Hello, hi, hallo, and hola. Most importantly, happy All Saints Day! It’s basically all of our saints feast day, so I highly suggest you celebrate like I do, by feasting. I forget who but one saint said that enjoying things like good food can give praise to God, so go for it. Also, get to mass since it’s a holy day of obligation.
After my last post about the Society I was invited to appear on the internet-based radio station, Magnificat Media. I shared the interview on my other social media outlets such as The Salty Catholic Facebook page and Instagram, but you can also take a listen here. If you’re not following those pages, you probably should since I post on those more often. Memes and the occasional controversy are included per usual. In the interview we discussed my infamous post, why I wrote it, and everything else in between. The interview was a great experience, Mike and Lisa Austin are wonderful and both truly such a delight to speak with. Magnificat Media itself is a treasure, they only share the truth and it’s an amazing resource for Catholics new and familiar to tradition.
With that, I wholeheartedly invite all of my readers to participate in their Fall Fundraiser. You can read the full description here. The apostolate is so great and bringing souls closer to Christ, so I urge you to make whatever donation you can. It’s so important for traditional Catholics to have a multimedia resource such as this, so aside from donating I also urge you all to take a listen and give your support.
I hope you all have a blessed All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and rest of the week. I have some ideas for new posts, so I’ll see you all soon. Pax!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Monday, August 15, 2016
Let’s Talk About Why I go to SSPX
Secret’s out; I’ve been attending SSPX. It’s honestly not that big of deal to me, but it is to others so it needs to be addressed for various reasons. I totally realize that the decision to attend seems somewhat “out there” or even extreme, but I promise you that it’s nothing of the sort. The change was gradual and very well thought out. Despite those facts I’ve still faced some criticisms. For going to the Society I’ve been called not Catholic anymore, along with sedevacantist. To both I just laughed. See, I don’t get easily triggered and I’m not afraid of genuine discussions or debates, so I’m always open to talking about it. I’ve been called crazy ever since I started embracing tradition as a teenager, so it does’t faze me whatsoever. I don’t consider hiding behind the barbs of ad hominems and unprecedented accusations to be conducive to the veritable pursuit of truth, so let’s place our biases aside and simply talk about it.
Prior to really getting into it, let’s first clarify what the Society is and is not. Before I go forward I need you, my readers, to understand what the Society is for what it is; not for what you’ve heard, have been told, or what you think it is. Information easily becomes false, misled, or erroneous, among both laypeople and even religious. It has become like a game of telephone; you won’t know exactly what it is until you find out firsthand, and I always make it of personal importance not to share anything that isn’t true. I won’t and don’t pretend to know everything about it, but I do know enough to continue to attend in good conscience.
Getting down to the basics, the Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970, in a diocese in Switzerland. Straight from the Society, here’s the mission:
“The main goal of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X is to preserve the Catholic faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.”
That’s it. There’s nothing crazy, wild, or not Catholic, or Protestant about it. My awesome priest put it this way, we are part of the Society especially because we want authentic Catholicism. I’m not sorry for attending, and I do not want some watered down version of our faith. I know I’m about to offend some people, but that’s what the Novus Ordo missae is; a watered down version of the Roman Missae, sometimes barely even Catholic. This isn’t a post bashing the novus ordo, yet it has to be said. It’s not well-known that several very important prayers, designed to garner us the graces our souls so desperately need, are totally and completely missing from the Novus Ordo missae, as compared to the traditional liturgy, (I believe only 2 or maybe 3 prayers are present out of the 12 in the TLM, correct me if I’m wrong). In less words, graces are choked out and it’s a fact. It’s not a fact just because I’m saying it is, or because a saint or pope has said it is, but because simply comparing the two liturgies will tell you it is.
As sinners we need all of the graces we can get to overcome sin and to elevate our souls closer and closer to union with God. To me, there’s no point in attending a mass that has very little graces as compared to one abounding in grace. I dare you to ask yourself this, why are you letting yourself miss out on that? Notice that I’ve never once said that the Novus Ordo mass is invalid, so don’t even try to twist my words on that.
