Seriously, the world is so split now that if a liberal Pope is chosen, there could actually be a split in the Church, with all the Rad Trads, racists and haters starting their own MAGA America First Catholic Church, where a Scandanavian suntanned blue eyed Jesus is a venture capitalist in an Armani Suit who dispenses grace dividends on the rich and frowns upon the lazy poor.
In Phoenix, our Catholic Deacon gave a homily about feeding, clothing, and housing the refugees at the Arizona border, since this is what Jesus commands of us. People stood up and walked out of the Church. This is the state of spiritual rot in this country. People want to be seen as good Catholics who attend Mass, but how dare anyone demand that they act like Jesus!
72 years old, and actually believe that my Catholic baptism and confirmation has put 2 marks on my soul of spiritual protection. Maybe that is why I find MAGA inexplicable to me. While I find some of the Catholic dogma idiotic in the 21st century (the ban on any form of birth control, the obsession against gay people), it is still my spiritual home. Thank you for this wonderful discussion. I am a full time caregiver for someone with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, COPD and AFIB. If not for the Catholic Charity known as FSL, I would be on my own (they provide counseling for caregivers and day care for patients).
Good discussion and overview on the attacks on Catholic Charities.
But we need to stop speaking of Christian Nationalism (CN) as a form of Christianity. First, the dominant characteristic is its racism rather than either Christianity or nationalism. It is not our nation above all other nations but our white male nation above all others. Can one think about CN without thinking about race and who is excluded? Is there an element of black CN or female led CN that comes to mind or that's showing itself (although some women are CN adherents).
If one looks at immigration is there a major CN stance against white Scandinavians or even other white Europeans?
If one looks at how the actions play out, the attacks are more against anyone who is not white male more than not American. It is certainly anti-Islamic (not sure about how Buddhists or Hindus, e.g, fit in ), anti-white liberals and in many ways anti-women. Because of christian evangelicals' pro-Israel stance it would seem that anti-semitism would be only a small aspect of CN but attacks on Jews are increasing. And, theoretically even the evangelical views of Israel are that the prophecy is that at the second coming will be in Israel, and then all will become saved Christians or be damned and Judaism will disappear.
So it is a movement made up almost solely of christians but CN is far more a group that defines itself by race and even gender than by christianity.
Thank you, JVL, for helping restore my Catholicism. I have had to reduce my charitable contributions as I’ve aged and been retired - but I’ve stuck with Catholic Charities mainly because of its work at the US-Mex. border, and its work feeding the poor. I am happy to continue to support CC and, by extension, my very favorite Pope of all time, Pope Francis. I mourn in advance the world’s loss of this gracious, loving religious leader whom we are likely never to see again (at least in the next several generations). You are loved in our house, JVL. Again, thank you.
Trump has been arguing to teach the Bible in school. Someone needs to put together a campaign that takes all the passages from the Bible that support DEI and argue in support of Trump's push and that it's a pro DEI platform he is supporting.
Can't wait to see how fast they start trying to ban the Bible
Please continue to have Ed or JD on occasionally in this format. I work for a Catholic archdiocese and read the Pillar regularly for news in my field. They are straight shooters and your conversation was valuable for many listeners. As you suggested in conversation, most Catholics who consider themselves faithful simply don’t know actual Catholic Social Teaching…or they refuse to assent to it.
Lapsed Catholic here.. I've always believed the church became more conservative as the moderates, like my family, stopped participating amid the scandal and lack of understanding by the priests about modern challenges like divorce and women's health
It's not "shifting" as much as "shrinking", so the voices that were drowned out before are now the main message
Donald Trump doesn't pay his bills. Elon Musk doesn't pay his bills. Why would a executive branch ran by Trump and Musk pays bills. JD Vance is a carpetbag Catholic.
Seriously, the world is so split now that if a liberal Pope is chosen, there could actually be a split in the Church, with all the Rad Trads, racists and haters starting their own MAGA America First Catholic Church, where a Scandanavian suntanned blue eyed Jesus is a venture capitalist in an Armani Suit who dispenses grace dividends on the rich and frowns upon the lazy poor.
