Walt is not quite ready, when writing about the sayings and doings of Jorge "Francis" Bergoglio, to put the word "Pope" in quote marks, but every week, every day brings me nearer to that point. A couple of weeks ago the Holy Father told a bemused world that no religion is terrorist. The laughter had hardly died away when, a few days ago, the Pope said that in his humble opinion -- Francis is the soul of humility, remember -- sincere atheists and agnostics are better people than wishy-washy Christians. And they can go to "the place of happiness" too. So there.
What, I wonder, is wrong with Pope Francis? Is he suffering from senile dementia? Or is he truly hell-bent (I use that adjective deliberately) on overturning two millennia of Christian theology so as to corrupt the Faith of millions and destroy Holy Mother Church? I hope and pray it's the former, for God will remedy that in His good time.
I am not the only person asking that question. Even non-Catholics are wondering what's wrong with Pope Francis? Here's a very short video of Rev. James David Manning, Pastor of the ATLAH World Missionary Church in Harlem, who points out the total contradiction between what Pope Francis is saying and what true Christians believe.
Dear Catholic readers, please pray for Pope Francis, that he may accept the correction and direction of God, and to Saint Michael the Archangel that he may defend Holy Mother Church and protect all who believe and teach the Faith of our fathers. Amen.
Showing posts with label atheism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atheism. Show all posts
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Sunday, February 1, 2015
VIDEO: Atheistic materialism vs classical metaphysics
WARNING: This video contains strong (= powerful) language and incredibly deep subject matter. It is suitable only for mature adults interested in coming to grips with the arguments for "scientific materialism" -- the philosophy (for such it is!) espoused by Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking -- and classical metaphysics, as propounded by Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas.
This lecture "Does Richard Dawkins Exist? An Introduction to Atheistic Materialism and Theistic Hylomorphism" was given last week at the Aquinas School of Philosophy by Dennis Bonnette. It was taped by Agent 10 [Congratulations on your appointment! Ed.] who can be heard chuckling at a couple of Dr. Bonnette's clever lines.
The video is just over an hour long, and Walt concedes that it's pretty heavy going, particularly for the first 40 minutes or so in which Dr. Bonnette tries to make sense of the atheists' argument that the universe exists merely by chance.
Walt does not pretend to have "got it" completely the first time through, or even the second. But if you take the time to listen carefully, the lecture is truly superb.
At the end, Dr. Bonnette mentions that his talk is part of a series, given Fridays at 6:30 p.m. If you live in the vicinty of Lewiston NY and would like to attend, click here for details. You never know who you might be sitting next to!
You can get a DVD of this presentation for only $5. Tell `em Walt sent ya!
This lecture "Does Richard Dawkins Exist? An Introduction to Atheistic Materialism and Theistic Hylomorphism" was given last week at the Aquinas School of Philosophy by Dennis Bonnette. It was taped by Agent 10 [Congratulations on your appointment! Ed.] who can be heard chuckling at a couple of Dr. Bonnette's clever lines.
The video is just over an hour long, and Walt concedes that it's pretty heavy going, particularly for the first 40 minutes or so in which Dr. Bonnette tries to make sense of the atheists' argument that the universe exists merely by chance.
Walt does not pretend to have "got it" completely the first time through, or even the second. But if you take the time to listen carefully, the lecture is truly superb.
At the end, Dr. Bonnette mentions that his talk is part of a series, given Fridays at 6:30 p.m. If you live in the vicinty of Lewiston NY and would like to attend, click here for details. You never know who you might be sitting next to!
You can get a DVD of this presentation for only $5. Tell `em Walt sent ya!
Monday, December 2, 2013
VIDEO: Canuck politico sends season's greetings to infidel atheists
In this morning's piece about Zwarte Piet (see below) Walt wished all the PC types a Merry Christmas. But I wasn't the only one sending out seasonal greetings to those who think Western religion and culture have no place in our modern secular society.
Brian Pallister is leader of the Progressive Conservative [sic] Party of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Last week he got scrummed inside the legislature building by blogger Natalie Pollock. She had the ole camcorder on while Mr. Pallister expressed his feelings for those who feel excluded by all this Christian talk about Christmas. Here's the video.
Reaction from the usual gang of progressive thinkers, secular humanists, atheists and other infidels was as swift as it was predictable. Donna Harris, president of something that calls itself "Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics of Manitoba" -- number of members unknown -- told the Winnipeg Free Press, "It was very judgmental. The use of the word 'infidels' is especially troubling and negative because there are many countries around the world where being a non-believer, or infidel, may possibly be a death sentence."
