Santorum, EWTN's fake theology: "Conservative" Catholicism

[Brettongarcia]

The fact is, most of Santorum's religion is a new kind of fake theology, from various "conservative Catholic" outlets, like EWTN, and Franciscan University - FU - in Steubenville Ohio. Santorum's candicacy would be destroyed, if the crazy and un-biblical side of these theological sources was revealed. As we will begin to briefly, here.

EWTN is the worst. But first, what's in Steubenville Ohio? One source of Santorum's own phony theology: Franciscan U.

Eastern Ohio and wester Penn. were once the working-class periphery of America: coal mines and oil. And? Nearby Franciscans taught the locals a simple, self-sacrificing religion. One that was a good way to get people to do down into dangerous coal mines. With promises of an afterlife if you were killed.

It is an illegitimate, anti-intectual "Catholicism." Nearby Philly, with its new "Culture warrior" archbishop, Charles Chaput, is one of the most anti-intellectual major cities in the nation; home of Rocky Balboa. Who taught everyone that having big mucles and being stupid, is cool. That physical power is the way to win everything; that mind counts as nothing. And endless suffering is good.

And so, as for the kind of religion Santorum knows and loves? There's a superstious, watered down Catholic fundamentalism. With Franciscan University of Stebenville, as its "brain trust." With no brain at all behind it.

All that idiocy found its megaphone, unfortunately, in arch conservative/right wing "Catholic" organ, EWTN, EWRN. The network that claims to be the official voice of the Catholic Church; though it was CUT OFF FROM THE CHURCH c. 2001; and is now run by "lay" right wing ideologes.

EWTN? Eternal Word Television Network. This is the real center of Santorum's power base. It is "one issue" anti-abortion network, that claims to be found in more than one hundred million households, worldwide. And that is in fact, the massively effective chief propagandist, for the kind of one-issue anti-abortion Catholicism that Santorum often backs. Even though any dis "proportionate," "one issue" Catholicism was condemned by at least three Cardinals: Card. McCarrick, Card. Bernardin, and Cardinal Joe Ratzinger/Pope Bendict XIV. (Ratzinger/ Benedict xvi: "Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion," 2004 memo, Vatican.va; footnote).

So where is the theological propaganda apparatus that supported Santorum? Among others, Stubenville - sometimes known as "stupid-ville" - along with EWTN. That is Santorum's power base. It was (until very lately?) grand central for the most idiotic version of Catholicism imaginable. A sort of working-class demend for a few simple rules to follow. With no subtlety, no escape. Just pray ... and go down to die in the coal mines, like a good suffering Catholic.

This is where Santorum's own limited, "one issue," "phony theology" was developed.

(For more on the sins of one-issue anti-abortionism? See Brettongarcia's blog, on Pro Abortion Theology).

See similar articles in DU, on what Bible is Santorum reading, etc.

Santorum no doubt, is going to appeal to all of Christianity and Catholicism for their vote; but we should not give it to him. His Catholicism is really a right-wing witches' brew, put together by heretical "Catholic" organizations like EWTN. By organizations that are not official representatives of the CHurch at all. Though they constantly present themselves as if they were. At best, his views are reflected by a very few radical right-wing bishops, like Charles Chaput. While his ideas constantly attack and ignore, any part of the Church that he considers "liberal," or that might be considered to have some subtle intellectual content.

[47of74]

1. If the only way to be a good Christian is to subscribe to Santorum's views...

If the only way to be a good Christian is to subscribe to Santorum's views I want no part of it then.

[demosincebirth]

2. the majority of Catholics see right through him and his phony Santortheology. He should change

denominations into one of those bible thumping groups

[Peregrine Took]

3. The Catholic Taliban, for sure. I find them very frightening, as a life long Catholic.

Relavant Radio is the same. Their followers are usually so afraid. "Father, can I do this?" or "My so and so relative is living in sin, I don't want my children to talk to her." They encourage this dependency.

RR had one of two hosts I could listen to but with all this sudden upswing of right wingers in the spotlight, I just can't listen anymore.

[HurricaneWarning]

4. Catholic Answers Forum

Catholic Answers Forum leans so far to the right it tips over. Anyone with a liberal slant is quickly banned. They use it as a hate forum against the president. It's embarrassing, as a Catholic, to read their opinions. Plus, most are so uninformed they believe all Fox talking points, without question.

[CapeStorm]

5. Why are American Catholics so silent about Catholic Answers Forum

I am a South African University Professor and a Catholic. I joined Catholic Answers Forum with the intention of getting into dialogue with others about my faith and world view. I was horrified by how little thinking seems to happen on their message boards. Just asking for a rational perspective got my membership suspended for "Contempt for Catholicism” which will "never" be lifted.

I was afraid that all Catholics in the United States are so highly conservative, judgemental and self-righteous. Glad to know another Catholic finds the site embarrassing. Why don't more Catholic Americans oppose its practices?

[demosincebirth]

6. Welcome to DU and the Catholic and Orthodox Group.

[HurricaneWarning]

8. It's not an official Catholic site.

Catholic Answers is a secular site owned by a conservative Catholic, Karl Keating. He has ties to the Republican party and takes contributions from some very extreme sources. One of these sources is Eric Prince who owns Blackwater and many other aspects of the war machine. If one criticizes Fox news, suspension and banishment. I'm guessing Rupert might throw a few bucks his way. They've put together a voting guide for "serious Catholics" and, big surprise, it says to vote for their friends or be in grave error. Many people like these types of sites because they find themselves amoung kindred spirits, as you may have already noticed. Most moderate CAtholics that I know, aren't aware of the site at all. Either that, or they visit once or twice and decide they don't like the posters and the sanctimony and never come back. I think it gives a bad name to Catholics and is an embarrassment, especially when one considers anyone with a computer can visit the place.

