Where the Rubber Hits the Road

I appreciate this story is about the American election, but its message applies to Canada as well in as much as we too are plagued with politicians who espouse one set of values when the campaign but fail to live up them once elected. I happen to agree with Mr. Santorum's values because they are Catholic values. I appreciate his openly professing them faithfully. It is refreshing in these troubled times. However I have no idea whatsoever whether or not he'd make a good president and am not taking a position on an election in another country. But it is unique to see a politician on either side of the border so forcefully and completely present the Catholic proposition in an election campaign. Santorum is doing exactly what the Church asks the laity to do... to live out their lives as a only then can uniquely do. He is BEING a Roman Catholic Christian in running for President. He is not just a person running for President who happens to be Catholic and Christian. It's hard...

A Reluctant Sinner: When is a vicar not a vicar? The Guardian's coverage of the "midnight mass brawl" at a Southampton Catholic church

The Thin Veil: A Tweeting, Blogging, Podcasting Bishop

Victims' group must reveal records in priest case - WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather and Sports |

Two abortionists charged with multiple counts of murder - U.s. - Catholic Online

Appetite for destruction: 2012 and the Apocalypse | CTV News

Top 10 under-covered Vatican stories (plus a bonus feature) | National Catholic Reporter

26 priests, religious, lay pastoral workers slain in 2011 : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The drumbeat of war is getting louder. If Noam Chomsky is correct, we might see the start of hostilities between Iran and the West within months. I believe it was he who postulated that when a nation's media starts to pay up another country as a threat, it puts into process a series of events that usually leads to armed conflict within a year. It is a process that is marked by a steady drumbeat of more and louder voices making the argument that force is the only effective option to 'protect ourselves'. Somehow they convince the majority to actually buy into an argument that essentially concludes that 'war is the best tactic to prevent war'. After suitable noise has been made demanding steps Iran must take to change its ways (allowing inspections etc.) along with the establishment of deadlines that ultimately Iran will either ignore or fail to comply with, Chomsky would predict that the West will go to war again in the next phase of a battle to control the earth'...

NYT: Bishops say rules on gay parents limit religious freedom - US news - The New York Times - msnbc.com

Daily Kos: New York Times reports on Catholic Charities pull-out in Illinois

Christa Dias, Mother, Fired From Catholic Schools For Use Of Artificial Insemination

Converting to Catholicism a challenging but rewarding decision - The Washington Post

Charlie Lewis of the National Post writes in response to a column by Margaret Wente in which he takes exception this her assessment of the state of the faith in Canada. He writes: "Many people have written that the re-evangelization of the West by missionaries from the Global South is becoming more commonplace. In Canada and the United States there are, for example, a number of African priests now ministering to mainly white Catholic parishes. Canterbury has already been supplanted in terms of credibility by the more orthodox Anglican bishops in Africa and Anglicanism will become more orthodox as a result of that shift. In fact, the radical growth of orthodox Anglicanism in Africa will make Anglicanism the number two Christian faith in the world, behind Roman Catholicism, by 2050 or so. The priest in my own Catholic parish in Toronto is originally from Columbia and he considers himself a missionary to Canadians. He also spent many years in Africa, living rough and...

According to prophecies of Hopi and Mayan mystics and the predictions of Nostrodamus, 2012 will bring catastrophic events to plague humanity, culminating with the end of the world as we know it today. Television programming , media reports, books and blogs , are all beating the drum of impending doom which resonates within many people as they stand on the precipice of the dread year’s start, tinging their celebration with a touch of apprehension. If our previous obsession with the Y2K and the fascination with failed predictions of Harold Camping are at all normative, doomsayers will find a growing audience. 'Apocalypse' is destined to be a trending topic in the months to come.  Indeed, if these voices crying out that the ‘end is near’ are correct, it would seem an appropriate time to look back to see how we arrived at this epitome of human cognitive and cultural evolution, particularly as we stand at the eve of the promised climactic year. Historians and theologian...