Fortunately for Ms Harris, Canada is not among those "many countries". [Which ones could she have meant? Ed.]
When challenged, Mr. Pallister stuck to his guns, defending his use of the word "infidel", which he said the dictionary defines as "non-believer." And so it does.
"I’m always disappointed when people misrepresent the meaning of the words. What I was trying to do there is include everyone in my best wishes over the holidays," he told a press conference this morning. He said he also regrets when his opponents misrepresent what he says. "That being said, I just ask that people in Manitoba ... forgive me at this time of year if they think that I have stepped on their toes, but I sincerely just meant to include everyone in my best wishes. That’s all."
Walt has obtained Mr. Pallister's e-mail address and will be sending him a link to this post, with my very best -- and very politically incorrect -- wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Footnote: Mr. Pallister is the MLA for the provincial riding of Fort Whyte. Just a coincidence.
Brian Pallister is leader of the Progressive Conservative [sic] Party of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Last week he got scrummed inside the legislature building by blogger Natalie Pollock. She had the ole camcorder on while Mr. Pallister expressed his feelings for those who feel excluded by all this Christian talk about Christmas. Here's the video.
Reaction from the usual gang of progressive thinkers, secular humanists, atheists and other infidels was as swift as it was predictable. Donna Harris, president of something that calls itself "Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics of Manitoba" -- number of members unknown -- told the Winnipeg Free Press, "It was very judgmental. The use of the word 'infidels' is especially troubling and negative because there are many countries around the world where being a non-believer, or infidel, may possibly be a death sentence."
Fortunately for Ms Harris, Canada is not among those "many countries". [Which ones could she have meant? Ed.]
When challenged, Mr. Pallister stuck to his guns, defending his use of the word "infidel", which he said the dictionary defines as "non-believer." And so it does.
"I’m always disappointed when people misrepresent the meaning of the words. What I was trying to do there is include everyone in my best wishes over the holidays," he told a press conference this morning. He said he also regrets when his opponents misrepresent what he says. "That being said, I just ask that people in Manitoba ... forgive me at this time of year if they think that I have stepped on their toes, but I sincerely just meant to include everyone in my best wishes. That’s all."
Walt has obtained Mr. Pallister's e-mail address and will be sending him a link to this post, with my very best -- and very politically incorrect -- wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Footnote: Mr. Pallister is the MLA for the provincial riding of Fort Whyte. Just a coincidence.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Saint Ho Chi Minh? Oppression of the Church in Vietnam continues
In a remote corner of the Vietnamese province of Gia Lai, an intrepid traveller would find the village of Dak Pnan. The people who live there are lepers. The chapel is based in Dak Pnan village, whose members are lepers. Most of them belong to a tiny ethnic minority, the Bahnars. And most of them are Catholics
In 1999, a charitable organization based in France built a chapel in Dak Pnan in which the villagers could worship and hold their common activities. The villagers furnished the building with an altar, tabernacle, crucifix, and an image of the Blessed Virgin.
Last week, Communist officials ordered the faithful villagers to remove the Catholic pictures and items -- every last one -- from their chapel. If they didn't, the Communists told them, their lay leader would be put in prison.
So the villagers had to carry the cross, Marian picture, altar and tabernacle to the lay leader’s house. Authorities then put two pictures of Ho Chi Minh in the places where the cross and Marian picture were.
On the following day, authorities dismantled the bell of the chapel after local Catholics refused to do it. The bell was also taken to the lay leader’s house.
Stories like this are common in Communist-ruled countries like Vietnam, China and North Korea, but also in nominally secular states like India. I'm posting this one to remind all readers (not just Catholics) that Communism and Christianity are antithetical. The official belief system of Communism is atheism. That's why we call it "godless Communism". To Communists and atheists, Christianity is the enemy, to be treated accordingly, as in this example.
The same can truly be said of the secular humanists who rule the United States of America. President Obama and his administration are waging war on Christianity, especially in its truest form, Catholicism.
Believers! It is your right and your duty to resist such oppression, at home and abroad. Support in whatever way you can those who are persecuted for the sake of the True Faith. And remember Christ's promise: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the kindgom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and peresecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake. (St. Matthew 5:10-11)
In 1999, a charitable organization based in France built a chapel in Dak Pnan in which the villagers could worship and hold their common activities. The villagers furnished the building with an altar, tabernacle, crucifix, and an image of the Blessed Virgin.
