A day after the hubbub. A few thoughts:
We live in a day and age where Christians of every kind need to understand that their theological statements are more than theology, they are evangelism. To a world conditioned to think of Christians as politically rigid, morally judgmental, and generally dull, every theological statement or policy shift or clarification that smells of division or discrimination or oppression will be seen divisive, discriminatory or oppressive...if not all three.
This may not be fair but as an old friend says, "Fair is a place where men in overalls throw cow chips for distance."
This is a reality of our information age.
Before anyone gets out of whack consider this - no one was more attentive to his marketing and the marketing of his message than Jesus. He understood his day, his culture, the sensitivities, and the right way to communicate his message. Why should Christians today have to be any less sensitive to how their faith is viewed.
Some have railed against the media for misinterpreting the document, for not being sufficiently well steeped in Catholic theology to put the document into context of other statements. Instead of being angry, let this serve as a lesson to all church leaders that when they issue major (or minor) statements they do so in a way that is easily understandable and easily digestible recognizing the demands on already strung out reporters who have to meet multiple urgent deadlines.
It is incumbent upon the faithful to make their faith as understandable and approachable as possible to a world sometimes confused and scared by it.
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I believe what America needs today is a good ol' heretic burning and you, David Kuo, are hereby called to the stake. By the power invested in me by, uh, well, nobody really, I nevertheless invite all regular readers of Mr. Kuo's blog to take up a faggot (or two) and assemble at the base of the Washington monument in good ol' D.C. as soon as you can get there.
We intend to give new meaning to Graham Kendrick's marvelous song, "Shine, Jesus, Shine." When we get to the part where it says, "Blaze, Spirit, Blaze" you know what to do, gang.
Refreshments will be served.
Wow! David demonstrates his ignorance again. His theological understanding of Jesus concern with marketing his message correctly clearly mis-reads the gospels. After all, Christ message angered a lot of people (David, did you forget he was crucified for his teachings).
In addition, the press, when reporting on religion, like any other matter, has the responsibility to assign individuals who can provide accurate coverage on any news events. Most news organizations are woefully lacking any clear understanding of religious matters - regardless of the religion.
Lastly, the document is fairly straight forward and easliy disgestable. Maybe the problem is that as a culture we have become ignorant on religious and theological history, positions, and practices. Should the Catholic Church, or for that matter any Church or religion dumb down their statements because of a biased and ignorant media?
We're all being pretty hard on David here - with some justification, I suppose, but I vote against burning him at the stake. :) He is taking it like a man and not deleting the criticism.
My impression is that David knows he made a mistake on this subject and is right now probably trying to figure out how to explain himself. I, for one, am willing to be charitable about it and move on.
Meanwhile, the anti-Catholic rhetoric from commenters at the original post is getting out of hand. It far exceeds anything the Pope has said about Protestants or anyone else. It would be nice, David, if you would step in and ask those folks to tone it down.
Guys, I'm here at the Washington Monument - where are yuz?
uh, guys?
Contemplate the best oxymoron I have ever seen:
ROMAN CATHOLIC THEOLOGIAN
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