The Weakness of Tyranny | First Things

It's the last line of this Gingrich ad that amazes me. I cannot help but ask... Newt actually paid for this political ad? If this is what he means when he speaks about being open to 'big ideas', he's about to be slaughtered. It must be difficult being a Republican these days. A handful of longshot congressional representatives each with evident defects, two Mormon governors... and Newt. Make your choice. It's enough to make them wish for a 'none of the above' option. It’s Officially Getting Weird Out There | Swampland | TIME.com

Vatican throws light on history as it opens secret archives - Telegraph

Going to church is good for you: Services lower blood pressure, research finds | Mail Online

Bishops 'discussing' Obama's 'war on religion' | Campaign 2012 | Washington Examiner

From Gabrielle Giffords to Donald Trump: The best and worst in U.S. politics in 2011 | News | National Post

Islamic Jihadists Bomb Catholic Church in Nigeria on Christmas Day - International - Catholic Online

The Catholic Church built Western civilization - KansasCity.com

The Night After Christmas Sky Show - NASA Science

Full text of Pope Benedict's Urbi et Orbi Message (To the City and the World) : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Earth to God: We could use you right about now - The Globe and Mail

ZENIT - George Weigel on a Crisis of Liberty

At the world’s hottest church | Holy Post | National Post

God's far from dead in the global South - The Globe and Mail

Study compares Catholicism to Christianity across the globe | National Catholic Reporter

UN says “denigration of believers” is no longer taboo - Vatican Insider

Time lapse video: ISS cometrise | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

Europe suffers from 'faith fatigue," says Pope in year-end summary : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

WAY COOL! The History & Structure of the Universe (Infographic) | Big Bang & History of the Universe | Universe Evolution & Astronomy | Space.com

The accidental universe: Science's crisis of faith—By Alan P. Lightman (Harper's Magazine)

Signs Point to Economy’s Rise, but Experts See a False Dawn - NYTimes.com

The List: Santa's Christmas List - sportsnet.ca

Bob McDonald's top science stories of 2011 - Quirks and Quarks

CBC News - Dangerous travel: Countries to avoid this holiday

The First War of National Liberation » Main Feature » Jewish Ideas Daily

  I received an email from a fellow blogger regarding the TV program "All American Muslim". Evidently a major sponsor had pulled its ads in response to a campaign that alleged the program was part of an Islamic attempt to subvert and prepare America for conversion to the Muslim faith. Elizabeth Potter writes: I thought that you and the readers of Where the Rubber Hits the Road would be interested to know that Lowe's Home Improvement recently pulled its ads from the TLC show All-American Muslim in response to an organization claiming the show "falsely humanized Muslims in America.” This controversy has exposed more Islamophobia in America which falls directly in line with what the My Fellow American project is trying to prevent and overcome in America. As a supporter of the project, would you please visit www.myfellowamerican.us to share what this controversy means to you? I encourage you to ask your readers to do the same to help spread the message of tolerance ...

Christmas, the Infinite, and the Finite | First Things

Alvin Plantinga’s New Book on God and Science - NYTimes.com

Only 51% of US adults are married : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Stop jailing HIV-positive Canadians for not telling sex partners: Doctors

Astronomers detect first Earth-size planets orbiting another star - The Washington Post

Aggregator: New study: Christianity remains largest religion in the world; Catholics outnumber all other Christians combined...

Kim Jong Il, N. Korean dictator, dies at 69 - CBS News

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Canadians, during a recent appearance at Caesars in Windsor ; If someone in a Home Depot store Offers you assistance and they don't work there, You may live in Canada. If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, You may live in Canada. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation With someone who dialed a wrong number,.................. You may live in Canada. If 'Vacation' means going anywhere South of Detroit for the weekend, You may live in Canada. If you measure distance in hours, You may live in Canada. If you know several people Who have hit a deer more than once, You may live in Canada. If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' In the same day and back again, You may live in Canada. If you can drive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow During a raging blizzard without flinching, You may live in Canada. If you install security lights on your house and garage, But leave both unlocked, You may liv...