In Phoenix, our Catholic Deacon gave a homily about feeding, clothing, and housing the refugees at the Arizona border, since this is what Jesus commands of us. People stood up and walked out of the Church. This is the state of spiritual rot in this country. People want to be seen as good Catholics who attend Mass, but how dare anyone demand that they act like Jesus!
72 years old, and actually believe that my Catholic baptism and confirmation has put 2 marks on my soul of spiritual protection. Maybe that is why I find MAGA inexplicable to me. While I find some of the Catholic dogma idiotic in the 21st century (the ban on any form of birth control, the obsession against gay people), it is still my spiritual home. Thank you for this wonderful discussion. I am a full time caregiver for someone with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, COPD and AFIB. If not for the Catholic Charity known as FSL, I would be on my own (they provide counseling for caregivers and day care for patients).
Good discussion and overview on the attacks on Catholic Charities.
But we need to stop speaking of Christian Nationalism (CN) as a form of Christianity. First, the dominant characteristic is its racism rather than either Christianity or nationalism. It is not our nation above all other nations but our white male nation above all others. Can one think about CN without thinking about race and who is excluded? Is there an element of black CN or female led CN that comes to mind or that's showing itself (although some women are CN adherents).
If one looks at immigration is there a major CN stance against white Scandinavians or even other white Europeans?
If one looks at how the actions play out, the attacks are more against anyone who is not white male more than not American. It is certainly anti-Islamic (not sure about how Buddhists or Hindus, e.g, fit in ), anti-white liberals and in many ways anti-women. Because of christian evangelicals' pro-Israel stance it would seem that anti-semitism would be only a small aspect of CN but attacks on Jews are increasing. And, theoretically even the evangelical views of Israel are that the prophecy is that at the second coming will be in Israel, and then all will become saved Christians or be damned and Judaism will disappear.
So it is a movement made up almost solely of christians but CN is far more a group that defines itself by race and even gender than by christianity.
Thank you, JVL, for helping restore my Catholicism. I have had to reduce my charitable contributions as I’ve aged and been retired - but I’ve stuck with Catholic Charities mainly because of its work at the US-Mex. border, and its work feeding the poor. I am happy to continue to support CC and, by extension, my very favorite Pope of all time, Pope Francis. I mourn in advance the world’s loss of this gracious, loving religious leader whom we are likely never to see again (at least in the next several generations). You are loved in our house, JVL. Again, thank you.
He lost all credibility for me at that moment. Still lying?
Is that “Catholic Speak”?
Please do not use “child abuse” for the truth - child sex abuse. Purposely word choice ?
YAY Pope! He’s not staying within past norms of communication- so glad he’s acting like it’s 2025 👍🏻
Idea!
Trump has been arguing to teach the Bible in school. Someone needs to put together a campaign that takes all the passages from the Bible that support DEI and argue in support of Trump's push and that it's a pro DEI platform he is supporting.
Can't wait to see how fast they start trying to ban the Bible
Please continue to have Ed or JD on occasionally in this format. I work for a Catholic archdiocese and read the Pillar regularly for news in my field. They are straight shooters and your conversation was valuable for many listeners. As you suggested in conversation, most Catholics who consider themselves faithful simply don’t know actual Catholic Social Teaching…or they refuse to assent to it.
Catholic Church isn't collapsing in America at all. It's the largest denomination in America by far (71M people. The Southern Baptists are #2 at 13M)
Yes changing but by no means is it collapsing. Mainline Protestantism is collapsing, sadly
One example: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-state-of-the-evangelical-lutheran
Ken Paxton is bigoted hate-filled criminal scumbag.
His behavior is literally grits weasel- that’s what my phone came up with 🤣
I meant to say grotesque
Lapsed Catholic here.. I've always believed the church became more conservative as the moderates, like my family, stopped participating amid the scandal and lack of understanding by the priests about modern challenges like divorce and women's health
It's not "shifting" as much as "shrinking", so the voices that were drowned out before are now the main message
JD Vance is not a devout Catholic
JD Vance is Opus Dei
Donald Trump doesn't pay his bills. Elon Musk doesn't pay his bills. Why would a executive branch ran by Trump and Musk pays bills. JD Vance is a carpetbag Catholic.