Category: Religion

Adrastos, Books, Current Affairs, Faith, Religion

On The Road With Cardinal Scola

Peter Adrastos Athas

It’s conclave Tuesday, y’all. The gathering of what Charlie Pierce loves to call the “cult of the red beanie.” I have no red-hatted dog in this fight but I’ve gotten a kick out some of the pre-conclave spin. My favorite was this item about Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milano: To illustrate that life is a journey, one of the Italian cardinals touted as a favorite to be the next pope doesn’t just turn to the Scriptures – but also to Jack Kerouac and Cormac McCarthy. Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan, is seen as Italy’s best chance at reclaiming the … Continue reading On The Road With Cardinal Scola

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion, Stupid Republican Tricks4 Comments

Excommunicate the Nonbeliever!

Speaking of unpleasant people who want to wine-dine-69 Jesus but haven’t heard a damn word He said: The Rockford Pro-Life Initiative has called on Francis Cardinal George to excommunicate Governor Pat Quinn for his outspoken support of same-sex “marriage.” [snip] Governor Quinn’s support for same-sex “marriage” puts him at odds with the leadership of the Catholic faith he claims to belong to.ThreeIllinoisbishops released letters to be read from the pulpit in parishes statewide over the weekend opposing the legislation. Members of the Rockford Pro-Life Initiative, however, do not think the letters go far enough. “If Cardinal George and all the … Continue reading Excommunicate the Nonbeliever!

Athenae, Faith, Religion7 Comments

Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

I haven’t ventured over into the Breitbart Memorial Museum for Fuckwittery in a long time, because a) why and b) no, but last week Pope Frank decided to point out that hoarding money isn’t cool, and that any system that doesn’t serve the needs of everybody needs to be amscrayed, just as his Employer once commanded. Not a radical statement, unless you’re following on the heels of Pope Prada of the Hitler Youth during a time of epic income inequality reinforced by every major mainstream media outlet in the entire world. So most people were quite pleased to hear a … Continue reading Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

Adrastos, Religion3 Comments

598 Years

Peter Adrastos Athas

Oops, got it wrong the first time. That’s what happens when you take a blogcation: That’s how long it’s been since a pope abidcated and it’s been 968 years since a pope named Benedict quit. My stat-head friends are apt to appreciate the numerical symmetry. Here’s *why* Benny the 9th resigned: Pope Benedict IX, in 1045: At age 33 and about 10 years into his tumultuous term, the Rome-born pope resigned so that he could get married – and to collect some cash from his godfather, also Roman, who paid Benedict IX to step down so that he might replace … Continue reading 598 Years

Athenae, Faith, Religion5 Comments

Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

Allison Hantschel

After having their legs humped by Benedict for a decade, bigot Catholics are angry because Pope Frank is paying attention to poor people: “It seems he’s focusing on bringing back the left that’s fallen away, but what about the conservatives?” said Ms. Kurt, a hospice community educator. “Even when it was discouraging working in pro-life, you always felt like Mother Teresa was on your side and the popes were encouraging you. Now I feel kind of thrown under the bus.” Yes. Having someone not mention your American political concerns explicitly for a while, as he focuses on THE STARVING, is … Continue reading Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

Athenae, Faith, Religion5 Comments

Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

After having their legs humped by Benedict for a decade, bigot Catholics are angry because Pope Frank is paying attention to poor people: “It seems he’s focusing on bringing back the left that’s fallen away, but what about the conservatives?” said Ms. Kurt, a hospice community educator. “Even when it was discouraging working in pro-life, you always felt like Mother Teresa was on your side and the popes were encouraging you. Now I feel kind of thrown under the bus.” Yes. Having someone not mention your American political concerns explicitly for a while, as he focuses on THE STARVING, is … Continue reading Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

Athenae, Immoral Values, Kids Today, Religion7 Comments

‘We have to take into perspective what goes through boys’ minds when they see most of our thighs.’

Allison Hantschel

Oh sweetheart. No, you don’t. Fuck those boys, and what they think, and stop substituting “some imaginary judgmental dude who may or may not speak in your asshole father’s voice” for “Jesus.” He would very lovingly slap the shit out of you for making yourself and everyone around you miserable, instead of using the conscience He gave you to allocate your time towards being a decent human being. Arbitrary rules designed to control people and make them angry and hurtful toward one another was kind of what got Him all het up in the first place, so quit measuring other … Continue reading ‘We have to take into perspective what goes through boys’ minds when they see most of our thighs.’

