Friday, June 30, 2023

SCOTUS Knocks Down LGBT Tyranny & Student Freebies

The Supreme Court is on a roll this week!  First, they knocked down Affirmative Action which is on its face racist and discriminatory, and now has affirmed the first amendment matters. The Court in a 6-3 decision ruled in favor of Lorie Smith, a Christian web designer who refused to create a website promoting so-called "same-sex marriage." She was of course sued on the pretense of discrimination. 

In the past, Christians became the target of gay couples who were seeking to make an example out of them when the odds were in their favor. Back then, more liberals controlled the court and legislated from the bench. They often decided in favor of the LGBTQIA community setting aside the text of the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment, in favor of inferences that made no legislative or rational sense when compared to the Constitution. 

Well, things are different now. The Court decided to protect the First Amendment rights of Christians and overall conscience rights. Immediately the left cried out "Second-class citizenship!" In other words, they feel the LGBTQIA community will not be seen as second-class citizens. Justice Sotomayor wrote in a dissent,

"Today, the Court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class. Specifically, the Court holds that the First Amendment exempts a website design company from a state law that prohibits the company from denying wedding websites to same-sex couples if the company chooses to sell those websites to the public. The Court also holds that the company has a right to post a notice that says, “‘no [wedding websites] will be sold if they will be used for gay marriages.’”

There is speculation that Sotomayor herself may be a lesbian due to her passionate responses whenever the other justices decide against the LGBTQIA community. What she and other leftists fail to realize is that one party cannot force another party to go against their beliefs whether religious or not. No one is being denied service. Cakes, pizzas, and websites can be made for the LGBTQIA community, but not ones with content that goes against the provider of the service. This should be common sense to anyone who has reasoning skills. For example, one cannot ask a Jewish caterer to create Nazi theme meals or a Muslim-run business to create something that contains pork. Not only is it disrespectful, but an affront to the person's conscience rights.

The Supreme Court also gave a huge blow to President Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness program which sort to erase all or most of the debt students have accrued during their studies in college. The plan was welcomed by many students who feel that student loans are like owing money to a Mafia loan shark. However, many others protested the idea believing it to be fiscally irresponsible and teaching students in college to be irresponsible. The reason they go to college is to earn a degree so as to get a better-paying job to pay for living expenses including debts and mortgages. Paying off their student debt with taxpayer money sends the message that they do not have to pay back debts. It creates an atmosphere of irresponsibility. Students can study on loans and then not pay them back while relying on the government to use taxpayer dollars to pay back loans. The idea sends the wrong message.  

What is next? Will people who owe rent or mortgages demand the government uses taxpayer dollars to bail them out?  Some may bring up the 2008 bailing of banks, but that situation was different. Banks are important in a capitalist society. They need to be up and running, not failing and collapsing. The bail money they were given was not free money either. They had to pay it back to the taxpayers. Paying student loans is way different. No one is paying taxpayers back if this plan took hold in the united states. This decision was also a great one.  President Biden is now assuring students in debt of a "plan b" approach in order to circumvent the Supreme Court's ruling. 

Are we starting to see the Supreme Court actually upholding the Constitution? It sure looks like it.  It looks like the majority of the justices are interpreting the Constitution as it is and not inferring on it what it does not state. We saw this with the Dobbs decision last year which knocked down Roe vs Wade. Roe vs Wade was decided on the premise that women had equality and the right to privacy. How does this even add up to abortion?  Where does abortion even fit in this?  It made no sense and had to be overturned.  Similarly, cases like Obergefell were decided on claims that equality exists and enumerated rights are granted, therefore same-sex couples can marry.  The Constitution does not even mention marriage or abortion!  

Hopefully, the Supreme Court of the United States continues on this path and will eventually overturn Obergefell restoring marriage as only being between one man and one woman.  Today's ruling ended "Pride Month" on a sour note for the LGBTQIA community.  

You can read the Court's opinions here:

21-476 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

22-535 Department of Education v. Brown (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

22-506 Biden v. Nebraska (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)


What do you think?  Post your comment below. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 



Source:

Gay couple cited by Christian web designer who won Supreme Court case may not exist (yahoo.com)

Supreme Court Just Marked ‘Gays and Lesbians For Second-Class Status’ Declared Sotomayor In Scathing Dissent: ‘Profoundly Wrong’ (msn.com)

BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Web Designer Who Refuses to Promote Gay Weddings (mediaite.com)

Supreme Court injustice: ‘legal innocence’ is not enough (msn.com)

'Embarrassing': Sotomayor slams SCOTUS decision that marks 'gays and lesbians for second-class status' (msn.com)

'Nuclear hypocrisy': Legal experts stunned by SCOTUS' 'weird' ruling in LGBTQ rights case (msn.com)

A Huge Win for the First Amendment (msn.com)

'Loaded gun': Expert suggests LGBTQ ruling paves way to return to 'Whites-only' luncheonettes (msn.com)

Biden unveils new student loan forgiveness plan after Supreme Court defeat (usatoday.com)

June 30, 2023 SCOTUS blocks Biden's student loan plan and limits LGBTQ protections (cnn.com)

What Will Happen to Your Student Loans Now - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Roberts scolds liberal justices for demonizing rulings they don't like: 'Disturbing feature' of dissents (msn.com)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/opinion/affirmative-action-supreme-court-repeal.html

Thursday, June 29, 2023

SCOTUS Affirms that 'Affirmative Action' is Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court of the United States of America strikes again. This time it hit against an issue that has racial ramifications. Affirmative Action has been around since the 1990s during the Bill Clinton presidency. 

This act was set up to supposedly give a fair chance to African Americans and other minorities. Colleges and other institutions would use race and background stories to admit students. The act did not come as a solution for everyone. In fact, standards were lowered for minorities to the point that it made it look like they were inferior to non-Hispanic Caucasians.   

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action after a group of Asian students sued claiming they were discriminated against in favor of African Americans and other minorities. As you can imagine, liberals and others are livid over this decision and are calling the Supreme Court backward and corrupt. Many Democrats took to social media to voice their anger. Many Democrat-orientated African Americans began to cry racism. They feel targeted by "White Conservatives" or the "Right-Wing."

This decision is a great one and finally puts an end to freebies and inequality. As the Court stated, Affirmative Action violated the 14th Amendment. We cannot have schools and other institutions use race as a factor for admittance. It is unfair. To have Non-Hispanic Caucasians study, work hard, and then not got chosen to a school because a minority applies at the same time and is looked upon with pity is completely unfair. This degrades African Americans and other minorities into a subclass of people who are intellectually inferior and cannot do the same course work or pass the same tests with high scores as their White counterparts.  It is complete rubbish. 

