Who Gives Kudos: william (2) kelly (2) Gordon Lee (2) Nicole (2) Gaston L.. (2) (2) Mike (2) MIKE - aka .. (2) Ellie (2) Lorrie (2)

	william	Yeah well...the branches of that tree still bear fruit. I'm sure that video is quite inspiring to many a secular progressive today.   Posted by william on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 6:49 PM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	The roots run deep, and too many are willing to nurture it.   Posted by Father V. on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 6:59 PM [Reply to this]

	Franciscan Guy	"You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. Plutarch warned, 'The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits." Ronald Reagan Fools will vote and give power to the very people who are responsible to some of the worst atrocities in the past century, only because they want something for nothing. Catholics will vote for people who are responsible for the deaths of 48 million children. And many of them receive Communion. Incredible.   Posted by Franciscan Guy on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 6:58 PM [Reply to this]

	Against Religion against religion	you would vote for the same president that said he will not abide "the tyranny of the majority" in Nicaragua? the same president that supported the contras against the elected sandanista government of Nicaragua? the contras that were found guilty of the following: targeting health care clinics and health care workers for assassination. kidnapping civilians. torturing civilians. executing civilians, including children, who were captured in combat. raping women. indiscriminantly attacking civilians and civilian houses. seizing civilian property. setting alight civilian houses in captured towns. On November 23 1981, Reagan signed the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), giving the CIA the authority to recruit and support the Contras with $19 million in military aid. (That's per year) the Reagan that everyone loves to applaud was the same reagan that believed in amnesty for illegal immigrants and the outright support of known dictators in the middle east that ruthlessly oppresesed their people and lead us to the problems we have today. i will agree that he was strong against Russian Communism, but that was the only thing he had, he was not even close to what conservatives would want to day on any other other issue accept abortion.   Posted by Against Religion on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 1:35 AM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	What a great quote from President Reagan! I had the oppurtunity to visit his library twice last year. An extraordinary man. When people depend on the government for their bread, they'll allow them to keep increasing power, not realizing that at some point, they will be powerless to stop them.   Posted by Father V. on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 7:02 PM [Reply to this]

	glenda - BCR fan forever! Glenda Richardson	Father V, Ronald Reagan had nothing to do with the fall of communism in the USSR. He just happened to be the president at the time it happened.   Posted by glenda - BCR fan forever! on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 4:03 PM [Reply to this]

	Mike	Glenda, that is highly debatable. Had Carter been reelected, there would have been four more years of giving the Soviets what they wanted. Much like Neville Chamberlain gave Hitler what he wanted in order to proclaim "Peace in our day". We all know what happened next.   Posted by Mike on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 3:52 AM [Reply to this]

	glenda - BCR fan forever! Glenda Richardson	Mike, the fall of communism had nothing to do with are politics but it had everything to do with theirs.   Posted by glenda - BCR fan forever! on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 4:36 PM [Reply to this]

	Mike	How do you mean? Politics had darn near everything to do with it. Reagan had the will to defeat the Soviets, whereas the democrats did not. Even Mondale supported returning to appeasement. You don't defeat an adversary who will not play by the same rules without and equal or bigger stick. We didn't have that, nor did the dem's have the will to do so either.   Posted by Mike on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 2:16 AM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	That point is debatable. However, not what the blog is about, Glenda.   Posted by Father V. on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 10:41 PM [Reply to this]

	glenda - BCR fan forever! Glenda Richardson	Father, I wasn't the first person to mention Ronald Reagan, I was only responding to the comments about him.   Posted by glenda - BCR fan forever! on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 4:44 PM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	The original Reagan mention was a quote from him, not a quote about him. It's a little different. The quote was on topic. However, thanks for posting!   Posted by Father V. on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 7:14 PM [Reply to this]

	Cory Cory Dupont	Statism is dangerous. I think even within our own country - God help us - the progressives have developed a form of reliance upon the state to inform, as well as confirm, their "values." Abortion is a prime example of this. If the state says so, we could say, then anything goes. Again, God help us. Good to see you blogging again!   Posted by Cory on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 7:56 PM [Reply to this]

	The Rabid Philosopher	"the progressives have developed a form of reliance upon the state to inform, as well as confirm, their "values." Abortion is a prime example of this" eh? being pro-choice isn't a 'state' value (or even a 'secular' value for that matter). that is disinformation it is clear that 'anti-choice' has developed a form of reliance upon religion to inform, as well as confirm, their 'values'   Posted by The Rabid Philosopher on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 5:36 PM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	As a right to abortion on demand has become enshrined in American jurisprudence, I would argue it has become a state/secular value. Anti-choice is a misnomer. The defense of innocent life is something one can come to through the natural law. We do not need divine revleation to know we shouldn't kill. Even the ancient pagans believed this (didn't always practice it, but believed it nonetheless).   Posted by Father V. on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 7:21 PM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	You are absolutely correct! Part of the beauty of the "American experiment" is that enshrined in our law (whether or not it's always invoked is another question) is the truth that we have been endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. When that "Creator" is neglected, ignored, or not acknowledged the state becomes the source of rights, and may give them or take them away at their pleasure. It's good to be back!   Posted by Father V. on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 8:45 PM [Reply to this]