Now I’ve heard the objection of remaining at Novus Ordo parishes to set the example of maintaining reverence, but I don’t buy that anymore in the slightest. I’ve tried it, and frankly it doesn’t work. It’s only working within the realms of your imagination. Hard to swallow but it’s true. When the altar is turned around with the priest facing the people, God isn’t the focus of mass anymore, it’s the people. Since it’s all about the people, no one is looking at the reverent ones; they’re too busy looking at themselves because that’s what taught and encouraged. My advice is to just stop going, get to a mass that’ll aid in saving your and your families souls, that’s what it comes down to. It doesn’t come down to “solidarity”, “unity”, or “fellowship”, with the parish community, that’s of no importance whatsoever. To me it is dangerous and foolish to be so presumptive that you don’t need the additional graces to save your soul. As they say, pride goes before the fall. I say this with love because I have been there, and because I care.
There’s also the controversy that SSPX is against the sitting pope or worse, sedevacantists. Before I started doing my own research or attending myself, I also thought it was sedevacantist. I couldn’t make the distinction between sedevacantism and SSPX because I was never correctly taught. Once about two years ago I stumbled upon an SSPX chapel where they were preparing for mass, and I falsely thought it was sede, since I didn’t know the difference, so I left in a hurry. The Society still remains under the pope, accepts him as Pontiff sitting in the Chair of Peter, and prays for him during mass. If anything I think the Society respects and honors the papacy more than others, but that’s just my opinion. At my parish we even have a picture of him in the hall, that doesn’t look like being anti-Pope to me.
I understand that people think the Society is sedevacantist or outside of the Church because of the ordination of the bishop’s by Archbishop Lefebvre. Or, because the canonical status is irregular. (However that is changing) I’m here to tell you that the “excommunication” was never formal, and more about the case of Supplied Jurisdiction, which is in Canon Law. Since Archbishop Lefebvre acted and the Society acts under supplied jurisdiction, the Society is not acting outside of the Church, since again supplied jurisdiction is permissible in Canon Law. The thing about VII (whoop there it is) is that as only a pastoral council, it was never meant to be a binding council doctrinally, except within the case of faith and morals. Yet not everyone understands or cares to understand Canon Law, or what is binding and what is not binding, so as a result we have this misunderstanding.
Yes, there’s controversy over the Society, but much of it is misinformation or straight out slander. You can give me a hundred reasons not to attend the Society, but I won’t stop. I’ve already heard them, with the rebuttals close behind. To add to it, I won’t even go to diocesan Latin masses if I can help it, and I’m not sorry or ashamed to admit it.
The main reason I love the Society is because of the way it approaches the priesthood. Far too many men are effeminate, and I’m sick of it, especially in priests. Every single SSPX priest or seminarian I have come across has been masculine, and it’s so refreshing. I have much to say about watered down and effeminate novus ordo seminaries, but for that topic I will digress. I’m already trying to be feminine, and I don’t need a priest to be effeminate right next to me. For my own parish priest I have such respect and admiration that I’ve never had for another priest. He’s truly a father to me, and he’s showed me what a priest is to be. Not distant or discontented from his parishioners, but masculine and down in the trenches with them, actually taking the time to be there for them, and know us outside of just a quick handshake, and “God bless you,” after mass. I don’t want a priest who is only pastoral and not available to the people. SSPX gives the priesthood and priests back to the people as they are sacerdotal and I wish it were something we could all have, since it’s such a blessing and treasure. I think it’s something everyone, Catholic or not, should experience.
The Society of St. Pius X is for everyone, and it’s not something to be afraid of or intimidated by. There your soul will be fed, challenged, and healed in a truly Catholic way. It’s been such a huge blessing for my family, and even boyfriend. The experience isn’t something I can fully put into words because it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I’ve shared much of my faith journey here, and after searching for so long, my soul is at home there, and home is where it will stay.
Prior to really getting into it, let’s first clarify what the Society is and is not. Before I go forward I need you, my readers, to understand what the Society is for what it is; not for what you’ve heard, have been told, or what you think it is. Information easily becomes false, misled, or erroneous, among both laypeople and even religious. It has become like a game of telephone; you won’t know exactly what it is until you find out firsthand, and I always make it of personal importance not to share anything that isn’t true. I won’t and don’t pretend to know everything about it, but I do know enough to continue to attend in good conscience.
Getting down to the basics, the Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970, in a diocese in Switzerland. Straight from the Society, here’s the mission:
“The main goal of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X is to preserve the Catholic faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.”
