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Current Events

Milingo here, Milingo there

Rocco Palmo of Whispers in the Loggia reports on the exploits of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo in Confirmed: It’s A Split.

It seems the Archbishop (raised to the Episcopacy and consecrated bishop by none other than Pope Paul VI) consecrated four men bishop (who were already ‘Old Catholic’ vagante bishops) without Vatican approval. This action, along with the Archbishop’s other predilections (mass exorcisms and voodoo healing services, getting married in a mass marriage ceremony performed by Sun Myung Moon) warranted an excommunication.

Mr. Palmo notes:

Milingo and his four prelates — the “Council of Bishops” of the “Married Priests Now!” movement — are meeting today in Washington to discuss the division of their responsibilities.

Based on the general tendency for extreme weirdness among vagantes I imagine the meeting will break up with five anathemas and five separate —Churches—.

Why anyone takes this Archbishop seriously is beyond me. And, who is going to follow him and his associates anyway – I know of no African-Americans, or anyone else, who would be persuaded by this cause.

The Vatican doesn’t even have to do anything. These folks will self destruct in the course of one meeting. They’ll each have their own website for their personal church (not really ‘catholic’) and will have a long list denoting their Episcopal heritage —“ now including Paul VI.

Anyone, including Mr. Palmo, comparing Milingo to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre is looking at externals and incidentals only. Milingo is simply creating a self gratification club —“ he should join TEC.

Christian Witness, Current Events

Mmmmm meat?

In Cruelty to roaches? Fr. Martin Fox asks:

Other than being utterly revolting, will someone please explain the objection to this?

PETA upset at Six Flags roach contest

GURNEE, Ill. – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants Six Flags Great America to scrap its Halloween-themed cockroach-eating promotion.

A spokeswoman for the animal rights organization says the contest at the amusement park’s FrightFest is “gratuitously cruel.”

The park in Gurnee, Ill., is joining other Six Flags parks in offering unlimited line-jumping privileges to anyone who eats a live Madagascar hissing cockroach. The bugs are up to three inches long.

The contest begins next month.

Amusement park officials are defending their menu choice. Great America spokesman Jim Taylor says the bugs are nutritious, high in protein and fat free.

Now, I am definitely not a PETA person. I like my steak, pork, chicken, veal, fois gras, lamb, and many other delicacies made from living stuff.

God gave the earth to sentient beings —“ us, i.e., human beings —“ not to animals. Animals were given to us, to serve us. At the same time, we bear the responsibility of stewardship for the resources we have been given.

I didn’t want to take up Fr. Fox’s comment boxes with a long post so I’d like to answer his question here.

I think the whole issue —“ and PETA has it right in this case —“ is that the event is gratuitous. It’s just another one of those ‘anything goes’ tears in the fabric of society. Some will laugh, others will be grossed out. Regardless, the essential question goes to purpose. What is the intent, the purpose of this exercise?

  • Is it to earn money for the contestants —“ then my question, Is money enough of a reason?
  • Is it to entertain —“ then my question, Is entertainment enough of a reason?
  • Is it to get all native (well the tribe of such-and-so exotic place eats these all the time) —“ then my question, Why not do a National Geographic about it?
  • Is it to educate —“ then see the previous question.

Fr. Joseph Huneycutt stated in Practical Tips for Orthodox Living:

2 – A blessing (grace, we called it) is said by the head of the family before a meal, and a prayer of thanks afterward.

Thus the objection (at least mine). Fine, kill all the cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, and other annoying insects. That would be appropriate (and appreciated). Just doing something for the sake of doing it doesn’t fit with our faith nor with the proper ordering of our relationship to the world. It is right to the Pope’s most recent comments. Faith and reason cannot be separate.

As an aside: When I was in seminary I had a classmate who would have made a perfect PETA spokesman. He fully believed that animals are sentient, had souls equal to human souls, and that they will go to heaven; this from a person who considered himself to be ‘orthodox.’ He said more rosaries than I could count, probably for the repose of the ‘souls’ of animals.

