Crystal Cathedrals and Falling Bricks

Meet the new boss...

This news just in. The Crystal Cathedral, preacher Rev. Robert E. Schuller‘s glorious glass palace, will become the actual cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County. The steel and glass monument to liberal Protestantism and positive thinking, designed by Philip Johnson, was the longtime home of the famous “Hour of Power” broadcasts. It featured casual upbeat services, talky inspirational presenters with lots of choral and organ music. Now the site will doubtlessly host bland liturgies with bad congregational singing and spiritless sermons in the traditional Catholic manner. Somehow perky happy thoughts didn’t cut it through the gloom of … More…

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Guy Fawkes and the Failures of November

November from Les Très Riches Heures de Duc du Berry

Ah, the many failed feasts of fall! This month’s calendar is a litany of despair, with the anniversaries of many historic bungles, downfalls, flops, false starts, and total fiascos. Is it because this is the season when life itself falters against the lengthening night, when the last leaves fall from the trees, the air turns chill, and the very light grows dim? Does hope die too? And why does this November in particular especially feel more like everything is falling apart everywhere than any I can remember? Partly it’s personal as right around Thanksgiving was my father’s passing and my … More…

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Women’s Ordination, Child Abuse, and a World Bank

The Beast, himself

Every time I see a stupid, reactionary, and patronizing action by the Vatican, the Holy See reminds us all once again that they are not to be judged by mere human law. No, their stupidities transcend all normal classifications of idiocy, soaring into rarefied realms of blithe intransigent irrationality with utter glee. The problem is when they do several stupid or outright evil things at once. Which moronic action should they be criticized for first? The latest choice is between commenting on the arrest of Fr. Roy Bourgeois, an American priest leading a protest by participants in Rome for a … More…

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“Did Jesus Die for Klingons Too?”

Cross him and he'll kick your ass.

This may be the only time I could use the name of an actual speech from a DARPA symposium for a post, but this is for real. Philosophy professor Christian Weidemann of Germany’s Ruhr-University Bochum used it for the title of his talk at the 100 Year Starship Symposium. Putting aside the fact that DARPA is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the folks who brought us the Internet. DARPA is a bleeding-edge military think tank. Why would they be not only speculating on interstellar travel when the country (supposedly) can’t even get to the International Space Station, much less … More…

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Why Priests Are So Damned Happy

Where's the beer?

[HUMOR] – Despite all the negative publicity of recent years from lawsuits, indictments, and perp walks, research shows American Catholic priests are demonstrably among the happiest, most job-fulfilled and satisfied men in the country, according to theologian, psychologist, professional apologist, and former used car salesman, Msgr. James “Smilin’ Jim” McCashbag. Key reasons seem to be their avoidance of prayer for the cozy relations they have established with certain fellow priests and laity in their parishes, he said. “These days, most priests are far too busy for long prayers. The rosary? Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament? Litanies?” he snorted. “Too much … More…

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My Last Sermon

Just another typical day

A version of this message was sent on the last day of August to all the church groups I have subscribed to. While I have learned much from the Independent Catholic Movement, met some incredibly spiritual people, and was given the chance to minister to souls in need, there is, if not a “dark side”, then perhaps a “grey side”. It turns out that though free from Rome, “free” Catholics still are plagued by the eternal sin of pride known as clericalism. You might also enjoy:Killer Priest Convicted but Denial Continues This just in: After a three-week trial over a … More…

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“Invicible Ignorance” and an Irish Uprising

The faith of Ireland

Add to the ever-growing numbers of people around the world angry at the Church for the clergy abuse scandal, the Prime Minister of Ireland and the Archbishop of Dublin. Here’s what AP had to say: The Irish are broadly lauding this week’s thunderbolt from Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who denounced the Vatican’s role in the past 17 years of abuse scandals. He accused the Holy See of downplaying “the rape and torture of children” and hiding behind its status as a sovereign state with its own secrecy-obsessed canon laws. Astonished cabbies pulled off the road to watch the unprecedented speech … More…

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