That’s it. There’s nothing crazy, wild, or not Catholic, or Protestant about it. My awesome priest put it this way, we are part of the Society especially because we want authentic Catholicism. I’m not sorry for attending, and I do not want some watered down version of our faith. I know I’m about to offend some people, but that’s what the Novus Ordo missae is; a watered down version of the Roman Missae, sometimes barely even Catholic. This isn’t a post bashing the novus ordo, yet it has to be said. It’s not well-known that several very important prayers, designed to garner us the graces our souls so desperately need, are totally and completely missing from the Novus Ordo missae, as compared to the traditional liturgy, (I believe only 2 or maybe 3 prayers are present out of the 12 in the TLM, correct me if I’m wrong). In less words, graces are choked out and it’s a fact. It’s not a fact just because I’m saying it is, or because a saint or pope has said it is, but because simply comparing the two liturgies will tell you it is.
As sinners we need all of the graces we can get to overcome sin and to elevate our souls closer and closer to union with God. To me, there’s no point in attending a mass that has very little graces as compared to one abounding in grace. I dare you to ask yourself this, why are you letting yourself miss out on that? Notice that I’ve never once said that the Novus Ordo mass is invalid, so don’t even try to twist my words on that.
Now I’ve heard the objection of remaining at Novus Ordo parishes to set the example of maintaining reverence, but I don’t buy that anymore in the slightest. I’ve tried it, and frankly it doesn’t work. It’s only working within the realms of your imagination. Hard to swallow but it’s true. When the altar is turned around with the priest facing the people, God isn’t the focus of mass anymore, it’s the people. Since it’s all about the people, no one is looking at the reverent ones; they’re too busy looking at themselves because that’s what taught and encouraged. My advice is to just stop going, get to a mass that’ll aid in saving your and your families souls, that’s what it comes down to. It doesn’t come down to “solidarity”, “unity”, or “fellowship”, with the parish community, that’s of no importance whatsoever. To me it is dangerous and foolish to be so presumptive that you don’t need the additional graces to save your soul. As they say, pride goes before the fall. I say this with love because I have been there, and because I care.
There’s also the controversy that SSPX is against the sitting pope or worse, sedevacantists. Before I started doing my own research or attending myself, I also thought it was sedevacantist. I couldn’t make the distinction between sedevacantism and SSPX because I was never correctly taught. Once about two years ago I stumbled upon an SSPX chapel where they were preparing for mass, and I falsely thought it was sede, since I didn’t know the difference, so I left in a hurry. The Society still remains under the pope, accepts him as Pontiff sitting in the Chair of Peter, and prays for him during mass. If anything I think the Society respects and honors the papacy more than others, but that’s just my opinion. At my parish we even have a picture of him in the hall, that doesn’t look like being anti-Pope to me.
I understand that people think the Society is sedevacantist or outside of the Church because of the ordination of the bishop’s by Archbishop Lefebvre. Or, because the canonical status is irregular. (However that is changing) I’m here to tell you that the “excommunication” was never formal, and more about the case of Supplied Jurisdiction, which is in Canon Law. Since Archbishop Lefebvre acted and the Society acts under supplied jurisdiction, the Society is not acting outside of the Church, since again supplied jurisdiction is permissible in Canon Law. The thing about VII (whoop there it is) is that as only a pastoral council, it was never meant to be a binding council doctrinally, except within the case of faith and morals. Yet not everyone understands or cares to understand Canon Law, or what is binding and what is not binding, so as a result we have this misunderstanding.
Yes, there’s controversy over the Society, but much of it is misinformation or straight out slander. You can give me a hundred reasons not to attend the Society, but I won’t stop. I’ve already heard them, with the rebuttals close behind. To add to it, I won’t even go to diocesan Latin masses if I can help it, and I’m not sorry or ashamed to admit it.
The main reason I love the Society is because of the way it approaches the priesthood. Far too many men are effeminate, and I’m sick of it, especially in priests. Every single SSPX priest or seminarian I have come across has been masculine, and it’s so refreshing. I have much to say about watered down and effeminate novus ordo seminaries, but for that topic I will digress. I’m already trying to be feminine, and I don’t need a priest to be effeminate right next to me. For my own parish priest I have such respect and admiration that I’ve never had for another priest. He’s truly a father to me, and he’s showed me what a priest is to be. Not distant or discontented from his parishioners, but masculine and down in the trenches with them, actually taking the time to be there for them, and know us outside of just a quick handshake, and “God bless you,” after mass. I don’t want a priest who is only pastoral and not available to the people. SSPX gives the priesthood and priests back to the people as they are sacerdotal and I wish it were something we could all have, since it’s such a blessing and treasure. I think it’s something everyone, Catholic or not, should experience.
