Bill Donohue comments on the Women’s March on Washington:

The Women’s March on Washington is a misnomer: it will include many others who claim to be neither a man nor a woman, yet were born either male or female. It is also a misnomer to say, as the organizers claim, that the march is about uniting “our vibrant and diverse communities”: the event seeks to divide, not unite.

Some critics are calling this an anti-Trump rally. They, too, are mistaken. It is a protest against the American people who voted for Donald Trump. In short, it is a protest against democracy.

As with all activist events, this one is guided by “isms.” The two principal ideological strains are libertinism and anti-Catholicism: the protesters want a sexual free-for-all (minus the lethal diseases), and they want to attack Catholicism for not affirming it.

With regard to religion, the march’s organizers say the event is being held to support “diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim.” Happy to know that Muslims are given priority over the Zoroastrians, though it is not certain whether any will march with the “LGBTQIA” contingency (“Q” stands for “Queer”; not sure who the “I” and “A” folks are).

Among the many sponsors of the march are the following organizations; a sample of their contributions to anti-Catholicism is included:

Amnesty International: In 2015, it sponsored an anti-Catholic video, laced with obscenities, attacking the Catholic Church in Ireland for its opposition to abortion.

Center for Reproductive Rights: In 2011, when the bishops opposed a bill promoting abortion, it fell back on an old anti-Catholic trope, accusing them of “enforcing religious dogma” on the American people.

Feminist Majority Foundation: In 2005, it opposed elevating Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court because that would mean too many Catholics on the bench.

Human Rights Campaign: It has consistently labeled every conflict between religious liberty and gay rights as an attack by the bishops on gays, not as an exercise of the First Amendment.

Human Rights Watch: It labels as “obstructionist” the right of the Holy See to oppose abortion laws, and has attacked Filipino bishops for merely stating the Church’s position on contraception and abortion.

MoveOn.org: Heavily funded by George Soros and his Open Society Foundations, it has supported virtually every phony, anti-Catholic “Catholic” group, such as Catholics for Choice and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

NARAL: Founded with the express purpose of lying about, and smearing, the Catholic Church, it continues to assault Catholicism whenever the abortion issue is in the news.

National Organization for Women: It frequently accuses the bishops of a “War on Women” for simply voicing their objections to abortion.

PEN: Ostensibly a “free speech” organization, it has condemned the free speech rights of Catholics (e.g. the Catholic League) for opposing anti-Catholic bigotry, trying to silence them.

Planned Parenthood: Founded by an extreme anti-Catholic, Margaret Sanger, it has been fomenting anti-Catholicism for 100 years.

In addition to these 10 anti-Catholic sponsors, the Women’s March on Washington is drawing the support of activists who have nothing to do with women’s rights (e.g., Americans United for Separation of Church and State), but who are nonetheless long-time Catholic bashers (which explains their enthusiasm).

Finally, Hollywood will be well represented, as is only fitting: the event celebrates reckless sex, and is heavily populated by Catholic haters. Samantha Bee is just one of hundreds who will be there.

She earned her stripes most recently on her January 18, 2017 show when she made a crack about “brave strong women” and “dildos.” The segment featured a photo of a priest with a homosexual standing next to him. How do I know the guy is gay? If you saw the picture, you wouldn’t have to ask.

Bill Donohue applauds city officials in Piedmont, Alabama:

The theme of this year’s annual Christmas parade in Piedmont, Alabama is “Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas.” Kudos to Mayor Bill Baker and the seven members of the city council for their wisdom and fortitude. Of course, the anti-Christian crowd isn’t happy, as witnessed by the reaction of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The parade, which will be held Thursday evening, is being protested by FFRF on the grounds that it “alienates non-Christians and others in Piedmont.” It did not name a single person in Piedmont who objected, but even if such a person exists, feeling alienated is not a constitutional basis for violating free speech.

“The sentiment of ‘Keeping Christ in Christmas,'” says the attorney for FFRF, “does not qualify” as a secular celebration. But Christmas is a national holiday, and therefore enjoys a secular status, even if its cultural roots are religious.