	Nicole	I am glad to see your blogs again, and informative as always. Many people are not aware of what many of the victims of communism had to suffer. I also came across this interesting article on another website if anyone wants to take the time to read it. God Bless you Father V. The Catholic Church's enemies, Communists and Freemasons, made an organized effort to infiltrate her [PDF]   Posted by Nicole on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 11:22 PM [Reply to this]

	Saint Steven	I believe the biggest threat to the Church is not communist nor Radical Islam it is the modern day liberalism that we see in the United States. For example Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton both claim to be Christian and many Americans simply accept and believe that. In reality neither attend Church on a regular basis, they both admit they see nothing wrong with homosexuality, the both support abortion and neither one believes Adam and Eve actually existed and they call themselfs Christian? There are thousands of liberal churchs that fall in line with hillary and Barak. Total apostacy!   Posted by Saint Steven on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 4:23 AM [Reply to this]

	Lorrie Lorrie Mac Gregor	ssshhhh Too bad we aren't ruled by The Holy SEE Well that is how I feel. I also worry about another 911 again only worse. They say it is our duty to vote, but to vote is to go against the Papacy, and all ethical issues Pope Benedict and John Paul fought so hard for. I see the country as falling into a pit of lost morals, lost people, and unfortunately an older Pope who can not travel as Pope JP did and thus we are left to our own defenses. But I still believe in Pope Benedict who may be able to lead us all back into a right way of thought. But it is mostly up to us in America to follow what we were already taught. Lorrie   Posted by Lorrie on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 9:48 PM [Reply to this]

	Against Religion against religion	the last time we were ruled by the Holy See we had which burnings, crusades and the selling of indulgences. You want to go back to that? you would not be here today if Martin Luther did not see the absolute corruption of the Holy See and finally decided that there can be no fixing the total hypocrasy that is/was the Catholic church. Think about the things that you wear, or say or think, and remember that if the Holy See had is way (back in the day) you would probably b urn. how dare you think (as a woman) that you can be educated and work alongside men. that is heresy!   Posted by Against Religion on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 1:40 AM [Reply to this]

	Miss Bethy	I totally thought it read "Fruits of Communion" I'll stop dying my hair....   Posted by Miss Bethy on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 1:29 AM [Reply to this]

	Ellie	LOL! I thought the EXACT same thing, and so I was REALLY confused for a few seconds there... :) Communion = good Communisim = bad I think I have it straight now.. But great blog Father V, thanks for sharing. It's good to see you're back to the blogosphere, your presence was greatly missed.   Posted by Ellie on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 3:27 PM [Reply to this]

	Father V.	It feels good to have been missed! I didn't do well in Logic as an undergraduate, but I would have to agree with the equation you set forth!   Posted by Father V. on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 4:41 PM [Reply to this]

	Lady Anna Annette-Thérèse K.	Hello, Fr. Ventura...Such a powerful video...a great reminder to all of us that may forget or take for granted our religious freedom here in the U.S. I found it ironic that the government built a huge swimming pool where the Cathedral once stood. Water is such a powerful symbol in Judaism and Christianity...I can only hope that the people were touched (even if unknowingly) by the very waters they were swimming in...Spirit-filled waters built upon sacred blessed ground! Thanks again for posting such thought provoking blogs! Love, Peace, and Friendship, Anna K.   Posted by Lady Anna Annette-Thérèse K. on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 7:07 PM [Reply to this]

	Gaston L'Montaigne	cool, thanks for sharing this with us.   Posted by Gaston L'Montaigne on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 10:25 PM [Reply to this]

	Mike	A building, be it a church, synagogue, mosque, government office building, school, house, store, etc. is only that, just a building. Our faith is not based on how big or small our churches are. Not how grand and glorious, nor meek and humble. Our faith is based on what we know in our hearts to be the truth as taught to us by our forebears. To be willing to claim that faith and then proclaim is is the REAL church of believers. And no matter how many times it is tried, communism will never work, nor be good. My prayers are with those who are persecuted, as well as the persecutors. May those persecuted be an inspiration to us all, and may those persecutors come to believe and know the real, true, and unconditional love that only comes from God our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. God love you too.   Posted by Mike on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:28 AM [Reply to this]