The Society of St. Pius X is for everyone, and it’s not something to be afraid of or intimidated by. There your soul will be fed, challenged, and healed in a truly Catholic way. It’s been such a huge blessing for my family, and even boyfriend. The experience isn’t something I can fully put into words because it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I’ve shared much of my faith journey here, and after searching for so long, my soul is at home there, and home is where it will stay.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Thursday Thrills
This is going to be a new segment on the blog wherein I post about things that are currently thrilling, on Thursdays. It most likely will not be every single Thursday, but let’s aim for once a month at the very least. I’m trying to get into the habit of blogging much more systematically, and this should help.
First off, let’s start with something Catholic before I go off topic. Though I don’t have an Android anymore (sometimes I miss the little green dude) through Twitter I found an amazing app that is a 1962 Missal and Breviary! I’m all about that pre-VII life yo. If I didn’t have a basic iPhone 6s I’d totally have it. I know using your phone during mass is a little weird and not recommended, but the app is still pretty cool. The thought of whipping out a phone during a Latin mass is pretty funny to me. I’ll have to show the discovery to my parish priest, since we’re cool like that. Having religious as friends is really cool and amazing and edifying btw. Highly recommended.
Next, I want to take a long minute or two to rave about the new brand I discovered, Colourpop Cosmetics. This brand is nothing short of AMAZING. The colors are rich, super pigmented, and the staying power is ridiculously good. For example, I was wearing a satin lippie stix (Frida) while eating heavy duty carne asada fries with my beloved boyfriend, and the color barely budged. I’m talking extra carne, a ton of melty cheese, fresh guac, and sour cream, and I still looked on point for just stuffing my face. The brand is affordable, high quality, and without yucky ingredients, so I’ll definitely be back to pick up some ultra satin and matte lippies. (I’ve got my eye on Echo Park, Dopey, and Lumiere 2)
Lastly, since we’re on the topic of beauty I also discovered some fabulous falsies at Wal-Mart. I didn’t take pictures, but they are the demi wispies from Salon Perfect. They’re an exact dupe for my other favorite brand, Ardell, and they’re a little cheaper. I am currently obsessed with them; my regimen isn’t complete until they’re on and I can flutter away into a glittery oblivion with my lashes. I doubted the power of falsies before I tried them for myself, and there’s no going back.
So there you go, missals and makeup. That’s all me, friends.
First off, let’s start with something Catholic before I go off topic. Though I don’t have an Android anymore (sometimes I miss the little green dude) through Twitter I found an amazing app that is a 1962 Missal and Breviary! I’m all about that pre-VII life yo. If I didn’t have a basic iPhone 6s I’d totally have it. I know using your phone during mass is a little weird and not recommended, but the app is still pretty cool. The thought of whipping out a phone during a Latin mass is pretty funny to me. I’ll have to show the discovery to my parish priest, since we’re cool like that. Having religious as friends is really cool and amazing and edifying btw. Highly recommended.
Next, I want to take a long minute or two to rave about the new brand I discovered, Colourpop Cosmetics. This brand is nothing short of AMAZING. The colors are rich, super pigmented, and the staying power is ridiculously good. For example, I was wearing a satin lippie stix (Frida) while eating heavy duty carne asada fries with my beloved boyfriend, and the color barely budged. I’m talking extra carne, a ton of melty cheese, fresh guac, and sour cream, and I still looked on point for just stuffing my face. The brand is affordable, high quality, and without yucky ingredients, so I’ll definitely be back to pick up some ultra satin and matte lippies. (I’ve got my eye on Echo Park, Dopey, and Lumiere 2)
Lastly, since we’re on the topic of beauty I also discovered some fabulous falsies at Wal-Mart. I didn’t take pictures, but they are the demi wispies from Salon Perfect. They’re an exact dupe for my other favorite brand, Ardell, and they’re a little cheaper. I am currently obsessed with them; my regimen isn’t complete until they’re on and I can flutter away into a glittery oblivion with my lashes. I doubted the power of falsies before I tried them for myself, and there’s no going back.
