An insider's view of the decade when celibates became crazy with sex.

I was in the seminary then so I will give you an insider’s view. I was blessed to be in a religious society that emphasized chastity. St. John Bosco says, “If the Jesuits are renowned for their obedience and the Franciscans for poverty, then I want the Salesians to be specially observant of chastity.” And the Salesians of St. John Bosco got most of their vocations from their schools and minor seminaries; like apples from a tree, you get them fresh not rotten. Furthermore, I remember how rigorous our screening was. We had batteries psychological tests. More than that, the Salesians followed the practice of a “Rendiconto” – manifestation. There we met with the director and opened up everything in all candor. And these directors are highly trained and skilled in behavioral sciences. So, if there were issues then, they caught it.

My observations come from my encounters with other orders. I studied and ministered in places that were attended by non-Salesians and even lay-people and women – who most likely wanted to be ordained “when the Church is ready for them.”

Vatican II ushered new thoughts about sexuality and the body. A new theological paradigm no longer focused on the body and soul but rather consider a unified entity – a person. So, things associated with the body e.g. sexual drives are not automatically sinful; rather, they’re normal. So, people were more open about these matters. Some brothers talked about nude beaches in CA. Others mooned boys during summer camp. And the list goes on. There’s even an internationally known theologian who taught that impure actions are not sinful. They still are sinful and the theologian no longer teaches in a Catholic university.

I remember getting teased because I blushed at off-colored jokes. ( It would be nice to meet those guys now and show them my 5 kids. They should have been 8, but we had 3 miscarriages. )

In addition to that, relations with the opposite sex was also loosened up. Some orders allow their candidates to take a year off and date before continuing into theological studies. The Salesians had a practical training where the candidates worked full-time in schools, youth centers or parishes. That’s how we mingled with women. And this continued while people studied theology. I told my director about my strong attraction to women. So, I got assigned to moderate a choir of high-school girls and the Legion of Mary. But I kept my vows all that time. Others however pushed the envelope and had this “third-way” where celibates had a girlfriend. I assumed that it was kind of Platonic relationship. But I distinctly remember an exam question from my Moral theology class that goes: “If you saw a fellow seminarian come out from a single woman’s apartment early in the morning, what would you do?”

I don’t know about homosexual relationships. But, I didn’t see that. It appears that there were confreres who became particular friends. Particular friendship is more sentimental or romantic – thus carnal. We were taught to be friends with all or with none. However, there were still likes and dislikes just as jocks hanged out with other jocks et. al.

There were affirmation therapy to fix emotional scars from childhood. This is very touchy-feely so a lot of hugging.

There was art therapy.  There was an oil painting in our center made by a confrere.  It was abstract but not enough to hide the images of a couple copulating.

Bottom line, the sex abuses came out in the context of a conceptual upheaval and a cyclone of new ideas. Some folks discarded the old-school methods and disciplines and engaged in risky behavior.  There are plenty of lessons here but if I can emphasize one thing, it will be transparency.  Not the kind that we see from Obama these days, but one that is honest and open.  Afterall, one cannot hide anything from God.

Video: Islam in a secular vs. religious state. Where does terror begin?

Are Muslims pretenders?  Where they are not in power, they get along with non-Muslims.   However, as soon as they're in government, then all hell breaks loose?  It seems like the video is saying that as soon as Islam becomes the law of the land, then blasphemy laws get enforced and non-Muslims get persecuted.

Here in the states, I asked a Muslim about jihad - why non-Muslims are fair game?  The speaker told me that it is a war against oneself and not others.  I don't buy it completely.  I think that they keep jihad internally in places and situations where they have no choice.

Bottom line, the hatred for Christians and Jews are codified in their creed and writings.  That is a fact.  So, whatever is peaceful in Islam is only temporary.  Their basic tenet is to crush the infidels, the unbelievers.  And that will not change unless a reformer comes and nullifies these teachings as not divinely inspired.   If not, then even well meaning people like the Jesuit in Indonesia in the video can be lulled into a false impression and perception of what they are about - imho.


Video Description:  In those Islamic countries where Christians and Muslims are concerned with social justice and fundamental human rights, religious freedom and education is closely linked to the question of the secular state.


