Archbishop Chaput: Justice, Prudence and Immigration Reform
The Catholic commitment to the dignity of the immigrant comes from exactly the same roots as our commitment to the dignity of the unborn child. Any Catholic who truly understands his or her faith knows that the right to life precedes and creates the foundation for every other human right. There’s no getting around the priority of that fundamental right to life. But being “prolife” also means that we need to make laws and social policies that will care for those people already born that no one else will defend.
Around the United States today, we employ a permanent underclass of human beings who build our roads, pick our fruit, clean our hotel rooms, and landscape our lawns. Most of these men and women, like millions of immigrants before them, abide by our laws and simply want a better life for their families. Many have children who are American citizens, or who have been in America so long that they don’t know any other homeland. But they live in a legal limbo. They’re important to our economy, but they have inadequate legal protections, and in recent years many families have been separated by arrests and deportations.
We need to remember that how we treat the weak, the infirm, the elderly, the unborn child and the foreigner reflects on our own humanity. We become what we do, for good or for evil. The Catholic Church respects the law, including immigration law. We respect those men and women who have the difficult job of enforcing it. We do not encourage or help anyone to break the law. We believe Americans have a right to solvent public institutions, secure borders and orderly regulation of immigration.
At the same time, we can’t ignore people in need, and we shouldn't be silent about laws that don’t work — or that, in their “working,” create impossible contradictions and suffering. Despite all of the heated public argument over the past decade, Americans still find themselves stuck with an immigration system that adequately serves no one. We urgently need the kind of immigration reform that will address our economic and security needs, but will also regularize the status of the many decent undocumented immigrants who help our society to grow. Congress and the president, despite their serious differences, do have an opportunity in the coming months to act justly to solve this problem. Legislation could begin moving in congress as early as this spring.
The bishops of the United States have suggested at least five key elements needed for any serious reform: (1) a path to citizenship for the undocumented; (2) the preservation and enhancement of family unity, based on the union of a husband and wife and their children; (3) the creation of legal channels for unskilled laborers to enter and work legally in this country; (4) due process rights for immigrants; and (5) constructive attention to the root causes of migration, such as economic hardship, political repression or religious persecution in the sending countries.
As many as 11 million undocumented persons now live and work in our nation. We can't refuse to see them. Catholics of good will can legitimately disagree on the best way to bring about immigration justice. In an age of terrorism and organized drug violence, public safety is a pressing and understandable concern. There are also pitfalls and unhelpful agendas in some elements of the immigration debate that need careful discussion. But again, we can't simply continue to posture and delay in dealing with an issue that impacts so many lives.
We become what we do, for good or for evil. If we act and speak like bigots, that’s what we become. If we act with justice, intelligence, common sense and mercy, then we become something quite different. We become the people and the nation God intended us to be. Our country’s chronic immigration crisis is a test of our humanity. Whether we pass that test is entirely up to us. That’s why the Catholic community needs to engage the issue of immigration reform as prudently and unselfishly as possible – not tomorrow or next week, but now. The future of our country depends on it.
The U.S. bishops' “Justice for Immigrants” campaign can be accessed at www.justiceforimmigrants.org
gerhard sweetman
10:10 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
If the church would be active against crime & corruption, these people would stay in their countrys. Take a look, "in bed=church/govt/crime/corrupt". Reporters & priests silent or killed in those Religious lands. Do we want that ??? Do we want Mother hood & apple pie, do good political stuff, religion in politics ,He who speaks for God?
Kim
12:36 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
What is the point of this piece? I'm a Catholic who doesn't understand why the church is involved in this debate.
Earnest
4:54 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
The point that is being made by the Archbishop and the bishops of the United States is based on compassion and addressing the fact that we have billions of people living in the United States who have been here for years working and making contributions to the United States.
I am a firm believer in the necessity of the separation of church and state and believe that their telling their followers who they should vote for in elections seriously crosses that line. However, in this case the Archbishop is specifically talking about compassion for living human beings.