Affirmative Action is another form of slavery. It presents African Americans, Latinos, and others as weak and unable to compete academically against Non-Hispanic Caucasians.  SCOTUS made the correct decision.  If you work hard and study hard, you should be recognized for that, not your skin color, gender, religion, or racial features.

You can read the Court's opinion here:

20-1199 Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (06/29/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 




Source:

June 29, 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action decision (cnn.com)

Supreme Court: Affirmative Action OK for Military And Legacies (theintercept.com)

Affirmative action exposes Supreme Court justices' raw nerves (axios.com)

Affirmative action: Who benefits the most? The answer may surprise you (usatoday.com)

The affirmative action ruling has already upended college applications - The Washington Post

Why the Champions of Affirmative Action Had to Leave Asian Americans Behind | The New Yorker

Read the Supreme Court Decision - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Supreme Court deals a blow to Gen Z's culture of entitlement (msn.com)

Gorsuch Tears Into Sotomayor’s Dissent In Religious Freedom Case: ‘Reimagines The Facts’ And ‘Opens Fire On Its Own Position’ (msn.com)


 

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

'Busta Rhymes' Says Puerto Ricans & Blacks Created Hip Hop

Busta Rhymes is one of the most influential and respected rappers in the history of hip hop. He has been in the game for over three decades, and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry. But what many people may not know is that Busta Rhymes also has a strong connection to Puerto Rico, and he credits the island and its people for being one of the main sources of inspiration and innovation for hip hop culture.

In a recent interview with Complex, Busta Rhymes explained how he grew up in a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, and how he was exposed to the rich musical heritage of the Boricuas. He said that he learned a lot from listening to salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and other genres that originated or were influenced by Puerto Rico. He also said that he admired the Puerto Rican pride and identity that his neighbors displayed, and how they always supported each other.

Busta Rhymes also acknowledged the role that Puerto Ricans played in the creation and evolution of hip hop, alongside African Americans. He said that Puerto Ricans were instrumental in developing the elements of DJing, graffiti, breakdancing, and MCing, and that they contributed to the diversity and creativity of the culture. He mentioned some of the legendary Puerto Rican figures in hip hop, such as DJ Disco Wiz, Grandmaster Flash, Crazy Legs, Prince Whipper Whip, Tony Touch, Fat Joe, Big Pun, and many others.

Busta Rhymes said that he considers himself an honorary Puerto Rican, and that he has a lot of love and respect for the island and its people. He said that he hopes to visit Puerto Rico soon, and that he wants to collaborate with some of the local artists there. He also said that he wants to use his platform to raise awareness and support for the issues that Puerto Rico faces, such as the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the economic crisis, and the colonial status.



Busta Rhymes said that he believes that Puerto Ricans and African Americans have a lot in common, and that they should unite and celebrate their shared history and culture. He said that hip hop is a powerful tool for social change and empowerment, and that it belongs to everyone who loves it and contributes to it. He said that he is proud to be part of a culture that was created by Puerto Ricans and African Americans, and that he will always honor their legacy.

Busta Rhymes said that Puerto Ricans and Blacks created Hip Hop. This brought some others in the Black community to attack him claiming that he was "erasing" Black people from the genre. This is far from the truth. We cannot deny that Puerto Ricans were heavily involved in the creation of Hip Hop. What Busta Rhymes said is correct in regard to Puerto Ricans and African Americans in The Bronx.  Those of us who grew up in the Bronx can attest to this fact including the pioneers of Hip Hop.  This does not take away from African Americans.  However, some Black Supremacists were dismayed at his comment claiming Puerto Ricans had nothing to do with Hip Hop. Tariq Nasheed is the bandleader of this rebellion which is based on ignorance of Hip Hop and an attempt to push a false narrative. 

Puerto Ricans are mixed with Africans and it is safe to say that most African Americans are also mixed and not purely "black" due to slavery and the horrors of it and other factors.  In fact, Puerto Ricans are part of the Black/African diaspora. So no Black person should feel erased or disrespected.  Puerto Ricans and Blacks have always been ONE force fighting against oppression and racism.  This will never change. Before Hip Hop, Puerto Ricans on the island since the time of colonization engaged in "battle rhymes" to acoustic drumbeats (African/Taino) and guitars called "Controversias" or "controversies" in English.  They "dissed" each other using these African-Taino beats and guitars as background repetitive music.  It was all in good fun though.

In my old neighborhood in Belmont, there was the Rocksteady Crew. They were a group of Hip Hop break dancers, artists, and rappers who were Puerto Rican and contributed to Hip Hop in its early days. They were even involved in "Westside Story" type altercations with the local Italians who often frowned upon the presence of Puerto Rican in the neighborhood. 


At times, there were fights on the streets with dozens of youths, both Italian and Puerto Ricans beating each other up into a pulp in the area of Crotona Avenue, 182nd and 183 Street. Most lived at 692, where my family lived at the time. 

We cannot ignore the many pioneers who help create Hip Hop who were Puerto Rican. I am sure some younger Hip Hop fans probably never heard of them.  DJ Charlie Chase, Tracy 168 whose graffiti has been documented on subway cars, Errol Eduardo Bedward known as "Pumpkin" who produce jams and beats in the 1970s, The Rocksteady Crew, The Mean Machine, The Real Roxanne, Shabba-Doo is known for his break dancing, Ruby Dee, Dj Disco Wiz, and many others. Hip Hop was not just created by African Americans. In reality, no one owns it. It belongs to all people. This is why it has branched out throughout the whole world. The genre is heard and has been adapted around the world to different languages, beats, and cultures. 

What do you think? Post your comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment can go through.  


Sources:



https://www.jstor.org/stable/852787

Book: "From Bomba to Hip-Hop: Puerto Rican Culture and Latino Identity"by Professor Juan Flores who taught Black and Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College and sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center.  

Book: New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone First Edition by R. Rivera (Author)

The actual contributions Puerto Ricans gave to hip hop! @JoeyCrackTS was right! (youtube.com)

HIP HOP IS FROM THE BRONX: A Documentary of NYC's Street Culture #thebronx #hiphophistory (youtube.com)

(1) HIP HOP IS FROM THE BRONX: A Documentary of NYC's Street Culture #thebronx #hiphophistory - YouTube

https://www.chelseanewsny.com/news/the-story-of-puerto-rican-hiphop-LWNP1420030415304159985

https://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/henken08/articles/h/i/p/Hip-Hop%E2%80%99s_African-American_New_York_Origins_%26_its_West_Indian_and_Puerto_Rican_influences_f647.html

http://websites.umich.edu/~ac213/student_projects06/student_projects/lhh/images/puertoricans.html

https://www.hot97.com/hot-news/a-history-of-puerto-ricans-in-hip-hop

https://puertoricoarte.com/busta-rhymes-credits-blacks-puerto-ricans-with-being-hip-hop-originators/

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=325854284971608

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/video-busta-rhymes-rants-black-puerto-rican-people-created-hip-hop.1495142/


Daniel Penny Arraigned & Jordan Williams' Charges Dropped

Today was a day that will hopefully educate people who do not understand what self-defense means in the legal context. 

