Just a gentle reminder to you both that Joseph Robinette Biden is Catholic. Without putting too fine a point on it, our President is who he is because of his faith - not despite it. President Biden is, without a doubt, one of the best examples of a President acting in a truly Christian manner but also in a way that respects the separatio…
Just a gentle reminder to you both that Joseph Robinette Biden is Catholic. Without putting too fine a point on it, our President is who he is because of his faith - not despite it. President Biden is, without a doubt, one of the best examples of a President acting in a truly Christian manner but also in a way that respects the separation of Church and State in my lifetime. I know you can see that as well as I do.
I grew up in a deeply Catholic household. I left the Church long ago for reasons you both understand. But I am also a daily witness to many ordinary Catholics who live in ways that are faithful, respectful and loving - including my younger brother’s work running a 150 bed treatment center for homeless alcoholics. His faith is unshakeable. Thank heavens for that.
If examples like Patrick made the daily news, your opinions of Catholics might tick up a bit, MikeS. They don’t. Please remember that Bishops don’t represent the majority of their flocks any more than Republicans opinions represent the opinions of the majority of Americans. The governing structure of the Catholic Church is terribly corrupt. The damage they have done to women and children and young men all over the world unfathomable. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just watch what Biden DOES, rather than what the bishops think he should do.
Your comments leave me with gratitude that I did not leave a comment sooner. Your comments were good reminders. They burrow deep into the heart and memory, overriding the deeply felt outrage fueled by those coverups. Yet the anger towards that minority, a well heeled, well oiled, self righteous army determined to impose their will on the majority, still fuels a continued resentment and distrust.
Thanks, K, and Sheila, you both said it beautifully. In a similar vein, I would add the example of former President Jimmy Carter in his approach to leading being similar to Biden's. Both are men of strong faith, but both as elected leaders of the people knew their task was to rule in the way the people elected them to lead. Their job was NOT to force a populace to believe what they believe. I think that's what the founders of this country intended: lead the people, but leave your personal faith outside of that. And then, in his post-Presidential work, Carter has really shone his true colours: commitment to helping others. You wanna be like Jesus? Then serve your fellow man, and do it quietly, under the radar, without calling attention to yourself. Jesus exhorted us to do that very thing. Help only for the sake of helping, not to show how wonderful you are. There ARE many many Christians who do just that, and they are the ones you never hear about, which is as it should be. Yes, I believe the RCC is, in its leadership, one of the most corrupt entities around, but in spite of that, there are many of its members who follow Christ's example anyway. Personally, I could never be Catholic myself because of its tenets--so I'm Anglican: all of the theatrical pageantry, none of the guilt!--but I have many Catholic friends who I know ARE good Christians and who are not supportive of much of their leadership hierarchy. In that regard I feel kinda sorry for them (actually, sometimes the leaders in my denomination aren't perfect either...), but we carry on anyway.
By that I do not mean that the majority of religious believers in this Country are not Christians, as they are. Rather, in spite of the gratingly annoying noise emanating from the Hobby Lobbyists, the US of A was founded on political principles derived from, for the most part, the Enlightenment. On the subject of religion, Messrs. Locke, Montesquieu, Diderot, etc. were skeptical, to say the least.
But that does not mean that principles whose origins are found in the Christian Bible, Catholic or Protestant, and in various church teachings have no place in politics. The trouble comes in when those who are, as I see it, mostly faux religious, misusing their claimed Christianity as a tribal weapon of exclusion, the exact opposite of the teachings of the Prince of Peace.
It's sad we're losing Jimmy Carter soon. He has always been a good human being who lived his beliefs. (It's also appalling what Regan did to sabotage Jimmy's efforts to end the Iran Hostage situation for his own political gain. (and so many other bad things Reagan did that we're still having to deal with.)
This is why I refuse to paint every believer with the same brush. Yes, some are hypocrites, but a lot of people are motivated by their faith to become active in helping others as you, Sheila, point out with your brother.
Sheila, thank you for reminding us that there ARE good Catholics and, by extension, good Christians. Indeed, Biden is an excellent example! I think that the criticisms expressed here chastise the institutionalized, organized Catholic Church leadership that speaks on behalf of all Catholics and endorses propositions that politicize the religion and in essence are unchristian.
Sadly, the hierarchy is sort of the PR for their churches and they end up getting the lion's share of the publicity. Having that sort of a "bully pulpit" seems to lead them to embracing more of an "agenda", and then trying to push church dogma. Power does corrupt, even ecclesiastical power.
Just a gentle reminder to you both that Joseph Robinette Biden is Catholic. Without putting too fine a point on it, our President is who he is because of his faith - not despite it. President Biden is, without a doubt, one of the best examples of a President acting in a truly Christian manner but also in a way that respects the separation of Church and State in my lifetime. I know you can see that as well as I do.
