Bill Donohue comments on Newsweek’s cover story by Kurt Eichenwald, “The Bible: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin”:

In 2005, Newsweek wondered whether anyone would “pull the plug” on Pope John Paul II; he was accused of “stubbornly” imposing his will on the faithful. In 2007, it lied about obscene anti-Catholic comments made by staffers for presidential candidate John Edwards, passing them off as mere criticism. Also that year, it ran a cover story on a disturbed woman who dressed up as a priest, fantasizing that she really was one. In 2012, Andrew Sullivan told us that “the cross was not the point of Jesus’ life.”

Now Newsweek wants us to believe that their faith in doubting professors should be accepted by Christians. To show how wrong the Bible is, they roll out Bart Ehrman. He is a good choice: he doesn’t believe in God, which is why he teaches religion at the University of North Carolina.

The point of this long screed is that no one can trust what the Bible says, except for what Newsweek and its trusty professors want us to believe. Writing as if he stumbled on some ground-breaking news, Eichenwald tells us about discrepancies in the Gospel accounts, and problems in translation. Casting doubt just about everywhere, he tells us, for example, that the story of the adulterous woman whom Jesus counseled is an “event that never happened.” Apparently, he doesn’t see the irony: If the traditional Biblical account cannot be trusted, how can he be so cock-sure that his interpretation is accurate? His arrogance is stunning.

Similarly, we are informed that a committee of professors found “discrepancies” between the Latin translations and the earlier Greek version, and then “decided” that the former was correct. I guess that settles the issue. Nice to know, also, that Eichenwald finds belief in the Trinity “deeply confusing.” Naturally. From his perspective, everything about God is “deeply confusing.” Which is why he works for Newsweek.

Contact Newsweek’s Editor-in-Chief Jim Impoco: j.impoco@newsweek.com 

To read Bill Donohue’s latest Newsmax article, “De Blasio Suffers From Leadership Problems,” about New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s first year in office, click here.

The following is a joint statement by Dr. William A. Donohue, President, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights and Rabbi Aryeh Spero, President, Caucus For America (Rabbi Spero can be reached at 212-252-6861):

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of Officer Wenjian Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos, and express our continued support for the NYPD, America’s finest police force, a fair one, upon whose independence and physical security our safety depends.

We are distressed by the incendiary remarks made over the last few weeks by Al Sharpton, and the threats and chants coming from protesters against police, which have resulted in a hate-filled atmosphere that people of foresight understood could result in violence against police officers and other forms of destruction.

We equally are disappointed by some elected officials within the highest echelons of government who have made statements over the past several weeks that have sown resentment, discontent, and feelings of revenge against the police and our jury system.  Such remarks were subtly, but intentionally, expressed to convey that minorities are victims of an unfair system stacked against them, that minorities have no recourse, and that America’s police forces are often guided by racism and hostile attitudes. The rhetoric of these officials has been irresponsible and provocative.

The American people, a fundamentally good and fair people, do not need Mr. Sharpton and others pontificating to us, continually chastising us and telling us who we are and what our values should be.

We urge the White House to stop using Al Sharpton as a spokesman and partner. His past  agitations have hurt many good and innocent people.

Bill Donohue comments on the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba:

President Obama made the right decision on Cuba. Kudos also to Pope Francis for working to break the stalemate between the United States and Cuba. While a lot of foolish things have been said by those on both sides of this issue, the fact is that the only losers in this gambit are the Communists in Cuba.

Cuba’s economy is in deep trouble, and its patrons in Venezuela are in no position to help them. The amount of traffic that this opening will bring—look for hoards of Cubans and non-Cubans to line up for travel to Cuba—will ineluctably whet the Cuban appetite for more freedom. Once Cubans learn more about the lifestyle of their relatives in the U.S., and the freedoms they enjoy, they will press for more changes.

Economic liberty does not guarantee political liberty, but it does work to undermine the forces of repression. More important than markets is the exchange of ideas that this rapprochement will bring. And no idea is more threatening to a dictatorship than liberty. While no one expects a Jeffersonian democracy to appear overnight, historically these kinds of thaws work to undermine the tyrants. Given the proximity of the two nations, the vector of change will move more quickly toward freedom.

Ever since Pope John Paul II’s visit to Cuba in 1998, the Catholic Church has been gaining more breathing room there. The recent decision by the Cuban government to allow Cubans from Tampa, Florida to fund the construction of a Catholic Church on the island is a good omen. There will be more such opportunities. As with economic liberty, religious liberty also works to facilitate political liberty.

Fidel Castro was a wealthy man who did more to punish the poor than any of his predecessors. A true Communist—he once begged Herbert Matthews of the New York Times to stop calling him an agrarian reformer and start labeling him a Communist—he is the ultimate loser in this development.

Bill Donohue comments on what an innocent priest had to endure:

Fr. Ronald Domhoff is not known outside the Archdiocese of Louisville, but he should be known by every Catholic, and non-Catholic, in the nation. He is the latest priest to have his good name dragged through the mud by vicious accusers and their rapacious lawyers. That the latter proved to be rogues should matter to everyone.

In September, Fr. Domhoff was placed on administrative leave after he was accused of sexually molesting a minor. He was cleared of all charges yesterday and returned to active ministry today as pastor at St. Peter the Apostle in Louisville. What happened in the interim is the real story.

The accuser said he was molested between 1985 and 1989 at a local Catholic high school. The priest was investigated and subsequently cleared by the Louisville Metro Police Department Crimes Against Children unit. The archdiocese conducted two investigations: one by the Sexual Abuse Review Board and one by a private investigator. Both exonerated the priest.