The bishops of the United States have clearly decided to be a part of the solution rather than part of the continuation of a problem, as they have come up with five elements that they believe are key to (serious) reform. Their list is in agreement with what the teachings of the church are with regard to treating fellow human beings with compassion, forgiveness of transgressions, and families. That being said, it is also clear that they do not view this as a simplistic black and white issue as they address the gray issues that are involved.
Kim, I would suggest that if you are in fact a Catholic you should get your answers straight from the horses mouths. Unless, you are afraid that they would not agree with your line of thinking.
Bill Flick
1:45 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
With all respect to your Emminence, why do we have borders? We can't support the world. If these people are so"good", what is wrong with their own country/ Why do they want to leave? Clean up your own house and don't mess up your neighbor's!
Heather N.
3:03 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Very well said. As a non-Catholic, I don't just think this is the way Catholics need to address the issue, but how we as human beings need to address the issue: with compassion.
Lanya
3:51 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
This article does not change the fact that illegal immigrants (even if their children are American!) are technically criminals and should not be here. I think we need to treat everyone with compassion, but those who have broken the law should not just be assimilated as citizens because "oh well, they're already here!"
I_Love_Delco!
3:31 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
$5 says you don't even see the contradiction in your statement.
Robert
3:56 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I find it odd that we as Americans oppose immigration. This country was built with immigrants. We are all (except Native Americans) decedents of refugees, cast offs, etc... Why shouldn't we allow for legal naturalization. With the aging population expected to outnumber the rest of us soon, we will need these immigrants to sustain our economy. To simply say "clean up your own house" is down right ignorant. The Irish immigrants weren't turned away during the British oppression and potato famine. Hypocrites!
Kim
4:02 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Robert, Please! No one is saying they are against immigration! We are against ILLEGAL immigration. Get off your moral high ground! We all realize that we are a country of immigrants.
Kurt Reimer
11:05 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Illegal immigrants are here because we need them here! We need people to do drudge work, for cheap. We can't get citizens to do it. We are too stupid to fix our system of legal immigration to meet this need. It's just dishonest to ignore these facts. The moral "high horse" that needs dismounting is the one beneath you, Kim.
frank gothie
3:58 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Archbishop is doing his job as a Christian religious leader. He is essentially saying what Jesus would say if He were with us today. Sure the process of integrating immigrants into our society is not without economic and social problems but the solution is to manage it properly, not close the door.
gerhard sweetman
4:16 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
MELTING POT kidnapping, extorsion, bribes, corrupt cops, Catholics, gangs, killing reporters, mass beheadings, mass executions, spanish language, etc,etc.
The POT has NO room for mafia, xxxxxx, Religions that kill or mame or imprison those who dont follow their "morals/ethics/gods word/bible/koran/astrology etc
Kim
6:36 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Gerard, What the heck are you talking about? I just don't get your gibberish! ???
I_Love_Delco!
3:33 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Yeah, I'm with Kim here...that did not make any sense. There was no sentence structure from which to glean context.
Earnest
5:03 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
@Kim, gerhard sweetman is pointing out the fact that (all) organized religious institutions from the very beginning have a long history of acting inhumanly and criminally in the name of whoever they refer to as their god. Using religion to control the masses, instill fear in the minds of their followers, and to excuse mass murder, toucher, etc. in conjunction with political leaders or royalty. Even in todays world we witness much of the same, which includes the Catholic Churches continued coverup and provide protection of those among them that have raped children and those that protected those rapists.
Richard Weisgrau
4:25 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
@Kim questioned why the Church would be involved in the matter.
The Catholic Church's interest are likely twofold.
First, it has a history of working to improve the lot of and minister to the poor, the sick, the persecuted around the globe. Mother Theresa is the icon of that kind of effort. Many of the illegal immigrants in this country are living in poverty with all of its trappings. I am sure the Church makes efforts to help them on purely humanitarian grounds.
Second, the Church has an attrition problem. It has lost followers and continues to lose followers at hight rate. Most of the illegal immigrants that came and come here from Mexico and Central America are Catholics. Their numbers could help offset the attrition.
