Fall Song (excerpt)

I try to remember when time's measure

painfully chafes, for instance when autumn

flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing

to stay - how everything lives, shifting

from one bright vision to another, forever

in these momentary pastures.

---Mary Oliver, American Primitive

On Poverty

This online game is both educational and addictive; sort of like the Oregon Trail for economic reform or something.

Green Grave

I've said it before and I'll say it again: bury me in a biodegradable casket. This article totally supports my green last wishes from a Catholic theological perspective. I need to make a living will, stat.

Bigotry is Bigotry is Bigotry

Here's a decent article that includes (briefly) the history of anti-Catholicism in the US and touches upon other instances of religious bigotry, in light of Pastor Robert Jeffress' recent comments against Mormonism and Mitt Romney.

This particular news blip has brought me pause, as I myself have literally said the words, "Mormons aren't Christian." Theologically speaking, from the Catholic perspective, faith communities that do not accept the doctrine of the trinity are not considered as Christian. In addition to Mormonism, this nontrinitarian category of Jesus followers includes Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians and Christian Scientists, to name a few. But is naming a religion based on Christ as unChristian the same as religious bigotry? Rev. Jeffress actually used the word "cult" in reference to Mormonism, which seems to be where the major upset lies. Of course, while it is possible to boil it all down to semantics and meaning, Rev. Jeffress' intent is blatantly obvious: "Don't vote for Mitt, he ain't Christian."

Being the progressive liberal-ite that I am, I easily set it all to rest with the belief that no candidate ought to be voted for, or against, based on religious identity. But this debacle has me pondering about my own prejudices, how closely I align myself with Roman Catholic Church doctrine, the merits of religious tolerance (and perhaps even celebrating religious diversity?), semantics in general, bigotry/irony/ill-humor/Jesus/tangents ... Bottom line? I don't really care about Christians, I'm Catholic. (insert sarcastic smirk here)