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion4 Comments

I Have Four Questions About Gay Marriage in Illinois

Allison Hantschel

Yeah. And. So. What? Under the measure, the definition of marriage in Illinois would change from an act between a man and a woman to one between two people. Civil unions could be converted to marriages within a year of the law going on the books. The legislation would not require religious organizations to perform a marriage of gay couples, and church officials would not be forced to allow their facilities to be used by gay couples seeking to marry. Religious leaders opposed say the bill doesn’t go far enough to protect their rights. For example, they contend they might … Continue reading I Have Four Questions About Gay Marriage in Illinois

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion4 Comments

I Have Four Questions About Gay Marriage in Illinois

Yeah. And. So. What? Under the measure, the definition of marriage in Illinois would change from an act between a man and a woman to one between two people. Civil unions could be converted to marriages within a year of the law going on the books. The legislation would not require religious organizations to perform a marriage of gay couples, and church officials would not be forced to allow their facilities to be used by gay couples seeking to marry. Religious leaders opposed say the bill doesn’t go far enough to protect their rights. For example, they contend they might … Continue reading I Have Four Questions About Gay Marriage in Illinois

Athenae, Immoral Values, Kids Today, Religion7 Comments

‘We have to take into perspective what goes through boys’ minds when they see most of our thighs.’

Oh sweetheart. No, you don’t. Fuck those boys, and what they think, and stop substituting “some imaginary judgmental dude who may or may not speak in your asshole father’s voice” for “Jesus.” He would very lovingly slap the shit out of you for making yourself and everyone around you miserable, instead of using the conscience He gave you to allocate your time towards being a decent human being. Arbitrary rules designed to control people and make them angry and hurtful toward one another was kind of what got Him all het up in the first place, so quit measuring other … Continue reading ‘We have to take into perspective what goes through boys’ minds when they see most of our thighs.’

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion2 Comments

Bigots are the New Gays

Allison Hantschel

Jesus Elvis Roosevelt Christ: Last week, the cover of Time magazine showed two women kissing and a headline that read: “Gay Marriage Already Won.” With the Supreme Court case on gay marriage at hand in Washington — a final decision isn’t expected until summer — many feel that the legalization of marriage for gays is inevitable. Only the Deep South states, including Tennessee, remain opposed. In 2012, 59.4 percent of Georgia residents said they wouldn’t be in favor of legalizing gay marriage, according to a Landmark Communications/Rosetta Stone poll. Yet even in Tennessee, where more people are opposed to gay … Continue reading Bigots are the New Gays

Athenae, Faith, Religion2 Comments

Chill and Let My Father Do His Job

Allison Hantschel

This interview with Pope Francis burned the Internet up today, mostly for these things: A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. [snip] We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken … Continue reading Chill and Let My Father Do His Job

Adrastos, Marriage Equality, Political Crack, Propaganda, Religion, Stupid Republican Tricks3 Comments

Strange Bedfellows: Putin and Pat

Peter Adrastos Athas

Remember when Pat Buchanan was a fanatical anti-communist and Russophobe? That guy would have been suspicious of Vladimir Putin because of his background as a KGB man.But Pat’s rabid homophobia finds him in bed with the rabidly macho Russian President: Leno and Obama were referring to a new Russian law prohibiting “homosexual propaganda.” Moscow is also warning foreigners, including visitors to the winter Olympics in Sochi, that propagandizing for gay rights can get them two weeks in detention. No kiss-ins allowed. “Medieval,” howled the Washington Post. “Mr. Putin’s war” on gays and lesbians is “part and parcel of his lapse … Continue reading Strange Bedfellows: Putin and Pat

Athenae, Immoral Values, Religion8 Comments

Students Praying Will Prevent Pregnancy and STDs

Allison Hantschel

These PEOPLE, and no, it being Kentucky does not make it okay or not surprising or not outrageous or whatever.Nobody deserves this, and there is nothing cool about not being enraged by it: The American Family Association of Kentucky –- a fundamentalist Christian nonprofit that says its mission is to “oppose the barriers to the flow of God’s love to all people” –-asked its members to sign a petition last week pushing for the legalization of prayer in local public schoools. The petition states that after the removal of prayer from public schools, teen pregnancy and violent crime rates spiked … Continue reading Students Praying Will Prevent Pregnancy and STDs

