The Culture of Life - maryann's Blog - Victoria Advocate

The Culture of Life - maryann's Blog - Victoria Advocate http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann From fertilization to natural death, it's the same human being that develops and dies. Topics on the Culture of Life and our culture in general will appear. From fertilization to natural death, it's the same human being that develops and dies. Topics on the Culture of Life and our culture in general will appear. en-us Vacation to EWTN and Mother Angelica's Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament (Part 1) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8800 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8800 <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">My family and I returned from a wonderful vacation in early August to Mother Angelica’s EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) in <st1:place><st1:city>Irondale</st1:city>, <st1:state>Alabama</st1:state></st1:place>, and to her shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I write this for those interested in going to EWTN or for those who watch EWTN on t.v., and also as a personal remembrance for my family.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Many people make a “Eucharistic pilgrimage” to the area, as the shrine offers Mass, Adoration, Confession, talks, and the angelic singing of the nuns as they sing the Divine Office, among other prayers throughout the day. For my family with four young children and the littlest just turning four, it wasn’t so much of a pilgrimage but a vacation. I certainly prayed that we would have a spiritual aspect to the trip, but trips to the zoo, botanical garden, and other kiddie attractions discount from this being a true pilgrimage for us <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">this time.</em><o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">So what can you do when you go to EWTN? First of all, you can go to the daily Mass, which for me was heaven on Earth. My children and I usually watch the Daily Mass on weekdays, and especially we listen to the homily. In my opinion EWTN has some of the best homilists available in <st1:country-region><st1:place>America</st1:place></st1:country-region> today. While we were there, we were blessed to hear Father Pablo Straub <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">twice</em> as he talked about Peter the Rock, and of course, he brought up life issues. The man is a living saint, IMO, and it’s evidenced by the entourage of young Mexican men and women he had with him from the religious order he has founded in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These were all young religious, priests, brothers, and sisters who are attracted to the truth, Jesus Christ ,that Father Pablo preaches.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Also, we were blessed to be at the Mass of Father Thomas Eitenauer, the president of Human Life International. I like to think that when Fr. Etenouar speaks, those who want to hear the truth listen, as he pulls no punches but speaks of the hard truths of our Catholic lives- about the evils of contraception, abortion, euthanasia, and homosexual “marriage,” yet he does so with the love and mercy of God in mind. </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">During the evenings, we were able to catch two of the live shows- EWTN Live, and Life on the Rock. This was quite an experience because not only did we get to talk to the brothers, like Brother Leo and Brother Louie, monks that the boys see on the EWTN kids shows, but we were all able to see how a live show was filmed and prepared for. My sons were ecstatic because they were invited to take pictures with Deacon Bill and Father Mark, host of LIFE on the Rock.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">One day we took a tour of the EWTN studio, and the approximately 1 hour 15 minute tour was lead by the very humorous and knowledgeable Brother Tarcisio, from <st1:country-region><st1:place>Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I have to say that this was one of the highlights of our vacation, because Brother Tarcisio was so funny, knowledgeable of his Catholic faith, and so personable, that my young sons soon started talking about collecting “friar equipment” to imitate Brother Tarcisio. We have the rosaries and cinctures, but now I am looking for patterns and material to sew three smallish Franciscan friar robes, not to mention finding the sandals……! </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I have to say that this was part of an answer to my prayer, as I did want this trip to EWTN to make an impression on my sons and daughter, in whatever way to meet them where they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I pray that spiritual benefits will come for many years.</font></p>

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4404.gif maryann Is Evil Relative? Can we know objective truth about evil? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8281 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8281 <p>Man can know objective truth in science, in mathematics, and even history. If we can find objective truth with evidence in these fields, can mankind know the objective truth about evil?</p> <p>This blog came about as a discussion between me and some other posters on the nature of evil. I believe that evil can be known, that evil exists in some actions and intents, and that any supposed relatively concerning evil is denying nature's laws.</p> <p>To me, what makes something evil is when something takes away life unaturally, or at times when something is used against its purpose: for instance, medicine is used to <em>heal, </em>but when medicine is used to take away life, it no longer serves its purpose and becomes an evil action. These aren't the only points, but the major ones. </p> <p>Others offer that no actions or set of beliefs are evil- it's all an opinion of the individual or the society. For instance, one poster proposes that rape is not evil, because some cultures viewed it as the status quo. Rape, along with its physical, mental, and emotional violations is not evil if one's opinion says so.