Happy Easter, Catholics. Your pope is not much different from a secular politician exercising damage control. Fortunately, President Obama is helping him "repent faster" when he steps into controversy.
That's the message being sent by the "On Faith" editorial staff with their excerpts "From the Panel" published in the April 11 print edition of the Washington Post. A partnership with Newsweek, "On Faith" is edited by the magazine's Jon Meacham and the Post's Sally Quinn.
"What's Behind Pope's Apologies?" asks the headline. An editorial note gives readers the question asked "On Faith" panelists:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Pope Benedict XVI has offered a number of apologies recently, for clergy sex abuse, for promoting a Holocaust denier, for statements about Islam. What does it mean that a pope has started doing that? Should those apologies be accepted? Should more religious leaders do that?
Three panelists were excerpted, including author and reporter Susan Jacoby, who insisted that:
When the pope apologizes for anything, his statement generally signifies nothing more than an attempt at damage control in the wake of an unanticipated public relations disaster created by his and his church's actions.
But, "[i]n all fairness," Jacoby snarked, "it must be said that this generalization also applies to nearly every apology made by secular politicians" which "should not be surprising, because all popes are politicians" who "wouldn't have gotten to be popes otherwise."
As if to rub salt in the wound, another panelist, "minister, teacher and author" Willis E. Elliott added that President Obama has probably been a positive influence on the Bishop of Rome (italics his):
"I screwed up" is the way President Obama admitted a mistake ahead of the media curve, and America smiled. Maybe this president, master of the media, helped this pope repent faster. That's a welcome change in papal behavior, and a good model for all religious leaders -- indeed, for all leaders.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
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Are these people for real??????
April 11, 2009 - 17:12 ET by motherbeltThank God Obama came along to be a role model for all religious leaders!!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
MORALS MATTER, MY LTE TO BR PAPER
April 12, 2009 - 14:32 ET by reelman46LETTER TO EDITOR: BR PAPER 4.13.09
THE HIDDEN “WAR” ON POVERTY
I read with little interest the poverty litany (of April 12th) produced
every few years as a sort of grow the gov-meant guilt trip beloved by
the secular socialist media.
The real war is (and has been) upon basic common sense morality. We
always fail to see data such as percentage of fornication babies, shack
ups and Church attendance. These are of no consequence to the
secularist. Morals do not matter and character does not count despite
the huge risk (and astronomical costs) posed by these life choices.
The first things a culture gets eaten away by the termites of modern
liberalism are shame and respect. Tell us where to find the long front
page articles on the “war” to get these back. We are waiting.
(submitted to the paper 4.13.2009)
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
Ya gotta be kidding ...
April 11, 2009 - 17:14 ET by KC MulvilleThe On Faith blog is a joke. First, it's run by Sally Quinn (a non-believer) and Jon Meacham, whose last contribution to it was to declare the end of Christianity, then said he was just kidding. This isn't a blog to advance faith; it actually obstructs it. This is what faith looks like under the control of the Washington Post: it's a mushy outhouse for liberal politics.
Now they have Obama supporters claiming that the pope is just an amateur politician who can learn from their master. (Who hilariously bows to the Saudi king, and then denies the videotape evidence.)
Don't bother, they're here ...
Only the WaPo would have an
April 11, 2009 - 17:24 ET by motherbeltOnly the WaPo would have an "On Faith" feature run by a nonbeliever and a Christian-basher.
Maybe they should rename to "Dump On Faith."
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Pope's a 'Politician' Who
April 11, 2009 - 17:27 ET by BlazerPope's a 'Politician' Who Can Learn From Obama
The Pope is a religious leader who learn's from God.
Then again to the MSM Obama is God, I forgot.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Who is it that doesn't learn?
April 11, 2009 - 17:45 ET by slickwillie2001Re learning, the Bamster is the one that doesn't seem to learn from experience: The Vatican Says No to Obama's Ambassadors: http://www.americanthinker.com
"According to James Morrison at The Washington Times, the Vatican has rejected three candidates to serve as US ambassador to the Vatican because of the nominees' support for abortion..."
You'd think after three smacks, Dear Leader would catch on.
I read elsewhere that
April 11, 2009 - 18:05 ET by motherbeltI read elsewhere that Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg was one of the rejects; I haven't seen anything about who the other two were.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Quinn, Meacham, Newsweek
April 11, 2009 - 18:08 ET by bigtimerQuinn, Meacham, Newsweek and WaPo...
Enough said.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Holy...
April 11, 2009 - 18:51 ET by Kat Outta the BagWow...I'm a Protestant and I find it offensive that they'd compare the Pope to a scum politician. How low can they get?
