The Church cannnot change just for you

Many people don't want to be a part of the Catholic Church because it won't modernize.  Every Pope that's ever existed has never given up on any of the same old, conservative Catholic principles.  Popes, unlike some republicans, do not cave to pressure. 

Surely the Church could stand to make some changes, such as I believe the Church should allow women into the papacy. But I also think the Church could do this and not give on principle. 

I do not, however, think the Church itself should change just to keep younger people going to Church.  When younger people age and realize they want to be a part of the Church, the Church will be there, unscaved and unhurt.  When poeple get hurt, the Church never does.  Surely there will be a scandal from time to time, but the Church is what it is. 

Note, that I am all for women in the papacy, but I don't want the Church to cave on principle.  So listen to this passage from a feminist protestor who stood outside the Vatican as the new Pope was introduced:

Yes. I mean, that's my dream as a child, is to see a woman out there on the altar. Um, when it comes to women's issues, when it comes to the sex-abuse crisis, um, when it comes to LGTB issues, reproductive health care, the church really needs to be transparent and open and welcome women's voices into those issues.

She also said:

 I do not practice now. I'm ecumenical, and I'm not alone. Many people I know who were raised Catholic no longer attend Mass and many aren't raising their children Catholic, either, when it's because of the sex scandal, the church's views on women, perhaps it's openness to other ideas like homosexuality. I bet there are a lot of people who might return to the church if it changed. After tonight's celebrations are over, the big question will be whether Pope Francis will be (dramatic pause) that change.

She doesn't just want the Church to ad women, she wants the church to ad women and change principle.  I'm not for that at all.  She wants the Church to change ist's views on LGTB, which, by the way, stands for Lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual.  Other woments issues are reproductive health care, sex abuse, and women's voices. 

She believes the Church is way behind on those things. The church has gotta modernize, otherwise this woman doesn't want anything to do with it -- and that's what she ought to do! If the church is not to her liking, go somewhere else. It's not her job to go in there and make the church fit herself.

She has different political beliefs as the Church, and so she believes the Church should change just to cater to her beliefs.  The church should not have to change because of the political beliefs of some of its members.  If it did that, it would be twisted, inconsistent, and would soon become irrelivent (which may be what some people want.)

But the church is gonna have to do something to get them back. That's not how it works. Not with religion. Not with religion. That's not how this works. That's not how Christianity works.  That's not how Catholism works.  These things cannot change just to cater to a certain audience.  Jesus does not change.  Jesus will never change.  What Jesus stands for will never change.  If you don't accept Jesus, if you don't accpet what he is, then you cannot come into the Church. 

To quote Cardina Dolen, the new archbishob of New York:

Doctrine can't change. So to use the word "doctrinal changes" for a Catholic is almost an oxymoron. There are things that a pope can change that would not be doctrine, but more matters of church discipline. Priestly celibacy is not a doctrine of the church; it's a discipline of the church. Do I expect him to change it? No. Could he change? Yes. Possible, yes. Probable, no. But there's that distinction. Ordination of women, that's a doctrinal thing. That's not discipline.

They don't change the doctrine. That's the key. It's not up to debate. There is no consensus here. The church believes things. If you don't, then don't go. This is what orthodoxy is. And orthodoxy is certainty, certitude.

Yet if you decide to enter, the Church is always here for you.  Jesus will always be here for you, if you so choose to accept him into your life.  But he's not going to change for you, you have to change for the Church. 

Adam Lambert will be the next great rock star

You have to be impressed by what happened on American Idol this week, as it appeared that Christianity and conservatism won out over a person who was, in my opinion, the better singer and better performer.

Oh, by the way, my opinion doesn't matter. Simon Cowell and the rest of the American Idol judges all said that Adam Lambert was by far the best singer ever to appear on American Idol. It was to the point that Cowell told viewers to vote for Adam Lambert (and yes that is legal on this show).

According to this article, Adam Lambert, with his black nails and his flashy appearance, seemed to take over the show. And, at times, it appeared as thought the show was not American Idol, but the " Adam Lambert Show."

Yet, Kris Allen, who's good looks and singing that to me is about as flashy as any of the other Christian Conservative bands you hear on Christian radio networks, won the day. He is, after all, THE American Idol 2009.

Which means nothing. Kris Allen may be a great singer for Christian radio networks, yet in the end, Adam Lambert will be the better CD seller. You heard it here first.

My two liberal friends at work think Lambert might be gay. One said, "You're going to vote for Allen becaue he's a Christian." My buddy was wrong. I have never once voted for any American Idol contestant. I leave that to the teens who hover and drool at the feet of those they adore.

I said, "I do not care if someone is gay or not. I have nothing against gay people. I have many friends who are, and listen to the music of the likes of those who are (Boy George is an elite singer by the way). I work with some who are to."

"You say that," he said, "but that's not what you really believe."

"I only say what I mean. I treat all people alike. I am fair. This is America. This is American Idol. It's a great show."

So, for you liberals who hate my blog because I am against gay marriage, you can find some solace in knowing that I am fair. Adam Lambert is an awesome singer with an awesome voice and an awesome stage presence not unlike Prince and Elton John, Sting, Kiss, Queen, Boy George, or any such elite music makers who may be awkward in their public persona.

I have a sense that he may even be an elite singer as the afore mentioned. Yet I have no idea if what I just said will be true. It could turn out to be true that Kris Allen is the next Carrie Underwood.

Although Allen will not be the new Country music queen, but the Christian music king. That, I have to say, is a possibility. Although I have to admit I do not listen to Christian music on a regular basis, unless a Christian song so happens to make it to the top 40 music station.

And I have no problem with a singer as flashy as Lambert, any more than I have a problem with Elton John or a wacky band like No Doubt or a far out rap band. Or Sting. No. If some one, or some band, can make great music, I am a fan.

And, that said, I am a fan of Adam Lambert. He will be a great Rock Star. He will. I predict he will be a rock star. He has, as Simon Cowell often says, "the IT factor." He has the IT factor the way Carrie Underwood has the IT factor to Country music (although he is not HOT like Carrie is).

Adam Lambert is Awesome man.

I am not opposed to gay rights. A friend of mine said those opposed to gay marriage are opposed to gay rights. Um, it is true that all men have the same rights, gay or not gay.

So, the Battle for gay marriage is not the same as the Civil Rights battle. All men cannot get married to another man. Sorry. It is true. Doah.

No, I am not assuming a man who wears black nails is gay. I am just saying. Although those who hate me will assume as they wish.

Yet, as my old science teacher would say, if you assume, you make an ASS out of U and ME.

Yet, in a sense, you can't help but feel some consolation for the conservative movement and Christianity that all such individuals gathered together and voted in a united fashion for an inferior singer, yet a united conservative Christian.

And, in that way, you have to be impressed with the way American Idol ended today. Yes, I was surprised.

This is all to prove that I have nothing against weird people just because I am a conservative and a Christian. I love all people equal, and I am fair. As, ahem, are most good people.