[IndyJones]

12. It's not you. I can't read the stuff because it frustrates me too much.

[nxylas]

7. The only thing I ever watched on EWTN was their show on GK Chesterton

If it's as conservative as you say, I'm surprised they aired it, as most American right-wing Catholics are deeply embarrassed by their own social teaching, particularly Distributism, which they regard as just another form of Communism, despite the fact that the only thing Distributism and Communism really have in common is that they're not Capitalism.

[True Catholic]

9. no wonder catholics have a bad name

It is really too bad that their are so many people out there that want to call themselves catholics but don't want too follow the teachings of the church. I have no problems with anyones views but don't sit there and try to change the teachings of the church to follow your own opinion. In the past when people wanted to have their own view they at least got the hell out and started their own religion like Luther. One of the major teachings of the church is infalibility of the Pope! He and the church has NEVER aproved birth control OR aborition!! IF you want a CAFERTIA religion with your select views thats fine, but don't try to drag the rest of us down with you! Take your heritic bishops and priest with you and start your own damn church and quit making the rest of us look bad!

[olegramps]

13. You may have overlooked a few facts regarding contraception.

Pope John XXIII formed a commission to examine the Catholic Church's stance on contraception. It was composed of married lay members, theologians and a number of bishops and cardinals. After an extensive investigation of the matter the commission- only the bishops and cardinals were allowed to vote- and they voted to recommend a revision in the church's condemnation of contraception. The major issue was intent and the majority concluded that there was NO difference between the intent of rhythm and contraception. Well, you may ask, just why did Paul VI issue the encyclical reaffirming the church's condemnation of contraception?

Before attempting to answer that important question, I would like to inform you that the future John Paul II had been appointed at the last minute at the urging of those who feared any change, in a vain attempt to sway the commission's recommendation. However it was latter revealed that he was too busy with his staff writing what would be the major portion of the encyclical. His excuse for not attending the commission meeting was that he was denied an exit visa, however, this was thoroughly disproved by the Polish authorities.

The major reason for not amending the church's previous stance was that it would totally undermine the credibility of the papacy which far more important than the tranquility of married couples. It wasn't judged on its merits but the maintenance of the status quo. The Vatican attempted to swear the members of the commission to secrecy. But a number of the members spoke out in their dismay of what was transpiring and the vicious attempt to silence them with threats. What followed was a massive exodus of Catholics as the Vatican attempted to silence any opposition with threats of excommunication of theologians who dissented.

As a after thought regarding Chaput. He heads up the Legions of Christ seminaries in the United States. This was the order founded by Marcial Maciel who was a close confident of Pope John Paul II. He was accused of molesting numerous boys and fathering children out of wedlock. The charges were overlooked several times until Ratzinger was elected pope. When Benedict succeed John Paul II he removed him from the head of the order and ordered him to life of prayer and penitence and ordered a investigation of the order as many called for its total disbandment. Several bishops have not allowed the Legions of Christ to open seminaries in their dioceses since they recruit young boys in their early teens before the are mature enough to make personal choices. A prominent professor at Regis University in Denver published an article that was highly critical of Chaput following his transfer. Many Catholics regarded his transfer as a blessing; our gain and sadly your loss.

In regard to infallibility, I will always be reminded of Pope John XXIII response to a reporter who called out to John are you infallible. To which he responded, Infallible, Infallible? My name is John. One of the major determinations of the admirers of John Paul II has been to totally erase any memory of John XXIII and Vatican II from the memory of the present generation.

Truth, what is truth? I am sure their is no lack of those who could assure me they have a lock on it.

[Matilda]

15. A majority of bishops favoured changes in the ruling on contraception,

but Paul VI chose to disregard their advice. Certainly, he had the right to do so, but his ruling is not infallible in this case, and it can therefore be overturned at some future date. But if the faithful are never to question decisions and are forbidden to discuss any issues, there will never be change on anything. Only a few hundred years ago it was Church teaching that women have no souls - do you think this should never have changed?

If the Church is not to become a dead thing, it must grow and change over time. It should not attempt to follow every modern whim and fancy, but it must be open to discussion as the world develops and new discoveries are made in every field, or it will cease to be relevant.

There are always people who are fearful of anything new, and those who prefer that others make decisions for them. That's why Fox News thrives. But God gave us brains, and we can only assume that he meant us to use them.

[tjwmason]

16. Do you have a source on the 'women have no souls' 'teaching'?

I've heard it claimed by various agenda-driven anti-Catholic sources, but I've never seen a single citation of it as a church teaching. It would be profoundly odd, given that from the very earliest days there have been many women venerated among the Saints.

[Matilda]

17. No, I don't.

It may be apochryphal; possibly it came from a misunderstanding from the scriptures, which traditionally referred only to "man" and "men", rather than "people". I've heard the doctrine referred to, but I've never seen it written.

[tjwmason]

18. I asked because it sounds so unlikely to me

Particularly given the numerous female saints...and because I've only heard it before from polemicists (Mormon and Jack-Chick style evangelicals).

[CatholicismToday]

14. Spam deleted by William769 (MIR Team)

[Robert12LL]

19. Capitalism.

I was surprised that Santorum promotes social darwinism in the economic realm yet still claims to be such a fanatical Catholic. He obviously doesn't see the incompatibility of these two philosophies.

[Kingofalldems]

20. I just read where one of their personalities, Fr. Groeschel

now is making excuses for pedophile priest, saying that the victims led them on. He also referred to Sandusky as 'poor Mr. Sandusky' in the same interview.