In the last three days, the governments of eleven countries have scrambled to elevate their preparedness levels for Islamist terror, or enforced extraordinarily stringent security measures. Another six governments have pursued these steps without fanfare.
Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23, India placed its airlines and airports and those of all of South East Asia -Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - on alert for a possible airplane hijacking by al Qaeda or Lashkar-e-Taibem. The UK elevated its terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe" - one below top and suspended direct British airline flights to and from Yemen.
Last week, five Britons were apprehended at Islamabad airport attempting to pass their boarding passes to five others. Yemen itself stopped issuing entry visas at Sanaa airport. The British appear to fear a fresh spate of terrorism inside the country.
Although the Obama administration has not formally raised the current terror alert level, vigilance at all American airports and border posts has been radically heightened since a Nigerian terrorist tried to blow up the Northwest airliner on Christmas day. Since Jan. 4, the airlines and passengers from 14 listed countries have faced body screening before boarding flight to the United States. Last week, six people on the newly-expanded no-fly list were not allowed to board US-bound flights.
Saturday, US airport authorities were warned that at least two female suicide bombers of "non-Arab appearance" and bearing Western passports may have been sent to America by al Qaeda-Yemen - either to blow up US-bound flights or commit suicide attacks inside the country.
Referring to the failed airline bombing, tormer White House counter-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke told ABC: "There are others who are still out there who have been trained and who are clean skins - that means people who we do not have a record of, who may not look like al Qaeda terrorists, who may not be Arabs, and may not be men." . . . (continue reading)
"Pop culture is culture like McDonald’s food is food."
Father Paul Ward, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit has written an excellent reflection on how Catholics have been affected, afflicted, and infected with a "pop culture" mentality toward the Faith. Toward truth. Toward God. My humble suggestion to the parish priests who read this blog, consider reprinting this in your parish bulletin (with Father Ward's permission, of course). With a few adjustments, it might even make a good sermon!
“McChurch” is neither a real name nor a real word, but an expression I coined to convey “commercial Catholicism,” or even “consumer Catholicism.” Not only in America, but in many other places as well, the Catholic Church has largely gone the way of pop culture. That is, it became an object of the market.
Culture is a term which can have several meanings. Its more philosophical definition makes it the development of man’s superior faculties (intellect and will) in the material world. Another definition makes it the productions of such development, for example, the work of art, the composition of music, the opus of some great author; and here, we refer not to the mean productions of inferior skill, but the greatest and most superior of such works.
This second definition makes a man “cultured,” therefore, if he is familiar with the works of Bach, Aristotle, Descartes, Kierkegaard and Michelangelo, with Latin, Greek and Hebrew or some modern languages as well, and has acquired certain mental disciplines – logical thought, refinery of tastes, etc. – which come only with the exploration of these greatest and superior works which have come forth from the souls of men.
“Pop culture” is culture which you can buy or sell. Now, it would be overstating the case to assert that there is absolutely no artistic, intellectual, philosophical or theological contribution that a rare few pop artists make; that would be an exaggeration. But we all know that much of pop culture is junk. The proof lies in the endless stream of noise, violence and impurity which is broadcast on local music radio stations, or the hundreds of cable channels which simply multiply the amount of worthless material with which today’s man might entertain himself. (Oh, and about cable channels, I’m convinced that HBO stands for “Hell’s Box Office.” No, I don’t have cable, nor a TV in fact, but as a diocesan priest who invests time with his flock, I continually brush with such things.)
Pop culture is culture like McDonald’s food is food.
Now, imagine a religion you could package up and sell. You can make it appeal to lots of people, like McDonald’s sells French Fries, like pop singers sell their rhythms, like Pepsi sells their pop (for non mid-westers: “pop” is “soda”), and like tabloids sell their gossip. A pretty package, perfectly accommodated for the consumer; tasty, delicious, appealing to the senses, and en vogue. Such a religion is what we can call McChurch.
We have seen some communities, especially our Protestant brothers and sisters, start “coffee house Churches,” “cinema Churches,” “mega Churches,” “non-liturgical Churches.” None of which, of course, makes any sense; yet their (scant) popularity rises from the natural religiosity of persons completely uninformed, misinformed or frankly malformed in the message of Jesus Christ. Let’s dupe the consumer into buying into our religion, and appeal to his senses, to what’s en vogue. Let’s neglect the conversion, themetanoia, demanded by Christ, because it simply doesn’t sell: that’s McChurch.
What qualities does McDonald’s have in common with McChurch? It’s easy, it’s comfortable, it’s cheap. At McDonald’s the customer is always right. But real Christianity, which subsists in the Catholic Church alone, is not like that. It is not easy, it is hard, very hard. It is not comfortable, it is uncomfortable, in fact it is downright crucifying! Is the customer always right? No, the sinner is always wrong, phenomenally guilty, returning sin for redemption, ungrateful beyond all telling… but with hope through the grace of Christ.