Ditto, Kat. Jacoby might
April 11, 2009 - 20:04 ET by Ken ShepherdDitto, Kat.
Jacoby might protest that she simply means the electoral proceedings in the College of Cardinals, but even so it is grossly unfair to Joseph Ratzinger, who is an accomplished scholar and theologian in his own right well before becoming Pope.
To boil down his office and previous ecclesial offices to political in nature is not just insulting but highly inaccurate.
We Catholics believe that
April 11, 2009 - 20:59 ET by motherbeltWe Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit is instrumental in the election of a new Pope, not just the "politics" of voting.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
The Pope's a politician who
April 11, 2009 - 21:19 ET by EugeniaThe Pope's a politician who can learn from Obama.
haaaahahaaahahahahaha!
Do the wonders of stupidity of these lame stream media types ever end?
Sorry!
April 12, 2009 - 04:35 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsChange a couple words:
When (Obama) apologizes for anything, his statement generally
signifies nothing more than an attempt at damage control in the wake of
an unanticipated public relations disaster created by his and his (appointee's) actions.
And that works for me!
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Happy Easter
April 12, 2009 - 07:03 ET by moderncommentaries83First, aren't liberals all about "speaking truth to power"? Well, guess what - in a world that says promiscuous sex, abortion, self-centeredness, and self-satisfaction are the top priorities, the Pope says, "No, they aren't." That's speaking truth to power.
Second, the Pope isn't a politician. They love to politicize religion, but it isn't happening. The Pope is as religious leader.
Third, they're not Catholic. Neither is Obama. In fact, they're more hostile to Catholics than pretty much any group out there...so we're supposed to say, "Gee, you're right," and chuck 2,000-plus years of religious faith (which has always been consistent) for whatever secular cause-du-jour happens to be most important today?
Let me conclude with a question. Which takes more courage and guts:
To be like Obama, who will say and do anything to get elected, even if it means going back on those promises? Who panders to the lowest common denominator to make his career successful?
OR
To be like the Pope, who says and does what the Catholic faith teaches, proclaims it to the world, and doesn't care what the reaction from a culture that will intentionally twist his words might be?
It's easy to be a moral relativist.
It's much, much hard to be a man to stands up for what he believes in no matter which way the winds are blowing.
A blessed Easter to all of you, and prayers for the WaPo bloggers and all who hate the Pope.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
"PRAISE OUR MESSIAH
April 12, 2009 - 10:14 ET by wiwf"PRAISE OUR MESSIAH DAMMIT!" - MSM
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Thanks for your post, especially the Easter greeting . . .
April 12, 2009 - 12:28 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . . and the call for prayers for the WaPo bloggers and those who hate the Pope.
But as a Protestant Christian, I suggest anyone calling themself Christian who actually believes in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--and who did not vote for fake Christian and infanticide champion Barack Obama--pray for all those who hate God, thus the Pope and Christians who stand for God.
That certainly includes Obama and the members of the advocacy/adversary media.
But it also includes all who've rejected the Christ.
And it includes all those who call themselves Christian but were deceived enough to vote for a man who hates life and wages war against humanity's most defenseless.
well said
April 12, 2009 - 12:32 ET by TruthMongerOf all religious faiths, none has been persecuted more than the Christian faith. As the handbook of Christianity, what does the Bible say about persecution? When we suffer today for our faith in Christ, we are sharing in His suffering. Through it, we become stronger and wiser. Additionally, those who do not yet believe will look at us and see the firmness of our faith. Our patient suffering may even draw them to believe. Know this: When God permits suffering of any kind, including persecution for our faith, it is always for our greater good.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).
Thanks for your comments.
April 12, 2009 - 13:14 ET by CKA in Red State USAEspecially the reminder that when we suffer, regardless of what it maight be, we suffer for Christ.
Also for the reminders that it's our faith that is being strengthened and, as much as we not appreciate it or even like it while it happens, the Lord permits such challenges.
BTW: At another Newsbuster thread -- on the "Gay-Left Advocates Causing 'Chilling Effect' on Freedom of Americans with Traditional Religious Views" -- I spoke to that persecution and and standing for God. Here's what I posted.
"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (including Jesus -- the Son of God, the Son of David, the Son of Man) and I do not mean Allah -- has been forcing and is currently forcing anyone who calls himself or herself a Christian to stand for Him, the Lord Jehovah, and be proud of and evangelize the Gospel, not surrender.
"Indeed, that means taking a stand, no matter what.
