Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Attack!

Forgive me for being a bit bold here, but it seems that every day a different freedom is being stripped away in America. I am not a protester, argumentative, and while convicted personally, am not one to bring up controversy for the sake of debate (for that, you'll need my husband, who is courageous). No, I'd rather see the world through rose-colored glasses, living in the rural splendor of the natural outdoors, raising boys to be gentleman warriors.

But, seriously, even though I'm not a doomsday paranoid, or wrapped in conspiracy theory, I am still gravely concerned.

First, there is the looming HHS mandate, which requires employers to provide, without cost, prescription drugs that cause abortion. Religious or conscientious objections are not allowed; you must comply or be financially destroyed. It's not even a Catholic issue anymore, see the link. Regardless of why you are against killing babies, regardless of the fact that human life begins at conception, it doesn't matter. You must pay for abortion.

The second is related to religious freedom. Franciscan University of Steubenville, an Catholic university, is being investigated for its handling of homosexuality in course work. I  honestly cannot find the words to express my feelings on this issue. As an alumni of the school, and someone who knows other students and alumni who identify themselves as homosexual, the quote on Church teaching stands true at the school, which is "Franciscan University follows Catholic Church teaching in regard to homosexuality and treats homosexual persons with 'respect, compassion, and sensitivity (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No 2358) while holding homosexual acts as 'intrinsically disordered.' "

The above means what it says--FUS practices what it preaches, but will not back down on the beliefs that make the university what it is. Now, simply for being a Catholic school educating students with Catholic teaching, they are under attack. Seriously, the church Mark and I attended while he was in law school was protested by the Westboro Baptist Church, if that says anything about the Catholic Church! We are part of a compassionate congregation, but does that mean that the Church cannot take a moral stance on actions???

I am baffled. Everything I have been taught to believe about freedom in America is coming into question. I am now waiting for the next bomb to be dropped, and wondering what the government will begin to require of me in the raising and educating of my children, or the practicing of my faith.

Finally, at the 2008 DNC, the words "abortion should be safe, legal, and rare" was taken out of the platform of the DFL. It was not reinstated in 2012. In doing so, it begs the question of the DFL if they then believe abortion should be dangerous and frequent. The platform changes at the DNC were such a monstrosity that, while I previously hadn't associated myself with finality to any political party, and instead voted based on each individual candidate, I am so appalled and disgusted with the direction it has taken, that at this point, I will not even consider a candidate from the DFL. I'm keeping a safe distance from any association.

Civil disobedience? Maybe we're not too far. We will not comply.
Viva la Revolucion!



34 comments:

Theresa said...

amen.

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with religious freedom and the separation of Church and State, as well! I assume you'll be voting "No" to the marriage amendment in November then, too?

Theresa said...

The question, along with the measure's ballot title, would be presented to voters as follows:

Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples.

"Recognition of Marriage Solely Between One Man and One Woman."

YES
NO


OOOO....Mallory, can I answer this one for you? ;-)
MY vote is a "hell yeah!"

Anonymous said...

Hmm, that just seems a little hypocritical that you are all for separation of Church and State and religious freedoms, yet would vote "yes" on the amendment.

A vote "no" doesn't mean you agree with same sex marriage. It simply means that you agree that Church and State should be separate. Which judging by your first comment, you do.

I'm not trying to start anything, I just thought I'd give everyone a little food for thought when it comes to the matter ;)

Mallory said...

Anon,
Minnesota Statute already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The amendment doesn't change anything other than affirming the statute already on the books. I will vote yes.

On a related note, the marriage amendment ties in perfectly with religious freedom. There is on-going litigation that because of same-sex marriage are being discriminated against. These are both Jewish and Christian businesses and universities. The link below is a jewish university that was forced to allow same sex marriages in their dormitory, despite gay marriage not being legal in the state of New York.http://www.redstatereport.com/2012/01/gay-marriage-forced-on-churchs/ .

My hope is that religious organizations and businesses can continue to operate under their standards, especially when this country is full of secular alternatives--why attack people of faith?

Mallory said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

If you're still talking about the upcoming marriage amendment here in MN, I wouldn't say it's an attack on people of faith. In fact, I wouldn't say it's an attack on anyone.

All it is is simply stating that government, seeing as it is supposed to be separate from state, should not be allowed to deny any one the right to marriage or the benefits that come with it.

