A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Right now, the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee is having a hearing titled "Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?" Witnesses include the head of my church body, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod).
Also there: Dr. Ben Mitchell of Union University, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of Yeshiva University, Dr. Craig Mitchell of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Roman Catholic Bishop William Lori of Connecticut.
The hearing included many of the members (on both sides of the aisle) engaged in grandstanding, but that shouldn't take away from the unity shown by the many religious bodies taking the threat to religious liberty very seriously. This is routinely treated as an issue for bishops or a Catholic issue, and that is far too narrow. This is an issue that poses serious threats to all religious groups. In fact, we're talking about threats to our individual freedom that go well beyond religion -- the federal government telling individuals how to run their businesses with no detail too small.
At one point, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggested that the religious leaders were lying when they said they were concerned about religious liberty and called the hearing "a sham."
How wise of a political strategy is it for Democrats to shake their finger at Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish leaders while calling them liars? It didn't sit particularly well with me.
Rev. Harrison revisited the topic later by saying that he loathes politics and reminding the members that 98% of what we Lutherans do has nothing to do with politics and that our church is full of Democrats and Republicans. We are focused on preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments, rather than politics. We pray for President Obama daily, he noted. He said he was there for one reason and one reason only: the HHS threat to religious liberty. Other leaders echoed those sentiments.
I believe that the church has much more important work to do than weighing in on politics every day. I can't emphasize how rare it is for our church to get involved. I don't know if the head of our church body has ever testified before Congress before.
And we do think this is a worthy fight. Earlier today Rep. Nancy Pelosi told reporters she believes the federal government should require the Catholic Church itself to pay for free birth control. And Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship. She basically said that so long as religious people keep their beliefs secret and private, she won't bring the boot heel of the state down on us. Why thank you! It's really amazing we're complaining at all, isn't it!
We don't want to engage in these politics, but we will if forced to. And it looks like we're being forced to.
- Comment (27)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (6)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Dec '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Mollie,
I know Meir Soloveichik. He is young and very brilliant. He is the grandson of the leading Modern Orthodox Rabbi of the 20th century, Rabbi Joseph Soleveichik.
I am very glad he is there. Keep us informed Mollie.
Thanks,
Jim
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
James Gawron: Mollie,
I know Meir Soloveichik. He is young and very brilliant. He is the grandson of the leading Modern Orthodox Rabbi of the 20th century, Rabbi Joseph Soleveichik.
I am very glad he is there. Keep us informed Mollie.
Thanks,
Jim · 8 minutes ago
That was my impression, too. He was on message and very clear in his thinking. It was a joy to watch him.
Dec '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
What do we know about Bishop Lori? I'm assuming since the Republicans are running the show, he's a solid witness. My question is, how solid?
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Isn't he the bishop who oversees religious liberty for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops?
He knows this stuff very well.
Aug '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.:
At one point, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggested that the religious leaders were lying when they said they were concerned about religious liberty and called the hearing "a sham."
Earlier today Rep. Nancy Pelosi told reporters she believes the federal government should require the Catholic Church itself to pay for free birth control. And Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship. She basically said that so long as religious people keep their beliefs secret and private, she won't bring the boot heel of the state down on us. Why thank you! It's really amazing we're complaining at all, isn't it!
Wow. That's unbelievably brazen. I don't suppose there's any chance we can be rid of these people this year? (Pelosi is unfortunately pretty safely embedded in a district that deserves her.)
Jul '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
"Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship."
Coming from a Member of Congress, this is chilling. Although how it squares with her own dubious rationalization of government social spending, as described in her written statement from earlier today, is beyond me. It reads, in part:
"To close on a personal note, I want to make this abundantly clear. I support these guidelines not in spite of being Catholic, but because I am Catholic. I have always believed that we have a moral obligation to ease suffering and deprivation where it exists, to help the sick get well and to see that the poor are fed. That is what the dictates of my conscience and my faith demand. It is why I came to Congress in the first place, and why I have always strived to see our government live up to its moral obligations to the people."
Dec '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Cobalt Blue:"Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship."
Coming from a Member of Congress, this is chilling. Although how it squares with her own dubious rationalization of government social spending, as described in her written statement from earlier today, is beyond me. It reads, in part:
"To close on a personal note, I want to make this abundantly clear. I support these guidelines not in spite of being Catholic, but because I am Catholic. I have always believed that we have a moral obligation to ease suffering and deprivation where it exists, to help the sick get well and to see that the poor are fed. That is what the dictates of my conscience and my faith demand. It is why I came to Congress in the first place, and why I have always strived to see our government live up to its moral obligations to the people."· 6 minutes ago
I'm going to be sick.
Jul '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Cobalt Blue:"Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship."
Coming from a Member of Congress, this is chilling. Although how it squares with her own dubious rationalization of government social spending, as described in her written statement from earlier today, is beyond me. It reads, in part:
"To close on a personal note, I want to make this abundantly clear. I support these guidelines not in spite of being Catholic, but because I am Catholic. I have always believed that we have a moral obligation to ease suffering and deprivation where it exists, to help the sick get well and to see that the poor are fed. That is what the dictates of my conscience and my faith demand. It is why I came to Congress in the first place, and why I have always strived to see our government live up to its moral obligations to the people."· 6 minutes ago
DeLauro and Pelosi think that they are their own religion and perchance their own gods. Just disgusting.
