From the DC Examiner:
President Barack Obama launched a major outreach initiative to Islam on Monday, urging Muslims to join America in fighting common enemies.
And signaling the strategic importance of the U.S. alliance with this majority-Muslim country, the president made a sharp retreat from a campaign promise to press Turkey on the issue of Armenian genocide.
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not at war with Islam,” Obama said. “In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.”
Obama came to Turkey at the end of a European tour of summits designed to restore ties to nations frustrated with American foreign policy, especially in Iraq.
In a closely watched address to the Turkish assembly, Obama continued a line he started in Europe, admitting American fallibility in an effort to rebuild ties with nations tired of America’s arrogance.
Obama, who downplayed his own family ties to Islam during last year’s presidential campaign, found them of greater use in the Turkish capital, telling a gathering of the Grand National Assembly that “the United States has been enriched by Muslim-Americans.
“Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country,” Obama said. “I know, because I am one of them.”
Obama, a Christian whose Kenyan father was Muslim, was raised partly in majority-Muslim Indonesia.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label faith. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label faith. Tampilkan semua postingan
Selasa, 07 April 2009
Obama Picks Anti-Catholic Zealot
From CNS News:
President Barack Obama has named to the federal government’s faith-based initiative a gay-rights activist who, last month, described Pope Benedict XVI and certain Catholic bishops as “discredited leaders” because of their opposition to same-sex marriage.
Harry Knox, who is a newly appointed member of Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, is the director of the religion and faith program at the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual activist group.
In addition to his remarks about the Pope, Knox also criticized the Catholic Knights of Columbus as being “foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression” because of the Knights’ support of Proposition 8. The latter was a ballot initiative that amended California’s state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, and passed in November 2008. . . .
The appointment of Knox advisory board makes a mockery of the faith-based program, said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League.
“This is exactly the kind of bastardization of common sense that the Obama people are putting forth,” Donohue told CNSNews.com. “Quite frankly, I would prefer to see the entire faith-based initiative closed down. They’re going to use this as political capital in the Obama administration to say, ‘We reach out to people of faith.’ The whole thing is a sham.”
“I’d rather people simply be honest and say we don’t believe in faith-based initiatives as they were initially intended by the previous administration, and what we’re going to do is thoroughly politicize them with these gay activists,” said Donohue.
Reports surfaced last week that both Knox and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy – the latter an opponent of same-sex marriage -- were asked to join the president’s council.
However, in the release Monday afternoon, Dungy’s name was not included.
The council now has 24 out of 25 members appointed.
“Because of the screamers in the gay community that said we can’t have a man like Tony Dungy, they’ve decided to reach out and get someone like Harry Knox,” Donohue told CNSNews.com. “Whether Dungy dropped out himself or they dropped him, there was a dust up. That much we know. And this is the way the Obama people work.”
Conservatives have already expressed concern that Obama’s faith-based advisory council is heavy with liberal activists, such as the Rev. Jim Wallis, the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. and Rabbi David N. Saperstein, among other left-leaning clergy on the council who have advocated for more social spending, less restrictive immigration policies and more environmental regulations. Some council members have been avid supporters of abortion rights, gay marriage, and keeping a strict separation of church and state.
“It is expanded to go beyond faith-based organizations, which is a complete 180 of its original intent,” Tom McClusky, vice president of Family Research Council’s FRC-Alert, told CNSNews.com. “The numbers on the council are – as expected – much more heavily leaning liberals who are not as concerned about the right to practice one’s own faith when accepting federal dollars.”
President Barack Obama has named to the federal government’s faith-based initiative a gay-rights activist who, last month, described Pope Benedict XVI and certain Catholic bishops as “discredited leaders” because of their opposition to same-sex marriage.
Harry Knox, who is a newly appointed member of Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, is the director of the religion and faith program at the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual activist group.
In addition to his remarks about the Pope, Knox also criticized the Catholic Knights of Columbus as being “foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression” because of the Knights’ support of Proposition 8. The latter was a ballot initiative that amended California’s state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, and passed in November 2008. . . .
The appointment of Knox advisory board makes a mockery of the faith-based program, said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League.
