Since everything with the Catholic Church ultimately comes down to money, I’m having a hard time believing that the Church’s meddling in health care reform is due to their ideological and theological concerns over abortion and euthanasia. You’ll recall that Bart Stupak is obstructing reform over the issue of abortion, threatening procedural and parliamentarian shenanigans affected the Congressional calculus. I suspect that somehow it has more to do with the effect of reform on Catholic health care, given that it is one of the largest providers in the United States. At the very least, outlawing the funding of abortion with taxpayer dollars guarantees a level playing field with secular providers.
Religion
3
Dec 09
A Business Model for the Westboro Baptist Church (aka godhatesfags.com)
I’ve given up on my belief that the congregation of Westboro Baptist Church is actually a satirical performance art group highlighting intolerance. I still believe that they are batshit insane, but I no longer believe that that they take their special brand of crazy on the road due to the strength of their beliefs.
For the unaware WBC has made a name for themselves by crashing funerals of dead soldiers and making ridiculous religious assertions such as these made at the memorial for a dead US soldier [PDF]:
God Hates America, and
God is killing our troops in His wrath.
Thank God for IEDs.
18
Nov 09
The First Letter from Drucker to the Roman Catholics
I spent an evening attending my local parish’s financial report with specific interest as to the continued operation of the parish school. It appears that there is a financial shortfall for the school which is heavily subsidized by the church.
I mentioned to the pastor what Peter Drucker stated in his seminal work – Innovation and Entrepreneurship – regarding demographic shifts – an aging population, smaller family sizes, less weddings, more funerals, and fewer baptisms, and how this has precipitated the financial crisis, and not insufficient religious worship (and tithings).
9
Oct 09
Philadelphia’s Story
The closure of my alma mater is bringing out the Hatorade drinkers in full force. Apparently the three black kids in North Catholic’s Class of 1991 are responsible for the downfall of Philadelphia. Of course, we couch that in more nuanced language, like how “those animals” are destroying the City while “good, hardworking citizens” go without.
I once stated that “the number one past time of residents of the City of Philadelphia is bitching about the City of Philadelphia”. That still holds true. Nothing is making me angrier today than hearing ignorant opinions portrayed as fact about social policy, economic policy, government, and education. Ignorance is more the problem. As far as they are concerned, the sun has set on Philadelphia, and only they know the reasons why.
8
Oct 09
All but [Confirmed]: North Catholic and Cardinal Dougherty to close…
Nothing official yet, but [This] has been floated before. As a North alum, I am disgusted with the Archdiocese, having taken my grade school and now my high school.
Dougherty has a message stating that there is a mandatory meeting with students tomorrow, with the school’s leadership available to meet with parents tomorrow night. There are letters from the Archdiocese regarding North [PDF] and Dougherty [PDF] on the Archdiocese’s website. Apparently there will be a webcast at 7pm tonight.
2
May 08
Do I have to claim God as a dependant?
GOD WANTS YOUR TAX RETURN (Pastor Steve Munsey on TBN), via taxgirl.
15
May 07
Jerry Falwell, DEAD.
Before you get all weepy-eyed, and before the "press" heralds him as a divisive but religious force, let's review some of his "highlights" [Positive Atheism via MeFi]:
If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being.
— Rev Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)
21
Nov 06
Apology NOT accepted…
Why does the Public Relations industry believe that an apology abdicates or dilutes personal responsibility? Or that quickly blaming your transgression on some controlled substance, medical affirmity, or psychological disorder somehow absolves you of blame and criticism?
25
Oct 06
Breaking:: NJ is for Gay American Lovers!!
James McGreevy should be pleased.
Via Philly.com, hot off the wire:
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexuals in New Jersey, but that lawmakers must determine whether the state will honor gay marriage or some other form of civil union.