Here is brief statement from the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life:
"One out of every 10 Americans is an ex-Catholic. If they were a separate denomination, they would be the third-largest denomination in the United States, after Catholics and Baptists. One of three people who were raised Catholic no longer identifies as Catholic."
A 33.3% attrition rate is no small matter for any religion, membership organization, country, or other collective of people. Whether compassion or attrition is the primary motivation I will not comment on. I have an opinion, but I am sure the readers will have their own opinions and will not be influenced by mine.
Kim
6:33 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
So basically many of be the illegal immigrants are poor so what do you think the church gets from them? Catholics are all over the world. It makes no difference where the live. That part of your argument makes no sense. In regard to ministering to the poor, they can certainly do that without getting involved in the debate.
Richard Weisgrau
10:18 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Kim,
Sorry, but it does make a difference. The loss of followers in the US has a greater economic cost to the Church than the loss of followers in, let's say, Africa. Our poor are generally better off than the average African Catholic. The Church in the US is facing an economic crisis from loss of followers, lawsuits, and out of court settlements, legal fees and costs. It needs a bigger flock. Its interest in this matter is recruiting in my opinion. I am not arguing with you. I simply want to point out that motives as stated are not always actual motives. You pondered reasons, and I suggested two.
Kurt Reimer
7:29 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Our ONLY problem is that we have a legitimate need for cheap, immediately-available, menial labor at jobs & wages that are unattractive to American CItizens, and this legitimate need is satisfied poorly or not at all by all components of our legal immigration system. SO useless is our current immigration system that this need is met far better by the system of undocumented or illegal immigration. And *that* system works as well as any system of institutionalized law-breaking can be expected to work -- not very well.
THE ONLY THING THAT WE NEED IS A GUESTWORKER PROGRAM!!! Properly constructed, it will solve every issue that we currently face WRTO immigration:
Guestworkers can be fingerprinted, photographed, whatever. They aren't citizens and we have a legitimate security concern.
The 11, 20, who-knows-how-many millions of undocumented WILL BECOME GUESTWORKERS.
THEY WILL NOW PAY TAXES!!
They can have some benefits (ex Emergency Room Care) that they now fund with taxes, less than citizens.
THE BORDER IS NOW SECURE!!! Only terrorists & criminals still try to sneak in, a far lesser number, far more manageable.
Those who don't wish to stay will now leave, as it isn't a gauntlet to get here.
With legal guestworkers easily available, employers will cheat far less, & be less disposed to displace citizens from jobs. That can be made illegal.
Some path to citizenship for those that make it in this country also makes perfect sense.
Kim
8:09 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Richard, Just because you gave me reasons, doesn't mean I need to agree with them! Basically you use Mother Theresa as an example of the church's desire to minister to the poor. You then change it up by claiming that the church really doesn't care about caring for the poor, but it's a money maker for the church. Once again, your bias of the Catholic Church shines through! Aren't you the Jesuit? I'm sure they make BIG bucks from the poor immigrants. Lol! The whole purpose of the article was to show that these people need to be taken care of. Give me a break!
Richard Weisgrau
9:33 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Kim, of course you do not have to agree with the reasons I suggested. I did not suggest that the Church does not care about the poor. In fact, I wrote " I am sure the Church makes efforts to help them on purely humanitarian grounds." There is no expression of economic interest in those words. What I did do is say there is an economic interest in keeping Catholic illegal immigrants in this country since the Church is losing followers at a high rate. And, I am not a Jesuit, nor do I know or care where their money comes from.
kevin
2:54 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
@Richard,
You must be a parent of 25 children. I can't imagine being able to have the patience that you show in talking to this kim character, laying out your reasoned points calmly while she blathers on trying to instigate an argument where none exists. Kudos to you, civilized sir.
gerhard sweetman
11:34 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
"You cant solve a problem with the same level of mentality that created it" Albert Enstine "There is only one good, knowledge, & one evil, ignorance." Socrates
"Church will do anything to keep members" History books
Kim; giberish, showed the parts, ate the pages
R Mexico
12:13 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
sure seems like gibberish to me... i actually use that Einstein quote in my email signature, and, aside from the fact you apparently can't spell Einstein, i'm not sure you have any idea what he's saying... Socrates had some interesting things to say (though much of his thought would be considered fascist today) but again, i fail to see the pertinence of the quotation (if there in fact is any)... and "History Books" is certainly well sourced...
i don't really agree with most of the points that Kim is making, but at least i understand them (as does she)...