McDonald’s wants to sell a product, and so does McChurch. And when the local branch manager (the pastor of a parish) fails to keep sales up, he just might get fired. As the market offers a specific good, service or rent for a price, similarly some clergy provide services for income, instead of for the salvation of souls. The market wants to convince the buyer, even by duping, to pay money for something; McChurch wants to convince the faithful, even by putting on a show empty of all true faith, to pitch money into the collection (or fundraiser, or whatever), but cheating them of true holiness which only Christ can give.
The consumer market it centered on the consumer: if the consumer will pay money for it, the vendor will sell it and make piles of money; and so McChurch will give the faithful whatever they like, whatever pleases them, even if that implies complete alienation from the Gospel. God doesn’t provide us what pleases us, but only that which truly makes one happy, even if that happiness is bought with tears and agony.
McChurch is religion like Lady Gaga is culture.
What is the solution to McChurch? Clearly this: holiness of life. When one finds Christians, Catholics, even clergy who put on the weekly show to the “ooo’s” and “aaaw’s” of the crowds, but live in continual and habitual sin, perhaps even mortal, that’s McChurch, and it will wither and die like a branch separated from the vine.
Yet how often the pastors of the Church will cave in to some perception of popularity to continue selling their product? How much ruthlessness, injustice and failure of basic charity there is when they flounder who are devout, and they who are wicked or proud or greedy or intemperate flourish, all with the blessings or mandate of those whom Christ appointed as pastors. What will such men do when Christ comes in the sky with his angels? Where will they hide?
McChurch is religion you can buy and sell; religion packaged for the market, thriving on popularity. But none of this shares anything in common with Jesus Christ the Lord, for he was slandered, abused, humiliated, violated and crucified… at the hands of the priests and Pharisees who should have been the quickest in perceiving in Him the Messiah.
Down with McChurch, up with true Catholicism!
Air America Radio, a progressive radio network that once aired commentary from Al Franken and Rachel Maddow, said Thursday it is shutting down immediately.
The company founded in April 2004 said it ceased airing new programs Thursday afternoon and will soon file to be liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It began broadcasting reruns of programs and would end those as well Monday night. (continue reading)
What would happen if a pair of Mormon missionaries showed up on the doorstep of a dedicated Jehovah's Witness? This humorous but insightful fictional dialogue is what it might sound like.
Elder Hawkins grinned as he approached the door. He and Sister Sarah had placed the Book of Mormon in four homes already this morning, and it wasn't yet noon. He rang the doorbell and stepped back. A tall, balding man wearing a large smile opened the door. Elder Hawkins saw the Watchtower magazine in the man's hand and his grin vanished.
— By David Washburn, This Rock Magazine, 1992 —
"Come in, come in," the man bellowed. "Don't just stand there. Come in and let's get acquainted."
Hawkins ushered Sister Sarah in and followed. They sat on a couch that the man indicated. "Hello. I'm Elder Hawkins, and this is Sister Sarah. We're from the Church of-- "
"I know. I can read your little name tags. Tell me, what do you think of the situation in the Middle East? Do you think it's leading anywhere?"
Hawkins shrugged. "Actually, Mr.-- ?"
"Call me Jack. Jack Overton's my name."
"Jack, then. We're here to ask a few questions. Do you believe family is important in today's society?"
"Sure do," Jack nodded. "That's why me and my family are preparing ourselves to live forever in paradise on Earth. Are you?"
Hawkins blinked. "I hadn't really thought about --"
"You need to."
"Tell me, Jack. Do you believe that today's society is trying to tear down the fabric of the family?"
"They're tearing everything down. It's no accident that blood transfusions transmit AIDS, you know."
"Blood transfusions. Tell me this, Jack. Do you believe that life goes on after death?"
"No. When you die, consciousness ceases. The only way to come back is if Jehovah raises you again to live in paradise on Earth."
"Oh, then you do believe we can return and live with Heavenly Father."
"What does that mean?"
"Don't change the subject. Do you believe it or not?"
Jack considered. "Well, not exactly with him, but we can return here."
"And be exalted to live with Heavenly Father."
Jack shrugged. "If you insist on putting it that way. But not everybody will get to."
Hawkins took a breath. "You mean some people will go to hell."
"Hell no, I don't mean hell! There's no such thing."
Hawkins smiled. "So all can return and live with Heavenly Father."
"I'd still like to know what that means, but the answer is no. The ones who reject the truth go to oblivion. After they get their second chance, if they still reject it, they stay in oblivion."
"Second chance?"
"Don't you read your Bible? At the Last Judgment, where it says 'the books were opened.' That means --"
"Oh, you mean when our Brother Jesus returns."
"He's already here."
Hawkins flinched. "Where?"
"Here. On Earth."
Hawkins smiled at Sister Sarah. "Really? Where does he live?"
"Don't be silly. You can't see him. He's invisible, just like he was when his spirit rose from the dead."
"When his spirit-- Tell me this. Do you believe that God gave the Scriptures, insofar as they are correctly translated, to teach us how we can live with Heavenly Father?"
"Oh, yes. And we have the correct translation. It's called the New World Translation. "
"You have Joseph Smith's inspired translation?"