Last week, Communist officials ordered the faithful villagers to remove the Catholic pictures and items -- every last one -- from their chapel. If they didn't, the Communists told them, their lay leader would be put in prison.
So the villagers had to carry the cross, Marian picture, altar and tabernacle to the lay leader’s house. Authorities then put two pictures of Ho Chi Minh in the places where the cross and Marian picture were.
On the following day, authorities dismantled the bell of the chapel after local Catholics refused to do it. The bell was also taken to the lay leader’s house.
Stories like this are common in Communist-ruled countries like Vietnam, China and North Korea, but also in nominally secular states like India. I'm posting this one to remind all readers (not just Catholics) that Communism and Christianity are antithetical. The official belief system of Communism is atheism. That's why we call it "godless Communism". To Communists and atheists, Christianity is the enemy, to be treated accordingly, as in this example.
The same can truly be said of the secular humanists who rule the United States of America. President Obama and his administration are waging war on Christianity, especially in its truest form, Catholicism.
Believers! It is your right and your duty to resist such oppression, at home and abroad. Support in whatever way you can those who are persecuted for the sake of the True Faith. And remember Christ's promise: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the kindgom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and peresecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake. (St. Matthew 5:10-11)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Christopher Hitchens meets his maker
In case you haven't read all the hang-wringing articles and obits in the lamestream press, Christopher Hitchens died last week. He was a loudmouth, left-wing, secular humanist and God-denier. Now he should be painfully aware that he was wrong.
Agent 3 has written a bit of poetry [??? Ed.] to mark Hitchens' passage into the world beyond.
Walt adds an "amen". God will not be mocked.
Agent 3 has written a bit of poetry [??? Ed.] to mark Hitchens' passage into the world beyond.
So, farewell then, Christopher Hitchens
May you burn forever in hell
And save a place for Richard Dawkins
For he shall surely be next.
May you burn forever in hell
And save a place for Richard Dawkins
For he shall surely be next.
Walt adds an "amen". God will not be mocked.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Zen and the maintenance of the Faith - the REAL Catholic Church in China
Freedom of religion is "guaranteed" in the constitution of the People's Republic of China. Yes, Chinese are free to worship any God they please in any way they please...as long as the Communist government approves.
Let it be remembered that China is a totalitarian, Communist-ruled state. And the official religion of Communism is atheism. Good Communists believe in the Party, not in God. And let it be remembered too that good Catholics cannot be good Communists. The two creeds are antithetical. Man cannot serve two masters. It is still a sin for a Catholic to belong to the Communist Party or any secret society such as the Freemasons.
Thus Chinese Catholics were impaled on the horns of a dilemma when the Communists usurped power in 1949. The new government also needed to figure out a way to co-opt all the troublesome people -- especially the Catholic clergy -- who owed allegiance to Rome rather than Beijing.
Their solution was to set up a schismatic, puppet "church", the Catholic Patriotic Association, and put heavy pressure on Chinese bishops, priests and laypeople to join. Many did, but many did not. Those who stayed in the "underground Church" were rewarded for their steadfastness with ostracism, persecution, imprisonment, torture and even death. Don't let anyone tell you that there are no Catholic martyrs in the 21st century. Several bishops and priests, and uncounted laypeople have died in Chinese Communist prisons.
Meanwhile, the Vatican, under the aegis of Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano and his successor, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has pursued a policy of "Ostpolitik" -- "making nice" with the Communists and their lapdog bishops and priests in hopes of "normalizing" relations between two institutions which are diametrically opposed.
Part of this delusional attempt to reconcile with the Chinese Communists was a letter written (or at least signed) by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. In this much misunderstood document, the Pope appeared to encourage members of the underground Church to attend CPA "masses" and recognize the leadership of Beijing-appointed bishops and priests. To say that this letter caused confusion and distress in the underground community is a gross understatement.
For a good account of what the Pope's letter was really all about, click here to read "Latest Vatican Pronouncement on China: Statement of Support or Start of a Sellout", by noted Catholic commentator James W. Bannister.
Not long before the Pope's letter appeared, the Archbishop of Hong Kong, Joseph Zen, was elevated to the rank of cardinal, and given a special mission to "bridge the gap" between the Holy See and Beijing, between the real Roman Catholic Church in China and the CPA.
Imagine the consternation in the Vatican Secretariat of State when Cardinal Zen, rather than toeing the party line, turned out to be a tireless champion for religious freedom! Cardinal Zen, now bishop emeritus, persists in preaching that being Catholic allows one to be truly patriotic and anyone who opposes their faith to serve the homeland (as the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party insists) is guilty of sophistry.
