founded the Society of Jesus, also
known as the Jesuits, an order dedicated to evangelization and loyal to the Pope and Magesterium of the Church.
Romney Candidacy Brings Mormonism to Public Scrutiny
The Wired Word for Sunday January 13, 2008
In the News
The fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon has presented a recurring problem for the Republican presidential candidate since 29 percent of Republicans told the Harris Poll last year that they probably or definitely would not vote for a Mormon to be president. Last Sunday, The New York Times Magazine addressed that issue in an extensive article titled "What Is It About Mormonism?"
The article pointed out that, in fact, a majority of Americans have no idea what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) -- the Mormons -- believe. While many Americans consider Mormons to be good neighbors and people of high moral values, many also have the sense that the Mormon Church, born in 1830 in the United States, has a theology that does not jibe with Christianity as understood in the mainstream churches.
The article attributed this view to several facts, including that the Mormon church once embraced polygamy (though it abandoned that practice more than a century ago) and that it has maintain a good deal of secrecy about its religious practices. What's more, when Mormon doctrines are explained, they are found on several points to be significantly different from Christianity as taught in Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox churches.
As one example of a different doctrine, the article quotes Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, who said, "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret." Mainstream Christianity, in contrast, considers God a being wholly other than what human beings are, and not simple an exalted human.
As another example, the article points out that while LDS members believe in the Bible (the King James Version only), they have further scriptures of their own -- the Book of Mormon -- which they consider "another Testament of Jesus Christ."
The article notes that Mormons today often identify themselves as "Christians." Romney, in his speech in December designed to allay concerns about his Mormon faith, stated, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind." Most traditional Christians who examine LDS theology, however, argue that Mormonism is too different from historic Christianity to be included in that definition.
All of this, of course, raises questions about whether a candidate's religious faith should have any bearing on his electability. From a constitutional viewpoint, the religion of a candidate is supposed to make no difference. Yet clearly it does in the minds of some voters.
More on this story may be found at these links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/magazine/06mormonism-t.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=mormon&oref=slogin
http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=267
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/9r2/9r2068.html
http://lds.about.com/od/basicsgospelprinciples/f/christians.htm
The Big Questions
1. We know that within Christian orthodoxy, there is a wide variance of emphases and practices. Catholics, evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians do not agree with each other on every point. Even within single denominations, there are disagreements about how Christianity should be expressed and practiced. Given that range of belief and practice, how do we know when we have strayed beyond the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints?
2. A recent editorial in The Christian Century points that in line with the Constitution, Mitt Romney has insisted that "a person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith." Yet in his speech about his religion, he "went on to try to establish himself as an honorary evangelical. ... he said that he would not 'separate government from God.'" The editorial suggested that the candidate was trying to have it both ways, saying in effect, "You should vote for me because I share your faith; but insofar as I, as a Mormon, don't share your faith, then it's a private matter ..." What is your reaction?
. . . . .
A post at Washington Monthly this morning:
A pair of researchers has just published an update that compares various countries on their rates of "amenable mortality," defined as deaths that are "potentially preventable with timely and effective health care." In 1997, the United States ranked 15th out of 19 industrialized countries. So how are we doing now?
Answer: we're now 19th out of 19. The rest of the countries have improved their performance by an average of 16%, while the U.S., that well-known engine of healthcare innovation, has improved by only 4%. So now we're in last place at 110.
But there's a bright side: at least our healthcare isn't funded by the government, like it is in France. Keep that in mind if someone you know dies of preventable causes. Their odds would have been a whole lot better in Paris, but who'd want to live in a socialist hellhole like that anyway?
Myth #1 -
Women get "taken" every time they go to a shop because they don't know anything about cars, and the shops know this so they take advantage.
IF the individual shop is one who tries to take advantage of people, they will TRY to take advantage no matter whether it is a man or a woman. IF there are more women who are less knowledgeable or are less able to project an air of self-confidence in the conversation than men, then more women will be taken advantage of than men.
Myth #2 –
If a man handles a dispute with the insurance company or repair shop, it will be resolved.
Myth #3 –
Insurance companies are out to screw everybody.
Myth #4 –
Repair shops are out to screw everybody.
Also read item #3 above. Additionally, where I work, we do sometimes see and hear horror stories about issues customers have with another repair facility. We can only give our opinion as to the needed repairs and our pricing, and have often times saved the people a bundle of money over what the other guy diagnosed and quoted. Sometimes, there are those who try to take advantage … see #3 above. Word of mouth referrals go a long way. Ask a friend who they trust. Most of our first time customers come by word-of-mouth referrals.
Myth #5 –
Men have no respect for the capacity of women to understand mechanical things
If my car has a warranty, I have to get it fixed at the dealership.
Myth #7 –
What about aftermarket parts? Used parts? Remanufactured parts?
MY VIEW of the reality - [which concurs greatly with Adoro – see her post of
Additionally, there are actually some aftermarket parts that exceed the quality of the OEM part. Some specific parts become known in the repair industry as being deficient in design. The result is that some aftermarket company then ‘builds a better mousetrap’. Savvy repair shops use these parts whenever they can.
I will continue to follow additional posts on these topics at Adoro Te Devote’s blog and I will comment appropriately when I can.
. . . . .
on of the baby. Days passed and mom knew the time for delivery was near. The family doctor made sure he stopped by the house and checked on her every week. Today's visit confirmed mom's suspicions - baby was coming soon. He commented to the mother-to-be about her size, but told her he could only hear one heartbeat, so nothing to worry about. She was relieved, but was starting to be concerned about the size of this kid. After all, it was her first baby.
DAD
born November 11, 1921
place Huntington, INdiana
died November 11, 1995
place Toledo, OHio
WW-II service in U S Navy
Construction Battalion
aka: SeaBees [CB's]
Honorable Discharge
MOM
born December 3, 1922
place Toledo, OHio
died January 4, 1993
place Toledo, OHio
WW-II service in U S Navy
W.A.V.E.S. - ratings AS, S2c, AM3c
Honorable Discharge