This was one of the many ideas that emerged during the annual meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Oasis Foundation, held June 21 to 22 in Jounieh, Lebanon. The meeting's theme: "Education between faith and culture."

In Indonesia, for example, despite the pseudo-civil war that erupted in Maluku and in the region of Poso between 1999 and 2002 and led to almost 10,000 deaths, relations between Christians and Muslims haven't suffered setbacks. In fact, they have been reinforced.

This is because the Islamization of Indonesia in recent decades was not followed by the birth of political Islam. And the majority of Muslims - who represent 87% of the country - believes that the state should not impose any kind of religious practice.

Moreover, this movement has led to isolation of extremist fringes, according to Father Franz Magnis-Suseno, an Indonesian Jesuit of German origin, who has lived in Indonesia for almost 50 years.

Padre Magnis-Suseno: “We have had in Indonesia quite a number of terrorist attacks that brought mainstream Islam in opposition to hardliners, fundamentalists, so our relations with mainstream Islam became closer because of terrorism and they are now quite isolated now in Indonesian society”.

Padre Magnis-Suseno: “I am moderately optimistic for the development of Indonesia. You know, Indonesia has now been a democracy for 12 years. We have still many weaknesses but I would say that it is strongly rooted in the Indonesian soul and I am optimistic that religious freedom and openness and a good positive general attitude will win one day in the future, in Indonesia”.

In Pakistan, however, where rights are based on Sharia law, Christians, who account for 1.6% of the population, are considered second-class citizens because they are seen as representing Western countries involved in various conflicts in the Middle East.

The country's government remains entrenched behind the excuse of the war on terrorism and upholding Islamic identity. So it opposes the abolition of rules that discriminate against non-Muslims - the so-called blasphemy law - which demands imprisonment or the death penalty for those who insult or desecrate the Koran or the name of the Prophet Muhammad.

This law has indeed become a source of continuing violence against Christians and believers of other religions, often on the basis of false accusation or motivated by partisan interests. This is according to Francis Mehboob Sada, director of the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi and the Catholic Press Association of Pakistan.

Sada: “Blasphemy law has been misused for last many years and up till now more that 15,000 cases have been registered for this and the punishment is death. If someone is blamed for blasphemy, anybody can kill him or her and we are totally against this …

(on the web at http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2010/07/islam-in-secular-vs-religious-state.html )

Video: "Obama aims to dismantle state of Israel" - R. Rubinstein

Dr. Rubinstein asserts that Obama supports the destruction of Israel because the creation of this state has been a historical mistake.  If this dismantling should occur, the result will not be Jews and Muslims coexisting in Palestine.  Rather, it will be the annihilation of the Jews because Islam has a built-in opposition adn aversion to Jewish people.  This is in their Koran and carried on as tradition  in their history of conquests.  Consequently, Obama's position is nothing less than paving the way to another Holocaust.  Therefore, it becomes a moral imperative for any person of conscience and goodwill to oppose this as an inherent evil.  Read more at http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/06/why_islam_will_never_accept_th.html


Dr. Richard L. Rubinstein, author of "Jihad and Genocide", Harvard Phd, Yale fellow, "Distinguished Professor of the Year", and Harvard Phd, states that president Obama's intention is to "correct the historical mistake of the creation of the state of Israel." Dr. Rubenstein states that president Obama due to his family heritage is extremely pro Muslim - to the point of "wanting to see the destruction of Israel."
On web at http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2010/06/video-obama-aims-to-undo-creation-of.html

Videos: How a family guy rolls. Don't miss the ride bro.

Family life is awesome.  I have 5 children and wouldn't change a thing even if I ever get the chance to do it all over.  Life is short and passes quickly.  Don't let it pass you by because of fear.  The only thing to fear is fear itself.  (at the web http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2010/06/videos-how-family-man-rolls-dont-miss.html )




HT http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/

Turning iron into gold.

The devil’s advocate insisted, “When did Don Bosco pray?” St. John Bosco founded religious orders, built churches, established schools, wrote books and fulfilled his priestly duties that there seems to be no time for personal prayer. The defender of his cause replied, “When did Don Bosco not pray?”

