The Practical Parson

 Today, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian graphic designer who creates wedding websites, that she is not obliged to extend her services to same-sex couples who are getting married.  Of course the instant outrage over "Gay rights denied!" has been noted, with people and the dissent from the liberal justices on the court saying this will "make gay people second class citizens".   But, will it?  When you talk about discrimination, everyone automatically goes "Oh, discrimination bad!", as well they should; but wherein lies the truth in cases such as this?   Was it really a gay couple who so sincerely wanted this designer's services and she was the only person who could do the job; or was it on the other hand, a group of people who wanted to 'prove a point' about supposed equality?   The fact of the matter is that while there are legitimate cases of discrimination which occur every single day; cases such as this one before the Sup...

This month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and is also sanctioned by the state as "Pride Month".    Years ago as a younger man, it seemed as though the concept of this Pride thing was something benign; something wherein a group of people simply came together in order to celebrate who they were as individuals.  I have always believed that people should have the (civil) right to express their own individual identity; as it is one of the rights afforded to citizens under the Constitution.   However, in the past 10 years especially, Pride has become less a celebration of who a group of people are; and more of a year-round cudgel with which a group of people will beat you if you do not agree with them 100% regardless of the topic.  It seems like there isn't a month or a week that goes by wherein there isn't some form of pride festival, event, or protest; and the Alphabet community still proclaims that it isn't nearly enough.  They scream ...

  Recently, the Saint Francis healthcare system in Oklahoma was the subject of visitation from a representative of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS), in order to make sure they are in compliance with current Presidential administration policies.  The Catholic Hospital system which comprises 2 hospitals, also has 2 chapels; where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, which means there are also two sanctuary lamps that herald the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. Following the inspection, the CMS representative sent letters to the hospital demanding they extinguish the sanctuary lamps, which he claimed were a "naked flame" which was a threat to fire safety at the hospitals.  A Sanctuary lamp.  Lest the imagery be lost on you, know that the aforementioned lamps consist of a candle inside a glass shell, which is placed inside a red glass candle shade, which is attached to a solid metal base, the shade is then enclosed with a metal lid; to prevent the f...

  Mr Iger, As one who has previously been a subscriber on Disney+ in the recent past for the purpose of enjoying many of the classic Disney Movies; I was deeply disturbed and indeed sickened to see the new revival of the older Disney cartoon “the Proud Family” pursuing a political ideology which is at best false, and at worst seditious and racist.  “Slaves built this country” as a rallying cry for people who claim the right to reparations for the sufferings of others?  By this singular 2 minute point in what is supposed to be a cartoon for children, the Disney corporation is actively encouraging children to hate and despise: their neighbors who may not be the same skin color as themselves, anyone who may be of a different social status than their own even if they are of the same skin color, any and all history which does not bow down and say that it was “all about slavery.” In the name of supposed equity, the Disney company is promoting a false ideology that says slaves d...