Comments on: Anti-Catholicism and Harry Knox http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/2009/05/anti-catholicism-and-harry-knox.html News & Commentary About All Things Baptist Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:23:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Karen G http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/2009/05/anti-catholicism-and-harry-knox.html#comment-30240 Karen G Sat, 16 May 2009 14:36:25 +0000 http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/?p=1965#comment-30240 IMO Pres. Obama is abolishing it - at least neutralizing the faith aspect - in a politicially astute way. As the council members focus on what they can agree on, and avoid their direct conflicts (e.g., on the fatherhood initiative -- one of four assigned initiatives -- Knox says he doesn't want the focus to be heteronormative), the emphasis will shift toward the "Neighborhood Partnerships" part of their title. They can deal in the area of poverty and economic conditions, akin to other government agencies. IMO Pres. Obama is abolishing it - at least neutralizing the faith aspect - in a politicially astute way.

As the council members focus on what they can agree on, and avoid their direct conflicts (e.g., on the fatherhood initiative — one of four assigned initiatives — Knox says he doesn’t want the focus to be heteronormative), the emphasis will shift toward the “Neighborhood Partnerships” part of their title. They can deal in the area of poverty and economic conditions, akin to other government agencies.

]]> By: Michael Westmoreland-White http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/2009/05/anti-catholicism-and-harry-knox.html#comment-30178 Michael Westmoreland-White Fri, 15 May 2009 21:12:10 +0000 http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/?p=1965#comment-30178 Again, as a firm believer in liberty of conscience, religious liberty, and church-state separation (it used to be enough to say "Baptist" and all that was included, but that was pre-SBC fundamentalist theocrats), I think the entire office of "faith-based initiatives" should be abolished. It clearly is "respecting an establishment of religion." But Harry Knox's inclusion isn't anti-Catholic. And if CONSERVATIVE Catholics are going to complain about anti-Catholic bigotry, how does Cardinal Murphy explain calling athiests "less than fully human." http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/5/15/731790/-Catholic-Cardinal:-Atheists-arent-fully-human So, maybe athiest bashing is the "last acceptable prejudice?" And how does calling someone less than fully human help evangelize them? Great church growth strategy there, Cardinal Murphy. Again, as a firm believer in liberty of conscience, religious liberty, and church-state separation (it used to be enough to say “Baptist” and all that was included, but that was pre-SBC fundamentalist theocrats), I think the entire office of “faith-based initiatives” should be abolished.
It clearly is “respecting an establishment of religion.”

But Harry Knox’s inclusion isn’t anti-Catholic. And if CONSERVATIVE Catholics are going to complain about anti-Catholic bigotry, how does Cardinal Murphy explain calling athiests “less than fully human.”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/5/15/731790/-Catholic-Cardinal:-Atheists-arent-fully-human

So, maybe athiest bashing is the “last acceptable prejudice?” And how does calling someone less than fully human help evangelize them? Great church growth strategy there, Cardinal Murphy.

]]> By: Karen G http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/2009/05/anti-catholicism-and-harry-knox.html#comment-30174 Karen G Fri, 15 May 2009 20:27:25 +0000 http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/?p=1965#comment-30174 The addition of Harry Knox certainly changes the shape and tenor of what was originally a faith-based outreach, and became under Pres. Obama a broader mix of faith-based and secular leaders. Who represents Catholics and/or conservative (Catholic or Protestant) on the council? I'm not familiar with all of them. The addition of Harry Knox certainly changes the shape and tenor of what was originally a faith-based outreach, and became under Pres. Obama a broader mix of faith-based and secular leaders.

Who represents Catholics and/or conservative (Catholic or Protestant) on the council? I’m not familiar with all of them.

]]> By: Michael Westmoreland-White http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/2009/05/anti-catholicism-and-harry-knox.html#comment-30171 Michael Westmoreland-White Fri, 15 May 2009 19:37:46 +0000 http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/?p=1965#comment-30171 Bill Donahue is the head of "The Catholic League" a very rightwing group which he founded. He claims to speak for all Catholics, but is viewed by the Catholic left the way the BJC views Richard Land. Even the vast Catholic center is embarrassed by the likes of Donahue and Schlaffley. There is much anti-Catholicism around. But it is hardly "the last acceptable prejudice." In fact, Catholics, as the largest denomination in the U.S., now, often shape vast parts of public debate. (A long way from the days when JFK had to swear that electing him didn't mean that the pope would take over.) Criticizing the pope doesn't make one anti-Catholic any more than criticizing Israeli policy makes one anti-Jewish (another confusion of popular media). This is Donahue's attempt to make Obama back off support for gay rights, for condom use in AIDS prevention, for stem cell research, etc. Any attempt to criticize conservative Catholic views on these topics is to be construed as "anti-Catholicism" which ignores the huge areas of dissent within the Catholic Church. Obama HAS a faith counsel. Does that make him anti-Baptist because he is not a strict church-state separationist? No. (It is suspect for a constitutional lawyer, but that's a different issue.) Does it make him bigoted against persons of no faith? This kind of thing is simply intimidation. Bill Donahue is the head of “The Catholic League” a very rightwing group which he founded. He claims to speak for all Catholics, but is viewed by the Catholic left the way the BJC views Richard Land. Even the vast Catholic center is embarrassed by the likes of Donahue and Schlaffley.

There is much anti-Catholicism around. But it is hardly “the last acceptable prejudice.” In fact, Catholics, as the largest denomination in the U.S., now, often shape vast parts of public debate. (A long way from the days when JFK had to swear that electing him didn’t mean that the pope would take over.)

Criticizing the pope doesn’t make one anti-Catholic any more than criticizing Israeli policy makes one anti-Jewish (another confusion of popular media). This is Donahue’s attempt to make Obama back off support for gay rights, for condom use in AIDS prevention, for stem cell research, etc. Any attempt to criticize conservative Catholic views on these topics is to be construed as “anti-Catholicism” which ignores the huge areas of dissent within the Catholic Church.

Obama HAS a faith counsel. Does that make him anti-Baptist because he is not a strict church-state separationist? No. (It is suspect for a constitutional lawyer, but that’s a different issue.) Does it make him bigoted against persons of no faith?

This kind of thing is simply intimidation.

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