A "Collapsed Catholic"???
From the Catholic League a note of a new designation for Catholics who have left the faith in the rear view mirror:
“In a wide-ranging piece Bill Keller wrote for the New York Times on May 4, 2002, he said, ‘I am what a friend calls a ‘collapsed Catholic’—well beyond lapsed….’ He did not say who his friend was but let me guess. Anna Quindlen? Maureen Dowd? In any event, in this same column Keller offered the following insights:
· “Karol Wojtyla [Pope John Paul II] has shaped a hierarchy that is intolerant of dissent, unaccountable to its members, secretive in the extreme and willfully clueless about how people live.” Sounds like the newsroom commenting on Keller’s predecessor, Howell Raines.
· “Like the Communist Party circa Leonid Brezhnev, the Vatican exists first and foremost to preserve its power.” Now consider how Susan E. Tifft, co-author of a book on the Times, commented on the way the Sulzberger family (who own the paper) reacted to the Jayson Blair mess: “Even when it’s difficult, the family will do whatever they have to protect this jewel, their newspaper.”
· “He [the pope] has trained bishops that the path of advancement is obsequious obedience to himself.” Which is perhaps preferable to obsequious obedience to affirmative action.
· “This is, after all, the church that gave us the Crusades and the Inquisition.” This is, after all, the same newspaper that lied about the Communist slaughter of the Ukrainians in the 1930s, ran a grand total of 9 editorials criticizing the Nazis in 1941, 1942 and 1943, and labeled Fidel Castro “an agrarian reformer.”
“Thus are Catholics acquainted with Bill Keller. It is worth remembering that during the Jayson Blair scandal, publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. said it was wrong to ‘demonize’ the top brass at the Times. We look to Keller to do likewise to the Catholic Church, ‘collapsed Catholic’ or no.”
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Continued Observations
Met and shook hands with Kathy Lee Gifford who told me, "Nice to meet you brother."
Saw Kirk Cameron who looks about twenty, although I'm sure that he is close to forty. Mel Gibson is rumoured to be in the building promoting his forthcoming movie Passion.
Talked with visionary Rita Ring, more on that at a future date.
Met and shook hands with Kathy Lee Gifford who told me, "Nice to meet you brother."
Saw Kirk Cameron who looks about twenty, although I'm sure that he is close to forty. Mel Gibson is rumoured to be in the building promoting his forthcoming movie Passion.
Talked with visionary Rita Ring, more on that at a future date.
Varia-Report from the Road
Visited the Orthodox monastery, very much a work in process. Two monks in rural Florida. Very hospitable, offered us a Greek treat and water upon our arrival. Showed us to the bookstore where they had a wide array of books in Greek and English. One monk offered when we told him we were Catholic and not Orthodox, "You're people too." He then proceeded to give me what he perceived to be the difference between the Orthodox and Catholics--namely that they, the Orthodox, were more Orthodox. Later when the other monk arrived on the scene he was more reserved and stood off to the side, leading Amy to term that as "good monk, bad monk" of course, since the one that was very talkative may in fact have been the "bad monk" since monk aren't supposed to be talking non-stop.
Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of Amy looking very middle Eastern--wrapped in cloth from head covering to toes. The talkative monk helped dress the women--which seemed to me to defeat the purpose of them dressing.
The monks rise at 12 midnight and pray the Jesus prayer along with whatever else their elder has prescribed for them to do. They also pray together at 5 a.m and again in the evening. Interesting stop along the road.
Now in Orlando, it is the daily grind of the CBA convention. The mega Christian trade show. Free books, Tammy Faye (Baker) Resner, John Hagee and the Hal Lindsey are encountered at every turn. On past visits I've found myself questioning the sincerity of faith present here. This time I find myself amused by some of the participants. I have seen Hal Lindsey in a wheel chair traveling the floor, then encountered him listening to Reggae while sipping a tropical drink awaiting the vacancy of the a table at a local hot spot.
It is all very interesting. Lindsey famous for his "The Late Great Planet Earth" one of the first in a line of books that predicted the end of the world, seems to be enjoying himself right up to the bitter end. I don't blame him, but I wonder if the Epicurean philosophy of "Eat, Drink and be Merry for tomorrow we die" is the same as "Watch, for the Son of Man comes when you least expect it," and the parable of the master returning while the servants are having a great time figuring he ain't coming anytime soon.