"Joseph who?"
"Sister Sarah is good at explaining prophecy. Go ahead, Sister."
Sarah cleared her throat. "Heavenly Father gave us the Scriptures through prophets who spoke for him. But the Bible wasn't enough."
"It's enough," Jack said, "But it's hard to understand without Watchtower study materials to interpret it."
"It isn't enough," Sarah said. "There's another Testament of Jesus Christ."
"Why do I want another one when the two I already have tell me all I need to know?"
Sarah frowned. "Because God gave it."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he wanted to, I guess. It's called the Book of Mormon."
"It was written by a moron?"
"No, Moroni gave it to Joseph Smith."
Jack blinked. "The city councilman?"
"No, the prophet."
"I hear Councilman Smith makes lots of profits, that's for sure."
"Not profit, prophet." She gathered herself and tried again. "When he was fourteen, Joseph Smith had a vision of two personages. One pointed to the other and said, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.' Who do you suppose that was?"
"This is all nice, but we really should be talking about Armageddon."
Hawkins said, "Yes. The final battle when Jesus returns."
"I told you, he's already here. He returned in 1914 and established the millennial kingdom."
Sarah stared. "But that's supposed to be when all the Jews return to Palestine and all the Mormons return to Missouri."
JACK laughed. "I don't know where your misery comes into it, but Jesus returned invisibly in 1914. He's in the process of driving out the devil's minions. The devil is the author of the Trinity doctrine."
Hawkins said, "You don't believe in a Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?"
"I do, but they're not all gods."
"Of course they are. There are lots of gods. The Father has a glorified body, so does the Son. He took up his exalted body and returned to Heavenly Father after he died on the cross."
"It wasn't a cross. It was an upright stake."
"I beg your pardon?"
Jack sighed. "At any rate, his death and spiritual resurrection gave us the prospect of eternal life on a restored Earth."
"Spiritual resurrection? What do you mean?"
"He didn't rise bodily. When he appeared to the disciples, he used different bodies as he pleased."
Hawkins shook his head. "You've got it all wrong. He laid down his life and took it up again, just like Heavenly Father did in ages past."
"You're saying Jehovah died and rose, too?"
"Not Jehovah, the Father."
"Isn't the Father Jehovah?"
"No, he's Adam."
"Adam who?"
"Adam, the first man in the Bible."
"You're kidding."
"Not at all. Brigham Young told us--"
"Who?"
"Brigham Young. He was the spiritual successor to Joseph Smith."
"The city councilman?"
Hawkins slapped the arm of the couch. "Will you stop that? I want to tell you what God revealed to us through his prophet, Joseph Smith!"
Jack leaned back. "Don't get so excited. Tell away."
HAWKINS took a deep breath. "Now, the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph and told him where he could find some golden plates containing a book that told of an ancient American civilization. He found them and translated them. They were written in Reformed Egyptian."
"What's Reformed Egyptian?"
"A language that nobody knows."
"Did your Joseph know it?"
"No."
"But he translated it."
"Yes!"
Jack scratched his head. "Where are these plates now?"
"The angel took them back to heaven."
Jack smiled. "That's too bad. It would have been nice to have a New World Translation of the Christian Reformed Egyptian Scriptures."
"Why? Joseph Smith translated them perfectly under God's inspiration."
"How do you know that?"
"I prayed to Heavenly Father and he showed me."
"How did he show you?"
"When something is true, don't you feel it? Isn't that feeling you get how you know it's true?"
"Oh, yes. That's how I know my Watchtower is true and this isn't."
"You're wrong. I feel that we're the true church."
"Your feeling is wrong. I feel that we're the right one."
"Your feeling is wrong."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not." Jack stood. "I'm thirsty. Would you like some coffee?"
"We never pollute our bodies with coffee unless our church owns the company. Do you have any tomato juice?"
"I never buy tomato juice. It looks too much like blood, and the Scripture says you're not supposed to eat blood. It's no accident that blood transfusions transmit AIDS, you know."
Hawkins stood. "Tell you what. We need to be going. Just let me leave you with a thought. If you became convinced that these things are true, would you be baptized in the Mormon Church?"
"I've already been baptized into Jehovah's kingdom. Have you?"
"Not that I know of."
"That's too bad. You need to be baptized into his kingdom and then sell books and magazines so you can avoid oblivion. But don't worry. He'll give you a second chance when the books are opened, anyway."
Hawkins shook his head and opened the door for Sister Sarah. "Goodbye, Jack. Thanks for talking to us."
"Same to you," Jack said as he followed them to the door. "By the way, if you're going door-to-door, watch out for the lady two doors down. She's a Christian Scientist. Now there's a strange religion."
Hawkins glanced at Sister Sarah. "Thanks for the tip. We all need to be on guard against religious fruitcakes, don't we?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, don't we all."
Source: This Rock Magazine
David Washburn freelances from Powell, Wyoming. Reprinted with permission from The Door, P.O. Box 530, Yreka, CA 96097
This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!). It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing.
