I'm quite surprised at the reaction of the media about Pope Francis' recent comments on divorce. He said that sometimes divorce is "morally necessary". This would apply in the case of abuse.
When I was in either grammar school or high school, I can remember one of the nuns telling us that divorce was permissible if it was for your safety. Divorce was permissible, but remarriage was not.
It has always been possible to receive an annulment which states that because of various reasons, e.g. immaturity, deceit, etc. there was no sacrament of matrimony for the parties involved. Therefore, you would have a civil divorce and an annulment of the church blessing in the form of a sacrament of matrimony.
I know I didn't dream that Sister told us that, so I'm surprised that the Pope's comments are such a shock to so many educated people. Guess they either didn't go to the right schools or weren't paying attention that day.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Confederate Flag and History
All this controversy over the confederate flag has gotten me to thinking about the repercussions and attempts to eliminate history.
I've heard some commentators mention their feelings on the flag, and now I have a better understanding of why it is so offensive to some, but we do have to realize that the past did happen. But, it is the past and we are more knowledgable and understanding. We should also note that this flag was used by southern democrats in the 60's to protest and try to stop integration. Those protesting the flag the loudest now are members of the party that was the biggest offender. On a side note, I have always wondered why black people usually vote democrat since it was the democrats in the south who held them back, But some day I'll try to analyze that.
If we go the route that some people are taking, removing statues of leaders of the confederacy, it seems that we are trying to change history.
Yes, slavery was wrong, but back in the early days of our republic, it was legal. People had a right to own slaves, few people would have willingly freed their slaves. Eliminating their place of honor in our history would be the same as arresting me because back in the late 60's my husband and I brought a rifle on a flight to Denver. I don't believe laws can be retro-active.
If the current trend continues, the state of Washington will have to change its name, George Washington's picture would have to be removed from the one dollar bill and his portrait removed from every government office. Yes, that great man, the Father of our Country, owned slaves. True, they were freed, but not until George Washington died and had no future need for them. Several of our presidents owned slaves - Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, etc. In fact, of our early presidents, only John Adams and John Quincy Adams did not. One of Andrew Jackson's businesses engaged in the slave trade. Are we going to remove all traces and places of honor to all of these presidents?
I've heard some commentators mention their feelings on the flag, and now I have a better understanding of why it is so offensive to some, but we do have to realize that the past did happen. But, it is the past and we are more knowledgable and understanding. We should also note that this flag was used by southern democrats in the 60's to protest and try to stop integration. Those protesting the flag the loudest now are members of the party that was the biggest offender. On a side note, I have always wondered why black people usually vote democrat since it was the democrats in the south who held them back, But some day I'll try to analyze that.
If we go the route that some people are taking, removing statues of leaders of the confederacy, it seems that we are trying to change history.
Yes, slavery was wrong, but back in the early days of our republic, it was legal. People had a right to own slaves, few people would have willingly freed their slaves. Eliminating their place of honor in our history would be the same as arresting me because back in the late 60's my husband and I brought a rifle on a flight to Denver. I don't believe laws can be retro-active.
If the current trend continues, the state of Washington will have to change its name, George Washington's picture would have to be removed from the one dollar bill and his portrait removed from every government office. Yes, that great man, the Father of our Country, owned slaves. True, they were freed, but not until George Washington died and had no future need for them. Several of our presidents owned slaves - Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, etc. In fact, of our early presidents, only John Adams and John Quincy Adams did not. One of Andrew Jackson's businesses engaged in the slave trade. Are we going to remove all traces and places of honor to all of these presidents?
Friday, June 19, 2015
South Carolina Faith
Today I heard some comments from the families of the people who were murdered in South Carolina this week.
I'm struck by their attitude. They are mourning the loss of family, but at the same time they are able to forgive the murderer while the rest of us are condemning him and hoping he receives the death penalty.
How I wish I had their attitude. They are true believers. They truly live their faith. They know their family are with God and they know that God forgives the murderer.
I've always considered myself a good person with a strong faith, but I don't think I would be able to forgive a person who was responsible for taking the life of someone I love.
Hopefully, the faith of the people of South Carolina will spread to others, myself included, so we can grow in our faith. This may lead to a return to faith and God, something that is sorely needed today.
I'm struck by their attitude. They are mourning the loss of family, but at the same time they are able to forgive the murderer while the rest of us are condemning him and hoping he receives the death penalty.
How I wish I had their attitude. They are true believers. They truly live their faith. They know their family are with God and they know that God forgives the murderer.
I've always considered myself a good person with a strong faith, but I don't think I would be able to forgive a person who was responsible for taking the life of someone I love.
Hopefully, the faith of the people of South Carolina will spread to others, myself included, so we can grow in our faith. This may lead to a return to faith and God, something that is sorely needed today.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Crash has decided that mom spends too much time at the computer, so she (Crash) has started sleeping in the desk chair. Mom wouldn't want to disturb her, so mom stays away from the computer. Today, mom got wise to what's going on. She took a chair from the dining room and put it in front of the computer. I didn't know you were allowed to do that - use a different chair instead of the desk chair. Oh well, I guess we'll have to find something else to do.
Tonight when it was time for my torture (needle stick), I hid on mom. It was so much fun. She looked all over for me, she even got down on her knees to look under the bed. She tried to bribe me with some Temptations, but I just wouldn't come out of my hiding place. I felt sorry for her when she said her knees were starting to hurt, I know about pain. So, I came out of my hiding place, but I won't tell her where it is. I thought she'd be so happy to see me that she wouldn't stick that needle in me, but, she did it anyway. I'll have to find another way to get even with her.
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