So there you go, missals and makeup. That’s all me, friends.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Why Teen Masses Should Cease to Exist
I’m totally serious, by the way. Wherever there is a youth group, chances are there’s going to be a youth/teen centered mass somewhere nearby. At first it sounds like a good idea; I’ve been to many a teen mass in my youth group days. Why not bring youth closer to Christ in a setting designed specifically for them? What could possibly be wrong with that? Like I said, on a surfacey level it sounds alright, but after digging deeper it’s not something to be admired.
The problem with the idea of focusing mass around a specific bracket is that it sets the stage to start believing and thinking that mass is about you, and about us. (It’s not.)
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is already universal; you literally cannot get any more universal than what it already is. We don’t need to set up masses specifically for a certain group of people, in this case for the youth. Of course we should always encourage our young people to go to mass, I’m not saying we shouldn’t. The problem with teen masses is that they tend to lose the sense of the sacred for the sake of appealing to the youth. For one example, the music will change. What ends up being played is cheesy (and heretical) Protestant songs, because they’re nice and they feel good to listen to.
Nice, warm, and fuzzy for the teens. Not too intimidating and not too Catholic.
Riddle me this; if we are Catholics at a Catholic mass, preparing to receive Christ in His True Presence as He instructed us to do as Catholics, then why oh why are Protestant worships jams being played to honor and recognize the sacrament? Especially when their teachings deny and reject His Church and His True Presence?
It doesn’t and won’t make sense, because there is absolutely no reason for it, with or without youth.
Highly emotional music doesn’t set up the proper foundation for firm faith. I know this because I experienced it as a teen. When the emotions faded and I longed for something more tangible and concrete, I was plunged into an existential meltdown, which was followed by a major crisis of faith. The emotional foundation I had set up came crumbling down, and I was ready to not be Catholic anymore. My skewed way of thinking was this, “I don’t feel good anymore, and if faith is about feeling good and high on the Spirit, then why I should keep being Catholic? What’s the point?” I did come out of it, but it was first by saying goodbye to youth masses.
It usually doesn’t end there. More often than not teens will be encouraged to take up unnecessary roles in the mass. “Inclusion” and “community” are important, you know. This could be in the form of being Eucharistic ministers, or even taking part in skits during mass, I’ve seen it all. I personally think we’re having a vocation crisis to the diocesan priesthood because priests are not being allowed to do their jobs with all of these liturgical ministries and whatnot intercepting and trying to act like they’re the consecrated religious souls. My theory is that because boys and young men are not witnessing their parish priests be the priests these unnecessary ministries and committee’s are allowing them to be, the said boys and young men are not inspired to the priesthood. Why should they be when it’s usually a bunch of older women and their peers running the show? Sure it sounds harsh, but it makes sense. Leave it to the priests and (male) altar servers to prepare for mass, not anyone else who isn’t absolutely necessary. And be masculine while you’re at it, examples of masculinity inspires masculinity.
You could read this and think I’m a crazy traditionalist who hates teens. The former might be slightly true, but I don’t hate teens, or bringing them closer to Christ. I’ve been a youth leader for years; I jumped at being a youth leader the first chance I got. Save your ad hominems for later, friends.
The point is to encourage teens to attend mass, but let them inspired by the sacred, not the silly. I can guarantee you that a sacred mass will inspire teens to follow and live their lives for Christ in ways superior to any youth mass. There’s something just so inherently beautiful and inspirational about sacred masses, it touches your soul, not just the heart. If you haven’t figured it out, I’ve been referring to the Latin mass. Go ahead and try it if you haven’t yet, you’ve literally got nothing to lose.
The problem with the idea of focusing mass around a specific bracket is that it sets the stage to start believing and thinking that mass is about you, and about us. (It’s not.)
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is already universal; you literally cannot get any more universal than what it already is. We don’t need to set up masses specifically for a certain group of people, in this case for the youth. Of course we should always encourage our young people to go to mass, I’m not saying we shouldn’t. The problem with teen masses is that they tend to lose the sense of the sacred for the sake of appealing to the youth. For one example, the music will change. What ends up being played is cheesy (and heretical) Protestant songs, because they’re nice and they feel good to listen to.
