Italian Priest Being Sued by Atheist

Atheist claims no proof Christ lived

Perhaps we should label this one under a category called “world grown totally mad”. However, we don't have such a category on this blog, although I am sometimes compelled to believe that perhaps we should. Proclaiming the world totally mad would be far from accurate, as there is little to no agreement as to what “totally mad” truly is, and with each passing day, we are sure, the world has not quite achieved total madness, but, it apparently is not giving up on its own efforts to become so. Indeed, just as we are sure the world could not possibly get any crazier, something or someone comes along to prove us wrong. We have discovered that when it comes to madness, madness in and of itself is an ever evolving thing, and it would appear that there is no such thing as “total madness” after all. It would seem, in regard to madness, there is always room for a bit more...well...craziness.

That being said, let us take a look at the latest news bit from Italy. It seems that three years ago, an Italian atheist, one Luigi Cascioli, from Viterbo, Italy (just north of Rome) filed a lawsuit against a Roman Catholic priest, Reverend Enrico Righi, because the good Reverend Righi had the audacity and unmitigated gall to write in his parish bulletin that Jesus Christ did in fact exist, and that He was born to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, and that He lived in Nazareth. Perhaps I should have said that this apparent statement of faith as well as fact, caused the aggrieved Signor Cascioli's gall to get stirred up, and he decided that Reverend Righi violated Italian law in regard to the so-called “abuse of popular belief or credulity” in which someone fraudulently deceives people; and “impersonation” where someone gains by attributing a false name to someone, both offenses under the Italian penal code.

Signor Cascioli, who evidently once studied for the priesthood, but, became an atheist, wrote a book called “The Fable of Christ”. Among the assertions of Cascioli: is that there was no reliable evidence that Jesus lived and died in 1st-century Palestine apart from the Gospel accounts, which Christians took on faith. There is therefore no basis for Christianity, he claims. He also says that early Christian writers confused Jesus with John of Gamala, an anti-Roman Jewish insurgent in 1st-century Palestine.

It is obvious that no one is more confused than Signor Cascioli.

Apparently, Judge Gaetano Mautone of Viterbo, set a preliminary hearing for the end of this month, and ordered Father Righi to appear. Judge Mautone had earlier refused to hear the case, but, was overruled last month by the Court of Appeal, which agreed that Signor Cascioli had a reasonable case for his accusation of “abuse of popular belief or credulity”against Father Righi. If I didn't know better, I'd almost think there had finally been a successful “cloning” of human beings, and that the entire U.S. 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals had been cloned and exported to Italy.

So, it seems that Christians are once again being persecuted. Not just persecuted, but, being persecuted once again by non-believers, just as done by their non-believing ancestors in the days of the Roman Empire. It seems somewhat ironic, that once again, a Christian, a Roman Catholic priest, is being tried for his faith in that country which was once the center of the world, and which was notorious for its mock trials, it's injustice, and it's infamous cruelty towards the early Christian faithful. Maybe things haven't changed as much as we think they have. It would seem the only thing missing in this case, is “the beasts” for the “gratification of the people”, as the lions were described in “The Martyrdom of Ignatius”.

I think I was right at the start of this piece. The world truly is going mad.

Copyright © 2006 Steve Smith. All rights reserved.

Catholic

No More Deafening Silence

Time and time again, we pick up the newspaper, turn on the television or the radio, and we read or hear stories, of Christians, and anything and everything that IS Christian, being banned, being regulated, or being restricted. Why do these things take place? Why does no one take a stand? Why have Christians and Christianity become the only group that it is politically correct to be intolerant of?

The secular opponents of Christianity, and Christian ideals, are glaringly apparent in every community, in every walk of life, and in every setting. Three years ago, in my hometown, there was a concert by one of the local Middle School Choirs. Two songs of faith were included in the arrangement of songs these children would perform. Among the members of this choir, was one little girl, who's mother, after waiting until just days before the concert, objected to the two songs being included. The woman objected to the songs, as she and her child, are Wiccan. The choir was told by the school administration, that the 2 songs would have to be omitted.

