Just over a week after blasting Pope Benedict XVI as being “horrifically ignorant” on the issue of HIV/AIDS (and thus exposing her own ignorance on the matter), US News & World Report contributor editor and PBS host Bonnie Erbe (at right, courtesy of Zap2it) labeled Catholics who object to President Barack Obama’s upcoming commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame as “closed-minded, atavistic types.” She also wrote in her Friday blog post on US News's website that the Catholic Church was “at its worst when it tries to reinvigorate the Spanish Inquisition and fight against such things as women’s reproductive rights and gay rights.”
Erbe began by expressing her glee at the opportunity to write about this: “The controversy over Notre Dame University’s invitation to President Obama to deliver this year’s commencement address is too tempting for me not to join, so here goes.” Not to nitpick Bonnie, but you got the name of the institution wrong. Notre Dame University is in Lebanon. The Catholic school in South Bend, Indiana is the University of Notre Dame. The difference does matter.
The PBS host then focused her ire at Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, who is a controversial figure even within the pro-life movement. She labeled him “one of the scariest zealots among public figures on the American scene, [who] is helping to lead the charge against President Obama’s graduation speech.” After making it clear that “just about anything Randall Terry’s for, I’m against, as is true of most free-thinking people,” she lauded Note Dame for making “a brilliant decision” in choosing President Obama. Furthermore, she claimed that “open-minded Catholics, who way outweigh the closed-minded, atavistic types, are also thrilled about Mr. Obama’s appearance.”
Not satisfied with merely bashing pro-lifers, Erbe then turned her attention to the Catholic Church as a whole. As you might expect, she expressed the typical busybodied leftist view that the Church needs to adopt pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage views in order to stay relevant:
The Catholic Church is losing adherents in this country and in Europe. Its growth areas are Africa and South America. It’s losing the educated and gaining the uneducated. But the globe is quickly becoming more and more educated. So its future is in wooing educated, progressive adherents. The Church is at its best when it advocates for the poor and positions itself as a big tent. It’s at its worst when it tries to reinvigorate the Spanish Inquisition and fight against such things as women’s reproductive rights and gay rights. It only took the Church from 1633 to 1992, when Pope John Paul II praised Galileo’s brilliance, to admit Galileo’s theory of heliocentrism was correct and the Church was wrong to condemn him for it.
So she wants the Catholic Church to be like the Republican Party in being a “big tent” institution. Also, Erbe took some liberty with what Pope John Paul II said in 1992 about Galileo, and leaves out one significant detail about the pontiff’s speech. The Pope went out of his way to correct the main myth about the conflict between the Church and Galileo:
From the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment down to our own day, the Galileo case has been a sort of “myth,” in which the image fabricated out of the events was quite far removed from reality. In this perspective, the Galileo case was the symbol of the Church’s supposed rejection of scientific progress, or of “dogmatic” obscurantism opposed to the free search for truth. This myth has played a considerable cultural role. It has helped to anchor a number of scientists of good faith in the idea that there was an incompatibility between the spirit of science and its rules of research on the one hand and the Christian faith on the other. A tragic mutual incomprehension has been interpreted as the reflection of a fundamental opposition between science and faith. The clarifications furnished by recent historical studies enable us to state that this sad misunderstanding now belongs to the past.
Not that the above matters to Erbe and her fellow leftists, since they take that myth for granted.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
A simple tirade....
March 27, 2009 - 14:40 ET by dborschjr68Erbe mentions "gay rights". Honestly, what the hell does that really mean, anyways?
And can we stop referring to these people as "gay", and call them homosexuals, sodomites, or lesbians? How about queer? They used that for their TV show, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy", correct?
And if heterosexuals are called "straight", then why aren't homosexuals called "crooked"?
======================
Brace yourself
For the backlash
Of your ignorance.
I love the simultaneous
March 27, 2009 - 14:56 ET by MANstreammediaI love the simultaneous desires among some members of some communities to be special and equal at the same time. I think the effort exerted towards expression of (insert type of pride here) pride would be better used elsewhere. I also love it when open-mindedness means one must agree with someone else rather than listening to his/her argument and making one's own opinion.
Is Watching a Partial Birth Abortion Open Minded?
March 27, 2009 - 15:18 ET by allanfIs the legal butchering of a late term fetus in a "partial birth" abortion "open minded".?
If she thinks the Catholic Church should be a "big tent" organization then she understands nothing about morality or right and wrong. Religions stem from a belief in God and a belief that there is absloute right and wrong.
Instead of scholarship, this womans arguments consist of name calling. The remarkable thing is that a failing national publication gives her web space.
You're being way way way too logical. Therefore . . .
March 27, 2009 - 17:53 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . . you must be dismissed.
