And what was it exactly that caused Cardinal Dulles to make such a statement, and was it specifically to separate what the Church teaches on defense and gun control?
It’s one thing if the Bishops were discussing the positive impact on government revenues an increase in or new tax on ammo and certain firearms. It’s another thing if the Bishops are talking about gun control in regards to the application of self defense and human life. Cardinal Dulles’s statement applies to the first, not the second.
So then there is no argument to be made here aside from the “continued” position that both the Church and the State have in regards to gun control measures… There’s really nothing new to discuss.
The shootings at Sandy Hook prompted the most recent statements. I don’t believe those concerns to be as much political, as I see them in concern for life, and the timing is more than just coincidence.
What about the victims? Shouldn’t that be our focus -praying for them and their families?
Like I said. It’s just a political statement from them that I am in no way required to agree with.
You’re not ‘required’ to agree with anything.
Sure I am. No sex outside of marriage, no abortion, belief in the real presence, all sorts of things. The USCCB position on gun control is not one of them however.
If you can’t see that statement for what it is, a political position on gun control; then I can only assume that, in your view, the USCCB has never made a political statement on anything.
Did you even read the statement?
Yes, here’s the political part of it:
If I consider myself catholic I certainly am. I’ve already listed several of them for you.
I believe I’ll trust their understanding, and applications of the teachings in the Catechism, in this case referencing self defense, over anyone with a ‘vested’ political interest on these forums. They are teaching spiritually, and what is being espoused on these threads by gun right activists is secular. They seek reasonable, and gun right advocates seek nothing, except more guns. One says culture of life, the other says, ‘it’s a right.’ One is from the Church, the other is from the state.
There are no spiritual solutions to the problems they’ve identified. How do you spiritually make a gun safer?
This is one of the main reasons I object to the bishops’ involvement in political issues, because it encourages people to make such grossly uncharitable judgments of others as this one. When the bishops make statements like they have in this case, even though they are terribly vague, people tend to see the question not as a debate over differing views of what works and what doesn’t but as being between good people and bad people. The bishops may contribute nothing concrete to the solutions to the problems they identify but, indirectly, they do contribute a great deal to coarsening the tone of the discussion.
The Bishops teachings on a culture of life are acceptable. More acceptable than people fighting for gun rights, in my opinion.
I am not aware if this has happened. I do not know why they are being attacked so much. I think people tend to get too defensive and start throwing around names without substance. It used to be if a thread goes on long enough, someone will be called a Nazi. Now, if a thread goes on long enough, some one will be called a liberal.
I don’t particularly care for the quote, even if it an accurate quote. First, it doesn’t apply here, as there has been not policy statement. Second, bishops do not exercise authority based on “credibility” whatever that means. Credibility is not something inherent in a bishop, or anyone. Rather it lies in the mind of the reader, or listener. Bishops exercise authority. This is something the seculare world can not diminish.
In other words, even after reading their obvious political bias concerning this issue, you’re still going to pretend that their statement has no political overtones.
Of course you don’t. It doesn’t agree with your political views. I’d be willing to bet if Cardinal Dulles had said that “all guns should be banned and confiscated,” you would be quoting that all over the place.
How in the heck would you know? You have no idea what my political views are. I don’t post politics too much here.
I’m fairly certain I know what they are concerning guns, but perhaps I’m wrong. I’m more than willing to admit that if I am. I’ll give you a couple questions concerning firearms, I’m betting you’ll answer no to #1 and yes to #2. I’ll even give you my answers first.