But what if...?

When in debate about the morality of homosexuality, one of the most common things that is meant to silence opposition  is the question "What if your son/daughter/etc was gay?"  Naturally, for many of us this would in fact be a difficult and shocking situation, and certainly one worth considering.  However, it isn't nearly as difficult to deal with as many people think.
What would we do if one of our loved ones were an alcoholic?  Would we shun them, keeping them out of our lives because of this fault, this burden that they bear?  Most likely not.  We would love them, pray for them, help them find their way out of their sin and at least get to the point where they can manage the struggle.  Homosexuality can be treated in much the same way.  We continue to love those who suffer from Same Sex Attraction and to pray for them.  Where possible, we can help them with their struggle.
Naturally, this will not satisfy those who see nothing wrong with homosexuality.  But it does serve to illustrate that we are in fact thoughtful people who are not capable of loving those who disagree with us, that we can in fact hate the sin and love the sinner.

An Ecumenical Conference

People who attended or have looked into the previous culture of life conference might notice one or two differences.  One is that the first speaker is a Protestant and another is that the venue is at a Christian Reformed Church.  This is in contrast to the previous conference which featured all Catholic speakers at a Catholic venue.

The truth is that we always wanted to be ecumenical and yet not compromise our Catholic teaching.  There are numerous areas where this is not easy.  However, the major culture issues that have plagued our nation for several decades now provide an area where Catholics and Protestants of many kinds can find common ground against the militant secularism that surrounds us and with the push for homosexual marriage and the HHS contraception mandate threatens some of our most cherished liberties.  As such it is important for all Christians to offer a response to these challenges.  And it is our firm belief that that response should not only be negative in the sense of stating our opposition and some reasons for that opposition.  Rather our response should also be positive, reminding our culture of the beauty of Christian marriage and family life lived in its fulness as Christ intended and the positive effect it has on the wider society.

With all of this mind, we invite all Christians and non-Christians who wish to understand the Christian teaching on marriage and family for fully to come North St. Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland this November 2.  There we will get beyond the slogans and sound-bites and into the real roots of Christian teaching on marriage and family, the cornerstones of civilization.

More on the HHS Mandate

Update on HHS Mandate and Federal Government’s Attack on the Catholic Church and All Religions

Topic: Where we are, and where we are going.

Followed by Q&A.

Presenter: Fr. Vincent O’Malley, CM

When: April 4, Wednesday

Where: St. Lazare Retreat House

Time: 7-8 PM

Cost: A couple of prayers

RSVP: Seating and Standing space is available for the first 75 people.

Please leave your name and number of people attending with you.

Email is preferred: secretaryst@att.net

Phone: 616-842-3370, ext. #1

Religious Freedom Rally in the Works!

1st Annual Freedom Of Religion Rally
12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
rd, 2012---Calder Plaza, Grand Rapids Michigan
March 23

Monday March 12th, 2012

For Your Information:

I am organizing a protest Rally against the Abrogation of Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience as guaranteed under the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. The Event is called the 1st Annual Freedom of Religion Rally.

This is part of a Nation-Wide effort to have citizens gather peacefully at Federal buildings across the United States on Friday March 23rd, 2012 at 12 noon to protest the Federal Health & Human Services Mandate for all employers including religious institutions to provide types of health care services that may violate that person or business or institutions conscience or beliefs.

The nation wide event was originally conceived by the Pro-Life Action League in cooperation with the Citizens For A Pro-Life Society. Since then many other pro-life, religious, civic and business groups have joined the cause to protest abrogation of Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience.

We are currently seeking Sponsors, Donors and speakers to make this an effective and eloquent event.

We will be gathering at the NE corner of the Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

This event will feature numerous speakers including ministers (from various denominations), private citizens, and representatives of various sponsoring groups as well as some recorded and live patriotic music.

We also will have several individuals walking around the Federal Building just north of the Calder Plaza with protest signs. We hope to have some positive Media Coverage of this important event.

If you are interested in learning more or possible becoming a donor or sponsor or speaker please contact me at:

Steve Redmond, MPA
Grand Rapids Event Organizer

Home-------616-399-5520
(if you don’t reach me at this number try my cell phone or an e-mail----my answering machine is faulty)

Cell---------616-204-4427

E-Mail----- steveredmond@sbcglobal.net

The only thing necessary for evil men to succeed is for good men (and women) to stand aside
and do nothing ! Please become involved and support this important peaceful event to seek restoration of
Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience in America.

The Mandate etc

By now everyone has heard of the HHS Mandate and Obama's initial double-down on it.  Now he is attempting what Mark Shea called a head fake.  As I heard it explained on NPR, it basically would require insurance companies themselves to cover the contraceptives of a religious employer, rather than the employer himself.  After a little thought, I realized a few things.  The first is that nothing has really changed. No matter what, the insurance company is the one who writes the checks and not the employer.  The only difference here is that the Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist hospital, school, soup kitchen doesn't have contraception as a line item in the insurance policy.   But it is still there.  I'm willing to bet that the cost of insurance will be exactly the same, or even higher for religious employers who object to contraception than for those who think it is just fine.  Why do I think it will be higher?  I'm willing to bet the insurers will up the premiums to accommodate the extra hassle they need to go through.  It will likely not be signaled out as a separate item in the bills they send as that would be too obvious.   More likely, they will simply increase the base fee for all religious employers so as to appear to not be discriminating.  Essentially, the companies will wind up making even more money off of this deal.
Here's another concern.  What about religious insurers who pride themselves on not providing coverage for abortion and contraception?  I can't think of any but I'm sure there are a couple out there.  They're still stuck.
But can't they just not have insurance?  I thought this might be a possibility.  Don't pay for insurance but still give the employees the money that would have gone to the insurance company.  That way the employees can still afford their own insurance.  That'd be great except that there is this health care legislation that recently passed mandating that everyone have insurance.  So if religious organizations don't actually have insurance they still need to pay a penalty to the government. 
At the end of the day nothing has changed and I pray that our bishops and other religious leaders don't back down for a moment.

Abstinence

Apparently Wisconsin just passed some legislation concerning sex ed that places an emphasis on abstinence and marriage.  Now, I don't know a thing about the legislation beyond that but naturally, the usual suspects are in a bit of a huff over it.  I just don't get it.  If the goal is the reduction of teen pregnancy then emphasizing the desirability of remaining a virgin until married is actually the best way to go about it.  Sure not all of them will listen and many will only listen for a while, but what on earth makes anyone think that the kids will listen any more to talk about condoms and pills?  Besides, those things don't always work.  The only sure way to not get pregnant is to not have sex.  And the best way to not be a single parent is to wait until you are married to have sex.  This shouldn't be that hard. 
Of course, it isn't really about teen pregnancy anyway, it's about expanding the sexual revolution until not only is "consequence free" promiscuity accepted and widespread (as it is today) but actively promoted and encouraged at an early age (a goal many are already pushing).