</p> <p>According to this line of thinking, there are no intrinsically (by nature) evil actions.</p> <p>I see this as moral relativity run amock.</p> <p>This system of thinking makes jibberish of the legal system, as one's opinion of evil could differ from one lawyer, judge, and criminal to the next. </p> <p>What would nature and nature's laws give us to think about this? Nature is at its best when it is <strong>alive, and healthy.</strong>  Rape takes away from one's mental and emotional health, I say, even if your culture tries to say it's okay. Who are we trying to fool here?  </p> <p>Ask a little girl if she liked being raped, even if her culture allows it. Ask girls in Africa if they liked having their genitals mutilated even when there culture says it's the thing to do.  </p> <p>What about a dose of common sense and reality?</p> <p>Rape can kill the one being raped (and the raper as well). Transmission of HIV can occur, or violent sex can kill, not to mention irate mothers, fathers, and siblings outraged at the "neutral" action.</p> <p>Can societies evolve, so that what they once thought was okay- rape, slavery, they arrive at a heightened sense of morality or consciousness and change their laws to reflect their new conclusions?  </p> <p>I think it's certainly true that societies regress, as the U.S. now okays abortion up to the moment of birth. This wasn't legal before 1972. Did human nature change?  IMO, just because something is a law, it doesn't mean it's a just law.</p> <p> I do want to say that these are my thoughts on the subject, and I have in no way studied this definitively, but I am about exploring ideas. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

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avatar_6207.jpg maryann Last Abortion Clinic in So. Dakota Closes after New Law Requires Recognition of the Humanity of the Child http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8210 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8210 <p>Great news on the pro-life front recently, as the last abortion clinic in the entire state of South Dakota closed its doors after a new law came into effect which calls for the patient to be informed of the humanity of the child and possible side affects of the abortion. Here is the article from Lifesitenews.com:</p> <p> </p> <h3>"Last Abortion Clinic in South Dakota Closes after Law Requires Patients be Informed of Possible Side Effects</h3> <p>SIOUX FALLS, SD, July 24, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Monday, July 21, eight women arrived at the Planned Parenthood office in Sioux Falls in South Dakota for abortions, but were instead met with locked doors and a hand-written note indicating the only abortion clinic in South Dakota was closed. </p> <p>Planned Parenthood closed its doors after their abortionists, who are flown in from other states, refused to work under the new law that went into effect last Friday. The law orders abortionists to inform patients of the humanity of their babies and that the procedure could affect their mental health two hours before the abortion is set to be performed. The law also provides that abortionists can be sued if they do not comply. </p> <p>This law was the brain-child of attorney Harold Cassidy and passed with the help of determined pro-life leaders Dr. Alan and Leslee Unruh, who pushed for the regulation in the face of opposition, even from some in the pro-life movement. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for the law's enactment last week. </p> <p>It remains unclear if the Planned Parenthood office has permanently ceased the practice of abortion. However, several women who were scheduled for abortions this week went to a pro-life center instead, where some have reportedly changed their minds about having abortions. </p> <p>'The closing of this clinic is historic in that South Dakota is, for the time being, the first abortion-free state,' said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. 'It didn't take the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and it didn't take a new President or a new Supreme Court. It took the courageous determination of pro-life heroes like Mr. Cassidy and the Unruhs who saw an opportunity to save lives and pressed on until their dream became victory.'</p> <p>'We applaud their efforts and encourage other states to emulate their campaign,' said Newman. </p> <p>The Unruhs are currently involved in the Vote Yes For Life Campaign, which would effectively ban abortions in South Dakota, putting the finishing nail in the coffin of the abortion industry there. </p> <p>Text of the new law and links to the court decision can be found at <a href="http://www.voteyesforlife.com/%3Ehttp://www.voteyesforlife.com/%3C/a%3E"></a><a href="http://www.voteyesforlife.com/">http://www.voteyesforlife.com</a>"<br /> </p>

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avatar_8019.gif maryann The Crusades: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8052 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/8052 <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Many a discussion on Christian history centers around the Crusades, which began in 1095. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">It has been customary to describe the Crusades as eight in number: </font></p> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the first, 1095-1101; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the second, headed by Louis VII, 1145-47; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the third, conducted by </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12001a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Philip Augustus</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> and </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13041b.