Great point about "Queer Eye . . . "
In the HUTA world of liberals and leftists, it's always going to be OK for them to hold themselves to a more lenient standard.
Thus, "queer" is OK for them, just as "nigg*r" is OK for the black community. As long as those groups are the ones using those words.
BTW: Good point about hetereosexuals being straights and homosexuals being crookeds.
Let's hope that gains traction.
Closed minded?
March 27, 2009 - 14:45 ET by locomotivebreath1901Uh, huh.
As opposed to 'open minded' where all your reason & logic falls out and squishy, dissonant BS rushes in to fill the void??
Got it.
http://locomotivebre...
Call me closed minded
March 27, 2009 - 14:48 ET by Tom in NCI don't care, but unlike you lady I don't advocate killing babies in the womb for my own selfish interests, and promoting a perverse lifestyle choice.
DON'T GO AWAY MAD, B*ITCH, JUST GO AWAY
Let's see here...
March 27, 2009 - 14:51 ET by AJBWe have a president who wants to kill babies inside the womb, coming out of the womb, and, if you missed those two chances, kill them once they're out.
We have a Pope who crusades for the sanctity of all human life starting at conception and until natural death.
Tell me why you would have the former address the followers of the latter. And especially, tell me why a black president is such a supporter of the planned extermination of inner city babies. I just don't get the logic.
You won't be able to understand that logic unless . . .
March 27, 2009 - 17:54 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . .you insert your head into a lower body cavity into which it was never meant to be placed.
Let's see how "open-minded"
March 27, 2009 - 15:00 ET by rbosqueLet's see how "open-minded" She is if she sat while I gave a speech on the Catholic docrtrine of the Holy Eucharist.
Hypocrisy is Rampant
March 27, 2009 - 15:02 ET by HoosierEmMs. Erbe: What was it called when the administration at Columbia University and many others barred the military from speaking on university property? That certainly wasn't this concept of "open-mindedness" of which you speak.
I have never seen such hypocrisy from one group of people as I see with members of the democratic party and the media.
This is why duct tape was invented!!
March 27, 2009 - 15:25 ET by motherbeltBonnie Erbe is an idiot.
Sorry, there's no way to be diplomatic about it.
The Catholic Church is losing adherents in this country and in Europe
So [the Church's] future is in wooing educated, progressive adherents....
open-minded Catholics, who way outweigh the closed-minded, atavistic types.....
Right, Bonnie, because that's what it's all about....increasing the numbers.....
BTW, is Erbe Catholic? She doesn't say. If not, she'd better just shut up. After Newt Gingrich got attacked for opinining on this issue since he's not a Catholic yet!
I'd say more, but my duct tape needs reinforcement!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
mb... Just your post and
March 27, 2009 - 17:37 ET by bigtimermb...
Just your post and others is the reason I refuse to read anything about Erbe today...I know who she is from years ago now on PBS...can't stand her...always nice to know we are forced to pay tax-dollars to PBS like her show and all her ilk.
I needed the duct tape earlier today just reading about Murtha and the award he just recieved...the Vets are furious...so am I. I have a link about it on OT.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt we talked about that
March 27, 2009 - 18:14 ET by motherbeltbt we talked about that yesterday too.
I posted a link to the petition to have the SoD rescind the award. Did you see it? If not, here it is
Murtha Petition
And I'm with you....Erbe is now on my "ignore" list. I did a bit of googling and it seems like most of her columns are anti-Catholic Church.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Yeah mb...my link about the
March 27, 2009 - 18:25 ET by bigtimerYeah mb...my link about the story has that link to petition in it too...I've put it everywhere else I post too.
Talk about infuriating...I'm glad the Vets are angry as heck...as they should well be.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
BT and MB,
March 27, 2009 - 19:16 ET by UpNorthyou're right. As a vet, and the father of Marine Gunnery Sergeant, I was outraged that the outgoing SecNavy gave this douche any kind of award, except maybe the Order of the Blue Falcon. This Ain't Hell gives a good explanation of the Order.
http://thisainthell....
UN Thank you and thank
March 27, 2009 - 19:25 ET by bigtimerUN
Thank you and thank your son...may he stay safe...you have our gratitude.
Thanks for the link too... ;-)
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
No problem
March 28, 2009 - 13:38 ET by UpNorthBT, happy to provide that to anyone. If ever there was something created for Murtha and others like him, that's the award.
And thanks for thoughts for my son.
I must pay homage
March 27, 2009 - 21:04 ET by KC MulvilleI'm sitting here, envious of your post. You've expressed my feelings more accurately than I could feel them!
"The Catholic Church is
March 27, 2009 - 15:23 ET by Bettendor"The Catholic Church is losing adherents in this country and in Europe.
Its growth areas are Africa and South America. It’s losing the educated
and gaining the uneducated."