Here’s a reality check for FFRF: Religion is the most defining element in any culture, and some of its traditions ineluctably become secularized over time. In this case, the refrain “Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas” is simply a call to honor the meaning of this holiday: No Christ, no Christmas. That, of course, is exactly what bothers FFRF—Jesus Christ!

The Catholic League salutes Mayor Baker and the City Council for making this important cultural statement. We urge all municipalities across the United States to follow suit and adopt the Piedmont model of celebrating Christmas.

To congratulate Mayor Baker, contact: Bill.Baker@piedmontcity.org

Bill Donohue comments on a resolution passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:

Sacramento does not lack for lawmakers who are hostile to Catholicism, but it takes a back seat to those who work in San Francisco. The Board of Supervisors in San Francisco unanimously passed a resolution yesterday [click here] that declares war on the Archdiocese of San Francisco; some Sacramento lawmakers previously sought to intimidate the archdiocese.

To read the letter I sent to the Board today, click here.

Contact the author of the resolution, Board Supervisor Mark Farrell: Mark.Farrell@sfgov.org

Bill Donohue comments on how National Public Radio (NPR) is responding to complaints about the offensive episode of “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” that aired December 6:

On December 8, I issued a news release objecting to the latest episode of “Wait Wait,” and also asked those on our email list to contact NPR. Many did. The episode was downright offensive: it made a veiled reference to Jesus with his hands on his genitals.

Here is how NPR responded to it critics. “Wait Wait is a comedy show that pokes fun at the news. The goal is always to make people laugh. I regret that we did not succeed in this case.”

The “news” that NPR decided to deride was neither a major national or international story: it was about an outreach program aimed at young people in the Diocese of Brooklyn. More seriously, NPR is very selective about who it wants its audience to laugh at. For example, never once has NPR come even close to mocking Muhammad, and no sexual references have ever been about him, including on “Wait Wait.”

When the Danish cartoons that poked fun at Muhammad were published in 2005 and 2006, NPR refused to publish them on its website. NPR explained its decision to self-censor by saying, “the cartoon is so highly offensive to millions of Muslims that it’s preferable to describe it in words rather than posting it on the Web….By not posting it on the Web, we demonstrate a respect for deeply held religious beliefs.”

We are asking House Speaker John Boehner to take up the issue of defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the parent company of NPR. Until Catholics are afforded the same degree of respect for their “deeply held religious beliefs,” they should not have to subsidize attacks on their religion. This is hardly the first time that NPR has ridiculed Catholics, but doing so at Christmastime makes it all the more egregious.

Contact NPR’s media relations director, Isabel Lara: ilara@npr.org

Bill Donohue says American Atheists President David Silverman is scared of Christmas:

Most atheists either celebrate Christmas in a secular fashion, or are wholly dismissive of it. Few are terrified of it. David Silverman is one of them. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what he recently said:

“Millions of American children are forced to go to church under the threat of being denied meals, losing household privileges, having their college tuition cut off, or being kicked out of their homes. Many atheists are forced to go to church under threat of divorce or lose custody of their children.”

In David’s imagination—he has no data—millions of children are given an ultimatum at Christmastime. Here’s how a Christian mom might put it:

“This is the final straw—I’m going nuclear. Go to church on Christmas Day you little heathens or starve. Here’s a reality check: If you don’t go goose-stepping off to church, you can walk the lousy dog and pick up his poop. Better tell your older siblings that if they don’t make it to church, the gravy train is over: no more tuition payments—they can join the unemployment line. And if any of you wise guys push me too far, you are out the door—see what it is like to live on the street with other homeless bums. As for your atheist father, if he doesn’t make it to church this year, I’m filing for divorce, charging him with child abuse. That way he’ll never see you brats again.”

Time for David to seek some counseling. I know of a great priest who….

Contact David: dsilverman@atheists.org

Bill Donohue comments on Minnesota Public Radio:

National Public Radio is no friend of Catholicism, but usually it tries to hide its bias. By contrast, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is so thoroughly anti-Catholic that it makes no attempt to be fair. Truth be told, it is a scam: its politics is pervasive. Here’s the latest proof.