The Angels of Advent | Daily News | NCRegister.com

NEW EVANGELISATION IS NOT AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT VATICAN CITY, 17 DEC 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received prelates from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.   In his address to the group, the Pope spoke of the challenges "which are common to all of you, in spite of the many social, economic and cultural contexts in which you work". In particular, he mentioned secularism and its "significant impact on the understanding and practice of the Catholic faith. This is seen specifically in a weakened appreciation for the sacred nature of Christian marriage and the stability of the family", he said.   "Ultimately, Christian faith provides a surer basis for life than the secular vision. ... Thus, the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation was recently established. Since the Christian faith is founded on the Word made flesh,...

Cheering for Incest?!? Some Healthy Shame Would Do Us Some Good - U.s. - Catholic Online

Prison according to Peter - Vatican Insider

Christopher Hitchens Interview | Hitchens Catholic Church | Hitchens Dawkins Atheism | Mediaite

The Reason for Our Hope: Waiting with Patience and Hope

As Christmas nears, pope looks weak and tired | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/18/2011

Vaclav Havel: Requiescat In Pace | The American Catholic

Ninety floors... and counting: The breathtaking views from One World Trade Center (and there's still 14 storeys to go) | Mail Online

Defending the Rights of Religious Expression for Everyone — From Anglicans to Zoroastrians | Daily News | NCRegister.com

The Reason for Our Hope: The Gift of Hope

The perils of a 'part-time pope' | National Catholic Reporter

In Depth Analysis : Toward a Realistic View of Society - Catholic Culture

Ah, Sarcasm: Office Christmas Party Tips from Catholic League

BBC News - Christopher Hitchens dies at 62 after suffering cancer

The carelessness of the New York Times - Vatican Insider

Margaret Sanger: “Abortion is Dangerous and Vicious”

Belgium Government Official Wants Euthanasia Law Expanded to Include Minors : Turtle Bay and Beyond – International Law, Policy, and Institutions

Waiting for the Higgs Particle - NYTimes.com

Lawyer flings even more anti-Catholic slurs at judge handling company's bankruptcy case - TwinCities.com

Anti-abortion activist Linda Gibbons faced a 'troublingly broad' interpretation of the law, lawyer argues | News | National Post

3 more myths about pro-lifers, and how to refute them | LifeSiteNews.com

5 myths about pro-lifers, and how to refute them | LifeSiteNews.com

Freedom Through Truth: The Christmas Rush

‘The Protester’ named Time magazine's ‘Person of the Year’ - The Globe and Mail

Luke 21: 10-19   "Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/video/video-is-a-m...

Archbishop Chaput Answers Questions About His Stunning Letter | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Research teams say latest findings narrow search for 'God' particle - The Globe and Mail

Scrooge Defended - Michael Levin - Mises Daily - StumbleUpon

Father Spitzer's 10 Universal Principles | Daily News | NCRegister.com

The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Higgs Boson: What is it, and why is everyone so excited about the ‘God Particle?’ | News | National Post

"What came into the church, in the wake of the second Vatican Council, was an unthinking acceptance of certain tenets of secular modernism – one of the most fundamental and insidious being utilitarianism – or the barbaric belief that what works is good. When this frightening aphorism was unthinkingly stood on its head, not only “what works was good”, but “what is good is that which works”, and consequently the only “Good” became “whatever works”. Why do I think that there's a logical fallacy in there someplace? I can't remember the proper name, but I call it a 'Stevie Wonder'. It goes like this: Love is blind. Stevie Wonder is blind. Therefore, Stevie Wonder is love. Clearly 'love' is being used analogously, but so is 'works' in this column. One can speak of it as a process (it 'works') and an end in itself (good 'works'). I do not believe that the majority of today's Christians would fail to see that Fr. Longnecker's ...