I_Love_Delco!
3:36 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Who's Albert Enstine?
gerhard sweetman
2:24 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Parts shown go figure, gibberish to some with brain block? see Einstein.
R Mexico
10:45 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
blither cadences riverrun idiocy, enstine einstein difference what?
Clayt Oneill
5:37 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Let me change the subject just a bit, as I happened to see Rev, Chaput's comment to the young girl who wants to continue to be allowed to play on a boys football team in the CYO League in Doylestown. She was essentially reprimanded by the Reverand for contacting the media BEFORE she finally appealed to himself to help her. My goodness after seeing the worldwide headlines regarding how the Catholic church responds to the questions by its young members for the last few years how could he ever wonder why anyone would go to the church for its empathy or opinion. Please...lest we forget!
Version
11:10 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Claty Oneill, I saw this the other night on TV and was blown away at want I was hearing, agree with you 100% on this one. It is sad!!
Kim
7:40 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
How was that a change? You people jus love to bash the church.
Earnest
5:10 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
@Kim, Bashing the church? Examining teachings vs actions is what educated people do.
Kim
7:42 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Kevin, I'm guessing you're an arrogant a**hol!
Richard Weisgrau
10:24 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Kim,
Ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Probably not, but it means this. When you write "Kevin, I'm guessing you're an arrogant a**hol!" it proves that you are indeed what you call the accused. That was one of the most unkind and arrogant replies I have seen in these fora. Thank you for revealing you true and uncontrollable self.
Maria Deszcz-Pan
10:55 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
It really takes a twisted mind to think that Catholic Church is after immigrants money... if money would be an issue Catholic Church could "make" millions by disbanding Catholic Charities and getting into abortion and euthanasia business.
Richard Weisgrau
11:44 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Who said the Church was after immigrants money? I don't see that in this thread. The Church is financially dependent upon small contributions from persons in its 'flock' for cash flow. It has sold off some of its billions of dollars in real estate assets, but it still needs cash to operate at a local level. There is no evil in that. Any local religious organization needs it.. Parishoners, followers, or whatever you want to call them support their local religious institutions. Meeting economic necessities is not evil. The Church needs to replace the money lost by attrition so it can operate locally. Its opportunity to do that is in Catholics who live in the shadows because they are undocumented. Those people are faithful believers who will help the Church reverse its economic decline when they become economically stable legals.
The idea of abortion and euthanasia for economic gain were brought up only by you. You seem to think a good defense is an unrealistic offense. No one has attacked the Church for its position. It's motivation and record have been challenged by some, including me. The argument we get back is to be called names and accused of Church hating. Sad!
If the Church disbanded Catholic Charities it would lose millions, because those Charities have made more revenue than they cost in expense. Please get your knowledge base perfected. You will never convince a person with facts to abandon them and adopt your feelings. We can only weigh your facts. Pace!
Earnest
5:29 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
@Maria, while all organized religions run charities and do good works we cannot deny the fact that they are also businesses that survive on membership. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Richard W. was addressing membership when he referred to many immigrants legal or illegal coming from other countries are believers in the Catholic faith. If membership is important in the survival of (keeping churches and religious schools open) then it is in the interest of the church to get behind the welcoming of sensible immigration reform that addresses illegal immigrants who have been living in the United States for a very long time.