Athenae, Faith, Law/Justice, Religion6 Comments

Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

Allison Hantschel

For serious: Mahony, who has been criticized for moving predator priests from posting to posting, told Corriere della Sera that “after 20 years, people are talking about abuse as if we had not done anything. However, since 2002, we have had our program Protecting the Children, in which we illustrate procedures and the guidelines of our zero-tolerance policy that allows no possibility, for example, of anyone found guilty of abuse of minors working for the diocese.” Well, since 2002! That’s like 11 whole years of not protecting molesters, hiding them from cops, and inflicting them on unsuspecting and vulnerable children … Continue reading Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

Athenae, Faith, Religion8 Comments

‘Hipper Worship Bands’

Allison Hantschel

THIS. This with this sauce and this sprinkles and toasted this: I point to research that shows young evangelicals often feel they have to choose between their intellectual integrity and their faith, between science and Christianity, between compassion and holiness. I talk about how the evangelical obsession with sex can make Christian living seem like little more than sticking to a list of rules, and how millennials long for faith communities in which they are safe asking tough questions and wrestling with doubt. Invariably, after I’ve finished my presentation and opened the floor to questions, a pastor raises his hand … Continue reading ‘Hipper Worship Bands’

Athenae, Religion1 Comment

Gender, Religion, and Other Things Nobody’s Got Right

Allison Hantschel

Echidne on that survey of Muslims worldwide that was making heads explode in wingerstan last week: If an overall conclusion appears from the report, it might be that the different areas are not identical with each other and that what seems to influence the findings is the actual history of a particular country: If that history is one of something fairly close to Islamic theocracy, then the results tend to be more conservative. On the other hand, if a particular country has had a more secular democracy or a period of non-Islamic laws, the results tend to be less conservative. … Continue reading Gender, Religion, and Other Things Nobody’s Got Right

Athenae, Faith, Religion6 Comments

‘Access to Paradise’

Allison Hantschel

So the Pope said something this week: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics.Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do … Continue reading ‘Access to Paradise’

Athenae, Faith, Religion6 Comments

‘Access to Paradise’

So the Pope said something this week: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics.Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do … Continue reading ‘Access to Paradise’

Athenae, Religion1 Comment

Gender, Religion, and Other Things Nobody’s Got Right

Echidne on that survey of Muslims worldwide that was making heads explode in wingerstan last week: If an overall conclusion appears from the report, it might be that the different areas are not identical with each other and that what seems to influence the findings is the actual history of a particular country: If that history is one of something fairly close to Islamic theocracy, then the results tend to be more conservative. On the other hand, if a particular country has had a more secular democracy or a period of non-Islamic laws, the results tend to be less conservative. … Continue reading Gender, Religion, and Other Things Nobody’s Got Right

Athenae, Marriage Equality, Religion2 Comments

Bigots are the New Gays

Jesus Elvis Roosevelt Christ: Last week, the cover of Time magazine showed two women kissing and a headline that read: “Gay Marriage Already Won.” With the Supreme Court case on gay marriage at hand in Washington — a final decision isn’t expected until summer — many feel that the legalization of marriage for gays is inevitable. Only the Deep South states, including Tennessee, remain opposed. In 2012, 59.4 percent of Georgia residents said they wouldn’t be in favor of legalizing gay marriage, according to a Landmark Communications/Rosetta Stone poll. Yet even in Tennessee, where more people are opposed to gay … Continue reading Bigots are the New Gays

Athenae, Religion3 Comments

Keep Annoying the Prigs, Holy Father

Happy Easter, stuck-up assholes: There were certainly none of those trappings on display Thursday at the Casal del Marmo juvenile detention facility in Rome, where the 76-year-old Francis got down on his knees to wash and kiss the feet of 12 inmates, two of them women. The rite re-enacts Jesus’ washing of the feet of his 12 apostles during the Last Supper before his crucifixion, a sign of his love and service to them. The church’s liturgical law holds that only men can participate in the rite, given that Jesus’ apostles were all male. Priests and bishops have routinely petitioned … Continue reading Keep Annoying the Prigs, Holy Father