However, we still see nonsensical rants and tweets being posted online mainly by Caucasian conservatives who think that people can attack each other or kill each other and then claim self-defense.  This is not how American society operates. We cannot kill someone who taps us on the shoulder or shouts in our ears and then call it self-defense. 

Daniel Penny, a former Marine was arraigned this morning and entered a "Not Guilty" plea. His charges remain of Manslaughter in the second degree and negligent homicide.  He remains out on a $100,000 bond. A few hours later in a case similar to Penny's, Jordan Williams was exonerated from all charges. Williams was clear of all charges after he killed a man who entered a subway car he and his girlfriend were in and began to physically attack riders, including Williams' girlfriend. Williams jumped to defend her and others and during the struggle pulled out a knife stabbing the assailant who later died. Williams was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon. These are the charges which were dropped. 

You can read more about these cases in these previous posts and see the sources for each story:

https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/06/daniel-penny-jordan-williams-self.html

https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/05/marine-daniel-penny-kills-homeless.html

Let us focus on the differences between these cases and why one person was cleared and the other was not.  Both Penny and Williams were charged with manslaughter in the second degree. This is what the law says in New York State:


Section 125.15 - Manslaughter in the second degree

A person is guilty of manslaughter in the second degree when:

1. He recklessly causes the death of another person; or

2. [Repealed]

3. He intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.

Manslaughter in the second degree is a class C felony.

N.Y. Penal Law § 125.15

Amended by New York Laws 2019, ch. 1,Sec. 8, eff. 1/22/2019.


Notice the word "recklessly." This is the keyword that differentiates between the Penny case and Williams' case.  In the Penny case, the deceased Jordan Neely, a homeless black male with mental illness enters the subway car where Daniel Penny, a former Marine is present. According to the videos and eyewitnesses that the grand jury processed, Neely enters in an agitated state and slams his jacket on the ground. He shouts and screams crying out for food and water and claims he is not afraid to die. The scene is obviously disturbing and puts everyone at ease. However, Penny comes from behind and grabs Neely by the neck in a chokehold bringing him to the ground on the subway car.  This chokehold is placed on Neely for an extended period of time which leads to the death of Neely. 


In the case of Williams, a man, possibly like Neely, homeless and mentally ill enters the subway where Williams and his girlfriend are present. However, this man begins to berate and physically attack riders including Williams' girlfriend.  Therein lies the huge difference between Penny's case and Williams' case: physical attack. While Neely was making a scene yelling and slamming his jacket, the assailant in Williams' case was actually physically attacking people including Williams' girlfriend.  This is what prompted Williams to defend himself, his girlfriend, and other passengers by engaging the assailant to the point of using a knife and killing the assailant. However, Penny had no reason to grab a man who was simply disturbing the peace by the neck choke holding him to death. There is absolutely no justification for them. Surely a screaming person on a subway is something that can be scary, but it is not a reason to kill the screaming person. 

This is why the case of Penny continues while the case of Williams was dropped and he was clear of charges.  Now about the criminal possession charge, it is not clear why it was dropped but in New York, possessing a knife less than 3'' is legal. If the knife Williams used fits this description then this is probably why the criminal possession charge was dropped.  Penny did not use a weapon but did chokehold someone to death. These actions were "reckless" as the law states. This is because he knew what would happen when applying a chokehold on a person. A chokehold is something that is illegal for police officers to use. This is because it kills people. It cuts off blood and oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs. As a Marine, Penny would know this. It is a move meant to kill, not to restrain. Therefore, he acted recklessly causing the death of Neely. 

Penny had a duty to retreat.  In New York State, citizens have a duty to retreat if there is an option to do so. The law is clear and makes an exception in the case of the assailant attacking you in your home and so on. Here is the law:


In New York state, Article 35 of the penal code states:

(c) The physical force involved is the product of a combat by agreement not specifically authorized by law.

2. A person may not use deadly physical force upon another person under circumstances specified in subdivision one unless:

(a) The actor reasonably believes that such other person is using or about to use deadly physical force. Even in such case, however, the actor may not use deadly physical force if he or she knows that with complete personal safety, to oneself and others he or she may avoid the necessity of so doing by retreating; except that the actor is under no duty to retreat if he or she is:

(i) in his or her dwelling and not the initial aggressor; or

(ii) a police officer or peace officer or a person assisting a police officer or a peace officer at the latter`s direction, acting pursuant to section 35.30; or

(b) He or she reasonably believes that such other person is committing

or attempting to commit a kidnapping, forcible rape, forcible criminal sexual act or robbery; or

(c) He or she reasonably believes that such other person is committing or attempting to commit a burglary, and the circumstances are such that the use of deadly physical force is authorized by subdivision three of section 35.20.

In light of this, Penny had to retreat while Neely was shouting. There was no reason for him to grab him or even confront him. He is not law enforcement or security personnel. People online can claim all they want that he is a hero and protected people, but he really was not. He was the violent aggressor in this case, not Jordan Neely. The facts, video evidence, and eyewitness accounts demonstrate this.  Some are claiming he is being persecuted because he is Caucasian and Williams was exonerated because he is Black and the Black Lives Matter movement created an atmosphere of sensitivity towards African Americans. This is very far from the truth! Both Williams and Penny faced the same laws and court system and were judged by their peers in a grand jury. The evidence and law spoke and they decided accordingly. 

Some argue that there was no way to retreat on a moving subway. While this claim may sound rational, it is not.  Subways have ways to evacuate from. The MTA has specific instructions on how to evacuate, and stop a moving train which was provided in this post: https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/05/marine-daniel-penny-kills-homeless.html. There are brakes, removable windows, and end doors which one can use to move about train cars. Moreover, after the arrest of Penny, we learned that the train was entering a station when the incident occurred. They were not in a deep long tunnel moving. Moreover, in a statement recorded on video Penny admitted that other passengers retreated see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeRb1ITkqX4.  He says in the 2.22-24 mark "people were too afraid getting away from him" so he admits that people were getting away from Neely, yet he did not. He took it upon himself to grab Neely from behind and chokehold him. 