On June 29th, Cardinal Zen published yet another letter highly critical of the Vatican's attempts at rapprochement with Beijing, and Beijing's attempts to bring the Chinese Church under its complete control and suppress all who dissent.
He exhorts Chinese Catholic leaders -- especially those of the "official" church recognized by the government -- to be more courageous in resisting compromise, and especially in rejecting the claims to authority made by the CPA.
Cardinal Zen's letter concludes thus:
We must pray that the leaders of our Nation come to understand that a free Catholic Church is no threat to our country. On the contrary, if we are allowed to live happily our faith, we can contribute more to the welfare and all-round progress of our people....
On this journey of faith, we have been promised both tribulations and consolations. Our companions and models are the Saints and especially the glorious Martyrs.
Mary, Help of Christians, our Heavenly Mother and the Star of Hope, to whom the Pope has entrusted our Church, will lead us to peaceful victory."
You can read the full text of the prelate's letter in "Cardinal Zen: The Church in China two years after the Pope's Letter".
Let it be remembered that China is a totalitarian, Communist-ruled state. And the official religion of Communism is atheism. Good Communists believe in the Party, not in God. And let it be remembered too that good Catholics cannot be good Communists. The two creeds are antithetical. Man cannot serve two masters. It is still a sin for a Catholic to belong to the Communist Party or any secret society such as the Freemasons.
Thus Chinese Catholics were impaled on the horns of a dilemma when the Communists usurped power in 1949. The new government also needed to figure out a way to co-opt all the troublesome people -- especially the Catholic clergy -- who owed allegiance to Rome rather than Beijing.
Their solution was to set up a schismatic, puppet "church", the Catholic Patriotic Association, and put heavy pressure on Chinese bishops, priests and laypeople to join. Many did, but many did not. Those who stayed in the "underground Church" were rewarded for their steadfastness with ostracism, persecution, imprisonment, torture and even death. Don't let anyone tell you that there are no Catholic martyrs in the 21st century. Several bishops and priests, and uncounted laypeople have died in Chinese Communist prisons.
Meanwhile, the Vatican, under the aegis of Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano and his successor, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has pursued a policy of "Ostpolitik" -- "making nice" with the Communists and their lapdog bishops and priests in hopes of "normalizing" relations between two institutions which are diametrically opposed.
Part of this delusional attempt to reconcile with the Chinese Communists was a letter written (or at least signed) by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. In this much misunderstood document, the Pope appeared to encourage members of the underground Church to attend CPA "masses" and recognize the leadership of Beijing-appointed bishops and priests. To say that this letter caused confusion and distress in the underground community is a gross understatement.
For a good account of what the Pope's letter was really all about, click here to read "Latest Vatican Pronouncement on China: Statement of Support or Start of a Sellout", by noted Catholic commentator James W. Bannister.
Not long before the Pope's letter appeared, the Archbishop of Hong Kong, Joseph Zen, was elevated to the rank of cardinal, and given a special mission to "bridge the gap" between the Holy See and Beijing, between the real Roman Catholic Church in China and the CPA.
Imagine the consternation in the Vatican Secretariat of State when Cardinal Zen, rather than toeing the party line, turned out to be a tireless champion for religious freedom! Cardinal Zen, now bishop emeritus, persists in preaching that being Catholic allows one to be truly patriotic and anyone who opposes their faith to serve the homeland (as the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party insists) is guilty of sophistry.
On June 29th, Cardinal Zen published yet another letter highly critical of the Vatican's attempts at rapprochement with Beijing, and Beijing's attempts to bring the Chinese Church under its complete control and suppress all who dissent.
He exhorts Chinese Catholic leaders -- especially those of the "official" church recognized by the government -- to be more courageous in resisting compromise, and especially in rejecting the claims to authority made by the CPA.
Cardinal Zen's letter concludes thus:
We must pray that the leaders of our Nation come to understand that a free Catholic Church is no threat to our country. On the contrary, if we are allowed to live happily our faith, we can contribute more to the welfare and all-round progress of our people....
On this journey of faith, we have been promised both tribulations and consolations. Our companions and models are the Saints and especially the glorious Martyrs.
Mary, Help of Christians, our Heavenly Mother and the Star of Hope, to whom the Pope has entrusted our Church, will lead us to peaceful victory."
You can read the full text of the prelate's letter in "Cardinal Zen: The Church in China two years after the Pope's Letter".
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