On December 8, a jury acquitted Father Mark Huberty, a Twin Cities priest, of criminal sexual conduct; a woman claimed he took sexual advantage of her during counseling sessions.

Three media outlets in Minnesota have been tracking this story from the beginning: the Pioneer Press, the Star-Tribune, and MPR. When news reports surfaced clearing Father Huberty of wrongdoing, the two newspapers gave the jury verdict complete coverage. But not MPR.

For many years now, MPR has specialized in issuing lengthy reports on alleged priestly abuse; it ran a long story last week about a former priest. When a priest is found not guilty, however, that is of no interest to MPR. To wit: In 2013, MPR did four lengthy stories on salacious accusations against Father Huberty, but when he was exonerated this week, the best it could do was to offer a 134-word AP story. It had no motivation to recount its previous reporting, or to present its own story.

This is yellow journalism: the only Catholic news that excites MPR is dirt.

Contact Michael Popham, Director of Member and Audience services: mpopham@mpr.org

Bill Donohue comments on a National Public Radio (NPR) game show, “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” that aired Saturday night:

The astute atheists at NPR decided that the Brooklyn Diocese’s outreach program to millennial “hipsters” was worth a few jokes. After all, it’s Christmastime, so why not choose Catholicism for ridicule?

Most of the exchange between the characters was so inane that it is not worth repeating. There was a cheap shot taken about transubstantiation, and the Hail Mary was the source of laughter. By far the most offensive statement was made about Jesus.  Here is what somebody who goes by the name of Segal said:

“You can take a selfie with Jesus. The Catholic Church preaches that Jesus is always with us, in fact he’s right behind you. So this new app—Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn shows a woman sitting by herself. She’s holding out her phone to take a selfie like the kids do, but in the picture you see this woman and this bearded beatific man smiling behind her. It’s not some rando creepo who got into the church, it’s the Son of God. This raises all sorts of questions for the woman. For starters, why didn’t Jesus offer just to take the picture himself? His hands were occupied.”

Our friend Tim Graham of Newsbusters offered the following response to the closing part of this statement: “Is that a reference to his hands being nailed to the cross? Or is it a more sexual reference to the Savior’s hands being on himself (as could be joked about considering the image).”

Tim is too kind. Those who work at this taxpayer-funded entity have a record of bashing Catholics. Last year NPR reviewed a movie about a “devout” Catholic woman who masturbates with a crucifix. It scored the flick “recommended.” So we know which message it sought to convey: being low class is NPR’s natural step.

Contact NPR’s media relations director, Isabel Lara: ilara@npr.org

Bill Donohue comments on a new coalition:

What do Americans United for Separation of Church and State have in common with Satanists? Everything—they’re on the same page. That’s why Barry Lynn of Americans United offered to represent the Satanic Temple in its quest to assault Christian sensibilities in Florida. The Devil worshipers sought, and the government agreed, to put a Satanist display next to a nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda later this month.

If I were advising Barry, I would counsel against this coalition. Why? Not because he is promoting hate speech at Christmastime—that doesn’t bother him—but because up until now he was at least able to fool some people into thinking that he is sincerely committed to the First Amendment. Now the mask is off.

Barry’s retort to critics, “Free speech is for everyone and all groups,” is lame. On the same day, December 3, that he announced his support for Satanism, the Michigan chapter of Americans United opposed a bill protecting the First Amendment right to freedom of religion. Case closed.

Anyone familiar with the history of Americans United knows that its support for Satanism is hardly a shocker. It was founded after World War II as an expressly anti-Catholic organization called Protestants and Other Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Its first director, Glenn L. Archer, said the Catholic Church was “more dangerous and clever than communism.” In all honesty, he lied—he believed that the Church was far worse. We know this because Archer loved Joseph Stalin: he defended the mass murderer even after Stalin launched the world’s first man-made famine; millions of Ukrainians were intentionally starved to death.

So now Barry has come full circle. From the anti-Catholic, pro-Stalinist origins of his organization, he has now laid anchor with Satanists.

Contact Barry: americansunited@au.org