As a second aside: Recent reporting notes that the amusement park industry is really hurting. Six Flags has been divesting itself of parks across the country, keeping only those that provide the best bottom line. I would assume that this reasoning has a lot to do with the event —“ get the guests in no matter what…

Current Events, Media

Panagia Elona recovered

From the BBC: Greek police recover stolen icon:

Greek police have recovered a priceless 700-year-old icon stolen last month in a daring raid on a cliffside monastery…

…and check out the snarky comment by a BBC reporter from the same article:

The BBC’s Malcolm Brabant in Athens says the deeply religious and superstitious people who worship at the Elona monastery attribute the discovery to the power of prayer.

Current Events, Political

A question

Based on Hugo Chavez’ insults directed at President Bush, do you think that one of Mr. Bush’s children (or his brother) will run for President so as to avenge the insults against the Bush family?

Think of it, the U.S. invades Venezuela to overthrow the mean Mr. Chavez (oh yeah, and the oil thing all over again).

You’re welcome to discuss in the land of nightmares.

Current Events, Political

Threats coming home to roost

It appears that Bush administration threats, and their way of doing business, are being exposed by world leaders. The President of Pakistan, in a stunning revelation, discusses Bush administration tactics with the Times.

While Bush’s father used diplomacy (walk softly and all that…) the son never got beyond the stick.

This little snapshot from the pages of the Bush doctrine should serve as notice to everyone in the world, and especially to opponents at home, that we will be crushed to powder if Bush Jr. doesn’t get his way. He might just begin to loose sight of the little barriers that exist in his mind between terrorism and democracy.

If anyone saw Mr. Bush on CNN the previous night you’ll have noticed just how prone he is to anger and threats when he is cornered.

Here are a few excerpts from the Times article on Bush administration threats past and present: We’ll bomb you to Stone Age, US told Pakistan: Musharraf reveals post-9/11 threat in book serialized by The Times

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, the President of Pakistan, claimed last night that the Bush Administration threatened to bomb his country —into the Stone Age— if it did not co-operate with the US after 9/11, sharply increasing tensions between the US and one of its closest allies in the war on terrorism.

The President, who will meet Mr. Bush in the White House today, said the threat was made by Richard Armitage, then the Deputy Secretary of State, in the days after the terror attacks, and was issued to the Pakistani intelligence director.

—The intelligence director told me that [Armitage] said, ‘Be prepared to be bombed. Be prepared to go back to the Stone Age’,— President Musharraf said. —I think it was a very rude remark.— The claims come at the end of a week in which relations between the US and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated, and days ahead of the publication of President Musharraf’s memoir, In the Line of Fire, which will be serialised in The Times from Monday.

On Wednesday, President Bush, in an interview with CNN, said that he would not hesitate to authorise immediate American military action inside Pakistan if he had intelligence of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. Asked if he would give an order to kill the al-Qaeda leader, Mr Bush said —absolutely—.

President Musharraf was clearly angered by Mr Bush’s declaration that the US would act independently of his authority inside Pakistan…

Current Events, Political

The double standard

It appears that Israel’s foreign minister has firmly told all Palestinians, in a United Nations speech, to make sure they stay out and never attempt to return to their homes.

From Aljazeera: Livni rejects Palestinian right to return:

Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, has used a speech at the United Nations to tell Palestinian refugees that they should not expect to be allowed to return to their homes in Israel.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were driven out by Israeli forces in the 1948 Middle East war that followed the establishment of Israel and in 1967.

Many Palestinian refugees, the world’s largest refugee population, remain in squalid camps in neighbouring Arab countries. The right of return for them and their descendants has remained a key demand within the peace process…

This is nothing new of course, but I just wonder; if similar demands regarding European property rights and restitution, made by Israelis, or by Jewish people anywhere, were met with this type of response, those giving the response would most likely be called anti-Semitic and would be sued.

Current Events, Media, Perspective, Political

Creeping toward real democracy

Turkey has always claimed to be a secular democracy. However, any real review of Turkish practice would indicate that it is a democracy where some (Muslims) are far more equal than others (Christians and Armenian and Kurdish minorities).

Calling yourself a democracy —“ and secular —“ may work as a disguise for a little while, but the proof is in the way you live out your democracy.

