Obama at Notre Dame: Touchdown or Fumble?

May 18th, 2009

After weeks of buildup and controversy, President Barack Obama gave his commencement address to, and received his honorary degree from, Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind., yesterday. The fact a Catholic university would give a pro-choice politician an honorary degree sent many Catholic leaders into a tizzy, and the local bishop refused to attend. Obama’s appearance was so incindiary, in fact, that it apparently spanned its own Web site

But despite the protests, Obama did speak, and he addressed the issue of abortion head-on (check out the full transcript here). He brushed off an interruption by a pro-life heckler by saying, “We’re fine, everybody. … We’re not going to shy away from things that are uncomfortable sometimes.” He called for cordiality, while acknowledging that the debate itself sometimes leaves very little room for middle ground:

“Now, understand — understand, Class of 2009, I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge it — indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory — the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.”

Did he accomplish anything? Convince anyone? Well, probably not, according to a panel of Catholic experts assembled by USA Today’s Cathy Lynn Grossman. Abortion is not an issue that lends itself to a great deal of grace, the stakes being what they are. Still, I would like to think that there are better ways to engage the issue than we’ve seen at times.

Angels & Reviewers

May 15th, 2009

angels & demons“Angels & Demons,” the sequel/prequel to “The Da Vinci Code” (”Angels” is a prequel in Dan Brown’s novels, but a sequel on screen) unfurls itself in thousands of theaters today to just a fraction of the hubbub that “Da Vinci” was released to in 2006.

Why so little zing, comparitively speaking? Well, it’s wedged right in the middle of the summer movie season, for one thing–right after “Star Trek” and right before “Terminator Salvation.” It’s tough to compete with all that sci-fi zap and pow. But the film itself hasn’t been nearly as controversial as “Da Vinci,” with Ron Howard expunging some (much?) of the book’s original anti-Catholic message. 

Granted, some Catholics are still pretty peeved. The Catholic League’s Bill Donohue has issued several press releases condemning the movie and accusing director Ron Howard of being anti-Catholic. But his critiques lost some of their sting when L’Osservatore, Vatican City’s official newspaper, declared the film “harmless entertainment” that “first of all sparks curiosity and is also, maybe, a bit of fun.” I know of at least one other Christian outlet that gave the film pretty high marks for its theological content (though the reviewer noted the film was pretty gory, too).

Secular reviewers thus far, however, have not been as forgiving. It’s early yet, but review clearinghouse Rotten Tomatoes‘ aggregate on the film tops out at 40 percent: not great.

One more note before I move on: Christianity Today has very nice piece on Hollywood and Catholicism, full of comments from Donohue and Howard and a bevy of other in-the-know types. Check it out here.

forgiveme@confession

May 14th, 2009

Confession? By e-mail?

Sure enough.

Makes sense. I find it easier to be brutally honest when I’m writing, frankly. When I’m actually talking with someone (even, presumably, if that someone’s behind a screen), I have a strange urge to make them like me.

Foreman Fasts for Life

May 14th, 2009

By the time you read this, Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman may be in the middle of a hearty breakfast, munching a bagel or chewing some Raisin Bran or whatever rock stars typically eat this time of morning.

If that’s true, it’d be the first time he’s eaten for three days.

Foreman just wrapped up a three-day, water-only hunger strike as part of Darfur Fast for Life, joining folks like actress Mia Farrow, Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson and U.S. Representative Donald Payne (D–N.J.).

Foreman kept a blog during his fast at the Darfur Fast for Life Web site, and his posts are really worth reading, should you get a moment. Some highlights:

Day 1: “An estimated 300,000 folks have already died in Darfur and we do nothing… $0.00. And three people die of the [H1N1] flu and we spend $1.5 billion to figure things out. $1,500,000,000.00. I understand the need for precautionary measures but this feels like reactionary spending when I am reminded of the 2,500,000 people whose lives hang in the balance in displacement camps? What can be done for them? don’t tell me nothing.”

Day 2: [In response to a fan who questioned whether Foreman should be publicizing his fast, in light of Matthew 6:16-18]: “I thought about Matthew 6 before I began this fast and feel comfortable with my decision to make this fast public. Fasting is one of the only ways I could think of to enter into the suffering of Darfur. Like I’ve said earlier–I honestly don’t have a better idea! If you or anyone else has any better ideas as to how to end the cycle of violence and despair I’m all ears. Or let me know how to support what you’re doing over there and I will try my best to lend my songs to the cause.”

Day 3: “Even in this fast, I’m sure my motives are impure most the time. I might be drinking only water but it’s my mind and my heart that are corrupted and impure. I would like to think that I have it all together but I don’t–from the little things (I screw up the time and end up running late way too often)–to the big things (I get overwhelmed at suffering and sorrow in the world and sometimes would rather turn the other way). And in my hopes to get things right I can be extremely judgmental of everyone [and] everything around me. Dang it. I’m sorry all. God is so patient with me. My friends and family are so patient with me. I need to learn how to pass this grace along.”

I’ve read that Foreman’s favorite–or, perhaps, most formative–biblical passage is Psalm 103, part of which reads “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”

“It’s a very inclusive psalm,” Foreman told JesusFreakHideout.com. “It talks about many different states of mind that we go through as humanity. And for me, it encourages me to keep my head on and focus on what matters.”

Good job, Jon. Enjoy that bagel.

 

Not So Fast!

May 13th, 2009

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that at least one Jewish leader felt the Catholic Church is making inroads regarding some long-standing points of friction–particularly the Church’s past alleged anti-Semitic behavior.

Well, it seems that Pope Benedict XVI, on his recent bridge-building swing through the Middle East, hasn’t addressed the issue of anti-Semitism forcefully enough. He’s condemned it, sure, but reports say that he’s not acknowledged that Christians have played an unfortunate role in fostering anti-Semitism–unlike his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. (The fact Benedict was once a Hitler Youth–as most German children were at the time–doesn’t help.)

The pope’s defenders, though, think Benedict just has a different style, and that maybe his critics should just lay off the guy.

“… he seems to believe that occasions for grappling with the deepest and most painful mysteries about God’s plan require something more from a pope than good image management,” writes John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter.

Take Off Those Dancing Shoes, Mister!

May 12th, 2009

Tyler Frost, a 17-year-old senior from Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Ohio, knew he’d be in hot water with his school if he took his girlfriend to prom. See, Frost’s belle goes to a public school, and Heritage Christian frowns on dancing.

He went anyway. Now he, and we, are waiting to see just how hot that water is.

Frost told CBS’ The Early Show that he expects Heritage will suspend him, keep him from taking his final exams on time and, as such, prohibit him from taking part in graduation ceremonies. He’ll likely still graduate in the school, but moving the mortarboard tassel from one side to the other? That’s still up in the air.

While Frost is bummed he’ll likely miss the ceremony, he says he has no regrets, calling the prom a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” And he doesn’t feel attending the dance hurt his faith any.

“I still feel I’m a Christian,” Frost said. “I believe in the morals they’ve taught me.”