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Richard Coeur-de-Lion</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, 1188-92; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the fourth, during which <st1:place>Constantinople</st1:place> was taken, 1204; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the fifth, which included the conquest of </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04615b.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Damietta</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, 1217; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the sixth, in which </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06255a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Frederick II</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> took part (1228-29); also </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14634c.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Thibaud de Champagne</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> and </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13045a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Richard of Cornwall</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> (1239); </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the seventh, led by </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09368a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">St. Louis</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, 1249-52; </font></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">the eighth, also under </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09368a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">St. Louis</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, 1270. </font></li> </ul> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">This division is arbitrary and excludes many important expeditions, among them those of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. In reality the Crusades continued until the end of the seventeenth century, the crusade of </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09181b.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Lepanto</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> occurring in 1571, that of </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07547a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Hungary</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> in 1664, and the crusade of the Duke of </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03068a.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Burgundy</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> to </font><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03244d.htm"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Candia</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">, in 1669. (New Advent.org [see Crusades]).</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why did the Christian armies feel a need to pack up and fight the Muslims a continent away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Some would say that it all had to do with the greed of the popes and gaining land for an empire, while others proffer that keeping the <st1:place>Holy Land</st1:place> open for Christian pilgrims and defending the Christian lives in <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> was the original idea. From my point of view, the Crusades started out defensive in nature, but some over time, horrendous deeds were committed along the way. All of this gives a portrayal of the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Crusades.</font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">(Information for this blog is taken primarily from Patrick Madrid’s book, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Pope Fiction, </em>1999, from the chapter “The popes and the Crusades.”)<o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Since the beginning of the 4<sup>th</sup> century, pilgrims made their way from <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> to the <st1:place>Holy Land</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I think it’s clear that some Christians do feel a need to keep a certain contact with their religious roots and the places where God made Man walked.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">All went relatively well between Christians and Moslems until the beginning of the 11<sup>th</sup> century with the Caliph of Egypt, Al Hakem, who ordered the destruction of the Holy Sepulcher (where Jesus was buried) and the removal of the Christian presence from Jerusalem in 1009 a.d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>(<em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Crusades<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span></em><st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city>: Secker & Warburg, 1960<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>by Regine Pernoud, p. 15 as quoted by Madrid.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">From that point on, persecution of Christians (both residents and pilgrims) was almost constant. In 1071 the Seldjuk Turks overran and captured <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. (Pernoud, pp. 16-17.)</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">“After being heroically patient in the face of this Muslim onslaught and hoping for a peaceful solution, Pope Urban II could finally take no more of this unacceptable mistreatment of Christians in <st1:city><st1:place>Palestine</st1:place></st1:city>. In 1095 he ordered the first Crusade, for the protection of all Christians in the <st1:place>Holy Land</st1:place>.” p. 192</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">From all over <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> the armies of Christian crusaders marched upon <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>After a number of battles, the Crusaders conquered the Muslim defenders of <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> on <st1:date year="1099" day="15" month="7">July 15, 1099</st1:date>. However, upon entering the city, the Christian invaders killed every inhabitant they could find. This was a horrible atrocity, and is unexcusable. Author Patrick Madrid