Screenshot of video statement showing transcript of Penny's words.

Penny may have thought he was doing the right thing, but it was not the legal thing. All he had to do was ignore Neely and leave just like the other riders did as he describes in the video. Had Neely attacked physically, then he could have used force to defend himself and others. But this did not happen.  He simply killed a man who was disturbing the peace in a non-physical way.  We cannot have vigilantism in NYC. Penny must face charges and must be penalized for his reckless behavior.  However, the blame is not his. NYC has failed to help people like Neely. Until NYC steps up and helps these people, we will continue to see these cases and worse ones.  

My advice to Penny and his lawyers is to use PTSD as a defense. He was a Marine and their training does affect the human brain and emotional maturity. The shouting and actions of Neely may have triggered Penny to become a "soldier" in battle, so to speak. This is why he reacted. There is no evidence that Penny woke up that day on a mission to kill a black man. None whatsoever. People making this about race are purely ridiculous and are race-baiting.  

If I were Penny, I would have told people to leave and speak to Neely by myself calming him down. I would have offered to get him food and drink like he wanted. There was no need to kill this man.  This was NOT self-defense and we must not sympathize with Penny just because he is only 24, was a Marine, or is Caucasian without a criminal record. These are irrelevant. Similarly, we must not attack Neely because of his criminal past, his mental illness or situation. In a court of law, one's life is not a trial, only the acts being charged in the case. This is not a black vs white event nor should it ever become this. 


What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be approved.  



Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Bishop Stika Resigns

 


Bishop Stika Resigns Amid Vatican Investigation

In a surprising move, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, who was under investigation by the Vatican for allegations of abuse cover-up and financial mismanagement. Stika, 65, announced his decision on June 27, 2023, citing health issues as the reason for his early retirement. He was the longest-serving bishop in Eastern Tennessee, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

However, Stika's tenure has been marred by controversy and scandal, especially in the last two years. He has been accused of protecting and financing Wojciech Sobczuk, a former seminarian who allegedly raped a parish organist and another seminarian. Stika admitted to The Pillar that he interfered with a diocesan review board investigation into the case, claiming that he knew Sobczuk was innocent and that the organist was lying. He also removed an investigator appointed by the review board and replaced him with one who interviewed only Sobczuk before filing a report.

The organist has since filed a lawsuit against Stika and the diocese, alleging that they failed to protect him from Sobczuk's repeated assaults and that they retaliated against him for reporting the abuse. The lawsuit also claims that Stika used diocesan funds to pay for Sobczuk's tuition at St. Louis University, where he enrolled after being dismissed from the seminary. The Pillar reported that Stika had given Sobczuk thousands of dollars in diocesan funds while he was a seminarian, exceeding the stipend of other seminarians and providing for his trips, laptops, and car repairs.

Stika has also faced criticism for his financial management of the diocese, which has been plagued by debt and deficits. He has been accused of overspending on projects such as the construction of a new cathedral and a shrine to St. John Paul II, while neglecting the needs of parishes and schools. He has also been accused of bullying and harassing his priests and staff, creating a climate of fear and mistrust in the diocese.

The Vatican ordered an investigation into Stika's leadership in April 2021, under the norms of Vos estis lux mundi, Pope Francis' 2019 document on handling cases of abuse and cover-up by bishops. The investigation was conducted by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, who was appointed as apostolic administrator of Knoxville after Stika's resignation. According to sources close to the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Francis decided to request Stika's resignation after reviewing the results of the investigation in May 2021.

It is not clear whether Stika agreed to resign voluntarily or whether he was pressured by the Vatican to do so. In his statement, he said he made his decision "during a time when our Scripture readings, found in Acts of the Apostles, focused on the turbulent growth of the Church." He added: "Reading Scripture is good. It reminds us that the Church isn't perfect—it's human, but it continues to grow in goodness, thanks be to God."

Stika's resignation is a rare occurrence in the U.S. Church, where bishops usually serve until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75. It is also a sign of Pope Francis' commitment to holding bishops accountable for their actions or inactions regarding cases of abuse and cover-up in their dioceses.

What do you think? Post your comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment can go through.  


Sources:

Vatican to ask Stika for resignation - pillarcatholic.com

 Bishop Stika of Knoxville resigns early amid Vatican investigation into abuse cover-up and financial mismanagement | America Magazine

 Pope Francis accepts resignation of Knoxville Bishop Rick Stika

 Vatican accepts early resignation of 65-year-old Bishop Stika of Knoxville, Tenn.

 Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville and Appoints Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre as Apostolic Administrator

Monday, June 26, 2023

Bishop Strickland Visited by Vatican

Understanding Apostolic Visitation: The Case of Bishop Joseph Strickland

Introduction

In June 2023, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, found himself at the center of a Vatican-directed investigation—an **apostolic visitation**. This process, shrouded in secrecy, has raised questions and speculation within the Catholic community. Let's delve into what apostolic visitations entail and explore the context surrounding Bishop Strickland's case.

What Is an Apostolic Visitation?

An apostolic visitation occurs when one or more representatives, usually bishops or canon lawyers, travel to a diocese, religious congregation, or ceremony on behalf of the Vatican. Their mission is to investigate specific issues within the institution. The decision to initiate such a visitation signals serious concerns within the diocese or religious community. In Bishop Strickland's case, this intervention was ordered by the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops.

The Allegations Against Bishop Strickland

The specific reasons for Bishop Strickland's apostolic visitation have not been officially confirmed. However, rumors suggest that it relates to both governance issues within his diocese and his outspoken views on Church matters. Notably, Bishop Strickland has been a vocal critic of certain aspects of Pope Francis' leadership.

Social Media Use and Controversy

Bishop Strickland's social media presence has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters appreciate his clarity on Church teaching, while critics argue that some of his statements are irresponsible. One tweet in particular—where he suggested that Pope Francis was "undermining the Deposit of Faith"—raised eyebrows. The Vatican reportedly addressed his social media use during the visitation.

Diocesan Management

Apart from social media, questions related to diocesan management were also part of the investigation. The apostolic visitors interviewed clergy and laity within the Tyler diocese to assess its governance.

Context: The Los Angeles Protest

Before news of the apostolic visitation emerged, Bishop Strickland participated in a eucharistic procession and prayer rally in Los Angeles. The event aimed to protest Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers for honoring an anti-Catholic drag group during their annual Pride Night game.