	The Rabid Philosopher	I can dig this. religion, as an institution, corrupts faith - a relationship between man and divinity. institutionalized religion converts individuals for the sake of itself, but not for the sake of the individual - a method of controlling populations, rather than freeing them. that is why i can agree with you in respect to faith not being in any building.   Posted by The Rabid Philosopher on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 5:51 PM [Reply to this]

	Lorrie Lorrie Mac Gregor	How does religion corrupt faith? Well it could if your belief system is weak. Institutionalized Religion... well that means you want no religion that is equal to communism. Maybe you should read Crossing the Threshold of Faith By Pope John Paul. So what do you believe in? Lorrie   Posted by Lorrie on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 12:02 AM [Reply to this]

	Mike	Thanks! Religion can be Macchiavellian, but faith is bound by no limits. Nice to meet you.   Posted by Mike on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 3:46 AM [Reply to this]

	Mike	By the way, Welcome back my friend to the show that never ends.   Posted by Mike on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:29 AM [Reply to this]

	MIKE - aka - BIG BOO	SADDENED . . .   Posted by MIKE - aka - BIG BOO on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 2:33 AM [Reply to this]

	Mike	Don't be sad my friend. After ALL their efforts to destroy any and all forms of religion, they still lost. Buildings don't last forever, but faith endures.   Posted by Mike on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 3:49 AM [Reply to this]

	The Rabid Philosopher	.. the ends of communism was to eliminate control - including religious control, taking the form of indoctrination and brainwashing. Europe had to struggle to throw off the control of the Vatican over the sovereignty of nations. "Any regime or government that denies God denies as well the inalienable rights that God has given His people, life first and foremost among them" poppycock. one does not need 'god' in order to treat people equally, respectfully, and morally. that is a sanctimonious, self-righteous form of propaganda. it is absurd to say that in order to be moral being one must be religious, and that anyone who is not religious is not a moral being. THAT good sir is what you are implying with that statement   Posted by The Rabid Philosopher on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 5:43 PM [Reply to this]

	Lorrie Lorrie Mac Gregor	But if you see History, you'll see Pope John Paul had a lot to do with the ende of communism. Wouldn't you want to Know the Pope had something to do with the end of communism. Or are you a Philosophical Atheist. (Oxymoron) if you ask me. Religion and Propaganda also do not mix. Unless you believe God is Propaganda in itself. And even in that you can't take Him out of the equation. I don't like the word Religious, rather I prefer spiritual. HMMM are you spiritual? The end of communism allowed Religious freedom. ask the priest who taught me and was put into Auswitz for being a religious. If you aren't catholic you shouldn't beat on religion so much. Lorrie   Posted by Lorrie on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 9:37 PM [Reply to this]

	The Punk Monk Loren Michael Byelich	Well, Father V., as usual, you and I are tracking with each other...including the blog hiatus. Let's just face it; Advent came like a flood and Lent followed Christmas like a fiery flood. How can we not be so busy with our ecclesiastical calendar running us so ragged the past few months? But anyhoo, it is good to see you back. If you get a chance, check out what I just wrote on my blog, my friend. We have a Vulcan mind link again:-)...hehe. Your Anglican friend from PA, Loren   Posted by The Punk Monk on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 5:03 AM [Reply to this]

	Lorrie Lorrie Mac Gregor	I still say Pope John Paul had much to do with the fall of Communism. If anyone reads any of his books he states that The Church and the people will not allow an ideal to reign over God. Once He was made Pope, The Communit got scared and that is why there was an attempt on his life. Still, his work with the politicans made the Berlin wall fall. Now he is gone and the Communist are back to their old ways. That includes China. Lorrie   Posted by Lorrie on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 8:07 PM [Reply to this]

	Against Religion against religion	i don't understand what the Catolic Church as against Totalitarianism. At the height of the Church's power they were the end all be all totalitarian state. When the church said something everyone had to listen (including kings). These mandates included terrible attrocities and they were sanctioned by the church. I am no fan of any totalitarian regime. i think the main problem the church has with russian communism (and chinese too probably) is that they persecute those with religious belief. I honestly believe that if any of these communist, totalitarians were in support of the catholic faith and persucuted only non christians, that there would not be a word of retaliation against pro-christian persecution. the proof is there already. the catholic church (as a whole) relished the complete dominance it enjoyed for nearly a thousand years. it sought to take holy lands by force and it rpaed and pillaged to the extreme, in the name of god. the problem the church faces today is that there are other entities in more control than they are. the church no longer maintains an army it can use to enforce its will (like russia did or China does). if the church did have this army, then it would use it to enforce the will of the Pope, just like stalin used his forces and china uses theirs. to deny this is rediculous because it has been done already. the proof is there.   Posted by Against Religion on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 1:25 AM [Reply to this]