Nov '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Religion or not, here's the way this works:
Government creates rules, regs, requirements to which you must submit. In exchange, government gives you some "benefit." The benefit is sometimes in the form of free money (welfare, grants), serv ices provided or paid by government (healthcare, medicare), or the opportunity to win a lucrative government contract. Sometimes the benefit is merely something like a permit, a dispensation, or a waiver allowing you to open a hotdog stand.
In Chicagostyle Obama Thugocracy, persuading government to grant bennies is all about CLOUT. If you wanna open your little hotdog stand (or practice your little religion) without hindrance, you gotta be the right guy, you gotta hire the right guy, you gotta pay the right guy, or you gotta do something else to show that you are willing to contribute to the maintenance of the Thugocracy.
The more legislation, regulation, rules, and requirements, the more are the pretexts for the Thugs to extract something from your little hotdog stand or religion in exhange for the necessary permit or waiver.
So you pay the Thug, and the Thug grants you an "accommodation" or "waiver," and you kiss the Thug's feet with genuine gratitude.
Mar '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
DrewInWisconsin
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.:
At one point, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggested that the religious leaders were lying when they said they were concerned about religious liberty and called the hearing "a sham."
Earlier today Rep. Nancy Pelosi told reporters she believes the federal government should require the Catholic Church itself to pay for free birth control. And Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship. She basically said that so long as religious people keep their beliefs secret and private, she won't bring the boot heel of the state down on us. Why thank you! It's really amazing we're complaining at all, isn't it!
Wow. That's unbelievably brazen. I don't suppose there's any chance we can be rid of these people this year? (Pelosi is unfortunately pretty safely embedded in a district that deserves her.) · 16 minutes ago
Unfortunately, Rosa (my former congressperson) is as inevitable as taxes.
Sep '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
That was brilliant. Thanks, Mollie!
Jun '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Bravo, Rev. Harrison.
Sep '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
And speaking of firepower, I'd like to see Canon 915 discussed a lot more with respect to Catholic politicians playing Caesar to the bishops of their own church.
Apr '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
"Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggested that the religious leaders were lying when they said they were concerned about religious liberty and called the hearing "a sham."Ugh! He's my congressman. His challenger, a great guy, lost to him by less than 1000 votes in '08.
Jun '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Apropos of Rep. DeLauro, the words of G. K. Chesterton get more true everyday:
“Religious liberty is supposed to mean a man is free to discuss his faith, in practice it means he is hardly allowed to mention it.”
Jan '12
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Thanks so much for posting this, Mollie.
As a Catholic it is very encouraging to know that our Protestant and Jewish brethren are standing with us.
The more brazen Pelosi gets the more dumbfounding that her bishop isn't publicly correcting her. Many, many prayers are needed...
Sep '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Why is this guy having to come crawling to the Congress for permission to do what he's always done? What a fascist travesty.
Jun '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
James Gawron: Mollie,
I know Meir Soloveichik. He is young and very brilliant. He is the grandson of the leading Modern Orthodox Rabbi of the 20th century, Rabbi Joseph Soleveichik.
I am very glad he is there. Keep us informed Mollie.
Thanks,
Jim · 8 minutes ago
That was my impression, too. He was on message and very clear in his thinking. It was a joy to watch him. · 3 hours ago
I attended the hearing today, and came away deeply impressed by the Rabbi. He is a bright and courageous man.
Mar '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
If the non-lay Catholic leadership was really was serious about the issue they would come up with strict well defined guidelines on a very narrow set of important moral issues (for the poltical ones all related to human rights)and excommunicate Catholics politicians and leaders who disagreed with them and actively tried to violate these beliefs. Take away these false Catholics ammunition by saying your not a Catholic because you disagree with these very critical and important biblical teachings.
I would say all Christian Domination should do this. So be it if church members leave, you have to draw the line somewhere on who you allow to associate with your organization and call themselves part of your organization. Otherwise they can misrepresent your organization and pervert the most important beliefs you stand for. The scripture (aka Jesus) is very clear one bad Apple or a little yeast corrupts the whole bag or loaf. Paul explains how to deal with and remove these people from the church. On critical/serious issues you need to kick these people out of the church who choose to practice the opposite beliefs.
Edited on February 16, 2012 at 11:31pmJun '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
And after he did that, he yielded his time to another member of congress, then walked out of the room (contrary to the rules). He wasn't far out of the room, but after having treated the chairman with incredible disrespect, and wagging his finger at the witnesses, the chairman was in a mood to enforce the rules. The howls of protest that went up! Cries of abridgment of freedom of speech!
I've been deeply souring on the GOP, but seeing the Dems in action today made me want to open my checkbook and hand everything in it to defeat these tyrants who think nothing of trampling on the bill of rights.