Conclusion

While Bishop Strickland has not made formal statements following the visitation, he continues to engage with supporters on social media. The investigation remains confidential, but its impact reverberates through discussions about Church leadership and transparency.


What do you think? Post your comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment can go through.  

---


References:

1. [Catholic News Agency](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254673/on-heels-of-apostolic-visitation-bishop-strickland-keeps-up-presence-on-social-media)

2. [LifeSiteNews](https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/report-americas-bishop-joseph-strickland-gets

Friday, June 16, 2023

'Pride' Night at Dodgers' Stadium an Epic Fail

It sure was a "proud" and "prideful" night at the La Dodgers' stadium, but not for the reason you may be thinking. It was supposed to be "Gay Pride" night at the stadium. Several gay entities were supposed to be awarded and honored. Among them were the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence," a hate group that mocks Catholics and the Christian faith. At first, the Dodgers disinvited this group only to reinvite them again. 

This brought the ire of Catholics, Protestants, Conservatives, and even Jews and other groups who saw this as a slap to the face of religion. The Dodgers simply did not care about honoring this hate group that makes fun of nuns, women, and the Catholic faith. Many of us have gotten to know religious sisters in different ways and can attest to their hard work and faith. To honor a group of men who dress in drag that openly mock nun is just disgusting and disrespectful. Many Catholics pledged to gather peacefully and protest the Dodgers and the hate group. 


Among them would be Bishop Strickland of Texas who is an orthodox champion of the Catholic faith who is not afraid to face the wrath of the world for the sake of Christ. Sadly, he was the only Catholic bishop in participation. Nevertheless, tens of thousands came from across the United States to pray and peacefully protest. Bishop Strickland even brought a first-class relic of St. John Paul II. 

They gathered outside of the stadium praying and speaking out against the hate group being honored inside. Meanwhile, on the inside things were different. The hate group was surrounded by a large presence of police but with the stadium nearly empty. As the members of the hate group were announced, there was clear disapproval with jeers and booing. 

 It was a disastrous night for the LGBTQIA. Hopefully, the LA Dodgers and other teams in sports learned their lesson. America does not want this propaganda in our pastime. We have had enough and are pushing back. We cannot let a tyrannical minority impose on everyone else their delusions under the guise of "equal rights."

 



What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 



Source:

Thousands protest Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence outside Dodger Stadium hours before start of Pride Night | Fox News

Thousands protest Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence outside Dodger Stadium hours before start of Pride Night (msn.com)

WATCH: Dodgers Honor Anti-Catholic Drag Queens in Front of a Near Empty Stadium (breitbart.com)

Dodger Stadium EMPTY for Gay Pride Ceremony - Todd Starnes

Thousands protest outside stadium as Dodgers honor troupe of drag-queen 'nuns' - Washington Times





 

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Daniel Penny, Jordan Williams & the Self-Defense Dilemma

It happened again.  Another attack in the subway resulted in one dead and another arrested.  The case is similar to that of Daniel Penny who killed Jordan Neely, however, things are very much different.  Jordan Williams, only 20, was with his girlfriend on the J train. Devictor Ouedraogo, 36 who is an ex-con was also on the same train. 

He began to attack people on the train including the young couple. Quedraogo punched Williams' girlfriend and all hell broke loose. The two men got into a scuffle. At one point, they were holding each other's head in a lock until Williams pull out a knife and stabbed Quedrago. The latter later succumbed to his injuries.  Williams and his girlfriend stayed on the train and were met with police at the Chauncey Street station. He was arrested and charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. 

At his appearance in court today, the judge released Williams out without bail despite the Brooklyn District Attorney's office asking for a $100,000 bail. According to those present, the judge was very sympathetic to Williams telling him, "I have every reason to believe you will fight this case."  Perhaps the fact that the young man recently graduated from high school and was wearing his senior hoody sweatshirt may have had something to do with it, not to mention that the young man has no criminal record. Many witnesses spoke in defense of Williams saying he did the right thing. However, one disagreed stating "It's certainly something he didn't start or would have probably been involved in if it weren't for, you know, the guy who was killed being the aggressor," the witness said. "But you can't kill someone just because, you know, they started a fight with you." 

As expected, armchair political pundits on social media began making comparisons between the case of Penny and Neely with this new one. Some claim that it is not fair that Penny is being made out to be a murderer while the court seems more sympathetic to Williams. Others say that racism is at place. It ok over a week for Penny to be arrested and charged, but Williams was immediately arrested and charged. There does seem to be a discrepancy between the two cases. 

However, we must remember that one happened in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn. Each county has its own District Attorney. That being stated, things will be done a bit differently. Nevertheless, the claim that Williams was immediately arrested while Penny was let go by the police is something we need to look into carefully.  In the case of Penny, he was the aggressor who came from behind and grabbed Neely as he was yelling for food and acting erratically.  Neely did not attack anyone physically. In the case of Williams, Quedraogo was attacking people physically, including Williams' girlfriend who was punched. So we see a big difference here.  

Moreover, Williams had a knife while Penny did not have a weapon.   In the case of Penny, he should have simply not gotten involved.  In fact, New Yorkers are known for ignoring things on the subway, including people who may be behaving erratically.  As for Williams, Quedraogo was the physical aggressor so the situation was different. Williams had no choice but to fight back. This man had just attacked people and punched his girlfriend.  However, he could have hit the assailant back or shoved him to the ground and fled with his girlfriend.  Stabbing the man with a knife could have been avoided. He could have used the knife to scare the assailant. The knife should only have been used if the assailant was attacking Williams to the point that Williams could not get a hit in or was incapacitated to the point that he could not retreat or fight back and stabbing him was the only option.  

Both cases have brought into the spotlight the crime problem in NYC's subway system and the fact that citizens have to fend for themselves. Citizens should not have to be put into this situation. They should be able to pay their fare and get on the subway to their destinations without issue. Moreover, it highlights the need to educate New Yorkers on how to defend themselves without catching a case. The duty to retreat clause is there, but more needs to be done to make it clear what force can be used and what constitutes self-defense in different situations. 

If not, we will continue to see these cases.  During an altercation, people are not thinking about the law or consequences. They are trying to survive.  Survival instincts kick in.  Everyone has the right to self-preservation, but the law must find a balance so that people can defend themselves and not be worried about breaking the law. There also has to be a balance that allows for people to fend off assailants without killing them and flexibility in regard to retreating.  The law cannot account for every situation, so this is why we have to reexamine these laws again and make them more flexible by clearly giving specific common situations and what to do in regard to self-defense and retreat.

UPDATE June 28, 2023

Jordan Williams was just cleared of any wrongdoing. All charges were dropped against him!


