic friends, but more about not judging anyone or saying anything that might bother people! You know those early Christians who were killed by lions--I think they were called martyrs--were extremely misguided! If only they had known to just get on the same boards of regents and editorial boards as the pagan Romans and avoid ever offending them! (I'm sure a lot of the early Christians sold out their coreligionists for being too loud and dangerous to their welcome in society circles!) - Jacob Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:47:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10744 Actually, Dave, Dionne does take "HIS" Catholic faith seriously. That's the problem. He has no time for "THE" Catholic faith. He's another child of the distortions of Vatican II -- just a more eloquent and better read Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. For Dionne and his ilk there is no magisterium. His self-will and distorted conscience are his god. Sad. - Nick Palmer Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:42:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/a-most-vexing-problem.html#comment-10742 Does E. J. Dionne undoubtedly take his Catholic faith seriously? That is a very charitable assumption but I'm not convinced that the facts support the assertion. What he takes very seriously is the notion that being Catholic is being in agreement with the social policies of the Democratic Party, and that when there is a conflict, the Democratic Party wins. Else why the 180 pivot when his heroes -- the President and the HHS Secretary -- refused to back down and doubled-down instead. What he also takes seriously is his position on WaPo's Opinion Page. As for the President's principled disregard for religious liberty, it's worth noting that since 2009 -- shortly after his inauguration -- he has always spoken of freedom of worship; and I don't think there's a speech since that 20th of January where he speaks of freedom of religion. I would like to be wrong on that and would welcome a correction. But the HHS gambit serves as proof that his fundamental conviction is you can believe what you want in private, when you're in public you play by my rules. The overreach is breath-taking in its audacity. Dionne knows it. He just can't admit it to himself, any longer, because his fidelity is alas to something other than the Church. And so we must pray more. - Dave Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:56:31 +0100