Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Fundamental Path to Peace
Pope Benedict XVI’s defense of religious freedom
Catholic World Report Editorial
By George Neumayr
The pagans of Rome cast the early Christians as bad citizens, a charge which reappears today in both the West and East: secularists in the Americas and Europe gradually move to marginalize a Christian presence in public life while Islamic extremists and totalitarian regimes use starker measures to purge Christians from society altogether.
Pope Benedict XVI drew attention to these violations of religious freedom in his January address to members of the world diplomatic corps stationed at the Vatican. He began his survey by remembering the plight of Christians in Iraq, the terrorism in Egypt that “brutally struck Christians as they prayed in church,” Pakistan’s anti-Christian blasphemy law, the attacks on Christians in Nigeria during Christmas, and the trials and difficulties Christians still face in Communist China.
Turning to the West, he noted that its violations of religious freedom assume a more subtle character, often appearing in countries “which accord great importance to pluralism and tolerance.” He said that Christian doctors, nurses, and legal professionals have seen their right to conscientious objection wither. He decried “the banning of religious feasts and symbols from civic life under the guise of respect for the members of other religions or those who are not believers.” And he expressed dismay at the tendency of Western societies to harass Christian social, educational, and charitable agencies even when they “contribute to society as a whole.”
Pope Benedict XVI drew attention to these violations of religious freedom in his January address to members of the world diplomatic corps stationed at the Vatican. He began his survey by remembering the plight of Christians in Iraq, the terrorism in Egypt that “brutally struck Christians as they prayed in church,” Pakistan’s anti-Christian blasphemy law, the attacks on Christians in Nigeria during Christmas, and the trials and difficulties Christians still face in Communist China.
Turning to the West, he noted that its violations of religious freedom assume a more subtle character, often appearing in countries “which accord great importance to pluralism and tolerance.” He said that Christian doctors, nurses, and legal professionals have seen their right to conscientious objection wither. He decried “the banning of religious feasts and symbols from civic life under the guise of respect for the members of other religions or those who are not believers.” And he expressed dismay at the tendency of Western societies to harass Christian social, educational, and charitable agencies even when they “contribute to society as a whole.”
Historian Richard Norton Smith on Ronald Reagan
As Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday approaches, presidential historian Richard Norton Smith and former Reagan Political Director, Bill Lacy, discuss the life and times of the great man.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
'Al-Qaida on Brink of Using Nuclear Bomb'
From The Vancouver Sun
By Heidi Blake and Christopher Hope, The Daily Telegraph |
Al-Qaida members participate in military training in Afghanistan in this file photo. Photograph by: Agence France-Presse Files, National Post |
A leading atomic regulator has privately warned that the world stands on the brink of a "nuclear 9/11".
Security briefings suggest that jihadi groups are also close to producing "workable and efficient" biological and chemical weapons that could kill thousands if unleashed in attacks on the West.
Thousands of classified American cables obtained by the WikiLeaks website and passed to The Daily Telegraph detail the international struggle to stop the spread of weapons-grade nuclear, chemical and biological material around the globe.
Read the rest of this entry >>
The West's Cultural Totalitarians
By Melanie Phillips
One week ago, I suggested on this page that some gay people were in danger of turning into the new McCarthyites by demonising and attempting to silence all who disagreed with the gay rights agenda.
Given the point I was making, it followed that I was expecting a reaction which would amply bear out the truth of what I had written. The response, however, exceeded even my expectations.
For during the past seven days, I have been subjected to an extraordinarily vicious outpouring of hate and incitement to violence, via email, the internet and in the mainstream media, and much worse besides.
One week ago, I suggested on this page that some gay people were in danger of turning into the new McCarthyites by demonising and attempting to silence all who disagreed with the gay rights agenda. Given the point I was making, it followed that I was expecting a reaction which would amply bear out the truth of what I had written. The response, however, exceeded even my expectations.
For during the past seven days, I have been subjected to an extraordinarily vicious outpouring of hate and incitement to violence, via email, the internet and in the mainstream media, and much worse besides.
Bush's Daughter Supports Same-Sex "Marriage"
I never believed it was plausible that all the political figures in this family have positions on abortion and same-sex "marriage" completely at odds with the Bush women. Certainly, Bush appointees more closely reflected the views of Laura Bush than the official positions of the President and the Republican Platform. The phony McCain and his family are another example of "playing to the grassroots." One would like to think Ronald Reagan was an exception and that his views were heartfelt, but in the future it would be prudent to consider what the family members think.
Former President George W. Bush's daughter Barbara has announced her support for gay marriage, breaking with her father on a key social issue but joining her mother and other prominent Republicans who back same-sex unions.
The Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights organization, released a video Tuesday featuring the 29-year old Bush, a New York resident who runs Global Health Corps, a nonprofit public health organization.
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