What do you think? Comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment goes through.  



Source:


https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/man-killed-on-nyc-train-punched-woman-before-fatal-stabbing-sources/


https://nypost.com/2023/06/13/36-year-old-man-fatally-knifed-at-brooklyn-subway-station/


https://nypost.com/2023/06/15/daniel-pennys-indictment-wont-change-the-roots-of-the-nyc-subway-crime-crisis/


https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-subway-stabbing-jordan-williams-crime/13386860/


https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-subway-stabbing-bail-jordan-williams-20230615-2yskpwfoobhfxibefcwuwlxxjy-story.html


https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/man-killed-on-nyc-train-punched-woman-before-fatal-stabbing-sources/


https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-fatally-stabbed-during-argument-023600506.html


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-charged-fatal-stabbing-new-york-city-subway-rider-rcna89473

UPDATED Source June 28, 2023:

Grand jury dismisses all counts against Jordan Williams (fox5ny.com)

Charges dropped against Jordan Williams who fatally stabbed homeless man on subway - ABC7 New York (abc7ny.com)

Grand jury dismisses all counts against Jordan Williams (fox5ny.com)

Charges dismissed against man in fatal Brooklyn subway stabbing, DA says | PIX11

Brooklyn train-stabber Jordan Williams dodges manslaughter prosecution (nydailynews.com)


The Tribute of Blood/Soul Tax

One of the historical injustices suffered by Puerto Ricans was the imposition of a tax to attend Catholic Mass. According to the historian José Luis González, this tax was established by the Spanish Crown in 1815, as part of a series of reforms to increase its revenues from its colonies. 

The Tribute of Blood Tax, known in Spanish as "El Tributo de Sangre," was a burdensome policy enforced by the Spanish Crown during the colonial era in Puerto Rico. This tax mandated that Puerto Rican natives, particularly the Taíno population, provide compulsory labor for local infrastructure projects or serve in the military to protect the colony. The labor often involved working on fortifications, roads, and plantations, which were crucial for the colony's economy and defense but came at a great personal cost to the workers.

The implementation of this tax was part of a larger system of tributes that were common across Spanish colonies. These tributes included various forms of taxes and labor demands that significantly affected the indigenous populations. In Puerto Rico, the Tribute of Blood Tax had profound social and economic impacts, disrupting traditional ways of life and contributing to the decline of the Taíno population due to harsh working conditions and exposure to European diseases.

Resistance to this tax took many forms, from passive non-compliance to active rebellion. Over time, the Tribute of Blood Tax became a symbol of the broader struggle against colonial oppression and exploitation in Puerto Rico's history.

The tax required every Puerto Rican over 14 years old to pay a quarter of a peso per year to attend Mass on Sundays and holidays. This amount was equivalent to two days' wages for a laborer at the time. The tax was collected by the parish priests, who had to send it to the royal treasury. 

Many Puerto Ricans, especially the poor and marginalized, could not afford to pay this tax and were excluded from participating in the sacraments. This situation lasted until 1837 when the tax was abolished by a royal decree. 

Some of the details that can be added to this paragraph are:

- The tax was also known as the tribute of blood or the tribute of souls because it affected the spiritual life of Puerto Ricans.

- The tax was imposed on Puerto Rico along with other Spanish colonies in America, such as Cuba, Santo Domingo, Venezuela, and Colombia.

- The tax was opposed by many Puerto Ricans, who considered it an abuse of power and a violation of their religious freedom. Some even refused to pay it or hid from the collectors.

- The tax was abolished after a petition from the Puerto Rican clergy and laity, who argued that it was causing harm to the church and the people. The royal decree that abolished it also granted some concessions to Puerto Rico, such as allowing free trade with other Spanish colonies.

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References:

: José Luis González, El país de cuatro pisos y otros ensayos (San Juan: Ediciones Huracán, 1980), 55-56.

: https://omnesmag.com/en/newsroom/la-devocion-a-maria-santisima-in-puerto-rico/

: https://www.puertoricoplus.com/articles/do-puerto-ricans-pay-taxes-exploring-puerto-ricos-tax-rules-2023-guide

: https://hacienda.pr.gov/sites/default/files/individuals_2022_informative_0.pdf

Monday, June 12, 2023

'For We Are Many' - Legion & LGBTQI Pronoun Fixation

Within the last decades, a lot has changed. Gay Pride has been spreading like a virus around the world, especially in the media. We see the "rainbow" colors all over the place. On websites, social media, and even at the White House, State government buildings, schools, and some churches. If anyone dares criticize or comment against this, they are canceled, ostracized, banned from social media platforms, and in some cases, even arrested.  We even have some Catholics in the clergy and laity defend this movement to the point of watering down the Church's teachings rooted in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.  It is just a bizarre time to live in.  The question is, what is behind all of this?  

People using the pronouns "they, them, their" seems analogous with "We are Legion (Mark 5:9)." It makes no sense to use these words to identify one individual.  Are we seeing demonic activity manifesting in social engineering?  A religious sister on Twitter was recently attacked by a Franciscan priest who teaches at St. Bonaventure University over comments making this connection with the pronoun use and Legion of the Gospels. This, again is so absurd. It feels like one is in the Twilight Zone program where reality seems to alter itself as one is living it.  

I am sure anyone who may be gay or an "LGBTQI ally" and is reading this will automatically label this post as "homophobic." This take is also absurd and a huge problem. Criticism is not hate. If something is immune from criticism, then it is a dictatorship that often pretends to have invincibility and later falls down hard. This post is not meant to be hateful, but to provide critical thinking to the phenomenon going on in regards to "pronouns."  As a Christian, I cannot help but see the correlation between Mark 5:9 and the insistence on using absurd pronouns in today's age. I am not stating that members of the gay community are demons or of the devil. What I am stating is that there may be a demonic influence behind it. Ephesians 6:12 reads, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  In other words, we Christians are not at war with our fellow brothers and sisters who may not share our faith or may not share it completely. We are at war with the spiritual forces of evil and the powers of this dark world, as Ephesians describes them.  

Those who know a bit about exorcisms know that there are different ways in which the devil or demons attack humans. Most are familiar with demonic possession when a demon or group of demons take over a human body and mind causing it to behave strangely and manifest superhuman traits. Then there are the less familiar terms of demonic obsession and oppression.  Demonic obsession is when the devil or demons literally are obsessed with an individual. They harass the person and even inflict misfortunes on them. Finally, there is demonic oppression which has some commonality with obsession but focuses more on the spiritual well-being of the person. In demonic oppression, the individual becomes to get weighed down by demonic attacks which are sometimes subtle. When the individual falls into temptation and sin, the demon(s) jump on this moment and begin to make the individual's life difficult. The individual is tempted and harassed so greatly that he or she beings to suffer spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and even physically.  This will eventually lead to doubting, indifference towards religious convictions, acedia, and other ills. It is like a deep spiritual depression where one becomes hopeless, feels alone, and starts doubting everyone including themselves just like in the case of psychological depression which may lead to suicide.  

