Catholics have been under attack for our beliefs going back centuries. Politicians of today are weaponizing the government against Catholics and our beliefs, in many cases to garner more votes for their campaigns. Many politicians are labeling Catholics “extremists” mostly due to our position on abortion, the sanctity of life, and gay marriage. Catholic values oppose society’s values that focus on the material world and individual rights, over the spiritual world and living the gospel.
In the beginning ……
America was founded on Judeo-Christian values. There are some who disagree with that statement, but this is fact. For the large majority of America’s 247 years these values were the core that defined American values.
Ramping up the attacks
Freedom of religion has been under attack for years, but it was the Obama administration with the ACA (Affordable Care Act) that forced all Americans to fund abortions and contraception in spite of the Hyde Amendment. This amendment blocks federal funds from being used to pay for abortions except in instances of rape, incest, or a risk to the mother’s life.
The lawsuit against “Sweet Cakes by Melissa” in 2013 resulted in an initial fine of $135,000 against the baker for refusal to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. The refusal was due to their religious beliefs. The Catholic Church is not the only entity that does not believe in gay marriage, i.e gay marriage is not supported in the Muslim faith yet all legal challenges have been against Catholic and Christian organizations.
The idea that Catholic churches that refuse to marry gays will lose their tax benefits has been a growing voice amongst liberal groups.
Biden’s Weaponized Government
Abortion is the polarizing topic that has lead to the weaponization of the Biden government against Catholic beliefs. The Supreme Court’s reversal of the Roe v Wade standard in 2022 was the latest event to exacerbate the backlash against our beliefs.
Since this time the federal government has taken an active stance against pro-life people and institutions:
- Pro-life Supreme Court justices have been protested at their homes in an effort to change their position on Roe v Wade. This is against the law and the direct result of a “leak” of the draft decision to shelve the standard.
- 26+ Pro-life people who pray outside abortion clinics have been arrested and charged with violations of the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act. The government has aggressively pursued these charges.
- The FBI raided the home of pro-life protestor Mark Houck on September 23, 2022 after he was notified that he was under Grand Jury investigation. Houck’s lawyers had previously said they would “peacefully” bring Houck in for questioning if needed.
- There have been over 100 instances of violence against pro-life organizations and churches since the “leak” of the Supreme Court decision by violent groups like “Jane’s Revenge”. To date, the DOJ has not focused on these attacks preferring to focus on silencing pro-lifers.
And now this …….
Just this past week federal officials have told St. Francis Health System in Oklahoma to remove sanctuary lamps from hospital chapels because the candle posed a danger of fire. Failure to do so could result in loss of eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare payments. The sanctuary lamp is positioned near the tabernacle to signify the light of Christ in the church. This is yet another attack by the Biden administration to use the government to intimidate the Catholic Church and Catholics in general.
How do we respond ……
Jesus asks us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5) :
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors* do the same?
47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?*
48 So be perfect,* just as your heavenly Father is perfect
We must continue to pray for those that hate us, and live the gospel. We must fight (peacefully) for our values and find strong candidates who will respect the US Constitution and fight for our religious freedom. We must help others to “die to sin, and be reborn to live under God’s will and ways.” Catholics can continue to be the example for the world. In spite of what the government and the MSM (Main Stream Media) tell us, our Catholic values ARE the core of America’s values. Lets storm the heavens with prayer and seek out those political leaders that will protect life and religious freedom.
God Bless
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