I grew up in a deeply Catholic household. I left the Church long ago for reasons you both understand. But I am also a daily witness to many ordinary Catholics who live in ways that are faithful, respectful and loving - including my younger brother’s work running a 150 bed treatment center for homeless alcoholics. His faith is unshakeable. Thank heavens for that.
If examples like Patrick made the daily news, your opinions of Catholics might tick up a bit, MikeS. They don’t. Please remember that Bishops don’t represent the majority of their flocks any more than Republicans opinions represent the opinions of the majority of Americans. The governing structure of the Catholic Church is terribly corrupt. The damage they have done to women and children and young men all over the world unfathomable. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just watch what Biden DOES, rather than what the bishops think he should do.
Your comments leave me with gratitude that I did not leave a comment sooner. Your comments were good reminders. They burrow deep into the heart and memory, overriding the deeply felt outrage fueled by those coverups. Yet the anger towards that minority, a well heeled, well oiled, self righteous army determined to impose their will on the majority, still fuels a continued resentment and distrust.
Thank you for your candor, K, and for your kind reply. Your description of those who continue to fuel resentment and distrust is most well put
"including my younger brother’s work running a 150 bed treatment center for homeless alcoholics. "
Sounds like a good hearted, generous and hard working brother to me Sheila.
The absolute best brother - to all he encounters. Thanks, Mike.
Thanks, K, and Sheila, you both said it beautifully. In a similar vein, I would add the example of former President Jimmy Carter in his approach to leading being similar to Biden's. Both are men of strong faith, but both as elected leaders of the people knew their task was to rule in the way the people elected them to lead. Their job was NOT to force a populace to believe what they believe. I think that's what the founders of this country intended: lead the people, but leave your personal faith outside of that. And then, in his post-Presidential work, Carter has really shone his true colours: commitment to helping others. You wanna be like Jesus? Then serve your fellow man, and do it quietly, under the radar, without calling attention to yourself. Jesus exhorted us to do that very thing. Help only for the sake of helping, not to show how wonderful you are. There ARE many many Christians who do just that, and they are the ones you never hear about, which is as it should be. Yes, I believe the RCC is, in its leadership, one of the most corrupt entities around, but in spite of that, there are many of its members who follow Christ's example anyway. Personally, I could never be Catholic myself because of its tenets--so I'm Anglican: all of the theatrical pageantry, none of the guilt!--but I have many Catholic friends who I know ARE good Christians and who are not supportive of much of their leadership hierarchy. In that regard I feel kinda sorry for them (actually, sometimes the leaders in my denomination aren't perfect either...), but we carry on anyway.
Carry on indeed! Good call, Bruce.
We are not a Christian Nation.
By that I do not mean that the majority of religious believers in this Country are not Christians, as they are. Rather, in spite of the gratingly annoying noise emanating from the Hobby Lobbyists, the US of A was founded on political principles derived from, for the most part, the Enlightenment. On the subject of religion, Messrs. Locke, Montesquieu, Diderot, etc. were skeptical, to say the least.
But that does not mean that principles whose origins are found in the Christian Bible, Catholic or Protestant, and in various church teachings have no place in politics. The trouble comes in when those who are, as I see it, mostly faux religious, misusing their claimed Christianity as a tribal weapon of exclusion, the exact opposite of the teachings of the Prince of Peace.
AMEN ! Daniel !
It's sad we're losing Jimmy Carter soon. He has always been a good human being who lived his beliefs. (It's also appalling what Regan did to sabotage Jimmy's efforts to end the Iran Hostage situation for his own political gain. (and so many other bad things Reagan did that we're still having to deal with.)
This is why I refuse to paint every believer with the same brush. Yes, some are hypocrites, but a lot of people are motivated by their faith to become active in helping others as you, Sheila, point out with your brother.
That was a most lovely post, Sheila. I thank you for your clarity, and both you and your brother for the love you give.
Shiela, thanks so much for this-you spoke my heart. Thank you.
Thank you, Shelia. You are an inspiration and now I learn of your brother,Patrick.Great genes think alike:)
I am watching, with awe, what President Biden does as opposed to what my “devout” Florida Governor does…
I texted Patrick last night with your “Great genes think alike” quote. All I got back was a laugh emoji.
Wonderful person that he is, he’s still just my snarky, smart-ass little brother. 🤣
Sheila, thank you for reminding us that there ARE good Catholics and, by extension, good Christians. Indeed, Biden is an excellent example! I think that the criticisms expressed here chastise the institutionalized, organized Catholic Church leadership that speaks on behalf of all Catholics and endorses propositions that politicize the religion and in essence are unchristian.
Nancy Pelosi is also Catholic.
I think the negativity as to do with the church hierarchy and how it behaves rather than individual Catholics.
Sadly, the hierarchy is sort of the PR for their churches and they end up getting the lion's share of the publicity. Having that sort of a "bully pulpit" seems to lead them to embracing more of an "agenda", and then trying to push church dogma. Power does corrupt, even ecclesiastical power.
Sheila, very well expressed. Please see my comment at the end of this thread.