One of the traits of a democracy is the ability of its citizens —“ and anyone else —“ to comment on, criticize, and yes, even ‘insult’ the politics and practices of that democracy. Being ultra-sensitive and ultranationalist go hand-in-hand. They both act to stifle debate. Getting upset about criticism makes you anything but a democracy (by making laws against criticism) or just makes you childish.

Turkish judges seem to be getting that point. Zaman Online reports: Novelist Shafak Acquitted of Insulting Turkishness. Excerpts follow:

Well-known Turkish novelist Elif Shafak has been acquitted in the case against her for allegedly “insulting Turkishness” due to her remarks in her latest novel named “The Bastard of Istanbul”.

The controversial trial of the famous author Shafak commenced this morning at Beyoglu court amid protests from ultranationalists against the European Union (EU).

Beyoglu 2nd Court of First Instance decided on Thursday to acquit Shafak in the case in which she was charged with “insulting Turkishness” due to lack of legal grounds for the crime in question and insufficient evidence.

…

Turkey’s 35-year old novelist was sued under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, the same law that ensnared Orhan Pamuk, one of Turkey’s best-known contemporary authors, last year.

Late in July, an Istanbul court decided to open a case against author Elif Safak on charges of denigrating Turkishness for remarks made by Armenian characters in her book named “Father and Bastard” in Turkish version, aka “The Bastard of Istanbul.” Shafak faces up to three years imprisonment if found guilty.

Shafak’s book recounts the story of relations between an Armenian family and two Turkish families. An Armenian character in the book says that “Turkish butchers” killed her family and that the deaths were “genocide.”

The ultra-nationalist Turkish Lawyers Association Chairman Kemal Kerincsiz, who is infamous for filing complaints against journalists and authors, was also responsible for opening the case against author Elif Shafak, an assistant professor of Near Eastern studies at the University of Arizona, in the U.S.

…

The European Union has repeatedly criticized Turkey for its lack of progress on the freedom of expression of writers and journalists. Several writers have been convicted under the notorious Article 301; however, none have been jailed; instead, the courts have tended to hand down fines, the maximum amount being $4,000.

Earlier this year, an Istanbul court dropped a case brought against Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk, also charged with ‘insulting Turkishness’, following remarks he had made concerning the killing of Armenians during the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

In July, Perihan Magden another famous Turkish author and journalist was acquitted in the case against her for discouraging people from performing their military service due to remarks in her column in a Turkish daily.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective

Reacting to extremism

Today’s Albany Times Union has an article on the security preparations taking place prior to the observance of the upcoming Jewish holy days.

In Faith, vigilance mark holy days: Seattle shooting incident makes security a concern for local Jewish congregations the writer notes the coincidental tie-in between Albany and the shootings that took place at a Jewish Center in Seattle. Based on that coincidence, and the propensity of attacks on Jews by hateful or deranged people, local Jewish leaders are stepping up precautions.

A few excerpts:

As in the past, that preparation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation inviting regional Jewish leaders to a security briefing. About 60 of them attended the 90-minute session last month. The FBI’s Albany field office chief, John Francis Pikus, participated.

…

Agudat Achim’s second vice president, Jeffrey Handelman, attended the FBI meeting in Albany. After officials assured the Jewish leaders they knew of no local threat, he said, someone followed up with another question: Did you know of a specific threat in Seattle?

“And they said ‘no,’ ” Handelman said. “So you know, it’s the kind of thing — it’s just a random crazy person. There’s no way to really secure yourself against all of that.”

Tight security for the High Holidays is nothing new. Armed police at the door, armies of trained ushers, entry by ticket only — all of these are familiar precautions that synagogues have used in the past and will use again this year.

…

At Temple Israel, it was both the Seattle shooting and recent bloodshed in the Middle East that led the synagogue to plan on more police officers and ushers for the High Holidays this year. Roaming security volunteers will monitor the inside and outside of the building.

…

ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said the shooting, “while the work of an individual who acted alone, was a reminder that the Jewish community must make security a priority each and every day, and especially during the High Holidays.”

In the Capital Region, plenty of temples are heeding that message.

