Post by alkapad38 on Nov 16, 2011 23:43:36 GMT -5
The United States will never be able to completely extinguish the traces of Puritan influence that remain from the founding of the country. Catholics today have very strong opinions on issues that contradict the teachings of the church. However, although religion still has a significant influence on decisions made by the United States government, religious influence is waning and America is becoming more secular over time for the sake of modernity and pragmatism.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s attacks on the United States government this Monday at the fall assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops show his desperation at reclaiming the church’s influence over American government. He attacked the government for its policy of “aggressive secularism,” especially in relation to the topic of same-sex marriage. Dolan’s comments also represent the uneasiness of the Catholic Church in response to currently shifting ideology of the United States. As the government implements new laws that go against church teachings, the church loses its power and the country becomes less religious; less sacred and more secular. For example, New York legalized same-sex marriage on June 24 because state legislators saw the need to move forward. Senator Mark Grisanti, although a Roman Catholic, voted to pass the bill saying he believes that “you can be wiser today than yesterday.” His decision indicates that religion no longer speaks to the needs of modern society, which it is made up of people who are very different than the Puritans. The religious history of the United States is becoming antiquated as it impedes the progress and innovation of the country.
The Catholic Church is trying to use the religious history of the United States as justification for its continued relevance. At the Conference, Bishop of Bridgeport William Lori accused the Obama administration of “establishing un-religion as the religion of the land… that our Founding Fathers envisioned for citizens who are believers.” During the time of the Puritans, and the founding of America, religion dominated the actions of the people and the government, and the Puritans would never have entertained the idea of same-sex marriage. Today, however, is a different story. Parts of the Defense of Marriage Act have recently been deemed unconstitutional by the Obama administration. At the Conference, the Bishops especially attacked the decision of the Obama administration not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. This law was passed by both houses of Congress by large majorities and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Only 15 years ago, religion had more influence on American society than today. Clearly, the country is moving away from the sacred and towards the secular at an increasing speed.
Despite its clear ties to religion in the past, the United States is finally beginning to free itself from the outdated religious influences. Legislators are beginning to use their own mind and opinions to guide their decisions, instead of the fear of God. This shift to a more secular ideology can only benefit the country as decisions speak to the practicality of today instead of the religion of yesterday.
www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/bishops-renew-fight-on-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html
content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/11/catholic-bishops-religion-abuse-liberty-/1
www.cbsnews.com/2100-3480_162-20074349.html?pageNum=2&tag=contentMain;contentBody
523 words
Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s attacks on the United States government this Monday at the fall assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops show his desperation at reclaiming the church’s influence over American government. He attacked the government for its policy of “aggressive secularism,” especially in relation to the topic of same-sex marriage. Dolan’s comments also represent the uneasiness of the Catholic Church in response to currently shifting ideology of the United States. As the government implements new laws that go against church teachings, the church loses its power and the country becomes less religious; less sacred and more secular. For example, New York legalized same-sex marriage on June 24 because state legislators saw the need to move forward. Senator Mark Grisanti, although a Roman Catholic, voted to pass the bill saying he believes that “you can be wiser today than yesterday.” His decision indicates that religion no longer speaks to the needs of modern society, which it is made up of people who are very different than the Puritans. The religious history of the United States is becoming antiquated as it impedes the progress and innovation of the country.
The Catholic Church is trying to use the religious history of the United States as justification for its continued relevance. At the Conference, Bishop of Bridgeport William Lori accused the Obama administration of “establishing un-religion as the religion of the land… that our Founding Fathers envisioned for citizens who are believers.” During the time of the Puritans, and the founding of America, religion dominated the actions of the people and the government, and the Puritans would never have entertained the idea of same-sex marriage. Today, however, is a different story. Parts of the Defense of Marriage Act have recently been deemed unconstitutional by the Obama administration. At the Conference, the Bishops especially attacked the decision of the Obama administration not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. This law was passed by both houses of Congress by large majorities and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Only 15 years ago, religion had more influence on American society than today. Clearly, the country is moving away from the sacred and towards the secular at an increasing speed.
Despite its clear ties to religion in the past, the United States is finally beginning to free itself from the outdated religious influences. Legislators are beginning to use their own mind and opinions to guide their decisions, instead of the fear of God. This shift to a more secular ideology can only benefit the country as decisions speak to the practicality of today instead of the religion of yesterday.
www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/us/bishops-renew-fight-on-abortion-and-gay-marriage.html
content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/11/catholic-bishops-religion-abuse-liberty-/1
www.cbsnews.com/2100-3480_162-20074349.html?pageNum=2&tag=contentMain;contentBody
523 words