From: oneil@cwis.unomaha.edu (Sharon O'Neil)
Subject: Re: sinead o'connor
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 01:41:23 GMT

Eric James Ewanco <ewanco@MLO.DEC.COM> writes:

>I must say that I am impressed with the reaction to her behavior,
>especially from an audience like SNL.  If someone says something awful
>about any Protestant minister, they are usually given great applause.
>But I continue to be amazed at the respect even the godless have for the
>Pope.  This is somewhat encouraging.

Why do you assume those in the audience are "godless?"

>I find it hard to believe people can criticize the Church for its
>response to AIDS.  I would venture to say that no other organization in
>existence has responded as quickly to the AIDS threat and has done as
>much for AIDS victims -- without being judgmental -- as the Catholic
>Church.  Unlike certain Protestants, the Catholic Church has urged
>compassion and love for victims of AIDS, but without condoning
>homosexuality.  We also deplore violence against homosexuals.

Well, actually, I think that there are some wonderful Catholic people who
are doing wonderful things to help people with AIDS, especially the nuns
of Mother Teresa's order.  

But at the same time, I think that the Church does cause a great deal of
pain for gay people.  Now, I am heterosexual, but I know a lot of gay 
people and I just can't believe that it is a choice.  I think it is 
biological, I really, really do.  And if it is biological, I don't believe
that it is a sin.  Although, I do think that promiscuity is wrong, I actually
have to say I don't think that homosexuality is a sin.  Just because 
someone is gay doesn't automatically mean that he or she is promiscuous.

But it is good that the Catholic Church has taken a firm stand against
violence against homosexuals.  

>Similarly with unwed women.  I get angry when I see standup comics
>complain that the pro-life people don't care about babies once they are
>born.  I heard this once and the audience roared with applause.  This is
>such a lie!  Do they know how many Catholic homes for unwed women are
>run?  Do they realize how much effort the Catholic Church pours into
>taking care of unwed women and their babies?  Far more effort than the
>pro-choice people, that's for sure!

I will grant you this point.  I think that the Catholic pro-life movement
has made a very major point to be pro-life for children after they are born.
However, I can't say the same for Fundamentalist protestant Christians.
I really find people like Pat Robertson to be the ultimate in hypocrites
as they go on and on about abortion, but they slam unwed mothers into the
ground and oppose pro-family legislation like family leave.

>What about war?  Did the church not oppose the gulf war? The church has
>come a long way from the days of the Crusades.  And I should point out,
>if we must criticize the Church, we  must in fairly point also to the
>atheist states -- the former USSR etc. -- and they hardly come out
>looking better.  If religion causes wars, lack of it causes even worse
>destruction.

I especially feel I have to grant you this one.  I know that the Catholic
Church has been very strong against nuclear proliferation and war.

Although, I can really understand how some people are just plain sick and
tired of the wars that happen in the name of religion -- whether that 
religion be Catholicism, Protestantism or Islam.

>No organization fights harder for human rights, peace, and social change
>than the Catholic Church.  In my opinion, no organization carries the
>light of Christ to the world more effectively than the Catholic Church.

Well, hmmm, I think there are a lot of great Protestant churches who 
do a LOT of work for human rights, peace and social change.  Foremost in
my mind: the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and
the Disciples of Christ.

>Eric
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