Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In other words, concerning our subject matter, the federal government cannot establish an official religion. Our Constitution also reserves all other rights, beyond those stated, to the individual States. People are sometimes surprised that the States could, actually, establish a state religion and some have done so in the past. Maryland is called “Mary” “Land” because one had to be Roman Catholic to hold or run for public office. Of course, this isn’t the case anymore.
Nowadays, I have a real fear we may be headed in that direction again; not because a State has decided to establish a religion, but because our Federal government seems to be establishing one!
Most Americans would be shocked to hear that Federal Agencies and Institutions acknowledge, officially, any religion. The Liberal Left and the Conservative Right would, one would think, be up in arms screaming something about separation of church and state! Yet, both sides are dead silent.
It is a fact that our Federal government officially recognizes a specific religion and only one religion – Roman Catholicism!
CNSNEWS reports that after a year in office, President Barack Obama has not appointed an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, a position within the State Department, yet on Oct. 2, 2009 he did appoint Miguel H. Díaz Ambassador to the Vatican. Diaz was widely seen as a political appointment to placate Hispanics in America.In fact, State Department officials and the White House regularly refer to the Pope as; “The Holy See” and “The Holy Father”; both titles being an expression of religious devotion and worship.
You may think I’m knit picking here but how many other religions and churches have an Ambassador appointed to their organizations? You would also be throwing out all Constitutional concerns if this doesn’t bother you.
One can almost understand having an Ambassador representing international religious freedom, a cause stated within our Constitutional framework, but an Ambassador to a specific religion? No! Not at all! It is fundamentally wrong!
Some will argue that the Vatican is special because it’s the only religion in modern times to be both a religion and a state (Islam also?). I couldn't agree with you more! The Bible gives clear warning about a political/religious power who’s head receives a deadly wound and is later healed.
The rule of the Papacy began in 538 A.D. In 1798 Napoleon's general, Berthier took the Pope captive and dissolved the political, secular power of the Papacy – the “head” received a deadly wound. Pope Pius VI died in seclusion. Other Popes came afterward but were not the head of a political/religious power.
This 1,260 year Prophecy from the Book of Daniel matches perfectly.
538+1260=1798
Later, in 1920, that most benevolent, loving man of Fascism, Benito Mussolini, gave 109 acres of land to the Roman Church and reestablished the Vatican. (sarcasm, of course)
Pope Pius XI, in the tradition of latter-day popes, saw hope in the new Fascist state which might secure the secular authentication the Church had always sought. He supported the Fascist regime with certain qualifications, and in 1929 the government of Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty with the Vatican. This reestablished the Church, the Vatican and the Papacy as a Political State!
… the deadly wound was healed!
Do Our News Agencies Follow the Vatican As Does Our Government?
Fr. Jonathan Morris is called a general news contributor for FOXNEWS but is regularly used as a religion expert. His most recent appearance was concerning Pat Robertson’s statements about Haiti. I personally find it odd that FOXNEWS would hire any clergy as a contributor. Having Morris or other clerics on as a guest commentator is perfectly fine, but not as an official news contributor.
FOX has other names that are “famously” Catholic as well. Bill O’Reilly comes to mind, Sean Hannity, of course, and many times Laura Ingraham is a guest. The fellow who sometimes fills in for Glenn Beck is also Catholic. Sorry sir, just can’t remember your name!
Having Catholics on your staff is not unusual, of course, but their seems to be a special emphasis on Catholicism within FOXNEWS. Remember please, this is my opinion – yours may be different. Besides, Laura is more conservative than Bill and Sean anyway! : )
Another set of news makers that appear to be Catholic oriented are NEWSMAX and National Review Online. I have noticed that both groups are very pro-Catholic and NEWSMAX actually has a Catholic Blog. I find this to be very strange for a news agency. Again, one would think; a religion blog perhaps, but a Catholic one? Of course, blogs can be seen as pseudo news agencies, I suppose, although I see them more as personal opinion. After all, my own blog supports Seventh Day Adventist efforts.
The European Union
This blog has already laid out several works in progress concerning the Roman Church and the E.U. Although my subject is on an official American religion, the E.U. and America go hand in hand on many things. Europe is, by far, Catholic or Catholic supporting. Yes, even the Protestant groups!
Our Supreme Court
Of the 110 people who have served on the Supreme Court, 11 have been Catholic. Five of those justices -- Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts -- are currently on the court. As is Sonia Sotomayor, the most recent addition. She becomes the 6th Catholic of 9 Justices of the Supreme Court. ref. article I see this as a consolidation of power. And no doubt, being a conservative myself, this court may rule in my favor on many things. The recent rebuttal of McCain-Feingold is a good example. And I can only hope that Roe vs. Wade will ultimately be overthrown!
I have argued on this blog from the Protestant Reformation viewpoint. That is; the Roman Church is the Beast of Revelation and Daniel and that the end times will see a resurgence of this Roman juggernaut. I still argue this point and in my eyes it appears to becoming truer and truer.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. (NKJV)
The Observer
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