Here is what the Valencia, California law firm of Owen, Patterson and Owen said when Fr. Domhoff was charged: “Our client is willing to share details of his abuse with the press in order to encourage other victims to come forward.” Attorney Gregory Owen added, “These monsters must be found and punished.” The law firm asked other alleged victims to contact them, not the police.

As it turns out, the monsters who should be punished are these lawyers. The Archdiocese of Louisville contacted the accuser asking him to provide the details that his lawyers promised, and neither he nor his attorneys provided a scintilla of evidence.

Fr. Domhoff told his parishioners yesterday that “The last few months have been the most terrifying experience of my 42 years as a priest.” He thanked his supporters profusely. We wish him a Merry Christmas and encourage all falsely accused priests to fight the merchants of greed and hate.

Bill Donohue comments on the way secular activists are reacting to Christmas:

It never ceases to amaze me how down-right scared some secularists are of Christmas. Here are a few recent examples.

The University of Maine was forced to come to its senses only because it was too embarrassed to explain its hypersensitivity; it now allows religious symbols on the campus. But initially it banned not merely religious symbols, but any “decoration that could be perceived as religious.” That included candy canes. Candy canes: their mere existence at an institution of higher learning is what pushed the free-speech enthusiasts over the edge. They also changed their policy with regard to trees. Initially they were allowed, but not presents. That’s because presents remind people of Christmas, and that is unacceptable at Christmastime.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts they are so accepting of free speech that every known terrorist in the world is welcome to speak there. But not Santa. He was banned from a local public school winter concert.

An official at the southwest Anti-Defamation League advises everyone to avoid what she says is the “December Dilemma.” The “dilemma,” for the ADL, at least, is Christmas. Her solution? Dilute the significance of Christmas. She favors faux competition by encouraging schools to celebrate Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim holidays—even days that are not in December (she did not mention any Christian holiday that ought to be celebrated in December). According to her logic, ethnics of all stripes should press to turn February, Black History Month, into “Diversity Month,” celebrating all nationalities.

The central problem for all these deep thinkers is Christ. They can tolerate—even support—S&M training sessions on campus, but they have no stomach for candy canes, and certainly not crèches. Never underestimate the penchant for censorship and intolerance exhibited by secular fundamentalists at Christmastime.

In the finale of the HBO show, “The Newsroom,” which aired Sunday night, there is an exchange between Will McAvoy, the anchor/news director (played by Jeff Daniels), and Charlie Skinner, the network president (played by Sam Waterston).

The subject of discussion is Pope Benedict XVI. Skinner takes McAvoy to task for going soft on the pope for his alleged easy treatment of predatory priests. He challenges McAvoy, wanting to know why he wasn’t tougher. Here is what followed:

Skinner:    That’s inexplicable to me.

McAvoy:    Bill Donohue.

Skinner:    Yeah, you don’t want the Catholic League mad at you.

McAvoy:    Nobody does.

Bill Donohue replied today: If the story is true, we don’t get mad at those who report on bad news about the Catholic Church. We just get mad when we’re cherry picked or when the bad news is embellished. Or when we’re gratuitously bashed by talking heads. Sort of like what often appears on the network news, broadcast prime time shows, late night talk shows, cable talk shows, newspapers, radio, movies, the Internet….

In any event, I wish HBO executives a Merry Christmas. Tell Richard Plepler I said hello.

Bill Donohue comments on the annual “War on Christmas”:

Who is winning the 2014 Christmas wars? Neither the pro-Christmas nor the anti-Christmas side can claim victory—so far it looks like a draw.

When it comes to erecting a nativity scene on public property, the pro-Christmas side can claim victories in Grand Haven, Michigan; Cherokee County, Texas; Baxter County, Arkansas; Brookville, Indiana; Ogden City, Utah; Austin, Texas; Utica, New York; and New York City.

The anti-Christmas side can claim victory in Maury County, Tennessee; Portsmouth, Virginia; North Augusta, South Carolina; Jay City, Florida; Orange County, Florida; Piedmont, Alabama; and Dallas, North Carolina.

There are some towns where the controversy is continuing, with no clear winner. Both sides have also challenged each other in using billboards to convey their message (click here to see our Los Angeles billboard).

The anti-Christmas side is led by Freedom from Religion Foundation, American Atheists, the ACLU, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The pro-Christmas side would be better off seeking to erect a nativity scene in a public park, rather than on the lawn of City Hall or outside a courthouse. The latter invite the argument that the government is giving its blessings to the crèches; no such claim can be made when the venue is a park, which is a public forum.

Trying to rid our Judeo-Christian culture of its heritage bespeaks a mindset that is quintessentially totalitarian. The cultural fascists should be challenged at every point by the pro-Christmas side.

Bill Donohue comments on a cross-shaped penis necklace made available for Christmas by designer Tom Ford:

When we learned of this item, I said to the staff that I bet this guy Tom Ford is a homosexual. I was right. He even thinks he’s married.

The Catholic League’s annual nativity scene in New York City’s Central Park was erected today in a spot just south of the Park: It is on 5th Avenue, between 58th and 59th Street, in front of the Plaza Hotel. Tourists are showing up in droves for pictures.

We deliberately put it in this spot so that everyone who takes the bus down 5th Avenue cannot fail to see it. It is our Christmas gift to believers, as well as devout atheists.

Those who object to a religious symbol on public property—unadorned by secular symbols (we are anti-reindeer at the Catholic League)—will be outraged. If they object, they can always call the New York City Parks Department which issued us a permit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

To see a picture of the nativity scene, click here.