The high here yesterday was in the 80's, how's that for all you non-Florida people imagining this is the hottest place on the planet (the feel-like temp, something uniquely Floridian was 101 though).
Visited the Orthodox monastery, very much a work in process. Two monks in rural Florida. Very hospitable, offered us a Greek treat and water upon our arrival. Showed us to the bookstore where they had a wide array of books in Greek and English. One monk offered when we told him we were Catholic and not Orthodox, "You're people too." He then proceeded to give me what he perceived to be the difference between the Orthodox and Catholics--namely that they, the Orthodox, were more Orthodox. Later when the other monk arrived on the scene he was more reserved and stood off to the side, leading Amy to term that as "good monk, bad monk" of course, since the one that was very talkative may in fact have been the "bad monk" since monk aren't supposed to be talking non-stop.
Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of Amy looking very middle Eastern--wrapped in cloth from head covering to toes. The talkative monk helped dress the women--which seemed to me to defeat the purpose of them dressing.
The monks rise at 12 midnight and pray the Jesus prayer along with whatever else their elder has prescribed for them to do. They also pray together at 5 a.m and again in the evening. Interesting stop along the road.
Now in Orlando, it is the daily grind of the CBA convention. The mega Christian trade show. Free books, Tammy Faye (Baker) Resner, John Hagee and the Hal Lindsey are encountered at every turn. On past visits I've found myself questioning the sincerity of faith present here. This time I find myself amused by some of the participants. I have seen Hal Lindsey in a wheel chair traveling the floor, then encountered him listening to Reggae while sipping a tropical drink awaiting the vacancy of the a table at a local hot spot.
It is all very interesting. Lindsey famous for his "The Late Great Planet Earth" one of the first in a line of books that predicted the end of the world, seems to be enjoying himself right up to the bitter end. I don't blame him, but I wonder if the Epicurean philosophy of "Eat, Drink and be Merry for tomorrow we die" is the same as "Watch, for the Son of Man comes when you least expect it," and the parable of the master returning while the servants are having a great time figuring he ain't coming anytime soon.
The high here yesterday was in the 80's, how's that for all you non-Florida people imagining this is the hottest place on the planet (the feel-like temp, something uniquely Floridian was 101 though).
Monday, July 14, 2003
Hopefully a Visit Here Today
An Orthodox monastery in rural North Florida:
By the toils and labor of our spiritual father, Elder Ephraim, and with the blessing of our Bishop Alexios of Atlanta (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America), the monastery has been operating since March of 1999. Before our arrival and founding of the monastery here in Florida, we were living our monastic life in the Monastery of St. Anthony the Great in Phoenix, Arizona and before then in the monastery of Philotheou on the Holy Mount Athos , Greece.
Since our arrival in Florida, our life has been an intense sacrifice and struggle without pause. Firstly, we fought against much opposition to acquire zoning approval from the county authorities. After a much publicized ordeal and a seven hour defense before the county commissioners, by the grace of God and under the shelter of our Panagia's protection, permission was granted for the monastery to remain and to plan for future building projects. We fought for and permission was granted to begin a cemetery where our reposed Orthodox may be buried and commemorated in accordance with our most sacred Orthodox tradition.
Realizing the natural beauty of the property, we then commenced cleaning up the sorely neglected property; cutting down dead trees, removing old, rotted fences and clearing the overgrown brush. This project we have been working on for over a year and the property has finally acquired a well-kept park-like appearance. In the meantime we have remodeled a garage, which we are now using as a guest/coffee room. These are the exterior projects that we have been working on over the last two years.
Most importantly, however, we have been fulfilling our duties as monasteries; i.e. the daily liturgies and vesper services, memorial services, and especially the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Unction. In a time when our Orthodox Christian Faith is besieged by much modernism and heresy, we are standing strong in the face of adversary and are presenting to you the faithful the pure and uncompromised truth of our Holy Orthodox Faith, the Faith and Tradition of the Apostles.
An Orthodox monastery in rural North Florida:
By the toils and labor of our spiritual father, Elder Ephraim, and with the blessing of our Bishop Alexios of Atlanta (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America), the monastery has been operating since March of 1999. Before our arrival and founding of the monastery here in Florida, we were living our monastic life in the Monastery of St. Anthony the Great in Phoenix, Arizona and before then in the monastery of Philotheou on the Holy Mount Athos , Greece.