On the evening of the concert, everything went off without a hitch. That is, until the very end, when the students in this 8th grade chorus, after taking their bows, began singing the two songs anyway. It seems these young kids, decided they would sing them anyway, with or without school approval. They had decided amongst themselves, and without the teacher's knowledge, that the songs WOULD be included.

The local newspaper was riff with articles condemning the principal for not stopping them, and for the School Board not taking action against the administration and teacher. The principal ended up not being rehired for the following year, and the teacher was "reassigned". Letters to the editorial page, ran decidedly against the teacher, the students, and the principal. Why? Because the adults in the community, did not have the courage or intestinal fortitude, that the kids in that choir had!

We are told, how intolerant we Christian’s are by group’s who's very attacks on Christians and Christianity is the epitome of hate. They point the finger of intolerance at us, and we cringe. They talk of past "outrages" committed in the name of Christianity, and we are shamed into silence. They tell us that slavery was supported in the pulpit. They tell us how The Inquisition was sanctioned murder by the Church. They tell us all these things, and we are silent.

I for one, am tired of being silent. I for one, will be silent no longer. I for one, will not sit back in silence and meekness as did the Jews of Nazi Germany, and the Nazi occupied countries. Because my friends, I will say this, and remember that I said it. WE ARE HEADED FOR A HOLOCAUST THAT WILL MAKE ADOLPH HITLER LOOK LIKE A RANK AMATURE!!

While we sit in silence, and allow our right to our faith, and way of worship to be destroyed, it is only a matter of time, before we find the opponents of God, and His Church, will incarcerate, and eventually, put to death the Christian faithful. We know that this is prophecy being fulfilled, but, I say, we do not go quietly into that dark night! I say, we make a stand, we make some noise, and we let them all know, from the highest office in the land to the lowest, that we are Christians, and, as Christians we will follow God, and His commandments, and His law no matter who doesn't like it!! It's time to let them know, that we are here, and that we do count!!

Copyright © 2006 Steve Smith. All rights reserved.

Christmas Is Cancelled

This is a public announcement: you can no longer refer to Christmas or say 'Merry Christmas' lest you offend 1 person in a neighborhood, which numbers 100 people. You may no longer sing carols which mentions or refers to a Divine Being, as 1 person out of 1,000 may find it offensive.

You can no longer say 'Christmas Tree' lest you offend 1 person out of millions, nor can you preach God's Word in that 10 people out of millions will also feel offended!

You may have a Santa but any symbols representing Jesus and the Nativity are banned, lest you offend 1 person in a nation encompassing millions.

You may no longer sing Christmas Carols, lest any religious connotations be found. Therefore 'Silent Night' is banned as it contains offensive language such as these words 'holy'... 'Virgin'...Holy infant'...'Heavenly peace' etc.

But you can overspend on presents, you may also go into debt on your already over used credit cards. We are not against consumerism, in that it makes 1% of the world’s richest people even wealthier. Feel free to spend, spend, spend, with money you haven’t yet earned... don’t worry we wont let you forget.

We are here to help you forget the True meaning of Christmas and encourage you to spend big time on presents you don’t need, luxuries you cannot afford, food that will add more to your expanding waistline. Don’t worry about guilt that is an old archaic belief that died with your conscience!

We also encourage family feuds, where parents and adult siblings become enraged at each other. Please feel free to spoil your children rotten so they may grow up to become the adults parents deserve!

We depend on Christians to be apathetic, lazy and easy going, keep it up this works for us. Just go along with the minority, after all it's our voice that is the LOUDEST.

So please forget Christmas and embrace 'happy holidays' don't forget to spend, spend, spend and we will definitely make you pay, pay, pay. Perhaps in the New Year it may even lead to separations and divorces, we love this aspect.

Finally remember, NO mention of the 'Christmas' word, NO Christmas carols, NO nativity scenes, No Christmas trees, and most definitely NO baby Jesus!

