Immorality And Immaturity Often Go Hand In Hand

Earlier this week, from a naval base in the state of Washington, the air crew of an electronic warfare plane took their plane into the skies above Okanogan and with their plane contrails, drew a picture of male genitals.  It appears that naval officials handled it well.  They have grounded the crew and issued an apology, stating (among other things) "sophomoric and immature antics of a sexual nature have no place in naval aviation today".  I do hope that the crew does incur some significant discipline.

What I find disappointing, though, are the equally sophomoric reactions that I see among those who call themselves conservative and even Catholic.  One facebook page is owned by a woman who is a secular Carmelite.  She posted a joke about it.  I asked her what was the point of the vulgar jokes and was mocked as a prude by her and others.  I was not the only one to take objection to that post.  I decided to unfriend her.  But really!  What would impel a professed religious to joke about such obscenities?  What would impel other commenters (Catholics, I'd presume) to chortle right along with her?

One secular-conservative facebook page has quite a discussion going on; I got a glimpse into the page owner's mindset when I noticed that his page title contains vulgarities.  I'll share one very telling screen shot.

Notice how several of the commenters seem to revel in the idea of acting immature as opposed to embracing maturity.  They all seem to be suffering from "peter pan syndrome".  They seem to think they can put on their "adulthood" when emergencies occur, not accepting the fact that no virtue will come to play when vice has been allowed to dominate.  While the shot was taken from the secular page, but I think the same can be said for those on the Catholic page as well.

Now notice to the left, the second from bottom comment.  He states that when "we don't need to be mature (an obvious denial of reality)" he is engaged in a never-ending quest for "entertainment".

There are many facets to this idolatry of entertainment.  However, my focus will be on that implied by the title of this post.  Immorality and immaturity feed off one another.  How many progressive pro-aborts are now dependent upon the state for their sustenance?   How many do we see who cannot countenance being exposed to opinions other than their own, without rioting and/or scurrying for their "safe spaces"?

Just as in the final days of the Roman Empire, pagans sacrificed their souls and minds for the sake of "bread and circus".  As seen on the page of my former Facebook friend, many who call themselves Catholic are at least sympathetic to this pursuit.  They fail - or refuse - to see that "maturity" is simply the disciplined and constant practice of virtues.  To engage in "immaturity" is to cease virtue and to become enslaved to vice.  So now we have people pursuing the latest entertainment systems, plopping themselves in front of the tv, etc, and of course engaging in sexual immorality (and yes, that air-drawing stunt was sexual immorality) and abortions and generally acting like overgrown adolescents.  The commenter who seems to think that we can be mature "when we absolutely need to be" is simply deceiving himself; if he doesn't practice the virtues that come with maturity in his routine life, he'll have no spiritual and moral fortitude to be virtuous in times of crisis.

We of course understand that real maturity and virtue and grace will arise from our prayer, frequenting the sacraments and discipline in practicing virtue.

Comments?

Year Of Mercy Logo: Throw-Back To The 1970s

As you gaze upon the felt-banner leftover from that decade, you might opine that the this post's title be changed from "throw-back to the 1970s" to "throw-up of the 1970s".  It is an eye-sore.  Speaking of eyes, do you notice anything?  Yes!  Jesus and the badly-contorted guy seem to share an eye-ball.  So are they supposed to be Siamese twins, cojoined at the eye-ball?    It's not only grotesque but also quite new-age, hearkening to Hinduism, Taoism and theosophy; read this write-up.

Heretic Father Richard Rohr also seems to be interested in "third eye" gobblygoop.  I've written a bit about him previously.

Didn't the Vatican learn anything from the artistic disaster point forth from the Pontifical Council for Culture three months ago?  To refresh memories, I refer you to a prior post.  I suppose we can be grateful that this "year of mercy" logo doesn't hearken to BDSM activites as the below logo does.  But really!  Why won't they use real art treasures from centuries back - ones that inspire true piety and love of Our Lord, His Church and our fellow man?

