Islam: A Religion of Peace?
I recognize that the article Islam: A Religion of Peace? was not a Catholic Exchange original, but I have some concerns that I would like to share. The article is at first very informative and interesting, but I believe its second half is unfair, condemning and borders on hateful.
As Catholics we should not speak in this manner about other faiths. While the Protestants beat upon us like criminals, we turn the other cheek, willing spread the truth of ourselves without attacking the failings of others. I don't feel it should be any different regarding Muslims. Stepping through the Qu'ran quoting nefarious-sounding lines is not the safest strategy for a Faith responsible for the Inquisition and the Crusades. We don't accept that these instances represent our faith, why should we accept that similar blemishes under Islam represent theirs?
Chris TruLove
Avnet McKemy, Inc.
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Cherubim Killers
Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,
You make a valid point with your recent article with regard to childhood scars keeping people from making moral decisions as adults. Herein lies the problem for me. We see these two boys, youthful and very impressionable. We as a society can do something. I think trying them as adults will lead them further down a path of immorality.
They are not being punished to learn or change. They are being punished as adults (which they are not) and as killers (which they are). At 12, I know for a fact, I did not have a solid moral foundation. I was raised atheist (which I am no longer!) and my mother was an adulteress to a married abuser. As I was schooled in Catholic schools I became more aware of morality. I had “training,” if you will. My point is that I believe God asks us to be moral guides for the young. These boys could possibly grow up to be good people if we did something positive for them at this age rather than waiting until they're bitter adults. I think we need to put a little money into rehabilitating them. I also believe that this child molester “friend” of theirs is a monster. Their father obviously did not love them or take care of them. I don't think at 12 or 13 you can morally know (without guidance) what you should do when you are being abused by adults you're supposed to be able to love and trust. You learn warped love and warped sense of self better defined as self-hatred.
I think we had some choices with these boys that could have made a real difference. It would just require time and money. And in the end, we aren't willing to invest either. Terribly sad.
Robyn Avanessian
Dear Ms. Avanessian:
I have no quarrel with the point that you make. I tried to make clear that I think the horrible experiences that these boys went through should play a major part in the way they are sentenced.
My point was something else: That we cannot excuse the behavior of adults in every instance because of the things they experienced when they were children; that it is a mistake to assume that these boys will be “scarred for life” and unable to behave morally as adults. To make that assumption is to adopt behaviorism.
Sincerely,
James Fitzpatrick
The Latin Mass
Dear Catholic Exchange,
My name is Matthew Shaddrix. I am a 3rd year law student at Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Va. My wife and I are both native Alabamians (my wife from Auburn and myself from Cullman) and both graduates of Auburn University in Auburn, Al. We were raised Methodist but after an incredible journey of Faith are coming home and will be recieved into Full Communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on “Christ the King Sunday” in November. Thank you for publishing Jeffrey Tucker's We'll Take the “Quiet Mass” and thank you for a fine website.
Blessings,
Matthew Shaddrix
Dear Editor,
This is the first time I have written to thank someone for an article, but I just wanted to thank you for printing Jeffrey Tucker's article “We'll Take the Quiet Mass.” It is so refreshing to hear someone talk about the old liturgy in a positive way. I believe it is the devoted Catholics like him (and those willing to print what they have to say) who will slowly but surely bring a greater resurgence of the Tridentine rite, and with that the beauty, splendor, transcendence, love and devotion to God it conveys.
So thank you again,
Brennan Doherty
Dear CE:
Thank you for the article “We'll Take the “Quiet Mass.” I'm not particularly a Latin Rite aficionado, but I am so tired of the “concert hall, theatre, circus, gymnasium” atmosphere of the “New Mass”! Why are we trying to compete with the secular world? It's pretty obvious that we can't, and then we wonder why Mass attendance is so low. And if one dares to say anything, one is immediately labeled a heretic. Well, all I can say is that God is just and He gives us what we deserve.
Arline Saiki
Dear Editor:
I have just recently started studying to become Catholic. In the past I studied many different sects of Religion, and to be honest, had always run from Catholicism. But in my mind and heart I always knew I would become Catholic. My father went to a Catholic school and I was around it a lot, but would not submit. Now I am 42 years of age and have begun the journey home. I have never felt a feeling like this. I am proud, happy and I feel so many exciting emotions. The way I feel is hard to explain. I just had to share this. My spiritual director, Father Henry of St. Mary's in Barling, Arkansas is so wounderful. I am very lucky to have him.
Love and Blessings,
Cinde Shepard
Congratulations, dear Ms. Shepard, and welcome home! I would urge you to make Catholic Exchange your homepage if you have not already done so and fully utilize our resources. It will help you enormously in your preparation to receive the Sacraments. Let us know at any time if there is anything we can do for you.
In JMJ,
Tom Allen
Editor & President
Catholic Exchange