I'll reiterate what I said in my last post: Just because you vote "no" on such an amendment does NOT mean you agree with homosexuality. It simply means that you want government to stay away from church issues. And seeing your last post, it appears as if you do.

Mallory said...

The issue is that definitions matter, and they carry over to those who practice faith, or have, for whatever reason, a particularly held value. The separation of church and state seems to be one-sided with the current administration. The state has dictated how a church must act, regardless of the separation. In turn, the state dictates the way individuals of said faith must act.

The separation is only working for one side--the state. Should Minnesota change the definition of marriage, it will begin to enforce that definition on those who do not recognize same sex marriage. This is not a snowball argument, it is happening now that those who, for whatever reason, will not recognize same sex marriage have been faced with litigation--and lost.

Where is the separation of church and state there? How can any person practice their faith freely when facing being charged with discrimination? How can the state discount heavily held values in the society, and then blanket any moral stance with discrimination?

The separation of church and state has always been gray. I have a very difficult time believe, however, that the founding fathers meant it to be an existential and godless society.

Theresa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Theresa said...

Marriage being defined as a union between one man and one woman is a definition that has held strong all around the world for thousands of years. Religious views aside. The legal institution of marriage exists for the growth and prosperity of a culture. It (the legality) has nothing to with LOVE. Sure love is/can be part of it. And one could assume that love enhances marriages.

There are civil laws against stealing. Thou shalt not steal. There are civil laws against murder. Thou shalt not murder. There are civil laws against molestation and abuses. Thou shalt not covet. Those are ALL biblically based teachings/laws. What of those?

So what if the legal definition of marriage IS changed. Where does it stop? What about polygamy? What about legal ages of marriage? What about forced marriages? What about....
A person could go on and on. How deep will it go? The fact of the matter is that people vote according to their conscience (I hope) and their belief system. The amendment that defines marriage was written in a time when the LEGAL INSTITUTION of marriage was viewed as a means to GROW and PROSPER a culture.

I hope that that definition does not change. Because quite honestly, our culture and economy could use some growth and prosperity.

There IS separation of church and state. Though this country was built on christian principles, no one is asked to recite a rosary before getting their drivers license. No one is required to declare their belief by signing or reciting the Creed before they vote. No one is asked whether or not they LOVE the person they want to marry. No one is declined ownership of land or property based on their race. Yes, we live in a "free" society. Perhaps one could venture into the definition of freedom.
A whole other can of worms....

:-)

Anonymous said...

Well said, Mal....In these times, family is so important for love and support. I have been sick to my stomach since the 2008 election. My hair stands up when I think of "our leader" in the WH....I only imagined what was going to happen, bur kept hope that it wouldn't. We need to pray tirelessly for this election.

Mom S.

Anonymous said...

As a Lutheran my knowledge of your beliefs of a Catholic are limited. However, I am fairly certain the Bible reads along the lines of "God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man."
Earlier you commented "Why attack people of faith?" My question is why attack anyone ever?

Theresa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mallory said...

Anon, you are right, no one should ever be attacked for who they are. And, those who are Christian are right not to judge. However, I don't think I have come across as attacking anyone, with the point of post being the ability to practice religious freedom, not attack any group of people. Judging the salvation of a person's soul and believing actions to be right or wrong are very different things. It seems as though the blanket term of "not judging" has been extended so far as to condone every action and behavior as acceptable. As a Catholic, our beliefs are based upon the Natural Law, and our actions carry significant weight. It is not a judgment to want to protect our religious freedom and define our moral actions.

Mallory said...

Theresa,
Let's be sensitive to the fact that the Anon poster admitted to a limited understanding of the Catholic faith, and perhaps other readers are unable to understand why Catholics are so concerned about the political climate.

For anyone reading...For many practicing Catholics, many of these issues have raised ultimatums in our lives--Do we comply with the government? Or do we practice our faith? In some of the current changes (HHS Mandate), there is no way to do both, and this raises some very serious issues. It is a real thing that employers will be forced to stop providing any health coverage because of their uncompromising beliefs, and it is a real thing that charities have been forced to close their doors and stop providing for the needs of others because they cannot compromise their faith with what the government forces them to do.

No one should be attacked, nor should the salvation of a person be judged. But again, this post is about religious freedom, not condemning any person.

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