The point is that St. John Bosco prayed with every activity. While he focused on the task at hand, he did it as an offering to God. While St. Benedict’s motto was “Work and prayer”, with St. John Bosco it became “Work is prayer.”

One way to do this is to have a pure intention e.g. fulfilling God’s will, working for God’s glory, or saving souls. So, when blogging one thinks not of getting hits but of uplifting the blogosphere.  In so doing, one does not put porn-like images to attract readers.

Another way to transform work is to live in “God’s presence”. While God is always there, we may forget that reality. To constantly remind oneself, one can say a prayer of aspiration like “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine”.

Having a crucifix, holy pictures or Bible passages around also helps. I remember cursing up a storm when my project manager stopped by and made small talk about the icons in my cubicle. If the icons by themselves don’t help, my co-workers will make sure that they do – I guess.

This practice of continued prayer is living the liturgy of life. It is like offering Mass all day long.  It enables us to convert our mundane activities into spiritual treasure, like iron into gold.

Do you know your identity - beyond external descriptions?

Aristotle taught, “Know thyself.” That classical precept stands as the cornerstone of mental health and consequently life itself.  Knowing who one is determines what one will do. Agere sequitur esse. Action follows being. Knowing oneself determines one’s relations. If you know who you are, then you will know who you want to be with.

One can answer this question in a scientific, empirical or existential way with biology and history - your DNA and family tree. Those include sex, race, ethnicity, IQ, physical abilities or challenges, emotional profiles or temperament and even pre-neurotic tendencies or predominant passions of sensuality, complacency or timidity. Ancient labels e.g. Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Melancholic or more contemporary classifications from Myers-Briggs e.g. Extravert, Intuitive, Thinker, Perceptor describe these innate tendencies, preferences, styles and interests.

From the innate to the external or environmental are other factors that can define or form who one is. It is based on wealth, heritage, education, culture, class, caste, nationality, religion, economic system and socialization. From the view of forming the person, it can be simplified as nurture.

Finally, the “will” or self-determination can make one all that one can be – overcoming natural handicaps and situational obstacles. One can change nature and nurture to some extend and become whoever one wishes to become. But that displaces the answer from who are you to whom did you become?

Another way to approach this is philosophically i.e. from ultimate causes unlike science that consider immediate causation. One will consistent essences rather than particular existence. Cogito ergo sum. I think therefore I am. I am not a rock but a rational life. Then, I have the seeds of eternity planted in my desires – an indication that I am to live forever and because of that, I transcend my bodily shell. I have a spiritual component in me. That spark is a trace of my beginning and eternal existence.

Who am I? A spark from an eternal flame meant to sparkle forever. A being higher than dolphins and chimps because I share something divine. I have a name, a unique identity. I am a creature but unlike whales, I share the life of my Creator and to Whom I shall eventually find myself. Now I have an idea – as Plato would explain how we recall our perfect selves in that world of ideas.

What works is to combine the essential with the existential. That will bring some concreteness to ground the abstraction, a body to house the spirit. Who am I? An incarnate spirit, born with specific DNA, nurtured with historical experiences and have becoming and is still becoming by personal choices.   I am a divine ripple.

To sound an alarm, Gen. McChrystal sacrificed his career - in vain.

Photo:  Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat them.

How did Gen. McChrystal ask his president for help?  Not effectively.  But he saw no other way, not with the bozos who were managing the war.  The politicians did not care about the level of effort or the reality of their schedule.  They wanted to bring the troops home just in time for the presidential election.  Gen. McChrystal sacrificed his career to sound an alarm but it was ignored.  A president with military experience would have done at least a double take when he sees a galant soldier fall on his sword.  But an arrogant lawyer just doubles down.

"Obama set another misguided deadline -- this time to begin an American withdrawal from Afghanistan by July 2011. Whether the president realizes it or not, he is going to have to abandon that deadline as well -- and the sooner he does so the better. The Guantanamo deadline only cost him some momentary embarrassment; the Afghanistan deadline could cost us a war. ...As Missouri Sen. Kit Bond put it, if the withdrawal date stands, Obama is "setting [Petraeus] up for failure." The deadline is more than a tactical error; it is a strategic miscalculation that undermines almost every element of our efforts in Afghanistan."
Read more at source