You don't need to be Roman Catholic to sympathize with the faithful who are suffering through yet another chapter in the child abuse scandal. It started when a sea change in public attitudes about reporting abuse began in the 1970's and courts began to hear cases involving abuse against professional associations that failed to police their members. The new framework allowed priests and the church to be sued as well. The problem crystallized in 1984 with the case of Father Gilbert Gaute, who had molested scores of boys over twenty years. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison.
The fact that this went on for so long raised questions about cover-ups by the church and eventually exposed a pattern of transferring problematic priests. Covering-up is a typical human response, whether it's Nixon in 1973 or Toyota today. But the church isn't in politics or industry: its purpose is to do God's work and the sense of betrayal helped cause a decline in membership and a shortage of priests. Christianity had been under siege anyway, and this was a monumental black eye considering the nature of the crimes and the fact they were perpetrated by pedophiles masquerading as trusted holy men.
As usual, it's good to take a step back and put this in perspective. The 1.7% of priests involved is small, even compared with Protestant clergy. That leaves 98.3% who make serious personal sacrifices to serve God honorably.
Pope John Paul II exemplified this tradition. The Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan writes, "For Pope John Paul II, the scandals would have been unimaginable - literally not imaginable. He had come of age in an era and place (Poland in the 1930's, 40's and 50's) of heroic priests. They were great men; they suffered. He had seen how the Nazis and later the communists had attempted to undermine the church and tear people away from it, sometimes through slander. They did this because the great force arrayed against them was the Catholic Church. John Paul, his mind, psyche and soul having been forged in that world, might well have seen the church's accusers as spreaders of slander. Because priests don't act like that, it's not imaginable."
After years of cases, the path to justice is well-worn and anyone with a claim can readily file it. In 2009, six credible claims were made by minors in the 65 million member U.S. church. In the meantime, it operates 637 non-profit hospitals serving 20% of the U.S. population, teaches 700,000 students in 230 colleges, and runs elementary, middle and high schools that enroll over 2 million kids. But salaciousness beats good works for headlines any day of the week.
Those who abuse their positions will be judged by God. But to tear down a pillar of Western Civilization over the deeds of a few is unconscionable.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Lucy
I remember the first time I saw her. It was a warm, sunny August day in New York City. She was petite, slender, about 3-1/2 feet tall, maybe sixty-five pounds soaking wet and in her late twenties. She wore the burdens of a hard life, suffering from arthritis at such a young age, and her appearance seemed to take you back to a different place and time. Her name was Lucy.
The name came from the Beatles' Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which was played repeatedly at the party the anthropological expedition threw after her discovery. Only forty percent of her skeleton could be assembled from the hundreds of bone fragments. Still, she was extraordinarily complete compared to other finds.
Lucy became an international sensation as she turned the world of anthropology upside down. Her small brain size and upright posture challenged the theory that brain size increased before man stood on two legs. Another theory on the ropes was the idea that humans evolved from knuckle-walking apes; we're now told that the opposite is true and the design of the human hand may predate that of chimps. It's believed the apes are the ones who've been evolving faster, at least in terms of locomotion.
So it goes in science: old theories are discarded as new information breeds new concepts that are often themselves superseded later on.
We see this all the time. Vitamin E was commonly prescribed until it was found to be bad for you. Cardiac stents used to be little miracles; now not so much. Cyclamates were good, then they were bad, now they're OK again. The "settled science" of global climate change that was supposedly universally endorsed by scientists is now under siege. And these are hard sciences, where data is more readily quantifiable than the soft sciences.
"Truth" produced by soft sciences like sociology, psychology and anthropology is even more mutable. Yet academics from these fields are often the most critical of Christian faith.
Science is seen as a reliable source of truth while religion is seen as dealing with unverifiable mystical beliefs that are eccentric, annoying and hopelessly out of touch with reality. But the unchanging, valid teachings of the Bible are in stark contrast to ever-changing scientific theory.
Christians get truth from consistent biblical teachings that have worked for thousands of years. But they're viewed with skepticism by others who put their faith in fluid theories, seek guidance from self-help gurus, entertain pop psychology or flail around with the New Age fad du jour.
Today, change happens so rapidly it makes your head spin. But our human need for a touchstone is constant; in fact, it's probably intensified. Fortunately the foundation we seek is provided by faith in Christ and a truth that remains unchanging.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
The name came from the Beatles' Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which was played repeatedly at the party the anthropological expedition threw after her discovery. Only forty percent of her skeleton could be assembled from the hundreds of bone fragments. Still, she was extraordinarily complete compared to other finds.
