We need to be uncomfortable with people who say, I have found the Lord, and then go on to be uncharitable and intolerant with those who have not had the same experience. We need to be uncomfortable with people who as a consequence of their intolerance, especially when it is predicated on their religious beliefs, seek to deny the fullness of God's love and equal rights to homosexuals because their faith beliefs teach that homosexuals are either an "abomination" or "objectively disordered."
The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church in 1854, declared that Mary the mother of Jesus was born without "the stain of Original Sin on her soul." As Mary was born without Origin Sin, the Roman Catholic Church declared that ensoulment occurred at "the moment of conception." Consequently ensoulment, not the biology of human conception which is a process that takes 36-48 hours to complete, was defined as the beginning of human life and personhood. Thus, "the moment of conception" is a theological construction predicated on the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception and has nothing to do with procreation. The concept of "the moment of conception" is rejected by developmental biologists as a nonsense term which means that its use to define human life and deny legal abortion is also nonsense.
"Intelligent Design" cannot be seen in operation or tested by experiment. It is a statement of Evangelical faith, not a scientific theory. There has been no research into "Intelligent Design" to determine its validity and none is possible because "Intelligent Design" is not measurable by the scientific method. Its only reason for existence is to discredit evolution.
I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved -- the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced. John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson
And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787
Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is no more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason, more contradictory to itself than this thing called Christianity. Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason
ISBN: 1-57733-206-7
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Endorsements |
"I want to thank Father John Sweeley, Th.D., for his truthful book about the true intentions of the Radical Religious Right and its attempt to remake the United States of America into a theocracy in its own image. Father Sweeley's book supports freedom of individual conscience and freedom of worship. However, the goal of the Radical Religious Right to remake America into a theocracy undermines the right of all citizens to live in an America as created by the Founding Fathers with a wall of separation between Church and state. Denial of separation of Church and state betrays the very foundation of how this country was formed: under God, but with Liberty and Justice FOR ALL." Most Rev. Richard Alston Gundrey, Presiding Archbishop of the world-wide Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch
"In his latest book, Fr. John W. Sweeley examines some of the most important moral and political issues of our time. He uses his considerable intellect and scholarship in history, theology and ethics to illuminate the origins of the American Experiment and describe the path that has inexorably lead to a State diametrically opposed to the ideals and warnings of the Founding Fathers. For anyone who loves freedom and democracy, for anyone concerned with the future of our children and the world, Rights, Liberties, and Social Justice: Why the Religious Radical Right is Wrong must be an integral part of their 'survival kit.'" The Reverend Daniel P. Dangaran, D.Min., Dean, Sophia Divinity School
"Fr. Sweeley's book is a must read for those of us dismayed at the entrenched politics of the Religious Right and their assault on the constitutional separation of church and state. As Fr. Sweeley writes, 'Today America is in crisis not unlike that of the former Soviet Union. It is not in crisis from the threat of an external nation but rather the threat posed by the Radical Religious right that has hijacked both what it means to be Christian in America and America itself.'
"Relevant and provable historical facts are the foundation of Fr. Sweeley's scholarship, and he demonstrates an amazing grasp of scientific and religious history. He uses these timelines to show how language, and Christianity, have been co-opted by the Radical Religious right to disguise untruth. For example, in order to study the debate of Evolution vs. Intelligent Design, he tackles the history of the church through the emergence of Copernicus and science to the discoveries of Darwin.
"As this book so amply illustrates, rather than becoming enmeshed in 'below the waist' morals as the Religious Right ask us to do, God asks us to offer love to one another. As Fr. Sweeley says, 'Can we accept less of ourselves?'" Janet Sunderland, Aux. Bishop of the Catholic Church of Antioch, Kansas City, Missouri
"A heartfelt book, explaining the roots of the present administration's imperialistic actions, undermining democracy, accelerating the decline of the middle class and the American economy. The rich are getting richer, and the poor poorer. The government is exposed as fiscally irresponsible and morally bankrupt. Impeachment is mandated." K. Michael Murphy, DDS, MS