Comments on: Eat, Drink and Mind Your Own Business

By: Jennifer De La Cruz

Jennifer De La Cruz — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:33:27 +0000

Currently, BIG government–make that HUGE government–is busy acting as a nanny over major multi-national corportations including AIG and Citicorp. Next in line for attention from the nanny are American automobile manufacturers. My wallet could sure use some of that nanny action. As for the Catholic Church, its parishioners may be better served if it concerns itself with the moral example set by its clergy. The BBC states that a US federal appeals court has ruled that a lawsuit against the Vatican over claims it covered up decades of child sex abuse by priests can go ahead.

By: admin

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:00:41 +0000

Hi, Cara,

Take another look at my words: I indeed wrote critically about the Catholic Church and Father Newman; I did not criticize you or any other individual Catholics, as I know Catholics often disregard Church teachings in order to lead rational lives.

As for “Big” government: It is the government’s role to serve and protect the people and I believe that includes caring for people without adequate or any healthcare coverage. Could I choose, I’d re-allocate my tax dollars currently used to promote a partisan reproductive agenda, such as abstinence only, to accessible healthcare.

BTW: Father Newman’s own diocese took a large leap back from his homily, criticizing it as inappropriately partisan.

Love,
K-B

By: Cara Carlson

Cara Carlson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:13:55 +0000

There are extremists in every group with a set of beliefs. I am Catholic. I believe in birth control, as do the other Catholics I know. Most Catholics acknowledge that there are gaps between some of the teachings of Catholic Church and what is realistically applicable to life. The Catholics I know remain Catholic because there is goodness in the whole of the teachings of our faith, including tolerance, accountability and compassion. I believe I am tolerant and hope with every breath that is true. I have friends with widely varied beliefs, and can honestly say that my Catholic friends are among the most tolerant and forgiving people I know. You can blog about the institution of the Catholic Church all you want, but lumping individual Catholics into a “type” is just as unfair as one of your contributors lumping football players from the midwest into the category of homophobic murderers. Here then, is at least one Catholic’s beliefs on the subject of abortion:

I believe in the importance of teaching accountability and responsibility with compassion and tolerance on this topic and in general. I am not opposed to abortions “where a woman’s physical or mental health is endangered, [including] cases of rape, incest, or where the woman’s life is endangered”. I do not think the government should behave as a terrifying and all-powerful “Big Brother” over women’s most personal issues. However, except in cases where the woman’s life is endangered later in the process, I believe it is ethical and responsible to set a limit to the amount of time the mother has to make this decision, as at some point the life that is progressing in her womb should be given — yes, some rights. While I cannot see why 3 months is not enough time, I am open to discussion as to why one trimester is not long enough for such a grueling and painful decision for all involved — at least in the United States, where there is significantly more access to medical care compared with less fortunate countries.

What confounds me is that the same people who want the government out of their business want BIG government to nanny over them with financial support and complete government-sponsored medical coverage. Huh?

Our incoming President will be my President and I support him and wish success for him and our country. However, Obama’s “punished with a baby” comment was just as irresponsible as extremist views shouted by his opposition.