Lucy became an international sensation as she turned the world of anthropology upside down. Her small brain size and upright posture challenged the theory that brain size increased before man stood on two legs. Another theory on the ropes was the idea that humans evolved from knuckle-walking apes; we're now told that the opposite is true and the design of the human hand may predate that of chimps. It's believed the apes are the ones who've been evolving faster, at least in terms of locomotion.
So it goes in science: old theories are discarded as new information breeds new concepts that are often themselves superseded later on.
We see this all the time. Vitamin E was commonly prescribed until it was found to be bad for you. Cardiac stents used to be little miracles; now not so much. Cyclamates were good, then they were bad, now they're OK again. The "settled science" of global climate change that was supposedly universally endorsed by scientists is now under siege. And these are hard sciences, where data is more readily quantifiable than the soft sciences.
"Truth" produced by soft sciences like sociology, psychology and anthropology is even more mutable. Yet academics from these fields are often the most critical of Christian faith.
Science is seen as a reliable source of truth while religion is seen as dealing with unverifiable mystical beliefs that are eccentric, annoying and hopelessly out of touch with reality. But the unchanging, valid teachings of the Bible are in stark contrast to ever-changing scientific theory.
Christians get truth from consistent biblical teachings that have worked for thousands of years. But they're viewed with skepticism by others who put their faith in fluid theories, seek guidance from self-help gurus, entertain pop psychology or flail around with the New Age fad du jour.
Today, change happens so rapidly it makes your head spin. But our human need for a touchstone is constant; in fact, it's probably intensified. Fortunately the foundation we seek is provided by faith in Christ and a truth that remains unchanging.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Nutters
Tony Blair was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 through 2007. He formed solid relationships with Presidents Clinton and Bush, assisted in the Northern Ireland Peace Process and became the longest-serving PM in the Labour Party's history.
Not bad for a guy whose teachers regarded as "a complete pain in the backside," according to biographer John Rentoul. Other credits include being arrested by police who mistook him for a burglar as he sneaked up a ladder to his dorm after being out late and singing for a rock group named the Ugly Rumours.
Blair's interest in Christianity was piqued at the University of Oxford, but he kept it under wraps during his political career for fear of being labelled a "nutter."
nut'ter n. (Brit): a crazy or eccentric person
Religion was so politically toxic that his communications director once prevented him from responding to an inquiry about his faith by explaining "We don't do God."
After resigning as Prime Minister, Blair no longer conceals his faith although he calls it "a private matter." As reported by Michael Gerson of The Washington Post, Blair gave a speech at Westminster Cathedral in which he said that for millions faith is "the motive for their behavior, the thing that gives sense to their lives and purpose to their journeys - which makes life more than just a sparrow's flight through a lighted hall from one darkness to another."
Christian faith gives meaning to life and provides a moral compass based on love for our fellow man. If that makes followers of Christ "crazy or eccentric" in the eyes of those who are clueless about Jesus, then so be it.
Those who think they can operate the world without the rock of God-given standards are in for a rough ride. Ask the millions of people who suffered and died under Stalin and Mao what happens when an atheistic state answering to no higher power is in control. Atrocities and abrogation of human rights are commonplace in godless totalitarian states, but today's mindset seems to be that leaders with Christian faith are more suspect than those without it.
Look at history. It's obvious who the "nutters" are.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
Not bad for a guy whose teachers regarded as "a complete pain in the backside," according to biographer John Rentoul. Other credits include being arrested by police who mistook him for a burglar as he sneaked up a ladder to his dorm after being out late and singing for a rock group named the Ugly Rumours.
Blair's interest in Christianity was piqued at the University of Oxford, but he kept it under wraps during his political career for fear of being labelled a "nutter."
nut'ter n. (Brit): a crazy or eccentric person
Religion was so politically toxic that his communications director once prevented him from responding to an inquiry about his faith by explaining "We don't do God."
After resigning as Prime Minister, Blair no longer conceals his faith although he calls it "a private matter." As reported by Michael Gerson of The Washington Post, Blair gave a speech at Westminster Cathedral in which he said that for millions faith is "the motive for their behavior, the thing that gives sense to their lives and purpose to their journeys - which makes life more than just a sparrow's flight through a lighted hall from one darkness to another."
Christian faith gives meaning to life and provides a moral compass based on love for our fellow man. If that makes followers of Christ "crazy or eccentric" in the eyes of those who are clueless about Jesus, then so be it.
Those who think they can operate the world without the rock of God-given standards are in for a rough ride. Ask the millions of people who suffered and died under Stalin and Mao what happens when an atheistic state answering to no higher power is in control. Atrocities and abrogation of human rights are commonplace in godless totalitarian states, but today's mindset seems to be that leaders with Christian faith are more suspect than those without it.