“This is exactly the kind of bastardization of common sense that the Obama people are putting forth,” Donohue told CNSNews.com. “Quite frankly, I would prefer to see the entire faith-based initiative closed down. They’re going to use this as political capital in the Obama administration to say, ‘We reach out to people of faith.’ The whole thing is a sham.”
“I’d rather people simply be honest and say we don’t believe in faith-based initiatives as they were initially intended by the previous administration, and what we’re going to do is thoroughly politicize them with these gay activists,” said Donohue.
Reports surfaced last week that both Knox and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy – the latter an opponent of same-sex marriage -- were asked to join the president’s council.
However, in the release Monday afternoon, Dungy’s name was not included.
The council now has 24 out of 25 members appointed.
“Because of the screamers in the gay community that said we can’t have a man like Tony Dungy, they’ve decided to reach out and get someone like Harry Knox,” Donohue told CNSNews.com. “Whether Dungy dropped out himself or they dropped him, there was a dust up. That much we know. And this is the way the Obama people work.”
Conservatives have already expressed concern that Obama’s faith-based advisory council is heavy with liberal activists, such as the Rev. Jim Wallis, the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. and Rabbi David N. Saperstein, among other left-leaning clergy on the council who have advocated for more social spending, less restrictive immigration policies and more environmental regulations. Some council members have been avid supporters of abortion rights, gay marriage, and keeping a strict separation of church and state.
“It is expanded to go beyond faith-based organizations, which is a complete 180 of its original intent,” Tom McClusky, vice president of Family Research Council’s FRC-Alert, told CNSNews.com. “The numbers on the council are – as expected – much more heavily leaning liberals who are not as concerned about the right to practice one’s own faith when accepting federal dollars.”
Senin, 06 April 2009
Notre Dame Protest: 230,000+
The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) petition at NotreDameScandal.com, calling on University of Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins to rescind the commencement invitation to President Barack Obama, has grown to more than 230,000 supporters as of early Thursday, April 2. Now, two more US bishops and a Catholic College president joined the growing chorus of those opposing Notre Dame’s decision.
“The faithful Catholics praying in solidarity with the Notre Dame students this Sunday afternoon will be glad to have the moral and spiritual support of these Catholic leaders,” said CNS President Patrick Reilly.
In a public statement issued yesterday, Archbishop John Myers of the Archdiocese of Newark said, “When we extend honors to people who do not share our respect and reverence for life in all stages, and give them a prominent stage in our parishes, schools and other institutions, we unfortunately create the perception that we endorse their public positions on these issues. We cannot justify such actions, and the Bishops have stated so clearly and strongly.”
Archbishop Myers and several other U.S. bishops opposing the scandal at Notre Dame have either directly referenced or alluded to the 2004 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops statement, Catholics in Political Life, which stated, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
Archbishop Eusebius Beltran of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, also made a clear and concise public statement yesterday on the Notre Dame scandal.
“President Obama, by word and action, has approved of abortion and other atrocities against human life. Therefore he deserves no recognition at a Catholic institution,” the archbishop said.
The growing list of 16 statements by U.S. bishops criticizing the decision of the University of Notre Dame to honor President Obama on the NotreDameScandal.com website.
Jumat, 03 April 2009
St. Joe Apes Notre Dame
From Chris Friend at The Bulletin of Philadelphia:
Ignoring the controversy surrounding Notre Dame's honoring of pro-abortion Barack Obama as its commencement speaker, Saint Joseph's University has followed suit.
It will grant an honorary degree to broadcast journalist Chris Matthews at the university's 2009 commencement ceremonies.
Despite Mr. Matthew's Catholic education, having graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, he is widely regarded as a strong supporter of abortion rights, and was unabashed in his admiration of Mr. Obama's positions.
Support for abortion is antithetical to the Church's teachings.The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the practice of hosting speakers who are outspoken against Catholic doctrine.
"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles," said the bishop's conference in a statement. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
Calls to Saint Joseph's President Fr. Timothy Lannon went unreturned.
This move by St. Joe is a disgrace.
BTW: The commencement will also feature remarks by radical leftist Cornel West who will also receive an honorary degree.
And there's more:
I look forward to meeting these exemplary honorary degree recipients and welcoming them to our tremendous University community,” said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Here's how you can make your voice heard:
Call the St. Joe communications office at 610-660-1385 or contact senior communications director Kelly Welsh at kwelsh@sju.edu.
