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Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - rankandfile - 05-13-2011
"More than 75 professors at Catholic University and other prominent Catholic colleges have written a pointed letter to Mr. Boehner saying that the Republican-supported budget he shepherded through the House will hurt the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable, and that he therefore has failed to uphold basic Catholic moral teachings."
"'Mr. Speaker, your voting record is at variance from one of the church’s most ancient moral teachings,” the letter says. “From the apostles to the present, the magisterium of the church has insisted that those in power are morally obliged to preference the needs of the poor. Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress. This fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.'”
"The letter writers criticize Mr. Boehner’s support for a budget that cut financing for Medicare, Medicaid and the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, while granting tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. They call such policies “anti-life,” a particularly biting reference because the phrase is usually applied to politicians and others who support the right to abortion."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12catholic.html?_r=2&hp
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - rjmacs - 05-13-2011
Interesting and welcome (it should be said that many Democrats are also worthy of similar criticisms), but Catholic faculty don't speak for the Church. It would carry more weight if it came from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. But wouldn't that be nice, though?
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - RgrF - 05-13-2011
I disagree. Freedom of religion should also mean freedom from religion. While followers have a right to worship and practice their beliefs as they see fit, they have no right to attempt to impose those beliefs on society as a whole.
Our laws are rife with statues that arise from dogma of dominant local churches, dogma that has no business in public life.
Separation of church and state should mean just what it says, not what those who are religious say it means.
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - beagledave - 05-13-2011
RgrF wrote:
While followers have a right to worship and practice their beliefs as they see fit, they have no right to attempt to impose those beliefs on society as a whole.
.
Really?
Dear Martin Luther King, Jr;
Suck it?
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - Mac1337 - 05-13-2011
Does Catholic University only hires Catholics? If you are dishonest about the title of the thread you start I am not sure I want to take the post itself seriously.
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - RgrF - 05-13-2011
beagledave wrote:
[quote=RgrF]
While followers have a right to worship and practice their beliefs as they see fit, they have no right to attempt to impose those beliefs on society as a whole.
.
Really?
Dear Martin Luther King, Jr;
Suck it?
Persuasion is not imposition.
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - Grace62 - 05-13-2011
RgrF wrote:
[quote=beagledave]
[quote=RgrF]
While followers have a right to worship and practice their beliefs as they see fit, they have no right to attempt to impose those beliefs on society as a whole.
.
Really?
Dear Martin Luther King, Jr;
Suck it?
Persuasion is not imposition.
Did anyone read the article before commenting? Boehner is Roman Catholic, and is scheduled to give the commencement address at Catholic U in DC. Not all professors are happy about that. However, as the article notes, the faculty at Catholic U does not speak politically with one voice and there are diverse points of view.
I would describe the letter from the Catholic professors as an attempt at persuasion, wouldn't you? How would they "impose" on Speaker Boehner? It's no different than you and a bunch of friends who share similar values sitting down and doing a letter writing campaign to Congress, is it? Would you be "imposing" your views on Congress or on anyone else?
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - RgrF - 05-13-2011
I was referring to statutes passed with influence from various religions. Blue laws in New England come to mind although I'm sure there are many other even more egregious examples of religious beliefs crossing over to public law.
We have a long sad history of religious denominations dictating the "law of the land". It's high time we stand by our declaration of "separation of church and state".
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - Grace62 - 05-13-2011
What if religious people are organizing politically for something you agree with? Is it OK then? There's a "religious left" too, you know.
Re: Critical Letter by Catholics Cites Boehner on Policies - beagledave - 05-13-2011
Grace62 wrote:
What if religious people are organizing politically for something you agree with? Is it OK then? There's a "religious left" too, you know.
Exactly.