Tim Russert: Not a Catholic...
Tuesday August 5, 2008
Who knew?! Luckily, Hadley Arkes is here to straighten us out. In an essay at "The Catholic Thing," Arkes bravely ventures back onto the hallowed ground surrounding Russert's passing in June, when he first wrote (read "Tim Russert: The...
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About Progressive Revival
Diana Butler Bass and Paul Raushenbush both stand firmly within the Mainline Protestant tradition and, along with guest bloggers of all religious backgrounds are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics.
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Diana Butler BassDiana Butler Bass is a commentator and scholar in American religion. She is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009).
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Paul RaushenbushModerator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University.
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The Roman Catholic Church also condemns divorce. I don't see them jumping up and down screaming that we not elect McCain because he is divorced and has remarried.
By the way, have we ever elected a president who was divorced? I'm not sure, but I don't think so. I always felt that if a man cant be faithful to his wife and family, he cant be faithful to his country. Isn't that the same argument against Clinton?
Tim Russert was a good man, he does not need this trash soiling his memory. And if the RCC excommunicated everybody who disagreed with doctrine, there would be very few people going to mass.
He was baptized and knew it and that's it.
You fancy progressives should stop politiczing religion while hypocritically pretending to be in favour of Church-State Separation. Russert was a good man so let him rest.
In my America, every Session of Congress would begin with a prayer in favour of the Holy Vicar of Christ. Abortion and pseudo-procreation would not be allowed.
The Central Bank would be regulated so that money does not come out of the blue from groups like the mafia, hence there would be less credit issues.
Well, Paul, seeking wisdom, your answer is that there was one divorced President: Ronald Reagan.
In terms of the question on whether Russert was a Catholic, there are very few of them left, especially if following all the Churches teachings are the standard. Most would be kicked out for not following Humanae Vitae. Arkes and maybe the RNC can judge, but of course for Russert there's only one vote that really counts as to whether he lived a good life. Let's hope all of us can throw ourselves on the mercy of the court, including Arkes and Santorum.
Paul: Ronald Reagan, of "family values" fame, was divorced and remarried. I believe he was the one and only. In any case, it's not marital fidelity, but party loyalty that determines one's family values in these cases, it seems.
PS: Dear Baptized: It wasn't us "fancy progressives" who are disturbing Tim Russert's eternal rest.
I for one am glad I don't live in your America, baptised! ;)
Peace.
Signed,
a still recovering Catholic.
A good Catholic does not support wars of aggression and therefore can never have voted for Bush or McCain.
David,
Thanks for linking to both commentaries by Hadley Arkes. Otherwise, I would not have had a chance to read what he wrote and to obtain the sense that you have mischaracterized Arkes' meaning.
The title, "Tim Russert: Not A Catholic ..." is misleading, is it not? Did Arkes say that? I think not.
Your conclusion also mischaracterized Arkes' position: "its easier for folks within a church or denomination to invoke their interpretation of 'house rules' to kick out those they disagree with." Did Arkes' say that Russert or anyone else should be "kicked out" of the Catholic Church?
And, what is the "Holy Office of the RNC" ? Nice try at satire ... but I suggest you keep your day job and leave comedy to the professionals.
Obviously, you've covered all these folks (Arkes, Santorum, Russert) for many years ... and you know more about them than I do. However, is it accurate -- or fair -- to associate what Arkes is saying with Santorum's recent statement? Honestly?
What is pseudo-procreation?
When is Arkes going to start recommending the excommunication of Catholics who support the death penalty, use artificial borth control, fertility treatments.............
The essense of Catholicism is not defined solely by the pro-choice isssue. There is far more to being pro-life than banning abortion.
hootie1fan:
Amen! The religious right in general is about as hypocritical as they can get on this issue. 99% of the Pro-life crowd are really just "anti-abortion." They'll gladly pull out a pistol and kill someone attempting to break into their cars, and when a convicted killer is executed, they'll be the ones clapping the loudest.
So the religious right is not really a Christian group, as they contradict most of Christ's teachings; they are more of a political group that exists to propagate a narrow ideology.
James
An unfortuatley they've been doing it lately with the full complacancy of the American Catholic Church.
Tim Russert ,more appearance than substance
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