Also, contact University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. by calling 610-660-1000.
You can reach the office of University Communications at ucomm@sju.edu., through their website, or by telephone at 610-660-1221.
Ignoring the controversy surrounding Notre Dame's honoring of pro-abortion Barack Obama as its commencement speaker, Saint Joseph's University has followed suit.
It will grant an honorary degree to broadcast journalist Chris Matthews at the university's 2009 commencement ceremonies.
Despite Mr. Matthew's Catholic education, having graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, he is widely regarded as a strong supporter of abortion rights, and was unabashed in his admiration of Mr. Obama's positions.
Support for abortion is antithetical to the Church's teachings.The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the practice of hosting speakers who are outspoken against Catholic doctrine.
"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles," said the bishop's conference in a statement. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
Calls to Saint Joseph's President Fr. Timothy Lannon went unreturned.
This move by St. Joe is a disgrace.
BTW: The commencement will also feature remarks by radical leftist Cornel West who will also receive an honorary degree.
And there's more:
I look forward to meeting these exemplary honorary degree recipients and welcoming them to our tremendous University community,” said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Here's how you can make your voice heard:
Call the St. Joe communications office at 610-660-1385 or contact senior communications director Kelly Welsh at kwelsh@sju.edu.
Also, contact University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. by calling 610-660-1000.
You can reach the office of University Communications at ucomm@sju.edu., through their website, or by telephone at 610-660-1221.
Selasa, 31 Maret 2009
April Fools' Holiday
This one is making the rounds and it gave me a chuckle:
In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holidays.
He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.
After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the Ruling, "Your honor,how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."
The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day... Court is adjourned.
In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holidays.
He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.
After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the Ruling, "Your honor,how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."
The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day... Court is adjourned.
Minggu, 29 Maret 2009
Cardinal Says ND Wrong
From Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston:In light of what I wrote above, I want to venture a comment on the recently released statement of the University of Notre Dame; that statement noted that the President has accepted an invitation to give the Commencement Address this year as well as receive an Honorary Law Degree. The news release then outlines the fact that a number of other Presidents have given the Commencement Address at Notre Dame and have thus highlighted, in effect, the university’s importance. I find the invitation very disappointing.
Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning.
The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person. The Bishops of the United States published a document a few years ago asking all Catholic universities to avoid giving a platform or an award to those politicians or public figures who promote the taking of unborn human life.
Even given the dignity of Office of the President, this offer is still providing a platform and an award for a public figure who has been candid on his pro-abortion views. Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a “Teacher,” in this case of the Law.
I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.
Write, call or e-mail:
President of the University of Notre Dame,
Father John Jenkins,
C.S.C. [Cong. of Holy Cross],
President@nd.edu(574) 631-5000 or Fax:(574) 631-7428
Go to http://www.catholicvote.org/ to join the protest and sign the petition.
Act now!
Take a stand for the unborn!
Sabtu, 28 Maret 2009
Villanova's Dream Team!
Villanova's Scottie Reynolds (1), Shane Clark and Reggie Redding (15) celebrate Reynolds' game-winning basket against Pittsburgh, which earned the Wildcats a Final Four berth. (Yong Kim / Staff Photographer)From Rich Hoffman in the Philadelphia Daily News:
Somehow, some way, Villanova is going to the Final Four.
It was a classic game. It was a game that will be talked about for as long as they talk about college basketball in Philadelphia. It was a tight, physical, brutal wonderful game – and Scottie Reynolds won it with a driving layup with 0.5 seconds left.
The final score was Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76. And when everyone got done holding their breath at the end, when a Levance Fields 75-footer at the buzzer crashed off of the backboard and away, the Wildcats erupted to celebrate the school’s first Final Four appearance since 1985.
It is so hard to describe how tough and good this game was, and how it would have felt if the Wildcats had come up short. It was that good. It was that difficult.
What makes Villanova so special?
Well, of course I'm partial.But I think it's a Villanova spirit - an honest, well-grounded "can do" spirit that drives the university and its community to do their very best and to give that extra effort that makes a difference.
