Three TV shows recently drew the ire of the Catholic League. The January 23 episode of the “The X-Files” featured a segment that was disparaging of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. “When you get right down to it,” one of the characters said, “is snake handling any harder to buy into than confessionals... [Read more...]
INDULGING WITH INDULGENCES
The New York Times took the occasion of the opening of the Holy Door at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome to lecture the Catholic Church on its teaching concerning indulgences. The story, by Alessandra Stanley, appeared in the January 19, 2000 issue under the headline, “The Pope Opens a Door, but Not All Christians Feel Welcome.” “Indulgences,... [Read more...]
IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?
If Regis Philbin wants to stump someone on “Millionaire,” we suggest he ask the following: “Which ethnic and religious group believes we should be generous in funding programs for the mentally retarded but not for the mentally ill?” Irish Catholics. ” Are you sure? Is that your final answer?” If Regis had asked this... [Read more...]
KANSAS CITY STAR SEX SURVEY IMPLODES
The lead story in the December Catalyst was on the sex survey of Catholic priests taken by the Kansas City Star. As soon as the survey was mailed in October, the Catholic League responded with a survey of its own: we sent the staff at the newspaper a similarly-worded survey questioning their sex lives. We also blasted the newspaper-turned-tabloid... [Read more...]
MORE ART QUA HATE SPEECH ON CAMPUS
A lot of artists, for some reason, hate the Catholic Church. Why artists hate the Church more than, say, milkmen, is hard to say, but there is little doubt that they do. Maybe it’s because they fancy themselves as being creative. Maybe it has something to do with their fixation on abstract thinking. But chances are neither explanation is adequate:... [Read more...]
POLITICS AND RELIGION 2000
Candidates for state and federal office, Republican and Democrat alike, have addressed the subject of politics and religion more this election year than in previous ones. The Catholic League made clear its thoughts on this issue with a formal statement to the media: “Candidates for public office are often guilty of pandering to special interest... [Read more...]
RELIGIONS IMPOSE VIEWS ON SEX
How many times have you heard it said that the Catholic Church seeks to “impose” its views of sexuality on the nation? Every other day? Every day? But have you ever heard it said that religions which sponsor a promiscuous view of sexuality seek to impose their views on the rest of us? The Sex Information and Education Council of the United... [Read more...]
REPUBLICANS DOGGED BY HOUSE CHAPLAIN ISSUE
The controversy over the new House chaplain continues to dog the Republicans. Instead of taking steps to put this issue behind them, they have allowed it to fester. The Catholic League has become increasingly incensed over Republican duplicity and efforts by conservatives to smear Father Timothy O’Brien. William Donohue has been in conversation with... [Read more...]
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS
The class is given an assignment to write about the purpose of spring break. A 13 year-old Catholic boy writes that the original purpose was to allow time off to celebrate Easter. His teacher, a Blackwood, New Jersey middle school instructor, objects on the grounds that it is improper to write about religion. If the boy doesn’t submit something else,... [Read more...]
BIGOTED RHETORIC TARS “ABORTION PROVIDER DAY”
On March 10, pro-abortion groups around the country celebrated a “National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers.” The day was organized by a radical group called Refuse and Resist! In its website, the organizing group speaks of a “Christian fascist, fundamentalist morality” that has allegedly overtaken the country. It also... [Read more...]