Athenae, Faith, Marriage Equality, Religion, So Called Liberal Media14 Comments

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Allison Hantschel

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Athenae, Faith, Marriage Equality, Religion, So Called Liberal Media14 Comments

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Adrastos, Immoral Values, Malakatude, Religion1 Comment

Malaka Of The Week: Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier

Peter Adrastos Athas

Wilfrid Fox Napier sounds like he should be a Tory MP, a rural Anglican vicar or a nob tormented by Hyacinth Bucket. Instead, he’s the Archbishop of Durban in South African. He’s also a slam dunk choice as an early malaka of the week “winner.” The Cardinal put his slippered foot in his mouth and told the world that “pedophilia is not a criminal condition, it’s an illness.” The most depressing part of this malakatude is that the Cardinal is typical of the Catholic hiearchy’s views on this matter. Cardinal WFN (or do y’all prefer WiFoNap?) has already issued a … Continue reading Malaka Of The Week: Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Religion1 Comment

Paragraph of the day

Peter Adrastos Athas

I am occasionally asked why I call the Guardian the best newpaper in the English speaking world. It’s a writer’s paper and it always has been. They do great and fearless reporting BUT the editors give pundits and reporters alike a lot of freedom to be both funny *and* insightful. Here’s the great Simon Hoggart writing about the new pope: We used to say de mortuis nil nisi bonum(don’t speak ill of the dead), but that’s all changed with warts-and-all obituaries. Now we are incredibly nice instead about people who’ve just been promoted. Take the new pope. He seems to … Continue reading Paragraph of the day

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Religion1 Comment

Paragraph of the day

I am occasionally asked why I call the Guardian the best newpaper in the English speaking world. It’s a writer’s paper and it always has been. They do great and fearless reporting BUT the editors give pundits and reporters alike a lot of freedom to be both funny *and* insightful. Here’s the greatSimon Hoggart writing about the new pope: We used to sayde mortuis nil nisi bonum(don’t speak ill of the dead), but that’s all changed with warts-and-all obituaries. Now we are incredibly nice instead about people who’ve just been promoted. Take the new pope. He seems to be an … Continue reading Paragraph of the day

Athenae, Religion4 Comments

A Simpler Papacy

Allison Hantschel

Once again, we call these things inevitabilities when they’re really choices: Not for Francis the red leather shoes favored by Benedict. Indeed, the Catholic newspaper Avvenire reported that a priest at the cathedral in Buenos Aires banded together with some friends to buy a pair of new shoes for Bergoglio before the archbishop left for the papal election conclave in Rome because his footwear looked so embarrassingly tattered. On Friday, after an audience with senior prelates, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles tweeted, “At our meeting today with Pope Francis, I noted that [he] is still wearing his older black … Continue reading A Simpler Papacy

Athenae, Religion4 Comments

A Simpler Papacy

Once again, we call these things inevitabilities when they’re really choices: Not for Francis the red leather shoes favored by Benedict. Indeed, the Catholic newspaper Avvenire reported that a priest at the cathedral in Buenos Aires banded together with some friends to buy a pair of new shoes for Bergoglio before the archbishop left for the papal election conclave in Rome because his footwear looked so embarrassingly tattered. On Friday, after an audience with senior prelates, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles tweeted, “At our meeting today with Pope Francis, I noted that [he] is still wearing his older black … Continue reading A Simpler Papacy

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Marriage Equality, Religion3 Comments

The New Pope On Same Sex Marriage

Peter Adrastos Athas

While I’m not surprised that Pope Francis is against marriage equality, I didn’t expect him to need a distemper shot on the subject: Shortly after Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, the gay rights activist who was the first to legally marry his partner in Latin America sent out a jubilant tweet. Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio “cannot be pope,”wrote Alex Freyre, because “he lost his papabile status the instant I married @josedibellow. Same for any other Argentine priest.” On Wednesday, Freyre was proven wrong. When the cardinals elected Bergoglio pope, they made history in two ways: They chose the first … Continue reading The New Pope On Same Sex Marriage