states of these horrendous acts: <em>“This kind of atrocity, committed by Catholics in the name of Christ and the Catholic Church, is a sin that the Church deeply regrets and apologizes for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Pope John Paul II has repeatedly asked forgiveness in the name of the Catholic Church for crimes, like this one, committed by Catholics in the name of the Faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>p. 192</em></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><em> </em></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Although after this Crusade pilgrims were free to travel to <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> and the Christian residents of the area were safe from Islamic oppression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Sadly, though the Crusades had begun with a noble idea, over time the Crusaders forgot why they had started the mission in the first place. The sack of <st1:place>Constantinople</st1:place> in 1204 by Catholic armies, with the money being split between the armies of the Venetians is another ugly chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Again, the author, <st1:state><st1:place>Madrid</st1:place></st1:state> states: <em>“Catholics should never attempt to deny or sweep under the rug the fact that this and similar sins have been committed by Catholics in the name of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Rather, as a genuine step toward reunion with our Orthodox brethren, we should recognize and grieve with them over these wicked acts, and then seek forgiveness to heal these old wounds in a spirit of fraternal repentance and forgiveness.” p. 193</em></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><em> </em></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Patrick Madrid states that a few points about the Crusades need to be made. First, the original intent of the Crusades was the protection of pilgrims and the Christians in the <st1:place>Holy Land</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The Muslims were the initiators of the violence back with the Caliph Al Hakem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>In this way, the Crusades were defensive in nature. Also, one can see that the warfare in the East weakened the Muslim armies significantly, preventing them from an inevitable invasion of the West, that did come at Lepanto, Otranto, and the siege of <st1:city><st1:place>Vienna</st1:place></st1:city>. Had these invasions been successful and long-lasting, Western culture would have been exterminated and most of the freedoms we have now we would not know. I as a woman would certainly not enjoy the freedoms I do. I see this as the good.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Yet, there is plenty of the bad and the ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Personal vendettas by the Catholic commanders and individuals were pursued, and greed often held sway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Also, according to <st1:state><st1:place>Madrid</st1:place></st1:state>, the rage and insanity of warfare gave way to some truly grotesque acts of brutality- which are absolutely inexcusable for Christians.</font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">History is incredibly important, and we learn lessons from past mistakes or we will repeat those errors. </span></font></font></p>

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avatar_6207.jpg maryann The Problem and Nature of Evil: What is evil, and why does evil happen? To the question of why bad things happen to good people, Socrates replied that they never do! Historical Christianity disagrees. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6630 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6630 <p>I've always been intriqued by  the battle between good and evil. When I was younger, the utilitarianism of collectivism appealed to me.  Yet I instinctively knew that Communism had much evil in it, and I wanted to know what made Communism tick. It seemed so seductive for so many brilliant men and women, such as Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Surely, as brilliant as they were, they should have seen through the evils in the Communist system- such as denial of personal freedoms, particularly religious freedom and freedom of expression.</p> <p>I'm still curious about the great war between the forces of good and evil. and I'd like to put forth some ideas here for discussion. If anyone would like to comment or discuss, feel free to bring up your questions.</p> <p>Why is there evil in the world, and why do bad things happen to supposedly good people?  </p> <p>In Peter Kreeft's book, <em>Handbook of Christian Apologetics</em>, he covers these points in a very credible way, IMO.The following points are taken from this book.</p> <p>First, evil is not a being, thing, or entity. Things are not evil in themselves. For instance, a sword is not evil. Even the stroke of a sword that chops off your head is not evil in itself- in fact, unless it's a "good stroke" it will not chop your head off. </p> <p>Where is the evil? It is in the will, the choice, the intent, the movement of the soul, which puts a wrong order into the physical world of things and acts: the order between the sword and an innocent's neck rather than a murderer's neck or an innocent's bonds.</p> <p>Even the devil was good in his being. He is a good thing gone bad- in fact, a good thing gone very bad. If he had not had the greatest ontological goodness (goodness in his being) of a powerful mind and will, he could never have become as morally corrupt as he is. "Lillies that fester smell far worse than weeds." To be morally bad you must first be ontologically good.</p> <p>St. Augustine defines evil as disordered love, disordered will. It is a wrong relationship, a noncomformity between our will and God's will. God did not make evil, we did.  That is the obvious point of Genesis 1 and 3, the stories of God's good creation and humanity's evil fall.</p> <p>The origin of sin is human free will. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, our souls were alienated from God, and thus our bodies as well. Because of the original sin, spiritual death (sin) and physical death and suffering go together because our souls and bodies go together.</p> <p>To the question of why bad things happen to good people, Socrates replies that they never do!  Christianity disagrees.  Its answer is that there are among us no "good people," that is, innocent people. We are involved in a physical world with our evil, which is like a stone tossed into the pond. The two great mysteries of solidarity, orginal sin (solidarity in sin) and vicarious atonement, (solidarity in salvation) mean that even the "innocents" among us, our small children, are involved in this double drama. (Kreeft, pp. 122-136)</p> <p>If God is all-loving and all-powerful, then it would be a contradiction to say that God created evil.  I think Kreeft's explanation of evil in the world answers many questions that we can have answered this side of eternity. Certainly, God allows evil, but that is far different from creating it.  </p>

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avatar_6207.jpg maryann avatar_4909.jpg maryann Tolerance of facts: Can Obama supporters deal with his record? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7250 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7250 <p>Obama has very many charismatic qualities- he's a good speaker, he has a rich, pleasant voice, and he's quite cheerful. Some also admire him for his position on the war, the economy, and social issues.  </p> <p>I have to admit that he's seems like quite a likable guy. But some things about him bother me, such as the entire saga with his pastor. How can someone attend a church for 20 years and not WANT to hear the message the man is speaking, then turn around and repudiate parts of the pastor's message?</p> <p>Sounds like a lack of judgment to me.</p> <p>Another issue that I disagree with is Obama's abortion record. As a senator in 2002 in Illinois, he was instrumental in defeating a bill which was designed to give care to children who survive late term abortions  The bill was in large part spearheaded by a registered nurse who had seen baby after baby left to die a pitiful, inhumane death.</p> <p>I think Obama's record should be dealt with. ALL of his record. When confronted with the facts, I believe that Obama supporters should not blow a gasket, but respond calmly as possible with FURTHER facts, not personal attacks.</p> <p>According to an essay in <em>Human Events</em>: "Jill Stanek, a registered delivery-ward nurse who was the prime mover behind the legislation after she witnessed aborted babies’ being born alive and left to die, testified twice before Obama in support of the Induced Infant Liability Act bills. She also testified before the U.S. Congress in support of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.<br /> <br /> Stanek told me her testimony “did not faze” Obama.<br /> <br /> In the second hearing, Stanek said, “I brought pictures in and presented them to the committee of very premature babies from my neonatal resuscitation book from the American Pediatric Association, trying to show them unwanted babies were being cast aside. Babies the same age were being treated if they were wanted!”<br /> <br /> “And those pictures didn’t faze him [Obama] at all,” she said."</p> <p><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18647">http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18647</a></p> <p>It is my opinion that this treatment of children gasping for life, like Obama's debacle with his pastor, shows a character flaw to say the least! </p> <p> I do not want a man like Obama who can leave these children in closets to die as my president. I also think ALL the information to be given about candidates.</p> <p>Why some who seem to be Obama supporters can not deal with an issue is beyond me. </p> <p>I welcome discussion on this issue. I am not for censorship, intolerance of people's views, personal attacks, or generally totalitarian methods of blogging.</p> <p> </p>

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avatar_4909.jpg maryann Militant Islam and Atheistic Communism- What do they have in common? One embraces faith without reason, and the other, reason without faith. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7148 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7148 <p>Militant Islam and ol' fashioned Lenin-style Communism appear to have little in common on the surface, but they both embrace an extremism which is dangerous to the common good of society. </p> <p>Though they differ so much, they embrace a radical extremism- Militant Islam embraces faith without reason. I proffer that it is not reasonable to strap a bomb to oneself and kill innocent women, men, and children, as well as yourself. Sure, others would say that it's within the bounds of reason. But that's not demonstrated by the fruits of that action.</p> <p>The fruits of the extremism of this type of faith without reason are fear, hate, death, and more death. Mankind cannot flourish with this type of society. It's not reasonable to live in fear and with hatred that kills. </p> <p>Other examples also come to mind of those who embrace faith without reason: Jim Jones and his followers in South American who committed a mass suicide, giving poisoned kool-aid to the children; the Heaven's Gate colony who also killed themselves, thinking they would be taken up into heaven in a space ship several years ago</p> <p>On the otherhand, atheistic communism demonstrates what can happen when mankind tries to radically divorce itself from faith. Suddenly, God is not the giver of rights, but the state is. When the state gives human rights, then the state can also take them away at a whim. </p> <p>Enter Stalin and his totalitarian practices of sending dissenters, religious people of all persuasions, and anyone else he didn't like to be purged from society. To him and his communist leaders, it was reasonable to get rid of those who disagree with the communist policies. Never mind that they are humans and have an inate dignity. (Can one detect dignity with reason alone?)