WEBCommentary(tm) - The “New” Warfare

The Obama Administration is at war with Christianity in general and the Catholic Church in particular. The battlefield is best defined in two areas; the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The “progressive” goal is consolidation of power and control over institutions and the lives of people whose age, infirmity or disability may be “troublesome.” Their weapons are manipulation of money, taxation and regulations always by harassment, fines, lawsuits and loss of tax advantages for donors to church and non-profit ministries.

Christianity’s institutions have a specific calling and a long demonstrated unique ability to exercise the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy:

The Corporal Works of Mercy: To feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the sick; ransom the captive; bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy: To instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offenses willingly; comfort the afflicted; pray for the living and the dead.

“Against such there is no law (nor subject to taxation).” Galatians 5:23. Why do “progressives” oppose or try to tax these noble human services? They are convinced that these ministrations are the purview of the government. Dominating the Works of Mercy means dependency on government in a two class society. Tolerating the Spiritual Works contradicts a mindset that strives to be free of the constraints of conscience.

Why the Catholic Church? There are many wonderful religious institutions for education, healthcare and for the helpless, but nothing approaching the size and scope of Catholic institutions. Due to its universality, she is burdened with a wide range of internal visions, including “progressives” within that test the basic doctrines she is required to defend. Social Justice is a classic example when it violates subsidiarity.

At a Catholic school in Bakersfield, California, a nun made a terrible mistake. The school had two copy machines, one school property, the other provided under Title 9 for “disadvantaged” children’s programs. The school copier was in use. She needed one copy for a religion class. She was “caught” by a state inspector “improperly” using the Title 9 copier and fired on the spot!

This is only a small part of the widening spiritual warfare the Church is enduring. Its schools – elementary to university are constantly undermined, teaching challenged and subject to various threats. Hospitals and doctors are being squeezed both financially and morally. Demands are made to perform procedures only a Nazi Dr. Mengela could covet. Long accepted treatments are banned or limited without physician consultation. Loss of funding is trumped by threatened loss of licensing! Catholic Charities are being constrained from adoption and welfare services and who they may employ or serve.

Perhaps we’ve never been taught that government intervention costs 3 to 4 times as much as private services* and creates a terrible national debt burden. Have we failed to notice that government also has no capacity for love? We still have a Constitution.

Jerry is a retired engineer with strong experience in environmental innovation which he still applies today with 2 clean water and energy saving technologies. His life avocation in writing and study of philosophical and biblical themes as they apply to the body politic's spiritual warfare. He survived stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006; now in excellent health. A graduate of the University of Illinois (1958, Industrial Engineering), Jerry had post graduate studies at both the University of San Francisco and the University of Santa Clara in California between 1961 and 1963 (Logic, Marketing). As co Founder and seminar presenter he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Valley Christian University operating under California private-post secondary statutes for mid career student, VCU was the pioneer external degree school for mid career students. Its course structures were picked up by several well known Christian colleges. Hosted local broadcast radio and TV shows, "Religion on the Line" and "The News Firm" (jointly with wife, Joanne), respectively. Jerry has published several books that are available at Amazon. Jerry is available to speak as a visiting lecturer at the high school, college or community organization level. Jerry is married 55 years to Joanne Dean Todd – 3 children, 8 grandchildren.