Female priests push Catholic boundaries | StarTribune.com

CTV asked, you answered: Adventures with auto-correct | CTV News

Three co-recipients accept Nobel Peace Prize | CTV News

Freedom Through Truth: Merry Christmas I Mean MERRY CHRISTMAS

Whispers in the Loggia: "Complacency Is the Enemy of Faith": For Chaput's Philadelphia, "Real Change" Is Coming

Star Wars and the History of Vatican II |

The Sacred Page: Sodom and Gomorrah Excavated

Preaching harm to women - The Globe and Mail

'What has happened to contemporary atheism? Until a few years ago, atheism resided in a pragmatic space of irreligiousness and indifference, assisted by the modern turn of events which rendered philosophical discourse on the existence of God dogmatically impossible by definition. Today, we are witnessing a double turn. The first involves a return to theoretical atheism, assisted by references to scientific discourse. After the classic seasons of suspect teachers (Marx, Nietzsche, Freud), today it is the turn of neo-darwinism and neuroscience to furnish arguments for the belief that God does not exist. A God whom some authors prefer to write with a lowercase “g”. The second and more interesting change perhaps, is atheism as a new form of morality. In this case too, historical antecedents can be cited. In the modern age, there is Pascal’s debate with erudite libertinism or Sartre’s celebrated pamphlet on atheism as humanism. The new apologetics of atheism privileges the reference to ...

Vatican astronomer discusses earth-like planet : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Coercing Consciences | First Things

CBS Sunday Morning Report Simplifies as It Scolds the Catholic Church | Archdiocese of Washington

Creative Minority Report: Atheists Crucify Skeleton Santa

Siri 'Scandal' Due to Deceptive Advertising by Abortion Clinics | NewsBusters.org

ANALYSIS | Neil Macdonald: Sex, sin and redemption in America - World - CBC News

It is a continuing mystery to me why women who shun regular produce in favor of 'organic' foods so willingly ingest chemicals designed to alter their body chemistry to prevent fertility. Stories like this one only serve to deepen the mystery for me. Two brands of birth control pills raise blood clot risk | CTV News

This story is part of an unsettling trend where the 'drums of war' are becoming more and more insistent. It has been posited that whenever governments decide that war 'needs to' be waged, they start 6-12 months in advance to prepare their population with a slow and steady increase in 'propaganda' designed to bring them on side in preparation for conflict. I've noted such an increase over the past few weeks of media stories which seem to be aimed at just such a process. I really, really hope that I am wrong, but I fear that I may be correct. If I am correct, we are in for some difficult times in the months ahead. Iran's escalating conflict with Gulf neighbours increases risk of war | News | National Post

Potentially Earth-Like Planet Has Right Temperature for Life | Wired Science | Wired.com

What would you do? Should I give change to a homeless person on the street? - The Globe and Mail

Watchdog group releases list of most and least corrupt nations - U.s. - Catholic Online

Cardinal: failure to address climate change is ‘moral apartheid’ : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The Catholic church: A house divided? - CBS News

The Catholic Church, AIDS and condoms | Holy Post | National Post

In the Spirit: Can a Catholic also be a liberal?

Engaging the Public Square as a Catholic | Daily News | NCRegister.com

A dialogue of faith and reason beats fanaticism and relativism - Vatican Insider

IKEA a temple? Think of it this way: Ottawa’s IKEA is bigger than any other place of worship in the city, including those of the secular variety, bigger than six football fields and more than 18 times the size of the arena floor at Scotiabank Place when it is opened up for a major event like a rock concert. On a global basis, IKEA sold $17.7 billion U.S. worth of goods in 2005, and $23.1 billion in 2010. Recession be damned. IKEA has a hold on the hearts and minds of its acolytes and the pilgrims willing to travel for hours or line up for days anticipating the opening of a new store. Steve Jobs’ Apple did it well, but IKEA has been doing it for longer. IKEA has its rites — putting together a bookcase with an Allen key — and its own language — a chair named Bofink, a bed called Leksvik, just to name two out of thousands. And it has self-appointed brand evangelists who say they have seen the light. Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/cult+IKEA/5769588/story.html#ixzz...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/12/03/pol-office-religious-freedom.html

Large Hadron Collider & the ‘God Particle’: Six creators, one Nobel Prize | News | National Post

Ban on Christmas decorations in Quebec quickly overturned - The Globe and Mail

Best Space Pictures of 2011: Editors' Picks