Posted on 08/05/2012 8:53:59 AM PDT by dagogo redux
If I understand correctly, the ObamaCare Mandate began to take effect on the Catholic Church a few days ago. I only knew this because my wife was listening to EWTN on the car radio - otherwise, it seems not to have made any stir nor garnered any headlines, and was mentioned only in passing even on that station.
Although America has been a nation of amazing strength, integrity and vitality, founded by Christians of great fervor who largely came to this land seeking freedom of religion, and although it is still a largely Christian nation, it is now surrendering, without a real fight, that precious religious freedom to the same sorts of tyrants it fought several centuries ago.
When I read religious ideas found in the words of the Founders, or read the sermons and hymns from past centuries, their expressions of faith sound more foreign to my modern ear than their non-religious expressions. By comparison, the Christianity I see around me currently seems very meek, timid, passive and soft, fully incapable of mounting the sorts of defensive and offensive efforts that our forefathers marshaled against the tyrants, traitors, enemies and invaders of their times.
Does the current expression of Christianity in this country have - woven into it - a different approach to defending our liberties than the Christianity of the Founders?
I am reminded of Gibbon’s view that the decline and fall of the Roman empire was at least partly an outgrowth of the rise of Christianity, who’s tenets, he believed, sapped the more stern and masculine Roman character that had brought heightened civilization and peace to such vast regions. I find myself wondering, with the barbarians inside the gates now and the sacking well underway, if the more stern and masculine “Old Testament Christianity” of the Founders was perhaps more practically suited to secure and preserve the kind of country they founded, compared to the current variety.
I’m curious to hear especially from those who have knowledge of the history of religion in this country, and who have studied source material related to that. Thanks.
[My question, BTW, is a historical and political one, not a question of faith or dogma. Not being Christian, I have no dog in any such religious fights, but am simply curious about this historical question as I look around me, and compare what I see and hear with what I read from the past.]
The 4th Of July and Why we need to boldy fight for religious freedom
‘We’ll Face More and More Serious Challenges to Religious Liberty in Our Country.’
Archbishop Chaput Closes Fortnight: What We Must Render Unto God and Unto Caesar
Government cannot take away true freedom, Archbishop Chaput teaches
Repair my house: renewing the roots of religious liberty
Rally opposes government intervention in religious matters
Novena for Religious Freedom for the United States of America (Prayer)
FREEDOM! US Catholic Church Rolls Out Major Offensive Against Obama’s Attacks on Religious Liberty
Opening Mass for the Fortnight for Freedom, Thursday 7PM ET
Fortnight for Freedom! (6/21-7/4)
Fortnight for Freedom
Group funded by George Soros poised to attack US Bishops for the “Fortnight for Freedom”
Archbishop [Lori]: 'Fortnight' about religious freedom, not politics
Religious Freedom and the Love of God
Bishops, That is a Pretty Nice Tax Exemption You Have There. Wouldn’t Want Anything Bad ...
Fortnight for Freedom
Baptist Leader Endorses Catholic Campaign
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While many Bishops are to be commended for the stance they took on the attack on religious freedom posed by Obamacare, their response has been inadequate.
Remember the phrase “suppose they had a war and nobody came.” Well that describes the lackluster war that the Bishops called for. In many, many parishes there was only an insertion of a Bishop’s letter with no comments from the pulpit by pastor or priest. Contrast that with the during the Mass screening of an Archbishop’s Annual Appeal video.
I had expected that an effective campaign for the Fortnight for Freedom should have resulted in hundreds of thousands gathering at an approprite location in each and every diocese.
It is time to invite the cultural Catholics, laity and priests, to find another place to worship.
It is time to withdraw from secularized educational institutions that are Catholic in name only.
It is time to close hospitals and other social institutions that would otherwise violate conscience.
It is time for the Church to refuse to have offerings to God given the status of income tax deductions.
It is time that excommunication for many public leaders cease being a rarity.
It is time for all believers to promote school vouchers so that the children are not brainwashed eith secular values.
**Many bishops**
??
What dc you mean “many”?
100 percent came out against this monstrosity. That’s ALL!
Perhaps they could have done more, but the lawsuits are still viable as far as I know.
This is not over. (In other words, I don’t think they will every force Catholics to go against their faith.) But then looking backwards, Catholics were martyred because they would not pinch incense to the emperor, king, whatever. Maybe there will be more Catholic martyrs — I say bring it on — that always brings more people to the faith.
I am sorry not to have been by my computer all day to read the many fine responses - an emergency with a neighbor came up, and I’m just reading your responses here at 6:15PM PST.
Many, many thanks to all who responded. I hope to sift through some of the ideas and links over the coming days and weeks. Again, deep thanks.
Thank you so much for the beautiful link, dear hosepipe!
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