Villanova is a school grounded in the Augustinian ethic and the teachings and values of St. Augustine. Villanova doesn't try to hide its Catholic identity or its Catholic heritage. Villanova is proud of it - proud of all of it.
Go to Villanova's web site and you will see Villanova's Christian character. You will see the daily quote from Augustine himself; the Lenten reflections and the open, giving, Catholic spirit of the university.
Here's what Villanova President Rev. Peter J. Donohue says: "We are a Catholic and Augustinian University with a well-rounded academic curriculum and a commitment to the greater good. Saint Augustine believed in the intrinsic connection between the mind and the heart, between truth and love. At Villanova, we celebrate this relationship through a passionate pursuit of knowledge and service to others."
Villanova's understanding of its own Christian character and Villanova's steadfast adherence to the teachings of St. Augustine set it apart.
I honestly believe that Villanova is infused with the love and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Sprit knows.
And that makes all the difference!
Jumat, 27 Maret 2009
Notre Dame: Pressure Builds
From Ruth Gledhill of The Times of London:
The President of the United States is coming under growing pressure to withdraw from a public speaking event at a Roman Catholic university in an escalating row over his backing for abortion and stem cell research.
Conservative Christians are protesting against an invitation to Barack Obama to speak at a Catholic university because of the US President's enthusiasm for policies that go against Catholic belief, such as [abortion and] federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
President Obama is due to deliver an inauguration address at Indiana's Notre Dame University, one of the top 25 universities in the US, on May 17.
But senior Catholic lobbyists have launched a campaign to bar him from the ceremony in protest at his liberal views . . .
Bishops who are protesting include the Right Rev Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, who described the invitation to the President as a "public act of disobedience" and "a grave mistake".
The Right Rev John D'Arcy of the diocese which contains the university, said he will boycott the ceremony.
Bishop D'Arcy said: "President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred.
"As a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth."
A coalition of conservative student groups has also come out against the event.
The President of the United States is coming under growing pressure to withdraw from a public speaking event at a Roman Catholic university in an escalating row over his backing for abortion and stem cell research.
Conservative Christians are protesting against an invitation to Barack Obama to speak at a Catholic university because of the US President's enthusiasm for policies that go against Catholic belief, such as [abortion and] federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
President Obama is due to deliver an inauguration address at Indiana's Notre Dame University, one of the top 25 universities in the US, on May 17.
But senior Catholic lobbyists have launched a campaign to bar him from the ceremony in protest at his liberal views . . .
Bishops who are protesting include the Right Rev Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, who described the invitation to the President as a "public act of disobedience" and "a grave mistake".
The Right Rev John D'Arcy of the diocese which contains the university, said he will boycott the ceremony.
Bishop D'Arcy said: "President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred.
"As a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth."
A coalition of conservative student groups has also come out against the event.
Notre Dame Protest Mounts
Anger is building over Notre Dame University's outrageous decision to invite pro-abortion President Barack Obama to speak at its upcoming commencement and to receive an honorary degree.
The anger is entirely justified.
Thousands of letters and phone calls have been pouring into the University protesting this morally wrong-headed decision. Alumni are particularly outraged.
They have a right to be.
Also, it should surprise no one that the university has received sharply worded letters from two bishops. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Phoenix Diocese on Wednesday called Obama's selection a "public act of disobedience" and "a grave mistake." On Tuesday, Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, which includes Notre Dame, said he would not attend the ceremony because of Obama's policies.
More protests and letters will be forthcoming.
Notre Dame can call itself a Catholic institution or it can host and honor those who have been complicit in the grievous sin of abortion. But it cannot do both.
This is about fundamental Catholic teaching and Catholic doctrine.
If the Holy Mother The Church and its instutions and agents do not stand for life then the Church stands for nothing.
Those who do not agree with the teaching of the Church on such a benchmark issue have a choice: They can leave the Church and join another faith community if they wish. Nobody is forcing them (no matter who they are) to remain Catholics.
By rights, the President should simply announce that he doesn't want to turn the event into a circus and say he's saving Notre Dame a lot of trouble and angst by withdrawing his acceptance of the invitation.
Absent that, Notre Dame must rescind the invite.
