god?s rottweiler
GRITtv: The F Word: Why Do We Trust The Church On Health?
For over forty years, power-drunk Catholic leaders have accused independently-minded women of committing all manner of crimes and immoralities. It's ironic, considering church leaders' role in pervasive, prolonged and systematic child abuse. Not for universal coverage, they pushed a measure that seeks to strip millions of women of affordable health coverage and reproductive choice. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky vowed in a speech Monday that the so-called Stupak-Pitts amendment wouldn't make it into the final bill, but the Church is all over Washington, and it's shown that it still has a hold on our politics. Can some one please explain: why is that? … Tell me again: Why are we listening to those who cover for child abusers tell us anything, anything at all, about health? … And you might add -- and why are they tax-exempt? -- Laura Flanders
Email this pageGRITtv: The F Word: Catholics And Choice: Difference of Opinion?
The Catholic Church's stance on reproductive choice has been unyielding; in 2004 the Pope struck out and said that pro-choice Catholic politicians (like then-Presidential candidate John Kerry) should be denied communion. Even birth control is too much for the new Pope Benedict, Now facing flagging attendance and shrinking contributions, some of that hard-lining is going soft. Given the chance to fill some empty pews by allowing conservative Anglicans into the ranks, the Catholic Church is backing off. So what about all those fights over all those years? What about all those denied a place in their faith, and most of all, those who died due to botched and politicized abortions? All those who were forced to bear children against their will, or were infected with HIV due to lies about condoms -- or no sex ed at all? Now we find out they suffered simply over a difference of opinion? One anti-choicer quoted on the topic recently celebrated -- "Anglicans are committing doctrinal suicide," he said. So maybe there's not so much openness going on as flat out pragmatics. On the other hand, RH Reality Check notes that half the worldwide members of the Anglican church live in Africa, where conservative clergy preach against condoms, homosexuality, and women's choice. Maybe it's less of a split than we'd like to think. So much for the reformation -- all Conservative Anglicans need is Bishops back. Just don't mention divorce.