Nice, warm, and fuzzy for the teens. Not too intimidating and not too Catholic.
Riddle me this; if we are Catholics at a Catholic mass, preparing to receive Christ in His True Presence as He instructed us to do as Catholics, then why oh why are Protestant worships jams being played to honor and recognize the sacrament? Especially when their teachings deny and reject His Church and His True Presence?
It doesn’t and won’t make sense, because there is absolutely no reason for it, with or without youth.
Highly emotional music doesn’t set up the proper foundation for firm faith. I know this because I experienced it as a teen. When the emotions faded and I longed for something more tangible and concrete, I was plunged into an existential meltdown, which was followed by a major crisis of faith. The emotional foundation I had set up came crumbling down, and I was ready to not be Catholic anymore. My skewed way of thinking was this, “I don’t feel good anymore, and if faith is about feeling good and high on the Spirit, then why I should keep being Catholic? What’s the point?” I did come out of it, but it was first by saying goodbye to youth masses.
It usually doesn’t end there. More often than not teens will be encouraged to take up unnecessary roles in the mass. “Inclusion” and “community” are important, you know. This could be in the form of being Eucharistic ministers, or even taking part in skits during mass, I’ve seen it all. I personally think we’re having a vocation crisis to the diocesan priesthood because priests are not being allowed to do their jobs with all of these liturgical ministries and whatnot intercepting and trying to act like they’re the consecrated religious souls. My theory is that because boys and young men are not witnessing their parish priests be the priests these unnecessary ministries and committee’s are allowing them to be, the said boys and young men are not inspired to the priesthood. Why should they be when it’s usually a bunch of older women and their peers running the show? Sure it sounds harsh, but it makes sense. Leave it to the priests and (male) altar servers to prepare for mass, not anyone else who isn’t absolutely necessary. And be masculine while you’re at it, examples of masculinity inspires masculinity.
You could read this and think I’m a crazy traditionalist who hates teens. The former might be slightly true, but I don’t hate teens, or bringing them closer to Christ. I’ve been a youth leader for years; I jumped at being a youth leader the first chance I got. Save your ad hominems for later, friends.
The point is to encourage teens to attend mass, but let them inspired by the sacred, not the silly. I can guarantee you that a sacred mass will inspire teens to follow and live their lives for Christ in ways superior to any youth mass. There’s something just so inherently beautiful and inspirational about sacred masses, it touches your soul, not just the heart. If you haven’t figured it out, I’ve been referring to the Latin mass. Go ahead and try it if you haven’t yet, you’ve literally got nothing to lose.
 |
| Source: Giphy |
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Wherein College Sucks
Somehow, just somehow, I’m managing to get through college without losing my mind. Or my sense of morality, for that matter. During the last semester I took numerous interesting courses. Intro to sociology was my favorite, and I also took political science. Before I continue, let’s establish that this nearly 20 year old little lady spends a good amount of time thinking about, reading about, musing on, and discussing politics. It’s what I enjoy and I wouldn’t change that about myself. I’m not one to shy away from a political conversation, whether it be conservative minded or liberal leaning. I’ve been exposed to pretty much every political ideology under the sun, and I’ve seen their pros and cons. While I’ve been in college I’ve seriously weighed ideas against each other, and have my chosen my winners. While I do lean more towards conservative and even independent sides, I am not blindly opposed to liberal ideas either, because liberalism does have some valid ideas worth perusing. I agree with classical liberalism on nearly every tenant, but interestingly enough libertarianism isn’t my cup of tea. Or coffee, in my case. Aside from my political leanings and ideas, no matter how much I like politics, I’m always Catholic first.
So, back to taking political science. Granted, I knew what I was getting myself into so nothing came as a shock. Most colleges of today are cesspools of corrupt ways of thinking, so I took a deep breath before I dove in to this one. While I did brace myself, I was still disgusted with what I heard and was supposed to be taught, since it was supposed to be taken as truth.