Agnosticism and Atheism are forms of demonic oppression. Remember, if you reject God then you open yourself to His opponent de facto. One does not need to invite satan and his demons in via word, thought, or action. Just by rejecting God and/or sinning without care, one is inviting the enemy in. Similarly, if one is living in the sin of homosexuality without concern for it as if it were nothing serious, one is inviting in demonic forces that one truly cannot comprehend because they are in the spiritual realm. This is why we see a large amount of the LGBTQI population suffering from mental illnesses and even committing suicide. Some may blame religion or religious proselytism for this, but there is no correlation. People many times complain that the government is oppressing them, but we do not see a lot of suicides because of this. Similarly, there are other things that people feel weigh heavily on them, but we do not see high numbers of mental illness or suicide among these groups. Homosexuality is distinct in this regard.  

This is why we must look into the obsession with absurd pronoun use. The demand to use strange pronouns causes confusion which is a sign of the devil who is a liar and caused confusion on day one with Adam and Eve. The demand to use strange pronouns means to convey plurality in order to represent one individual is a sign of "Legion" who was "many" in the one. It erases the sense one personhood and turns the individual into a plurality of expressions or manifestations.  To describe oneself as "they" or "them" or even "Us" or "zir" is to attempt to depart from the physical realm where our ontology only manifests in a singular and constant form. Only the spiritual realm is free of physicality and physics. Those who are not wise and who are blind to the spiritual world see this abuse of pronouns as nothing serious. It is just someone "living their truth" or "their expression." However, those of us who have the grace to see beyond the physical can see there is indeed something spiritual behind this and it is not good (2 Timothy 2:26, Ephesians 2:2).  

Again, this post is not meant to attack the LGBTQI people but to critically think about what is influencing it. We are all being attacked and influenced by the devil. The LGBTQI community cannot be singled out. However, they are the ones currently pushing their propaganda aggressively on all of us, so it begs the question of why and why this phenomenon is so powerful. Not even Nazism was able to convince so many of its ideology. The Catholic Church herself was once the superpower of the Western world and even she did not have such influence and control over the masses. So how can a minority of people with a simple "rainbow" flag have so much influence and power over the masses?  

Is it money? Is it a pity for those who have been targets of hate and abuse over the centuries?  Is it an attempt to be allied with this minority group?  In light of the many other groups who have more money and have had established power but were not able to reach the amount of control as the LGBTQI have, we can truly suspect that the power behind this agenda is demonic. Remember, Scripture and Jesus Himself have referred to satan as being the "ruler of this word" or "god of this age." (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:13).  That being stated, things in this world are influenced directly by the devil and demons.  We can assume that the influence, power, and extreme protection that homosexuality has gotten from the world is directly from satan himself because he is the ruler of this world and has great influence over it.  Many people do not even notice that the Pride flag has six colors, a number often attributed to the antichrist. We who studied physics know that the rainbow has seven colors, a number associated with God. 

This is why we must minister to homosexual persons with love, the hard truth and grace. There is no place for homophobia or hate in Christianity and evangelization. Some Protestant denominations force conversion therapy on their homosexual parishioners, however, we as Catholics must let God's grace do the conversion. We all need conversion, not just homosexuals. All of us sin, not just homosexuals. We are all targets of satan. This evil and proud creature hates us and is envious of us (Wisdom 2:24).  We must remember that this creature is the target, not homosexuals or one another. He is our enemy, not homosexuals or any other person who may not share our faith.   


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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Pope Francis Under the Knife

Pope Francis has recently undergone intestinal surgery, according to an announcement from the Vatican. The 86-year-old pontiff had a three-hour procedure to treat a "recurrent, painful, and worsening" constriction of the intestine. This health issue is the latest in a series of challenges faced by Pope Francis in recent years, leading to speculation about the possibility of his retirement.

Two years ago, Pope Francis had 13 inches (33 cm) of his colon removed due to inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine. Now, he has undergone a "laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis" to address the current issue. A laparotomy is an open abdominal surgery that helps diagnose and treat problems. Fortunately, there were no complications reported after the three-hour operation.

The Vatican stated that Pope Francis will remain in Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days to allow for normal post-operative recovery. His recent health challenges include bronchitis, which led to a three-day hospital stay earlier this year. Despite these difficulties, Pope Francis continues to fulfill his duties, even appearing at his audience in Saint Peter's Square before being admitted to the hospital.

As a young man, Pope Francis had part of one lung removed, and he currently deals with sciatica nerve pain. He has been using a wheelchair and walker due to strained ligaments in his knee. During a visit to Canada last July, he was visibly in pain while lowering and raising himself from chairs. However, he ruled out knee surgery at that time due to lingering effects from previous anesthesia during colon surgery.

The Vatican's announcement provides insight into Pope Francis's health challenges and underscores his commitment to serving the church despite physical limitations.


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Sources:
1. [The Guardian: "Pope Francis has undergone intestinal surgery"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/07/pope-francis-to-undergo-intestinal-surgery)

2. [U.S. News: "What Kind of Surgery Did Pope Francis Have, and Why?"](https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-06-07/what-kind-of-surgery-is-pope-francis-having-and-why)


Friday, June 2, 2023

Can Catholics Celebrate 'Gay Pride?'

Recently, there have been articles and opinions circulated on social media by laity and even Jesuits and other clergy who claim that Catholics can celebrate "Gay Pride." What are we to make of this?

The quick and easy answer is NO!  No Catholic in good conscience can celebrate "Gay Pride." Despite the marches meant to convey a desire for equal rights and recognition, no Catholic can celebrate or participate in them.  This is not because gay people are pariahs or do not deserve rights, rather, it is because of what they are truly celebrating and representing, sin. Sodomy is one of the sins that cries out to heaven for vengeance (Genesis 18:20-21). The story of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah pretty much describes a "Gay Pride" event.  We have the 2 angels who come to Lot's house and all the men in the towns come to see them. They lust after the angels who were in human male form and clearly attracted the men.  Some liberal scholars are quick to claim that this story is about inhospitality. 