Aren't liberals supposed to be the open-minded and welcoming type? She's making it sound like a bad thing that non-white people are finding truth and purpose in their lives while than wandering around aimlessly like the West is tending to anymore. Maybe we in this country and Europe can learn something from those "uneducated" souls in Africa and South America, eh, Bonnie?
Erbe's idea that the Church
March 27, 2009 - 18:28 ET by motherbeltErbe's idea that the Church should change her teaching in order to "woo" and attract new members is a masterpiece of absurdity.
I don't know if this woman is the "religion" writer for the magazine or PBS, (or if she is just a Catholic-basher) but her ignorance of the Catholic Church is jaw-dropping.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
The War on Chritianity
March 27, 2009 - 15:50 ET by The Smokin FrogObama's is waging a war against Christianity even more than he is waging a war against Capitalism and Conservatism.
Erbe is quite ignorant about the Holy Scriptures. They speak of the God who is life itself and creates life, and comes to re-create life when we fell into sin. For the Christian Church to adopt any part of an pro-abortion position would be to exterminate itself. I do believe that is the left's goal. Obama has been redefining Christian terms into his new-speak vocabulary. What he is preaching isn't Christian at all, it is specifically against Christianity.
All denominations that still preach Christ crucified for sinners are losing members in this age. We are in a low faith age. It isn't the first time and won't be the last, unless the Lord returns, of course. The book of Judges shows plainly the times of high faith and low faith. The argument that Christianity must change because of it, is clearly speaking of a auto-centric reality. One that is popular today, and holds to man being the center and cause of everything. Thus we get global warming, we caused it and can fix it, and a host of other beliefs that remove God from over us.
Ultimately these are people with beliefs that there is no God and they certainly don't have to answer to Him.
The Spanish Inquisition was a stupid charge by Erbe. Clearly those Church leaders that caused this and other atrocities were not acting within the faith of Christ. The Church was never given authority to kill anyone and they sinned against Christ when they did. But Church leaders as well as laymen are sinners, which is why we all need a Substitutionary Savior, the One that comes to forgive sin.
Erbe, and the left in general, seek policies to remove all vestiges of Christianity. They have their new messiah, Obama. Our country may change radically. But Christ will not. The Son of God still came down from heaven for us men and for our salvation. They can't change that.
TSF Protests!
Well stated!
March 27, 2009 - 17:14 ET by Kelly72Well stated!
In addition, let me just point out that "Inquisitions" undertaken by the Church in response to direct threat (in Spain or elsewhere) could be considered almost gentle in comparison to the tactics of the state in those times. That was the whole point. Historical context is almost always lacking in any discussions of the matter. There is, as we often see these days, widespread misunderstanding (deliberately promoted in many cases). Also, the percentage of those questioned who were found guilty of anything was very small, and the percentage of those who were actually put to death eventually (put to death by the state, always, not the Church) was miniscule. Historical records bear this out. In fact, even the BBC (yep!) pointed out these very things in a documentary it aired a few years back (June 1995). Historical records do tell the real story... and for once, a liberal "big media" outlet did not ignore the facts. Not holding my breath for it to happen again any time soon, though...
Indeed, Obama is warring against Christianity, even though . . .
March 27, 2009 - 17:59 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . .he claimed during the campaigns to be a "devout follower of Jesus Christ."
Oh, really?
We need to stand for Christ and also pray that Obama is redeemed, and that those such as Erbe, who is either ignorant or yet just another God-hater, would get the revelation of Jesus as Savior and then Lord.
Obama really needs prayer. I doubt he even understands the role he's taken, similar to Judas Iscariot.
But, then, just as Judas played his role in the unfolding destiny of God Incarnate on Earth, so does Obama play his role.
Like Judas', his behavior may place him in eternal jeopardy or damnation.
Not that he would even have
March 27, 2009 - 15:57 ET by SickofLibsNot that he would even have been invited, but could you imagine the uproar and righteous indignation if Bush 43 spoke at a lib college commencement (say like Berkeley)?
It's been done with other
March 27, 2009 - 16:41 ET by BettendorIt's been done with other members of the Bush Administration, especially with Karl Rove.
"You just don't get it." - Pa Grape, "Veggietales"
It is this simple
March 27, 2009 - 17:07 ET by sam12663The preeminent (in some minds) Catholic university in America should not have the leader of the culture of death movement addressing Catholic graduates, let alone getting an honorary degree. It is sad to see that this university has fallen prey to the 'cult of personality' in regards to Obama. This is being done simply for publicity. It is shameful.
President Obama is nothing more than a empty suit; a Hollywood
style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to
be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
I'll bet their $$$ from alumni will FALL BIGTIME!!!
March 27, 2009 - 18:28 ET by Cape ConservativeIt should!!!!