I had a professor who was incredibly biased, progressive, and also vulgar. My other classmates were amused, but I was repulsed. Not because I’m some hoity-toity person, but because I believe college professors should be held to a higher standard of decorum and class, since we’re tackling higher education here. This instructor used their platform as a professor to push and rant about their personal ideas about moral, social, and political issues, as if they were facts or absolute truths. He was extremely critical of the Church, especially priests. I fully realize and recognize that many have anti-Catholic sentiments, so it wasn’t a surprise, but rather a sorrowful reawakening to see it with my own eyes and hear it for myself. Honestly readers, at one point I started tearing up because it cut me so deep that people truly believe ugly lies and misconceptions about Christ’s Church and have the audacity to continue spreading them.
But guess what, guys?! The Church, especially priests in their dastardly black dresses, hate women and want to take us back to the dark ages!
That’s seriously all these people got, aside from declaring that the Church has an “immoral” and “irresponsible” view on contraception.
Really, that’s what they’ve got.
Like I said earlier, I was expecting the class to be very biased, so the things I heard didn’t come as surprises. I heard that unborn babies aren’t made up of flesh, blood or bone; they’re just “material” and “matter”. But aren’t all of us outside of the womb, also made up of matter?
It didn’t end there, folks. Planned Parenthood is a wonderful organization that “wasn’t” breaking the law, because the videos were highly edited and proven to be fake. Can you spot the lie? In reality the videos were shown to have very little editing, for the sake of compiling footage, and the scandal was never refuted by anyone, especially not by the culprits themselves. I vocally challenged him once on abortion, and someone ended up backtracking their statements; it wasn’t me.
Moving along, I was also informed that homosexual acts are totally okay because animals have been known to do it, too. To that incredibly poor (and lame) use of logic, I thought; so you’re reducing actual people to animals? Animals who only go by blind instinct, versus people who have intellects and souls? Or according to you do people no longer possess souls either, professor?
Aside from the near constant eye-rolling and wanting my bang my head on my desk until the pain stopped, I did get a few laughs. For example; Bernie Sanders is a lovely and relatable guy, has great ideas, and should be our next president!
However, that was the silver lining to the mushroom cloud because I derived great amusement from the thought that an elderly man who doesn’t understand how economics work, who is also unkempt, completely out of touch, socialistic, morally bankrupt, member of the 5%, and a demagogue, should be leading our nation. I’m still laughing to myself even as I write, seriously. It’s just rich that after all we studied about political systems and politics in general, that anyone would seriously stand by him as if his tried-and-failed ideas will actually get us somewhere positive. Maybe you could buy it if you’re entitled, lazy, uncreative, and terrible at political history, I don’t know.
So, back to taking political science. Granted, I knew what I was getting myself into so nothing came as a shock. Most colleges of today are cesspools of corrupt ways of thinking, so I took a deep breath before I dove in to this one. While I did brace myself, I was still disgusted with what I heard and was supposed to be taught, since it was supposed to be taken as truth.
I had a professor who was incredibly biased, progressive, and also vulgar. My other classmates were amused, but I was repulsed. Not because I’m some hoity-toity person, but because I believe college professors should be held to a higher standard of decorum and class, since we’re tackling higher education here. This instructor used their platform as a professor to push and rant about their personal ideas about moral, social, and political issues, as if they were facts or absolute truths. He was extremely critical of the Church, especially priests. I fully realize and recognize that many have anti-Catholic sentiments, so it wasn’t a surprise, but rather a sorrowful reawakening to see it with my own eyes and hear it for myself. Honestly readers, at one point I started tearing up because it cut me so deep that people truly believe ugly lies and misconceptions about Christ’s Church and have the audacity to continue spreading them.
But guess what, guys?! The Church, especially priests in their dastardly black dresses, hate women and want to take us back to the dark ages!
That’s seriously all these people got, aside from declaring that the Church has an “immoral” and “irresponsible” view on contraception.
Really, that’s what they’ve got.
 |
| source: Tumblr |
Like I said earlier, I was expecting the class to be very biased, so the things I heard didn’t come as surprises. I heard that unborn babies aren’t made up of flesh, blood or bone; they’re just “material” and “matter”. But aren’t all of us outside of the womb, also made up of matter?
It didn’t end there, folks. Planned Parenthood is a wonderful organization that “wasn’t” breaking the law, because the videos were highly edited and proven to be fake. Can you spot the lie? In reality the videos were shown to have very little editing, for the sake of compiling footage, and the scandal was never refuted by anyone, especially not by the culprits themselves. I vocally challenged him once on abortion, and someone ended up backtracking their statements; it wasn’t me.