</p> <p>These people were either shot, hung, or sent to work themselves to death in labor camps. All told, one historian put the death toll of this extreme form of "reason" at 43 million. </p> <p>Without faith, hope, or love, the people who died at the hands of the communists were little more than property. Less than Communist Party apparatchiks, but more than cattle. So much for the value of life when human reason alone is at play.</p> <p>Other examples of radical uses of reason without the tempering of faith, in my opinion, are partial birth abortion, creating human chimeras (human embryos with animal DNA), and the genocide of the Nazis.</p> <p>This is not my idea, but one theme of Pope Benedict XVI's- that faith without reason is dangerous, and reason without faith is equally dangerous. It is one that he is mentioning on this historic trip to the U.S. </p> <p>This is quite an interesting topic, and comments or thoughtful discussion are welcome as well as a further exploration of this theme.</p>

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monstran.jpg maryann Viva el Papa! The John Paul II Generation Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI to America http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7127 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/7127 <p>As a member of the JPII generation, I have to express my excitement that Pope Benedict XVI is visiting America. </p> <p> What is the JPII generation? We're the generation of Catholics that grew up primarily under John Paul the Great, who love the Church and support its teachings. From the influence of John Paul II and his World Youth Days, an entire generation of Catholics have a fresh perspective on what it means to be Catholic in today's world.  </p> <p>The theme for Benedict's trip is "Christ Our Hope" and Benedict is a voice for hope and for peace for America's 65 million Catholics, Catholics throughout the world, for all people of good will. </p> <p>The Pope's reason for coming to America to begin with is his address to the United Nations on April 18. He will also be talking to the nation's top Catholic university leaders, meeting with the leaders of other religions, including a Passover visit to a synagogue, and having Masses at Yankee Stadium and other venues. </p> <p>Why do I admire Benedict so much? He's truly a man of God. When a Catholic Archbishop was killed recently in Mosul, Iraq, Benedict called for prayers and peace for all in the region.  Also, I've read some of his writings, and I appreciate his keen insight on matters of the world, such as his statement that "a dictatorship of relativism" is emerging in secular society, and this must be confronted with the reality that there is objective truth- that we can know the difference between right and wrong.</p> <p>I think his election as pope was providential for Catholics, indeed for the world. </p> <p>Pope Benedict, welcome to America.</p>

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monstran.jpg maryann New Generation of Pro-life Activists on College Campuses http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6900 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6900 <p>The <em>Washington Post </em>reported on January 21 that pro-life points-of-view are gaining broad support on college campuses in the last few years. In an article entitled "New Generation of Activists is Assembling Across College Campuses," the <em>Post</em> profiled the pro-life movement's progress in winning over hearts and minds on college campuses. </p> <p>The newspaper said there are now Students for Life chapters at more than 400 campuses. According to the <em>Post</em>, "a new generation of activists is taking up the cause with conviction and sophistication."  (as reported in the NCR of Feb. 4, 2008)</p> <p>This is heartening news, especially since at least one quarter of the college-age generation has been killed by abortion. </p>

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avatar_8019.gif maryann Recently Published Study: the Link Between Abortion and Breast Cancer http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6300 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/maryann/6300 <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A European study published in the fall issue of <em><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons</span></em> states that abortion is the "best predictor" of breast cancer, and calls the current widespread incidence of breast cancer "epidemic," stated the National Catholic Register of </span><st1:date month="11" day="18" year="2007"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">11/18/07</span></st1:date><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.  <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The study is based on data collected in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">England</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Wales</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Scotland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Ireland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sweden</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Czech</span></st1:placename><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Republic</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Finland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Denmark</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.  The study made special note of the fact that <strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">such detailed, reliable data is not available in the </span></strong></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">U.S.</span></strong></st1:place></st1:country-region><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, asserting that "official abortion statistics in the </span></strong><st1:country-region><st1:place><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">United States</span></strong></st1:place></st1:country-region><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and </span></strong><st1:country-region><st1:place><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">France</span></strong></st1:place></st1:country-region><strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> are known to understate the numbers of legal induced abortions."  </span></strong><strong><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">(my emphasis)</span></strong><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The forecast for the increase in breast cancer in the eight countries studied are considerable. In </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">England</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Wales</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, for example, instances of breast cancer are expected to increase from 39,229 reported in 2004 to more than 65,000 in 2025, and increase of more than 66%. (NCR </span><st1:date month="11" day="18" year="2007"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">11/18/07</span></st1:date><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This post is a response to another poster who is interested in dialoguing about the abortion-breast cancer link.  I am quite interested in these phenomena as well, and I state up front that I am totally against abortion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I realize that the National Cancer Institute in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> has stated that abortion causes no increased risk for abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I believe that studies done as the one above and other recent ones which show an increase in breast cancer (40%) in women in China since implementing the one-child policy, relying heavily on abortion, show the opposite. Also, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Ireland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Poland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, which restrict abortions greatly compared to the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, have fewer cases of breast cancer. I am prepared to discuss these studies in some detail.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Why does an abortion leave a woman more at risk for breast cancer?  At puberty, when estrogen levels rise, the breast forms Type 2 lobules. It is only through the hormonal environment and length of a full term (or to at least 32 weeks) pregnancy that there is full maturation of Type 3 and 4 lobules in the breast. This maturation protects a woman and lowers her risk of breast cancer. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This is why women who undergo full term pregnancies have lower risk of breast cancer and why women who remain childless have higher risk of breast cancer. Women who give birth after age 30 are also at increased risk of breast cancer as their immature Type 1 and 2 lobules are exposed to estrogen for the many years between the time of their first menstruation until their first full term pregnancy. Abortion in women under 18 and over 30 years old carries the greatest risk: these women have the highest percentage of Type 1 lobules in their breasts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It is the interplay of these two principles, estrogen exposure and breast lobule maturation, which accounts for the fact that abortion can lead to breast cancer. Within a few days of conception, a woman's estrogen level rises. By the end of the first trimester, estrogen levels have increased by 2000%. The estrogen stimulation that causes the multiplication of Type 1 and 2 lobules, results in sore and tender breasts early on in pregnancy. It is only after 32 weeks that a woman's breasts stop growing larger and mature into Type 3 and 4 lobules in preparation for breast-feeding. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><br /> If abortion ends a woman's pregnancy before full maturation of her breasts, she is left with an increased number of the immature Type 1 and 2 lobules. She now has a greater number of the breast lobules where cancers can arise. This causes her to be at greater risk for breast cancer. It is through this same biologic mechanism that any premature birth before 32 weeks more than doubles breast cancer risk. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><br /> Induced abortion thus increases breast cancer risk by two mechanisms. First, abortion leaves the breast with increased numbers of Type 1 and Type 2 lobules, those lobules in which cancer cells are formed, which are then exposed to more estrogen through menstrual cycles. These lobules would otherwise have been protected from cancer by maturation to Type 3 and 4 lobules, if pregnancy had gone to term. Second, the breast is exposed to high levels of estrogen during pregnancy, which can induce cancer cells to form.<a href="http://www.bcpinstitute.org/physiology.htm#phys6"> 6</a><a name="phys6up"></a><br /> <a href="http://www.bcpinstitute.org/physiology.htm">http://www.bcpinstitute.org/physiology.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I do agree that this is a highly politicized issue. People on both sides of the abortion issue do not want to give any ground. But in my opinion, a woman’s health is more important than abortion politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute at <a href="http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3711005.pdf">www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3711005.pdf</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>86% of abortions done in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> in 2004 were for social reasons, such as starting a new job, or being a college student- not for the life of the mother. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think women should be informed of the risks of abortion and breast cancer, especially when breast cancer runs in the family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">If anyone is interested in discussing this issue, I would be pleased to do so.<br />  <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p> </p>