Church and State
The Pope and the Senator

I appreciate the candor of the Roman Catholic Church. In a document released on 29 June, the Vatican’s Congregation for Defense of the Faith [which the present pontiff headed for some time as Cardinal Ratzinger] reiterates a long held doctrine tat the RCC is the only true church. Why? Because it is the valid expression of the church in an unending historical flow from St. Peter as the First Bishop of Rome to the present day Monarch of the church.

I welcome this statement because the RCC is refusing to genuflect to the religious pluralism of the age. In a time when all ideas are treated as equal the RCC says we are right and you are wrong. They are reaffirming their principles. You and I may disagree with them but you know where they stand. They are not pretending to represent some sort of squishy ecumenism that was more evident during the papacy of John Paul II. Benedict is a theologian and in his rule the church will stand for RCC orthodoxy.

Yesterday’s Senate prayer shows why this is important. Hindu Rajan Zed delivered the first non-monotheistic prayer in the US Senate at the invitation of Majority Leader Harry Reid. Now, from the pluralism standpoint that’s a good thing, and Reid makes that point:

I think its speaks well of our country that someone representing the faith of about a billion people comes here and can speak, in communication with our Heavenly Father, regarding peace. [Emphasis added.]

Notice the statement in bold. Sen. Reid believes Zed can communicate with god, gods or God? Reid, of course, is a Mormon. So, the Senator’s god is not the same as the Triune God of the Bible, so why not a Hindu who can have both personal and impersonal gods?
Our prayers all get to the same end do they not…the Heavenly Father?

There were some protests in the chambers. That is not something I endorse. There is nothing unconstitutional in having a Hindu, a Muslim, a witch, Satan worshipper or Mork of Ork pray. But, why would/should we? The US Senate is not a place for the demonstration of religious pluralism or ecumenism, “we are at one with the world’s religions”. Should we not be standing for our principles, the Judeo-Christian principles that shaped this nation. Let the Hindus pray in Delhi. Let us celebrate our religious tradition and not be part of a pluralism that attempts to justify eastern mystic religions as a valid way to the Heavenly Father.

Do you see why I find the RCC statement refreshing?