Catholicism has once again taken the high road: Reverend Pulls Books On Obama From Library.
A reverend at a Blue Springs parish and school has removed two books about President-elect Barack Obama from the Catholic school’s library.
The Rev. Ron Elliott at St. John LaLande School said someone complained about the content of the books, and he wanted to review them.
In a phone interview, the reverend told KMBC he was concerned about Obama’s position on abortion.
“I am very pro-life,” Elliott told KMBC’s Maria Antonia. “Because of his stance on certain issues, I was asked to look into that matter.”
Nothing new here — same old tactics from an institution scared to death of introducing new ideas into its catechism. As recently noted, some folks can’t even tolerate their beliefs being playfully questioned (be it in an awkward and uninspired manner); Zeus help them if tenets of their theocracy are refuted by fact or reason.
When will Catholic leadership learn that oppression and censorship just further reinforce the perception that the church is nothing more than an archaic, dogmatic steamroller, refusing to entertain any philosophies, notions or musings other than a series of tomes cobbled together centuries ago? Can you imagine if a public school even attempted to pull the Bible from a library due to the recurring themes of violence, mysogyny, etc.? If you don’t agree with an opinion, debate it, dammit! Covering it up and denying access to opposing viewpoints is the sign of a weak, intellectually corrupt institution (or government, we might add). Contemporary Catholicism (and several others among Christianity’s litter) has become a parody of a once-promising religion founded upon noble ideas such as loving thy neighbor despite all differences, or an emphasis on good works modeled after the ministry of the founding Father himself. Church leaders nowadays seem more like pointy-hatted curmudgeons, spouting Savonarola-esque threats of excommunication, hellfire and damnation against congregations for not toeing the company line. Catholicism has become more like a corporation, more concerned about retaining customers than putting out a quality product.
And what the hell – why do church officials insist upon making everything a one-issue argument? Sure, continue to ignore the fact that “pro-life” should mean addressing social, gender and class equity issues, combating poverty and advocating for a better quality of life for post-zygotes, and continue harping on abortion. Hope those blinders are comfortable, because you’re missing the larger view.
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