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Re: Balancing faith and politics, editorial, May 2.
I feel bound in conscience to set the record straight. In your editorial, you boldly assert, "When Gov. Jeb Bush, a Catholic, signs a death warrant, his action puts him in conflict with his church's teachings." That statement is absolutely false! The Catholic Church has always upheld the right of the state to impose capital punishment; however, that may conflict with the personal sentiments of some Catholics.
While it is true that some Catholic bishops (even collectively here in Florida a couple of years ago) have spoken against capital punishment, those sentiments are their personal feelings, not the official teaching of the Catholic Church.
While it is also true that Pope John Paul II has reiterated his own sentiments against capital punishment on many occasions, such a sentiment remains his personal opinion. (The pope does not always speak ex cathedra, or infallibly, every time he expresses himself.) Such an opinion, even by the pope, is not in fact the official teaching of the church.
The official teaching of the church remains intact. Every significant Catholic treatise on this subject, from the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, to the moral theology texts of seminarians (with the exception, of course, of recent avant-garde "new speak" texts of modern "theologians"), to the official reference works of the church, make this very clear.
There is no "new" Catholic teaching on this subject, only the individual expression of those whose sentiments are opposed to capital punishment, but which sentiments are, in fact, in conflict with the official teaching of the church.
Re: Balancing faith and politics.
"Religious principle can be a source of strength, but it should not close a politician's mind to what's best for a democracy." This is about the biggist crock I have heard lately. One should never have to reconcile one's religion to the obligation of public service.
Comparing support of abortion rights to the death penalty is totally absurd. An infant in the womb has every right to be born, whereas a person sentenced to death had the choice whether or not to kill and be put to death. You are comparing apples to oranges and that cannot be done in this case.
If you truly believe that abortion is wrong you do not have a choice in the matter: You are either for it or against it - period. You cannot be against abortion and vote for it just because you think it it serves the public interest. Hypocrisy is the major problem with our politicians.
I agree that religion should not be used to polarize the electorate, but if your beliefs are against abortion you should not support anything that is for it. Religion and public good should not be mutually exclusive. John Kerry is a prime example of a "one-trick politician." You are either for it or against it - you cannot be both. Politicians should make a stand and stick to it and not be swayed by public opinion. In my church, which is not Catholic, you are either for something or against it, there is no compromise.
Sen. John Kerry, as a Roman Catholic, is being criticized for supporting abortion rights, which his church opposes.
It is a common phenomenon that people who disagree with their church teachings, nevertheless, remain with the church. Why is that?
It is because religions are imposed on people as children when they have not yet developed critical faculties. As adults, if their training has been thorough-going, they view their religion as self-defining. This is what I am, they say. Religion offers benefits such as security, friendships and a raison d'etre.
For these reasons, it is difficult for most people to leave their church. Common sense would say if you don't believe in the fundamentals of your organization, drop out. But matters of the heart trump rational thought every time.
Re: Balancing faith and politics.
Abortion is a very difficult issue for all people to handle. I, for one, am against abortion.
However, each person must make up his own mind on how he deals with this issue. I do not and will not judge the position and/or action of others on abortion. I believe that it is between them and their God, if they believe. By their God, not by me, will they be judged.
What I oppose is government supporting abortion by making tax dollars available for women to have abortions. If women become pregnant, it is their doing, not government's and not mine. When they and their partner choose abortion, then they must pay for it.
Re: Young women pick up the torch, May 2.
In an otherwise understandably fervent report on her participation in the abortion rights March For Women's Lives, Robyn Blumner made a surprisingly unprofessional, nasty remark about the antiabortion forces: ". . . the antiabortion forces will continue to gain ground . . . preventing stem cell research because, ya know, that speck of sand is a human being."
"Ya know"? How immature. The whole phrase "because . . . that speck of sand . . ." was uncalled for, unnecessary and mean-spirited. It was unworthy of her skills as a writer. Shame on her.
And, by the way, what she refers to is not a "speck of sand." It is a single human cell, created when a sperm fertilizes an egg. It has the potential to form an entire organism. It is the beginning of human development. Each and every one of us began life as a single cell. Imagine that.
Speck of sand? No, Ms. Blumner. It is a child that one day, please God, will be born.
I agree with your promo for Robyn Blumner, "Vitamins for the Mind." I suggest these are vitamins A, C, L and U.
Re: "Born to be martyrs," May 2.
What an excellent article by Dan Murphy about the recent history of Iraqi Shiites and their latest fanatic, Muqtada al-Sadr. It puts the confusing reports of his resistance in comprehensible perspective.
We opened Pandora's box in Iraq, the contents of which are finally beginning to fall on top of us. With all our sincere desire to democratize Iraq, we are dealing with complexities of religion and ethnic status that we have never faced before. It is even more complicated than Vietnam but contains much the same lethal trap.
The great irony is that Saddam Hussein was a secular ruler who, despite his brutality, was the first step toward a more secular Muslim society as Turkey demonstrates. Most Muslim societies cannot be democratized until the religious element is subdued because Islam does not separate church and state.
We had a large family gathering recently and discussed the hit-and-run deaths of the two Tampa brothers. We all agreed that we were so impressed with Lisa Wilkins, the boys' mother. Every time we have seen her on TV, she has shown such dignity and presence in the face of enormous tragedy. If this had happened to any of us would we do as well?
Re: Can't say enough good things about Mom, May 5.
Bill Maxwell's Mother's Day tribute was beautiful and a genuine pleasure to read. In fact, I read it aloud to my mother, who is legally blind, due to macular degeneration in both eyes, and she too enjoyed it. Maxwell's words tell the obvious - he both loves and cares a great deal for his mother. And I am sure that his mother shares the very same sentiments. Maxwell is among a rare breed of men who take the time and a great deal of thought in order to get the perfect gift for Mom, which is not always easy.
Uh oh, if Maxwell's mother read his column, she will have gotten a sneak preview of her Mother's Day gift. Although, her son's column has to be one of the greatest gifts of all. After all, she did have something to do with it. If it wasn't for her, there would not be a Bill Maxwell.
Today, I am going to follow Maxwell's advice, by telling my mother just how much I love her. Happy Mother's Day, Mom - I love you.