Since our arrival in Florida, our life has been an intense sacrifice and struggle without pause. Firstly, we fought against much opposition to acquire zoning approval from the county authorities. After a much publicized ordeal and a seven hour defense before the county commissioners, by the grace of God and under the shelter of our Panagia's protection, permission was granted for the monastery to remain and to plan for future building projects. We fought for and permission was granted to begin a cemetery where our reposed Orthodox may be buried and commemorated in accordance with our most sacred Orthodox tradition.
Realizing the natural beauty of the property, we then commenced cleaning up the sorely neglected property; cutting down dead trees, removing old, rotted fences and clearing the overgrown brush. This project we have been working on for over a year and the property has finally acquired a well-kept park-like appearance. In the meantime we have remodeled a garage, which we are now using as a guest/coffee room. These are the exterior projects that we have been working on over the last two years.
Most importantly, however, we have been fulfilling our duties as monasteries; i.e. the daily liturgies and vesper services, memorial services, and especially the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Unction. In a time when our Orthodox Christian Faith is besieged by much modernism and heresy, we are standing strong in the face of adversary and are presenting to you the faithful the pure and uncompromised truth of our Holy Orthodox Faith, the Faith and Tradition of the Apostles.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
Revisiting the Past
Spent last night at the Bronson Speedway on my way to Orlando for the Christian Booksellers Association trade show. A lot has changed since in the over twenty-five years since I once worked as a flagman at this track, but in many ways little has changed. It still takes forever for them to get through a simple 50 lap race.
Let me dispell a persistent rumour about Florida. It isn't any hotter here than it is everywhere else at this time of the year. In fact, last night it was in the low 80's and very comfortable--this in mid-July.
ASA driver Mike Cope is now the owner and operator of the Bronson Speedway.
Besides being a flagman at the track in 1976-1977, I also helped build the front wall, grandstands and even dug pole holes for some of the surrounding fences. All are still standing! Amazing!
Spent last night at the Bronson Speedway on my way to Orlando for the Christian Booksellers Association trade show. A lot has changed since in the over twenty-five years since I once worked as a flagman at this track, but in many ways little has changed. It still takes forever for them to get through a simple 50 lap race.
Let me dispell a persistent rumour about Florida. It isn't any hotter here than it is everywhere else at this time of the year. In fact, last night it was in the low 80's and very comfortable--this in mid-July.
ASA driver Mike Cope is now the owner and operator of the Bronson Speedway.
Besides being a flagman at the track in 1976-1977, I also helped build the front wall, grandstands and even dug pole holes for some of the surrounding fences. All are still standing! Amazing!
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Book Idea-The Commands of Jesus
I regularly drive Amy nuts with the latest book idea that I have, but I really am going to write this one. In fact I heard one Christian author talking about writing a chapter a day--very doable if you set your mind to it. The idea came to me while passing a large Christian Church this morning which named itself after "The Way" (the first name of Christians) although they do not call themselves "the Way" but another term that is a little more hip and means the same thing. Which in many ways is the crux of the problem that spurred the idea.
If we take Christ seriously, shouldn't we take His commands too?
What are some of the commands of Jesus? 1)Not to judge (hey, I know I'm doing that right now and I repent), 2) Forgive, 3)Follow Jesus, 4) Take up your cross, 5)Take this all of you and eat, 6) Take this all of you and drink, 7) Do this in memory of me, 8) It must not be that way with you, 9) Put away the sword, 10) Love one another as I have loved you.
There are more but even these ten give us much to ponder, don't they?
I regularly drive Amy nuts with the latest book idea that I have, but I really am going to write this one. In fact I heard one Christian author talking about writing a chapter a day--very doable if you set your mind to it. The idea came to me while passing a large Christian Church this morning which named itself after "The Way" (the first name of Christians) although they do not call themselves "the Way" but another term that is a little more hip and means the same thing. Which in many ways is the crux of the problem that spurred the idea.
If we take Christ seriously, shouldn't we take His commands too?
What are some of the commands of Jesus? 1)Not to judge (hey, I know I'm doing that right now and I repent), 2) Forgive, 3)Follow Jesus, 4) Take up your cross, 5)Take this all of you and eat, 6) Take this all of you and drink, 7) Do this in memory of me, 8) It must not be that way with you, 9) Put away the sword, 10) Love one another as I have loved you.
There are more but even these ten give us much to ponder, don't they?
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