"What passes for Christianity, in churches and denominations, and among individuals, is now being defined by people's love and knowledge of God, or hatred and/or ignorance of God. Or their desire to write their own gospels and pursue apostasy.
"Of course, now with pretend-Christian Barack Obama, the abortionist-in-chief, among other things, who got elected by 55 percent of so-called Catholic Christians voting for him and who knows how many Protestants, including evangelicals, voting for him--the secular world and those apostate or decevied Christians are emboldened to squeeze those who will not bend.
"Plus, we have Rick Warren, who openly lied on the Larry King show about his, Warren's, stance on California's Proposition 8.
"Warren, pastor of the mega-church Saddleback Church and purportedly the highest-selling Christian author, also groveled nationally on King's show, saying he'd apologized to his 'gay' friends for having every spoken out against homosexual marriages.
"With a deceived Christian leader of such prominence, with a fake Christian as president, with a liberal/leftist judiciary, with an advocacy/adversary media who is not just ignorant of Christianity but hostile to it, with the spiritual and intellecutal disease called political correctness, with an anti-Constitution political party in power--these all add up to an anti-Christian era in contemporary America.
"Should some of us live long enough, and Christ chooses not to return in our lifetimes, we may see Christianity outlawed. Certainly, we will continue to see the expansion of First Amendment prejudice against Christians.
"So, we who call ourselves Christian now increasingly find that we must chose between Caesar and Christ.
"So welcome to real Christianity, American Christians: Your life of living in the comfort zone ended a while ago and things ain't ever going to be what they once were in America.
"Some of us may be imprisoned, fired from jobs, ostracized, whatever.
"Some of us may even die.
"But so what?
"The princes of this world have always tried to kill Christ and Christianity.
"They failed at Golgotha, where the Christ was crucified.
"They've failed since, no matter what they've done or when they've done it, historically or now.
"They do not understand, as homosexuals and their supporters do not understand, that their persecution only serves to strenghten God's true church on this planet.
"While its being sifted more now, so what? The tares need to be separated from the wheat."
TM~
April 12, 2009 - 17:04 ET by Georgia GirlWell said.
Absolutely
April 12, 2009 - 16:52 ET by Kat Outta the BagHard as it is to do, we must pray for our enemies and those who hate and persecute us. Thank you for that reminder, CKA.
And God Bless the Pope and others who continue to stand up for what is morally right even in a world where the morally bankrupt ridicule us for it.
I like the Pope,
April 12, 2009 - 12:38 ET by upcountrywaterGod Bless America.
Sorry about mattews, Quick play this one
God Bless America
Wow a year ago...
P.R.I.N.T. Money 30 sec YT
I'm not even Catholic but I
April 13, 2009 - 00:53 ET by mostlymoderateI'm not even Catholic but I understand the importance of the Pope to his religion. I wouldn't call him a politician. Would WaPo say the same thing about Martin Luther King? Afterall, wasn't he just advocating his point of view to politics? How about Ghandi? The Dali Lama? I guess they are all politicians too. Let's face it, Muhammad was a big politician too, right? Nothing more. How about all them rabbi's in Israel et. Al.? Just politicians, right? Just another feeble attempt by the media to demonize Catholics and Christians. Afterall, nothing lower than a politican.
My question is, who broke it to the Pope?
April 13, 2009 - 06:46 ET by thebutlerdiditSomehow, I feel this would be news to him.
All a Democrat needs is the upper-story window of public attention and the chamber pot of rhetoric. How else to explain the rise of Joe Biden? P.J. O' Rourke
MM~
April 13, 2009 - 11:49 ET by Georgia GirlI'm not Catholic either, but this hit me as really disgraceful & totally ticked me off. I can understand completely why Catholics are not going to forget Obama in 2012. They don't want him to even show up at Notre Dame, as it is!
I'm a Christian, and I'm totally freaked out by all Obama is doing/projecting. The year 2012 cannot come soon enough. But in the meantime, I can't believe the Obamamania is seeping into religion in this type of perverse way. It's sickening.
I'm Protestant but I view
April 13, 2009 - 13:49 ET by RR GOPI'm Protestant but I view Roman Catholics and other Christian sects as Brothers and Sisters under Christ and view attacks against them as attacks against Christendom. Sure, they can attack Christians for many things because we are weak and imperfect, and have many evil-doers in our midst disguised as Believers, but they are also attacking God Himself in the belief that Man is superior and all-knowing.
We would do better as Christians, though, to get our act together and iron out many of our differences and quit being antagonistic toward one another because of age-old differences in interpretation that upon further rational examination are generally quite petty or no longer have any real meaning.
That being said, the Communists and their atheist buddies can bugger off.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).