Here's how you can join the protest:
Write:
Letters to the editor in chief of the Notre Dame newspaper,
The Observer,
Mike Connolly or directly via the Observer web site http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Write:
Letters to the editor of the South Bend Tribune: vop@sbtinfo.com
Write, call or e-mail:
President of the University of Notre Dame,
Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. [Cong. of Holy Cross],
President@nd.edu(574) 631-5000 or Fax: (574) 631-7428
Go to www.catholicvote.org to join the protest and sign the petition.
Act now!
Take a stand for the unborn!
The anger is entirely justified.
Thousands of letters and phone calls have been pouring into the University protesting this morally wrong-headed decision. Alumni are particularly outraged.
They have a right to be.
Also, it should surprise no one that the university has received sharply worded letters from two bishops. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Phoenix Diocese on Wednesday called Obama's selection a "public act of disobedience" and "a grave mistake." On Tuesday, Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, which includes Notre Dame, said he would not attend the ceremony because of Obama's policies.
More protests and letters will be forthcoming.
Notre Dame can call itself a Catholic institution or it can host and honor those who have been complicit in the grievous sin of abortion. But it cannot do both.
This is about fundamental Catholic teaching and Catholic doctrine.
If the Holy Mother The Church and its instutions and agents do not stand for life then the Church stands for nothing.
Those who do not agree with the teaching of the Church on such a benchmark issue have a choice: They can leave the Church and join another faith community if they wish. Nobody is forcing them (no matter who they are) to remain Catholics.
By rights, the President should simply announce that he doesn't want to turn the event into a circus and say he's saving Notre Dame a lot of trouble and angst by withdrawing his acceptance of the invitation.
Absent that, Notre Dame must rescind the invite.
Here's how you can join the protest:
Write:
Letters to the editor in chief of the Notre Dame newspaper,
The Observer,
Mike Connolly or directly via the Observer web site http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Write:
Letters to the editor of the South Bend Tribune: vop@sbtinfo.com
Write, call or e-mail:
President of the University of Notre Dame,
Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. [Cong. of Holy Cross],
President@nd.edu(574) 631-5000 or Fax: (574) 631-7428
Go to www.catholicvote.org to join the protest and sign the petition.
Act now!
Take a stand for the unborn!
Rabu, 25 Maret 2009
Notre Dame: Protest Now!
So many people have been asking who to write to or who to contact regarding Notre Dame University's outrageous decision to invite President Obama to speak and to award him an honorary degree.
We urge you to act now. Here's what you can do:
Write to:
Most Reverend Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski
PrefectThe Congregation for Catholic Educationof Seminaries and Institutes of Studies[Secretary: Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P.]
00120 CITTÀ DEL VATICANORoma, Italy
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.41.67fax: 011.39.06.69.88.41.72
Contact
Bishop John D'Arcy, Diocese of South Bend, Indiana, where Notre Dame is located:
Write:
Letters to the editor in chief of the Notre Dame newspaper,
The Observer,
Mike Connolly
or directly via the Observer web site http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Write:
Letters to the editor of the South Bend Tribune: vop@sbtinfo.com
Write, call or e-mail:
President of the University of Notre Dame,
Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. [Cong. of Holy Cross],
President@nd.edu
(574) 631-5000 or Fax: (574) 631-7428
We urge you to act now. Here's what you can do:
Write to:
Most Reverend Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski
PrefectThe Congregation for Catholic Educationof Seminaries and Institutes of Studies[Secretary: Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P.]
00120 CITTÀ DEL VATICANORoma, Italy
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.41.67fax: 011.39.06.69.88.41.72
Contact
Bishop John D'Arcy, Diocese of South Bend, Indiana, where Notre Dame is located:
Write:
Letters to the editor in chief of the Notre Dame newspaper,
The Observer,
Mike Connolly
or directly via the Observer web site http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Write:
Letters to the editor of the South Bend Tribune: vop@sbtinfo.com
Write, call or e-mail:
President of the University of Notre Dame,
Father John Jenkins, C.S.C. [Cong. of Holy Cross],
President@nd.edu
(574) 631-5000 or Fax: (574) 631-7428
Obama's Tricky 'Faith Game'
From Laura Meckler in the Wall Street Journal:In the early days of his administration, President Barack Obama has developed an unusual pattern as he talks about religion: He regularly puts nonbelievers on the same footing as religious Americans.