I hope the Pope steps in - it was bad enough he allowed Pelosi an audience with him but this beats all! Too bad the students graduating will have to carry this controversy this rest of their lives. I'm glad to hear the Bishop of the diocese has stood up for Catholics everywhere and will not attend.
I heard an alumni call in to Rush today saying there is going to be a ND diploma-burning event by many alumni the same weekend. If 'the one' had a drop of concern for anyone other than himself, he would decline the invitation! He had no problem breaking the much longer tradition at the Gridiron Dinner - had to go to Camp David with the family.
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
Catholics and Obama
March 27, 2009 - 18:39 ET by BlondeHere's another little bit of information totally unreported in the media (said tongue in cheek) that should enrage all Catholics, and those of us who are anti-abortion.
The Obama administration is preparing to reverse the long-standing Conscience Clause....no surprise with Sebelius in charge of HHS.
The public comments on HHS's ruling ends in another week or two.
The Be afraid, be very afraid.
I hope he fails, too.
I heard about that on Rush
March 27, 2009 - 18:56 ET by motherbeltI heard about that on Rush today and nearly drove off the road!!
You can bet that order will be signed in the dead of night, on a weekend....
I hope he is prepared for CAtholic hospitals to close their doors...because that WILL happen.
I heard a story some years ago about a Bishop of Chicago who was told that public school buses would no longer be used to take kids to and from Catholic schools (the old church/state argument). The Bishop informed the mayor that OK.. fine. On the last Friday of the month, all the Catholic schools in the city would be closed, and on the following Monday morning, every one of those Catholic school students would be enrolling in the Chicago public school system.
Mayor decided it wasn't such a big conflict after all.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Quite so, mb
March 27, 2009 - 19:05 ET by BlondeI'd heard this on Rush today, as well, but I don't remember where he said he read it.
Having said that, I've been having a very interesting discussion over on the Forums (Off Topic) on health care with a couple of posters here. This was one of the items that kicked it off three weeks ago. I had no idea it was being acted on at this point, though.
Check it out. Cool Arrow started it all off on an Open Thread with an article about exactly that....Catholic Hospitals closing if forced to by Obama's insane views. I linked to the original discussion.
Interesting stuff....feel free to join us....we're kind of free flowing on health care reform, and now is the time to get informed before the Bamster bashes the general public with this one.
I hope he fails, too.
Thanks B...maybe another
March 27, 2009 - 19:13 ET by motherbeltThanks B...maybe another day....I think it's too late for me to jump in on this one.... I took a look and those comments are so long and in-depth that I really don't have time right now to do them justice and get up to speed on the topic..
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Yeah I heard this on Rush
March 27, 2009 - 19:18 ET by bigtimerYeah I heard this on Rush today too...this has been in the works and mentioned for months now, in fact before O took his phony oath of office...I can't remember what the Church had said for a reply...wished I could, and I am real busy on and off helping my other half here get ready to go on a trip and all that jazz...but this has been an agenda for the left for quite awhile now...
Beyond a disgrace.
...and the left have such caring hearts....eh?
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Both Bonnie Erbe and the
March 27, 2009 - 18:19 ET by R D HelmBoth Bonnie Erbe and the Organizer support infanticide.
That makes them both monsters in my book.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
I thought the first 'fashion model' pose pic was bad enough, but
March 27, 2009 - 18:30 ET by Cape Conservativethis one is even worse-it certainly appears she thinks she's 'hot' (or something ;-)
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
"She"
March 27, 2009 - 19:23 ET by UpNorthlooks like Shuster in drag.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked the Catholics to express their opposition to the Administration's plan to remove the "conscience protection" laws. The head of the conference also said, in the past, that if the Catholic hospitals were forced to perform abortions, they would close the 514 Catholic Hospitals in the US before they'd let that happen.
My vote is for the "or something"...
March 27, 2009 - 20:17 ET by ThalpyMy vote is for the "or something," although I don't mean to be critical of her appearance. It's her posturing and lack of intelligence that's disturbing. The Roman Catholic Church is what it is. She shouldn't expect the Church to change into some cafeteria style "pick and choose" institution. Remember last time around, the press were hoping for a "liberal" pope who would reflect the will of the parishioners rather than the principles of the Church. Oh well, what do they know? A church actually standing on principle? God forbid!
I suppose...
March 27, 2009 - 20:12 ET by Rhymes With RightThat Bonnie Dearest would view matters precisely the same way were Notre Dame to invite David Duke to give the commencement address -- that those who objected to honoring the man because of his rejection of fundamental Catholic teaching on the dignity of each human being are somehow close-minded bigots.
Blogging at rhymeswithright.mu.nu
Shut up and give us your money
March 28, 2009 - 13:20 ET by freecitizenIn other words, she likes when they are doling out resources as long as they keep that morality stuff to themselves.