Happy holidays to all

From Satan's little helpers.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Roman
Catholic

An Abused Sacrament: Penance and Reconciliation

One of the problems many non-Catholics have with their Catholic brothers and sisters is in regard to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The thrust of their argument goes something like this: “Catholics think they can do anything they want, whenever they want, no matter what the sin, and all they have to do is go to Confession to get forgiveness. Then, the next week, if not the very next day they are out doing the same things again”.

I hate to be the one to say it, but...far too often they are right. Now, I am not saying all Catholics think and believe this way, mind you. No, I think the majority of true Catholic believers take all the Sacraments of the Church seriously, and see all Sacraments as a public expression of Faith, and more importantly, as rites instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul. Yet, there are also many, who from their actions and words fail to fully grasp the importance and necessity of what the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation really entails and means. For the sake of both brevity, and clarity to non-Catholics unfamiliar with the term “Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation”, I will from this point on refer to this Sacrament by its more popularly known and understood name, “Confession”.

Whenever a person sins, his or her sins : a. hurt themselves; b. hurt their neighbor; and c. wounds the Body of Christ, the Church. Thus, our sins have a far reaching affect, more so than most people want to realize or to admit. As our sins have such an impact on ourselves, on others, and on the Body of Christ, we are duty bound as true believers in the Mercy of Christ, and as sons and daughters of the Church, to confess our sins, both venial and mortal as completely as possible, as well as soon as possible.

We should have “contrition” for our sins. Contrition being, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Sorrow of the soul and hatred for the sin committed, together with a resolution not to sin again. Contrition is the most important act of the penitent, and is necessary for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance (1451). Thus, we should have deep sorrow for committing the sin, wishing we had never committed the sin. We should detest the sins, grieve for having committed the sins, and make a determination to never sin again. It means that we have the desire to regain friendship with God, that has been lost or injured by sin.

We should give a full and complete confession, as explained in “The Pocket Catholic Dictionary” by Father John A. Hardon, S.J., : “It must be objectively complete in that the penitent confesses every mortal sin according to number and kinds that he has committed since his last worthy reception of the sacrament of penance. In extraordinary circumstances a subjectively complete confession is sufficient, that is, when circumstances prevent a person from accusing himself of all his grave sins. He is nevertheless obliged to confess all his mortal sins in a later reception of the sacrament. When there are no mortal sins to confess, it is sufficient to confess any previous sins from one's past life or any present venial sins of which a person has been guilty, in order to obtain absolution and the grace of the sacrament of penance”.

 

Now, if we go into Confession, and confess a sin, our confession is not valid if our intent is to make a confession for a sin or sins, and we know that we will be committing this very same sin or sins again! If we know in our hearts (and you do know) that tomorrow, or next week, or next month, we will be committing the same sin or sins again, then we have not lied to just another man by lying to the priest. We have lied to Jesus Christ Himself, as the priest is standing in Christ's place before us when we make our confession! Then, when we take the Holy Eucharist, we have then bought condemnation upon ourselves for having received the Body and Blood of Our Lord unworthily!

Further, The Catholic Encyclopedia states (emphasis in bold italics is mine): It is not true that for the Catholic the mere "telling of one's sins" suffices to obtain their forgiveness. Without sincere sorrow and purpose of amendment, confession avails nothing, the pronouncement of absolution is of no effect, and the guilt of the sinner is greater than before.
 

While this sacrament as a dispensation of Divine mercy facilitates the pardoning of sin, it by no means renders sin less hateful or its consequences less dreadful to the Christian mind; much less does it imply permission to commit sin in the future. In paying ordinary debts, as e.g., by monthly settlements, the intention of contracting new debts with the same creditor is perfectly legitimate; a similar intention on the part of him who confesses his sins would not only be wrong in itself but would nullify the sacrament and prevent the forgiveness of sins then and there confessed.

Let us always keep in our minds and in our hearts, to make our confessions as completely and as sincerely as possible, and that we be determined to not commit sin again. Let us also keep in mind, that as Catholic Christians, no matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter what we say, to those non-Catholics who know us as Catholic Christians, WE represent the Church and what the Church is to THEM!

1 Corinthians 11:26-30: For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep.

Copyright © 2005 Steve Smith. All rights reserved.