For an example of real art, I refer you to the Divine Mercy image incorporated into this blog's logo.  While it dates back only to the 1930s (coming to us via Saint Faustina), it depicts the true nature, source and communication of mercy.  It comes to us via Our Lord Jesus Christ and is communicated to us through the Sacraments and ministry of the Church.  May all come to know authentic mercy through Christ's Church and sacraments.

Why Is The Archdiocese Of Baltimore Allowing Tai Chi Workshops On Its Properties?

First, let's go into some background on tai chi itself.  Touted as a "martial arts" series of disciplines and exercises, its roots in Taoism and Buddhism cannot be denied.  Despite pipe dreams to the contrary, these pagan roots permeate the various motions and do cause altered mental states.  In short, like many "new age" gimmicks, it can open one to demonic influences since it does mimic idol worship.  In a saner time, when our prelates valued prudence and wisdom, no Catholic would have been granted permission to participate in any of these rituals.  That was then, this is now.  Progressivism has wormed its ways into our chanceries as prelates lack the backbone and/or wisdom to oppose it.

My blogging colleague at Harvesting The Fruit, headquartered in Baltimore, posted about a tai chi workshop being hosted by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Marriottville, MD.   I will divert from the topic of this post for a few moments to comment on this so-called "retreat center", starting with some personal experience.  About 10 years ago, a pro-life group with which I was affiliated had a day-long retreat/conference.  This Bon Secours place was booked; unbeknownst to us, it was even then a new-age haunt.  I arrived late for the meeting and rushed in, not paying attention to my surroundings.  Only after the meeting ended did we look around and noticed the literature rack by the front door, loaded with pamphlets that extolled the wonders of ashrams and crystals.  Needless to say, our eyes were opened.  They were opened even further as we walked to our cars and noticed the labyrinth to the side.  We each made a Sign of the Cross.  Our first trip to Bon Secours was also our last.

Let's take a virtual tour of Bon Secours, shall we?  To their dubious credit, they make no bones about being a de facto witches' coven.  At their main page you can see to the right the tai chi session.  Go to the events page and scroll down till you see the "soulcollage" thing.  The whole idea of this thing revolves around the unsuspecting victims participants selecting images that "depict your personality parts, your archetypal guides, your energetic companion animals, and even some of the sentient beings that have loved, taught, and challenged you."  Sentient beings!  And just who/what might they be?  Familiar spirits?  Demons?

Now check out the "grounds and meditation" tab.  We've touched a bit on the labyrinth so why not visit the "peace garden"?  Well, one reason not to visit is that they call it "zen-type".  It even comes with a "peace pole"!  That is a new one on me.  Until an hour ago, I never heard of a "peace pole".  Look - if you really want a prayerful garden, go to the grotto at Mt. St Mary's in Emmitsburg.  There you'll find a garden with mosaics of the Stations of the Cross, the Mysteries of the Rosary AND a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament reposed.  Why waste time in a place filled with symbols of idolatry - and most likely worse?

And to this snake-pit the Archdiocese of Baltimore refers Catholics?  But wait!  We're not done yet!  It gets worse!

Tai-chi poison is being spread in a Catholic church in Baltimore!

Again, with the Catholic Review singing its praises, we read an account of it at St Dominic's church in Baltimore.  The aged perpetrator nun declares right off the bat that "this is not something like tai chi or yoga".  But a few paragraphs before that we read how all the participants were in a "trance like state".  If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck - guess what?  It's a duck!  They call this sign chi do, as though a name change will fool everyone.  I googled it and it does seem to be quite the money-making racket.  One site I found does acknowledge the obvious; that is, tai chi is to be found in the roots of this sign chi do.  It goes on to blather about being "aligned in body mind and spirit" and "healing".  She calls it "sacred".  It's not; it's new age claptrap.

For two thousand years the Roman Catholic Church has preached the way to true healing.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us His Sacraments.  Confession and Holy Communion are the two to which we can and should frequently resort.  Of course that involves repentance and conforming our lives with His Word.  Around that there is no short-cut; all other gimmicks are false and will lead to hell.  Shed the gimmicks and stay with Christ and His Church.