Look at history. It's obvious who the "nutters" are.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Soylent Green
The 1973 movie is set in 2022. Edward G. Robinson plays a detective who discovers the awful truth about a food staple called "Soylent Green." Unable to live with the knowledge, he enters a government run suicide parlor euphemistically called a "home." Surrounded by peaceful sights and sounds, he falls unconscious and expires. It was Robinson's last role: he died within days of final filming.
Fast forward 37 years to 2010. A Swiss clinic called Dignitas has assisted in over 1,000 deaths. Its founder, Ludwig Minelli, calls suicide a "marvelous possibility." Reverend George Exoo (aka "Rev'd Death") is a Unitarian minister in the U.S. who thinks anyone who desires suicide should be allowed to do it. According to George Pitcher of Telegraph Media, "He carries gas to his clients in a giant inflatable alligator." Australian Philip Nitschke ("Dr. Death") runs suicide workshops. Nembutal is his agent of choice and he happily explains it's available over the counter in Mexico. The states of Oregon and Washington have legalized assisted suicide.
How far we've come, and it's not even 2022. Yet.
Christianity sees suicide as a violation of the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." Like other biblical teachings there are practical reasons for it.
Suicides don't happen in a vacuum. Studies show that a successful suicide grants a sort of "permission" for others to follow suit. The number in the local area immediately rises as does the number of traffic deaths (some people kill themselves by crashing their cars). After Marilyn Monroe's death the national suicide rate spiked 12%.
The dynamic works in families, too. Famous heavyweight boxer George Chuvalo found one son dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound and a second son refused help for an overdose, dying with the needle still in his arm. He found his wife's body with a suicide note.
Even when suicide within a family doesn't prompt others to do it, survivors are left with feelings of guilt, inadequacy and shame. We admire people who motor on despite their problems and show how faith and the human spirit can overcome adversity. But those who check out engender pity, not respect, leaving survivors with a legacy of weakness and hopelessness.
Some speculate whether St. Paul contemplated suicide during a stint in prison. He decided it was more important to spread the word of Christ than to entertain death, as enticing as that might have been. Like Paul, those with faith are able to endure distress with a grace and joy that's inspiring to others. Couple this with the wisdom and memories to be shared and it's apparent that prematurely ending life is a disservice to others.
Jesus taught selflessness, sacrifice, concern for others and the sanctity of life. Murdering yourself violates all of these. Suicide may release you from your problems, but it creates misery for those left behind. It's the ultimate selfish act, one that Mr. Minelli, Rev'd Death, Dr. Death, Oregon and the State of Washington may be treating too cavalierly.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
Fast forward 37 years to 2010. A Swiss clinic called Dignitas has assisted in over 1,000 deaths. Its founder, Ludwig Minelli, calls suicide a "marvelous possibility." Reverend George Exoo (aka "Rev'd Death") is a Unitarian minister in the U.S. who thinks anyone who desires suicide should be allowed to do it. According to George Pitcher of Telegraph Media, "He carries gas to his clients in a giant inflatable alligator." Australian Philip Nitschke ("Dr. Death") runs suicide workshops. Nembutal is his agent of choice and he happily explains it's available over the counter in Mexico. The states of Oregon and Washington have legalized assisted suicide.
How far we've come, and it's not even 2022. Yet.
Christianity sees suicide as a violation of the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." Like other biblical teachings there are practical reasons for it.
Suicides don't happen in a vacuum. Studies show that a successful suicide grants a sort of "permission" for others to follow suit. The number in the local area immediately rises as does the number of traffic deaths (some people kill themselves by crashing their cars). After Marilyn Monroe's death the national suicide rate spiked 12%.
The dynamic works in families, too. Famous heavyweight boxer George Chuvalo found one son dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound and a second son refused help for an overdose, dying with the needle still in his arm. He found his wife's body with a suicide note.
Even when suicide within a family doesn't prompt others to do it, survivors are left with feelings of guilt, inadequacy and shame. We admire people who motor on despite their problems and show how faith and the human spirit can overcome adversity. But those who check out engender pity, not respect, leaving survivors with a legacy of weakness and hopelessness.
Some speculate whether St. Paul contemplated suicide during a stint in prison. He decided it was more important to spread the word of Christ than to entertain death, as enticing as that might have been. Like Paul, those with faith are able to endure distress with a grace and joy that's inspiring to others. Couple this with the wisdom and memories to be shared and it's apparent that prematurely ending life is a disservice to others.
Jesus taught selflessness, sacrifice, concern for others and the sanctity of life. Murdering yourself violates all of these. Suicide may release you from your problems, but it creates misery for those left behind. It's the ultimate selfish act, one that Mr. Minelli, Rev'd Death, Dr. Death, Oregon and the State of Washington may be treating too cavalierly.
To add or remove an address from the Christian Standpoint mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us
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