Moving along, I was also informed that homosexual acts are totally okay because animals have been known to do it, too. To that incredibly poor (and lame) use of logic, I thought; so you’re reducing actual people to animals? Animals who only go by blind instinct, versus people who have intellects and souls? Or according to you do people no longer possess souls either, professor?
Aside from the near constant eye-rolling and wanting my bang my head on my desk until the pain stopped, I did get a few laughs. For example; Bernie Sanders is a lovely and relatable guy, has great ideas, and should be our next president!
 |
| Source: Giphy |
But sadly, they were serious.
 |
| Source: Tumblr |
But enough about the frizzy demagogue. In the end I learned very little from that class. Sure I learned a bit more about politics, but in reality my professor taught me nothing. It was disconcerting because professors like that offer nothing to the political sphere and do true political science a greatly serious injustice.
I (gleefully) walked away from that class thinking about how education can mean nothing when it comes to sincerely seeking the truth.
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
New Year, No Promises
It’s January. Every single year I always claim that I promise to blog more, but I’m done promising that. I’m not about the business of making promises or deals that I don’t intend to keep. I do intend to blog more, but my train of thought will dictate that, nothing else.
I’m not really one to make New Years resolutions, because as I said, I don’t like the temporary. If it’s temporary then I don’t want it. That’s what I walked away from 2015 with.
As I reflected on the past year, I came to the conclusion that it was a mix of good and bad. The good was amazing; I did a lot, saw a lot, accomplished much, and I’m simply going to continue the unfinished business while the good Lord continues to place the stepping stones before me. When He doesn’t, I’ll call out to Him to carry me like the afraid child I can be.
In contrast, the bad was staggeringly painful. Every year, for myself at least, brings some kind of new or revisited pain. But these sorrows were different, they were the type that you’ll never forget because they were so deeply ingrained in the heart of your soul. You know what I mean. If you don’t, then you’re a lucky one.
I’m looking forward to the coming year. Next month I’ll forever drop the teen from my age, unless I live to 113, though that’s highly unlikely. I’m looking forward to turning 20, continuing to cultivate good relationships, the last season of Downton Abbey, visiting San Francisco again, seeing Adele, spending time in adoration... I’m even looking forward to Lent. I’m looking forward to the unknown, basically. Throughout the last year God really cemented to me that He is truly good and loving, no matter what happens. It’s one thing to know it, but another to truly believe it.
So I’m not going into the new year with a resolution. I don’t need one because my life is a constant turning of tides, and resolves come out of that versus just once every year. Right now God is setting the stage for something and I don’t know exactly what it is, but I know it’s coming in His time. My prayer is that I can be as prepared as He desires, not just with this new year, but until the last breath leaves my body in adoration of Him.
I’m not really one to make New Years resolutions, because as I said, I don’t like the temporary. If it’s temporary then I don’t want it. That’s what I walked away from 2015 with.
As I reflected on the past year, I came to the conclusion that it was a mix of good and bad. The good was amazing; I did a lot, saw a lot, accomplished much, and I’m simply going to continue the unfinished business while the good Lord continues to place the stepping stones before me. When He doesn’t, I’ll call out to Him to carry me like the afraid child I can be.
In contrast, the bad was staggeringly painful. Every year, for myself at least, brings some kind of new or revisited pain. But these sorrows were different, they were the type that you’ll never forget because they were so deeply ingrained in the heart of your soul. You know what I mean. If you don’t, then you’re a lucky one.
I’m looking forward to the coming year. Next month I’ll forever drop the teen from my age, unless I live to 113, though that’s highly unlikely. I’m looking forward to turning 20, continuing to cultivate good relationships, the last season of Downton Abbey, visiting San Francisco again, seeing Adele, spending time in adoration... I’m even looking forward to Lent. I’m looking forward to the unknown, basically. Throughout the last year God really cemented to me that He is truly good and loving, no matter what happens. It’s one thing to know it, but another to truly believe it.
So I’m not going into the new year with a resolution. I don’t need one because my life is a constant turning of tides, and resolves come out of that versus just once every year. Right now God is setting the stage for something and I don’t know exactly what it is, but I know it’s coming in His time. My prayer is that I can be as prepared as He desires, not just with this new year, but until the last breath leaves my body in adoration of Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)