Maria Deszcz-Pan
2:39 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Facts? - here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Charities
"90 cents of every dollar donated to Catholic Charities agencies goes directly to program"
This means that with the revenue of 3.83 billion (3.83x10**9) 10% goes to operating cost (3.83x10**8). With 63000 employees it is about $6000 a year per employee, even if they do not have an office ....big money making machine!
Richard Weisgrau
9:28 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
That confirms what I wrote. The Church makes money on it. That's good. It has to do so to be able to sustain its operating costs. That's a reality for any nonprofit organization. Nothing wrong with it. Great to read that the Charity is operating at such a low percentage of revenue. It is lower than many, many other charities,
Kim
7:23 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Thank you Maria! Richard goes on and on bloviating and trying to sound really smart. Blah blah blah. He makes a point and then denies it. Guys like Kevin are enamored! Kevin basically calls me ignorant without knowing me. The guys love ganging up on the girl. They bite, but don't like getting bit back. We are just supposed to be in awe of thier wisdom! Richard has yet to give a good reason for the church needing to increase it's flock by adding illegal immigrants.
Richard Weisgrau
9:38 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Kim,
I think the reason is that the Church is being forced to close schools and churches, merge parishes, and sell property to stay solvent. It does not have enough followers to support all that it built over centuries.
I have not denied any point I have made. I have only responded to others who have either made a comment I feel differently about or to clarify a readers written misinterpretation of my comments.
I too think that Maria shed some good facts on this matter. I am glad she did.
As for your insulting comments, I just ignore them. The are not worthy of a reply.
Kim
7:33 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Richard, btw...I think the term you are looking for is....projection! You really are soooo impressed with yourself aren't you?
Richard Weisgrau
9:31 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Kim, no I got over my own capabilities and deficiencies by the time I was 50.
Maria Deszcz-Pan
1:22 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Kim and Richard, thanks for your responses - I was angered by constant attacks on the Church I love and respect for her unpopular teachings that defend the humanity in all of us and the rights of the most vulnerable. Enjoy your weekend.
Kim
2:47 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Maria, Have a good weekend! I stopped commenting because Richard has a real chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Catholic Church. He was blasting them on another stream with the healthcare bill as well. He is Mr. Know It All!
Bill
3:36 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
The Catholic Church is the largest private provider of care to HIV AIDS patients in the world according to Wiki. Much of the Church's aid effort is concentrated in developing nations - in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.[4] According to PBS news, in 2011, there were "117,000 Catholic medical facilities, from clinics in the deepest jungle to large urban hospitals in the developing world, that are involved in treating both people that are already infected with AIDS and trying to prevent the transmission to at-risk populations".
So using the logic above, If the immigrants come here, then their dollar that went into the collection basket at home isn't going to the jungles were they came from to help AIDS victims. Right?
Now I don't advocate wiki as a source, but they actual did a nice job with this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_and_AIDS
I heard that the RC Church contributes 40% of every dollar spent on AIDS. From research to care, but I couldn't find it.
Searching the web has certainly changed recently (white washing articles etc...) I guess the church is on the hit list as well.
Richard Weisgrau
12:10 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
I think the Catholic Church is unmatched by any other religious organization, charity, or government when it comes to delivering benefit to those in need. I saw it first hand in the early part of my career as photographer when I did work for Misericordia and Fitz Gerald Mercy Hospitals, now known as the part of the Mercy Catholic system. As my career evolved I saw it in other lands where Nuns tended the poor and sick. Those things are the best part of the Church's efforts. While I am bashed here by one person who believes that I have "a real chip on his shoulder when it comes to the Catholic Church" I have no chip. I just do not give exemptions for bad behavior (and we all know it has and does occur within the Church) because of good behavior. What is right and good is admirable. What is wrong and bad is condemnable. The Church does great good to many. It has done great harm to a few. Each has to be wighed on its own merits.