In other words, Sodom and Gomorrah were annihilated because the people were inhospitable. While Ezekiel 16:49-50 does state the sins of Sodom and mentions that they did not help the poor and needy, it does say that they did detestable things before God's presence.  Jude 7 also mentions that the residents of the cities went after "strange flesh." Some translations describe it as sexual perversions that the Lord detests.  We can surmise that the main reason Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed was because of their homosexual activities. Leviticus 20:13 states: “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." So we see how God calls homosexual sexual activities "detestable." The word "detestable" is used in all the aforementioned verses so we can link them all to homosexual sexual acts, not inhospitality which is not described as "detestable."  "Strange flesh" means engaging in activities of the flesh (sex) that are unnatural or "strange."  In today's world, we can see this term applicable to transgender people and others who mutilate themselves for sexual purposes. 

That being stated, we can see that homosexuality is not something taken lightly. While homosexuality by itself as a same-sex attraction is not sinful, the mere presence of it is dangerous. Gay Pride events are often a display of sexual liberation rather than achievements by the gay community. We never heard about Alan Turing, Langston Hughes, or other homosexuals being honored or celebrated. We never hear about the LGBTQIA community being educated on their lives and achievements. Instead, we see displays of sexual activities. From sadism and bondage displays to nudity and males in thongs exhibiting muscular bodies, large buttocks, and even large genitals. These can be seen in online videos and in person during Pride. Other times, sexual acts are actually performed explicitly and implicitly. It is just a display of perversion and lust.  In light of this, no Catholic or religiously moral person can support these events in any form.  


Ephesians 5:11-14 

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'”


The fact that is it called "Pride" is disturbing enough. As stated, it is a capital sin.  Pride is what caused the Seraphim Lucifer to fall from grace. Saint Augustine of Hippo said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; humility makes men as angels." Sacred Scripture speaks very badly about pride and how it hurts man and offends God:


Proverbs 8:13

"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."

 

Proverbs 16:18

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

 

James 4:6

"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”


Now we can use the word "proud" and "pride" when it comes to showing joy in something that is good, such as pride in a child's success, pride in our own success, pride in the recovery of a patient, and so on. But when pride is centered on sin and arrogance in defiance of God, then this is the sin of pride. Gay Pride events exhibit this kind of pride. It is an open defiance against God and nature. It is like Lucifer telling God that he will not serve.  

As Catholics, we are supposed to evangelize. We are supposed to help others come to Christ, not endorse their sin.  The catechism describes homosexuality and what must be done with those who have this condition in this manner:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Note that we must respect them, have compassion for them and be sensitive to them. However, they are called to chastity, self-mastery and so on just like the rest of us.  As Christians, we must care for each other and be our brother's keepers, so to speak. We cannot just leave our brothers and sisters to wallow in sin and perdition. God will never endorse homosexuality. We see this in Scripture how homosexuality, in particular, homosexual acts as detestable and even deserving of death.  Along with Leviticus 20:13, there are other passages of Sacred Scripture that condemn homosexual acts and homosexuality. One clearly states that homosexuals will not inherit heaven.


Romans 1:26-27

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another."


1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."


Not inheriting the kingdom of heaven is a serious thing that we all should be concerned with. The whole purpose of creation, the whole purpose of Scripture, Tradition, Judaism, the Commandments, the Catholic Church, the Sacraments, Jesus' conception, birth, death, and resurrection is so that we can have a shot to be saved and be with Him in the kingdom of heaven. This is the goal. This is what it is all about. To celebrate something that deprives us of the kingdom of heaven is absurd. Therefore, Catholics can never celebrate Gay Pride. It goes against God and nature. It is a celebration of the sin that cries out to the heavens for vengeance and against the natural paradigm of complementarity that allows for the existence of life and the continuation of evolution. Our bodies were simply not made for homosexual activity. This is why we see the spread of HIV and other STDs in homosexuals at an alarming rate. 

Excuse me for the bluntness and vulgarity, but when you insert a penis into an anus, it tears the skin. There is blood. Blood is a conduit for the spread of viruses and diseases. When two women engage in frottage or rubbing each other's vaginas with one another, there is physical contact. STDs like herpes and other contagious viruses easily spread. Now this does not mean heterosexuals are immune. What it means is that homosexual activities make it easier for diseases to spread. We saw this after the Covid-19 Coronavirus lockdown where gay men were spreading Monkey Pox. Moreover, when people engage in fellatio or oral sex, all kinds of disgusting things are exchanged which will lead to disease and even cancer. Then there is the practice of anilingus or "rimming" as gays call it. This is when someone licks another person's buttocks and anus sometimes even sucking on it or inserting tongues into it. This is a revolting act that is clearly unhealthy and unhygienic. 

We all know what comes out of an anus. To place one's mouth there and tongue is just asking for trouble. Hepatitis, herpes, and other diseases can spread via this act due to the presence of fecal matter and other viruses and bacteria.  If this is not nature warning us to stop the nonsense, I do not know what is.  There are even homosexuals who love to be "squashed" by heavier men or women. They get sexual gratification upon feeling the massive weight of an obese person on their frame. Others enjoy getting "face sat."  They get sexual gratification from having someone place their buttocks on their face. The feel and smell turn them on sexually. Some like to have someone release flatulence on their face as well. I can go on and on about what I learned from abnormal psychology and LGBTQ studies courses, reading other materials, and gay friends. It is an interesting world, so to speak. Very strange indeed!  It is demonic!  St. Augustine says it best:

It was pride that changed angels into devils; humility makes men as angels. 

This is what someone who attends "Gay Pride" celebrates. Would this be something Jesus would do? Most of us are familiar with the "WWYD" acronym that represents What Would Jesus Do?  Would Jesus attend Pride? The answer is no unless He was there to call the people there to "sin no more." Remember John 8:11?  We are called to tell manifest sinners to "Go and sin no more," not encourage their sin and bad behavior. We condemn them and ourselves in the process.  Any Catholic whether clergy or not who tells you that Gay Pride is okay is either extremely stupid or is using the guise of Catholicism to spread an agenda. He or she is a spy agent for satan, not a child of the light.  This goes the same for any Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim cleric or layperson. If they tell their congregations that celebrating Pride is okay, they too are agents of the enemy who wants our destruction.  

So unless you are going to Gay Pride to preach the Gospel, you are not supposed to be there celebrating and encouraging sin.  Gay Pride is out of the equation for Catholics.  If you celebrate Pride, attend the events, and wave and display the colorful flags, then you are part of the problem. You condemn yourself and your homosexual brothers and sisters in the process. You are an agent for the enemy who wishes the destruction of humanity due to his envy (Wisdom 2:24). 


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