The New Pope and the Press

I find it an interesting commentary that the media entirely misses the importance of the election of the Pope. This is not political; it is a religious event. The Pope isn’t elected to bring divergent sectors of the Catholic Church together. He isn’t elected to please one group or to punish another. His role is that of being the head of one of the oldest established institutions on the face of the earth, the Roman Catholic Church. He helps Catholics by being a shepherd over the beliefs of the Church.



It seems that the commentators and reporters want an election with the incumbent changes brought by the winner. They want to report that the Pope will be responsive to the demands and desires of society. Let us hope that he does not respond in such a way. He is the leader and specifically he is the person who is responsible to maintain and interpret God’s Word and the Gospels. He isn’t a Supreme Court Justice who must past a litmus test on one topic or another. Our belief is that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the cardinals elected the best person to take on the responsibility of being the figurehead and leader of the Church today.



The appropriate verse from scripture to consider the mission of the Pope which should be understood by the media is found in Matthew Chapter 26 verse 39 which states in part: “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” The Pope is charged with leading the Church and following God not the other way around.

Observation on Feb 13, 2005

As I read through the Howard County Times, there was an article on religious holidays and the school system. The issue was that the Muslims were demanding that the School Board not have exams during their holy days. The Superintendent stated that the system had a policy in place that no student would be penalized for honoring a religious holiday and that the administration was aware of this rule.

My immediate reaction was that the Muslims were overly sensitive and were trying to gain special treatment. My impression was that if this were a theocracy, similar to the Muslim Theocracies in the Arab Countries, a similar request by Christians would not even be heard much less have any chance of gaining consideration. Initially I was incensed. Then I stopped and thought that this was something which differentiates us from many of the "third World" and other countries.

By protecting their rights, we protect ours. No matter how much we object to the other and no matter that if the positions were reversed that they would not grant us similar consideration, we must grant equal protection to them if we expect it for ourselves. To do otherwise would betray the Constitution and the responsibilities placed upon us by the Framers of the Constitution.

Holiday Observations

As we enter into the Holidays, I often think how we have become less tolerant of others. Or is it that others are less tolerant of us? It seems that the middle class, those upon who's shoulders the government and society depend, are expected to be the ones to make concessions, to accept compromises, to be tolerant of other customs and beliefs. But when it comes to our customs, our beliefs, if they offend a minute minority who are intolerant of us and what happens? We need to stop what we have done for generations. Why can't those who are offended attempt to show a little acceptance and understanding of us,just as the majority are demanded to give to them?

The thought of a Nativity Scene on the Court House steps when it was once expected is now unimaginable.

The expression "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is now being attacked as being offensive.

What is going on and how did we get here?

I doubt it has come upon us via the legislative process, since the politicians would never visibly support such an attack on middle class values. No it is more insidious than that, it has come from the bureaucrats and the judges, the hidden force which controls our daily activities. They are empowered by the laws enacted by the legislature but unintended consequences have emerged. They have the power to push their agendas and force us to accept them.

When will we awake and take back our society? When will the pendulum swing back toward the center?

Remembrance Day

This weekend will be the 141st anniversary of Lincoln Gettysburg Address. In Gettysburg, the town will host numerous "living historians" and reenactors who will gather to in their own way to honor the men who fought in the bloody insurrection known as the American Civil War. There will be a grand parade with the Union Forces in front followed by the Confederates. As you watch the various units and organizations march past you will see a wide spectrum of study in the uniforms and 'elan of the troops. Some will be dressed in their finest dress uniform, some will present the image of hard fought men. Some will look like they just stepped out of a cheap costume store, they are called FARBS. Some will look as if they just stepped out of a Brady photograph. But most if not all, love history and they are trying to preserve it accurately so that it isn't re-written or sanitized. If you are in the area and you also love history, come to Gettysburg and watch the parade.

First Post

Welcome to my journal and blog. I hope that my entries will be engaging. There is no promise other than that they will be candid. There is no expressed mission or goal other than to candidly express my thought of the day. Please accept the poor writing, in that is part of the energy of a blog. Also excuse the spelling and typos. If you can read and understand what was written, then it could not have been that bad. Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride. I will look forward to hearing from anyone who stumbles upon my tomes. While I cannot guarantee daily entries, I will try to be regular and relevant. Not like this initial entry. Themes will develop and we will just have to see where this takes us.