“Many of them mentioned it at the security briefing,” said Shapiro, of the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. “They’ll have more people outside. They’ll be more vigilant.”

All of this brings up some very interesting questions.

The FBI uses staff resources to hold a 90 minute meeting for Jewish groups to advise the attendees that nothing is going on? I think a simple letter would have handled that outlay of information. Here are a few lines they could have used: Regarding the upcoming holy days, the FBI is aware of no explicit threats to the local Jewish community. We advise you to keep vigilant and to take appropriate security precautions.

As a matter of fact, the FBI could send that letter to every religious group in the country. You know, Christians are targets for extremists too (ref. the latest calls to “break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion to Islam or [sic] killed by the sword.”).

It is all very well and good that the law enforcement community is reminding faith communities to be careful. However, shouldn’t we be asking a question closer to the core, what is the appropriate faith response?

Deacon Dan Wright has an excellent analysis of the issues surrounding the Pope’s speech and the backlash from both Muslim and Christian extremists. He writes on what the Christian response should be. In My Very First (Official) Rant he says in part:

Christian people, what is going on? Are you so easily manipulated by the real evil at work? Can you not see the spirit of divisiveness?

Exactly! We’ve bought into divisiveness, building barricades, manning our doors with police officers, and holding FBI meetings out of fear. We are buying into, or creating a spirit of fear. That fear is inconsistent with St. Paul’s challenge to us. It is inconsistent with the voice of the martyrs who stood on very firm ground in the face of fear. It is inconsistant with a life lived in Christ.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Hardships take many forms: outright persecution, subtle persecution, bigotry, and forgiveness. The onus is on us – how do we respond? St. Paul’s words are as good today as they were during the persecutions of Nero. Stand on the strength of your faith, live the gospel.

Current Events, Perspective

Good point

From Whoops, a pontiff by Stephen Bates:

On the other hand, if you cannot, as part of a lengthy and profound academic lecture, cite a 600 year-old text for fear of stirring the aggravation of noisy politicians half way around the world, what CAN you do? We might as well all retreat into obscurantism. And keep our mouths shut, for otherwise, who knows who we might offend. And if, as a result of the outrage, some Catholics get killed or their churches burned down by offended scholars and textual exegesists it might be thought that Manuel’s original point had rather been made.

Current Events, Perspective

Muslim reliance on reason

From the AP via the Buffalo News: Turkish Lawmaker Compares Pope to Hitler:

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s ruling Islamic-rooted party joined a wave of criticism of Pope Benedict XVI on Friday, accusing him of trying to revive the spirit of the Crusades with remarks he made about the Muslim faith. A Turkish lawmaker said the pontiff would go down in history “in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini” for his words.

Don’t forget to add Atatí¼rk to that list.

Salih Kapusuz, a deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party, said Benedict’s remarks were either “the result of pitiful ignorance” about Islam and its prophet, or a deliberate distortion.

I prefer to think the Pope had complete understanding. Mohammed added nothing. He simply took a lot of Orthodox Christianity, some Judaism, and twisted it into a new ‘faith.’ He was the Joseph Smith of his day, and Islam was the Mormonism of its time.

“Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence,” [Pakistani] Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.

I like that – we’re not intolerant – and we’ll riot and kill if you say we are. Oxymoron!

“What he has done is that he has quoted very offensive remarks by some emperor hundreds of years ago,” she added. “It is not helpful (because) we have been trying to bridge the gap, calling for dialogue and understanding between religions.”

Aslam said Muslims had a long history of tolerance, adding that when the Catholic kingdom of Spain expelled its Jewish population in 1492 they were welcomed by Muslim nations such as the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

Yes, yes, Islam is tolerant, like Saudi Arabia where practicing Christianity is outlawed (you will be sentenced to death for doing so, or for even owning a Bible), like Pakistan where churches are regularly bombed and Christians are shot dead in their churches, like Turkey and Turkish controlled Cyprus where the Ecumenical Patriarchy is held captive, priests are killed, Christian women are harassed by Muslim gangs, Christian schools are closed, and Churches are seized and converted into mosques?

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