Kim
8:55 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Richard, You are a fraud. All anyone has to do is look back at your first post regarding Archbishop Chaput's position on the so called "compromise" regarding the healthcare bill. You said you " failed to understand the dogma", "started questioning the church at 13", "at 19 renounced the church" you told the Archbishop he loses! You are the only loser here. No one is asking you to embrace the Church. It's people like you who wrap your ugliness up with a pretty bow and then get mad when someone calls you out on your ugliness. I realize you are upset with the priest scandal, as all of us were. That does not demolish the goodness of the church and the people in it. Let it go already! I will no longer discuss the church with you!
Clayt Oneill
10:05 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
...and God rested on the seventh day...but after seeing the dialogue of this past week I hardly think he would regard this "as good." Let's give it a rest too.
Kim
10:08 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Amen! :)
Kurt Reimer
12:17 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
It seems to me that your arguments about the 'purity', or lack thereof, of the Churches motives in supporting the rights and interests of the undocumented and their charitable enterprise overall, suffers from the misconception that the Catholic Church in the USA is the Catholic Church. I think the Church realizes that the person is a Catholic in, say, Guatemala just ad much as when he is in the USA.
gerhard sweetman
3:56 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Lets try to get all those sinners out of hell
Kim
4:06 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Gerard, It's their choice to be there if they are. God loves everyone, but it's the individual's free will to return that love or not. Some people don't choose God. In the end, it's up to the individual. The only power we have in that regard, is to pray for them.
gerhard sweetman
7:05 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
The sinners did nothing wrong!
Kim
9:20 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
I had replied and asked why you call them sinners then. That post is still pending though. After reading Kurt's posts I realize that you didn't mean souls in hell, but those who people on earth claim to be going to hell. The only One who makes that call is God. I never put too much stock in someone else making that claim!
Kurt Reimer
8:52 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Gerhard, I question authority in this life at least as muchh as you seem to, but it was not your High School principal or the US Federal Govt that consigned the Damned to hell, it was an omniscient God.
And after all, we don't really know who is on hell and who isn't, do we? We only know what the powers that be say in this world, and they're often hung up on the Gay thing, etc. Perhaps you disagree with the majority opinions on who is going up & who is going down. I often do, too. But we'd best not argue with God. I suppose we can beg his forgiveness for our own and our loved ones sons, but that's different.
Morgan King
10:42 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
That's even assuming that an omniscient god, or the original authors, ever even tried to communicate anything about the existence of a Hell - the Hebrew 'sheol' is translated into English multiple ways throughout the Old Testament, and it's as 'the grave' as often as it's as 'hell,' and in pretty much all instances it makes more sense with the structure of the writing to be 'the grave.' The biblical hell is death, perhaps death without the knowledge of love. The realm of the dead comes from many older religions - Hades, Duat, etc. - and the pit of fire and suffering was tacked on as a translation by religious leaders throughout the ages because humans seem to respond better to the threat of punishment than the promise of transcendence. Originally, the absence of divine love was punishment enough.
Kurt Reimer
8:55 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Sorry, that's 'sins', not 'sons'. Spellcheck strikes again!
gerhard sweetman
9:09 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Religions dont speak for or have copys of Gods words, those that say they hear, speak to, or say they are God or Gods rep/agent are crazy see "scitso"
Kurt Reimer
10:07 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Well, I'm Catholic, Gerhard, so I do set some considerable store by what folks like ArchBishop Chaput have to say. But I don't believe he has a Hotline to God, and sometimes he (or more generally the church) says one thing while my conscience says another.
Do you think there is any divine origin at all in the Bible?
Taint Lover
10:11 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
the new black pope is coming to Philadelphia in September 2015, get the chicken and watermelon ready folks
gerhard sweetman
11:40 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
There's 1 God/good TRUTH, & bad/evil IGNORANCE (no science/logic/reason) the Bibles & equals are pulp fiction
Randeroid
6:43 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I understand that H.R. 592 (Hurricane Sandy) will pay to repair and replace 'houses of worship.' This will divert tax money from tax payers, who were victims of the storm, to beloved organizations like the westboro baptists. I understand that religious organizations used their lobbying muscle to get this through the house and the senate remains. Obviously, this is unconstitutional.