In the life of nearly every celebrity there’s a moment after the white hot fame cools and the spotlights are averted when a decision needs to be made. Does the celebrity begin a new life in obscurity or do they break out the white spangled jumpsuits and take the first flight out to Las Vegas to milk the last of their fame for every last embarassing moment of notoriety?
But recent years have shown that while Vegas still remains a tantalizing option, many former celebrities are establishing nice second careers as Catholic bashers. The prerequisites are minimal. You don’t actually need to know anything about the faith. Just dust off some old Pope insults, scream about priestly celibacy and homosexual rights and you’ll be a star again in no time.
April 29, 2010 at 5:40 pm
The French rebels enthroned a prostitute to personify freedom. Today, Obama’s supporters throw mud at priests to enoble their positions that support abortion and Communism. Whenever people criticize Obama’s policies and cite the Church’s teachings, you can bet that within a minute a derision of your point will come in the form of a pedophilia attack. It is illogical because as
St. Thomas Aquinas taught, “It is not who said what that matters, it is what was said.” But for those who do not care about the truth, facts or reason, any excuse to dismiss valid points is good. It is even better if one can ridicule the opoonent – an Alinsky technique that Obama learned and taught himself.
It may be troubling because it marks the collapse of dialogue and communication. Others refuse to see the light. They prefer to stay in the dark. Then there are those who belong to the dark and reward others who keep the light out – like these actors who want to stand on the shoulders of the Pope or priests.
The tragedy though is with others who seek the truth and are misled by false witnesses. What can one do except replace the lie with the truth for those who care to know. As for the Church, history has shown that She has become more vigorous during times of persecution.
April 29, 2010 at 5:42 pm
OK, so here's my problem. As a very, very newbie Catholic (and I mean, new – old, but new:-), I struggle with the common complaints – yes, misrepresentation, yes, hatred, yes, even abuse and slander. Yes.
I keep thinking – it comes with the territory. Jesus said, If they hated me, don't you think they will hate you? And the whole Beatitudes thing about suffering for righteousness sake.
I do understand that I am new to Catholicism, and after all of the abuses heaped upon Catholics- from jobs, to neighborhoods, to persecution, through all of these years – it could add up and become…frustrating, obnoxious, painful, destructive. Am I missing something? I mean that. Defending the faith? Yes. Defending myself? No.