It is a rare gesture for a U.S. political leader. But what makes Mr. Obama's outreach especially remarkable is that it is accompanied by public displays of faith that sometimes go beyond even those of his religiously oriented predecessor in the White House.
The outreach toward both ends of the religious spectrum makes for a complicated balancing act, one that runs the risk of alienating one group, the other, or possibly both. . . .
It is a rare gesture for a U.S. political leader. But what makes Mr. Obama's outreach especially remarkable is that it is accompanied by public displays of faith that sometimes go beyond even those of his religiously oriented predecessor in the White House.
The outreach toward both ends of the religious spectrum makes for a complicated balancing act, one that runs the risk of alienating one group, the other, or possibly both. . . .
At the same time, he has taken a series of policy steps that are troubling to religious conservatives, and pledged that decisions in his administration would be governed by science. He reversed Bush policies on funding for international family-planning groups and stem-cell research, and he has moved to rescind regulations that allow health-care workers to opt out of duties that offend their beliefs.
But even when taking these stands, which would be expected of a Democratic president, he often makes a point to say that he understands the other side.
That stance could win him respect from both sides, but it will be difficult to pull off. "Showing respect and being inclusive will only take the president so far," said John C. Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
If Mr. Obama makes too many policy decisions that run counter to religious conservatives, Mr. Green predicted that they won't support him, no matter how much they appreciate the outreach.
At the same time, he said, nonreligious Americans could become irritated with outward expressions of religious faith.
Mr. Obama acknowledged nonbelievers on the campaign trail last year, and, notably, in his inaugural address, where he said: "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers."
"This was...probably the first time a president in a formal inaugural address acknowledged the possibility that there could be Americans who don't believe in God," said Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, a group with more than 3,000 members.
While nonbelievers welcomed Mr. Obama's recognition, the move could make some people uneasy. Americans are less comfortable with atheists than they are with many other minority groups, according to a 2006 University of Minnesota study. Nearly half of those surveyed said they would disapprove if their child wanted to marry an atheist, versus a third who said the same of a Muslim. People were more accepting of homosexuals, conservative Christians, immigrants, Hispanics and Jews.
A 2008 American Religious Identification Survey, conducted by Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., found that 15% of Americans are unaffiliated with any religion, up from 8.2% in 1990. In 2008, only 0.7% identified themselves as atheists and 0.9% said they are agnostic.
Bishop E.W. Jackson Sr. of Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va., a nondenominational church, finds Mr. Obama's acceptance of nonbelievers offensive. "I believe every American should worship however they wish," he said, "however to deny that the country is fundamentally Christian in its culture and its heritage is just not true."
But even when taking these stands, which would be expected of a Democratic president, he often makes a point to say that he understands the other side.
That stance could win him respect from both sides, but it will be difficult to pull off. "Showing respect and being inclusive will only take the president so far," said John C. Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
If Mr. Obama makes too many policy decisions that run counter to religious conservatives, Mr. Green predicted that they won't support him, no matter how much they appreciate the outreach.
At the same time, he said, nonreligious Americans could become irritated with outward expressions of religious faith.
Mr. Obama acknowledged nonbelievers on the campaign trail last year, and, notably, in his inaugural address, where he said: "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers."
"This was...probably the first time a president in a formal inaugural address acknowledged the possibility that there could be Americans who don't believe in God," said Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, a group with more than 3,000 members.
While nonbelievers welcomed Mr. Obama's recognition, the move could make some people uneasy. Americans are less comfortable with atheists than they are with many other minority groups, according to a 2006 University of Minnesota study. Nearly half of those surveyed said they would disapprove if their child wanted to marry an atheist, versus a third who said the same of a Muslim. People were more accepting of homosexuals, conservative Christians, immigrants, Hispanics and Jews.
A 2008 American Religious Identification Survey, conducted by Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., found that 15% of Americans are unaffiliated with any religion, up from 8.2% in 1990. In 2008, only 0.7% identified themselves as atheists and 0.9% said they are agnostic.
Bishop E.W. Jackson Sr. of Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va., a nondenominational church, finds Mr. Obama's acceptance of nonbelievers offensive. "I believe every American should worship however they wish," he said, "however to deny that the country is fundamentally Christian in its culture and its heritage is just not true."
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