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Monday, June 17, 2024

Sometimes Things Aren't as Bad as You've Been Led to Believe!



New study suggests more than two-thirds of Catholics believe the Eucharist is truly Jesus

Language matters. How you frame a question influences the answers you receive. Think about it. That's one of the ways media manipulators work. If they don't like what someone says they discredit him with a slur. Even some conservative people of color have been described as recipients of "white privilege." The only way Roe v. Wade could be adopted by the Supreme Court was through "semantic gymnastics." This is what the California Journal of Medicine published in 1970 about Roe:
Since the old ethic has not yet been fully displaced it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing, which continues to be socially abhorrent. The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone really knows, that human life begins at conception and is continuous whether intra- or extra-uterine until death. The very considerable semantic gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but taking a human life would be ludicrous if they were not put forth under socially impeccable auspices. It is suggested that this schizophrenic sort of subterfuge is necessary because while the new ethic is being accepted the old one has not yet been rejected.

This "schizophrenic sort of subterfuge" continues. Look at the way those who opposed COVID were mocked and demonized. Some things never change. If you see people discounted as conspiracy theorists or ridiculed for wearing tin hats, look a little deeper. I've seen that tactic used by Richard Dawkins against a college student who dared to challenge his atheism. I saw a liberal priest use it against my mom when she asked a question. "Where did you get your theology degree?" 

It ain't rocket science to figure out who the manipulators are. Watch how they treat those who refuse to swallow their Kool-Aid. Ridicule and ad hominem attacks. 

I'm not accusing Pew Research of manipulating the results of their survey. I've found them to be a useful tool. But sometimes, if you don't really understand your audience, you can't properly connect and you aren't likely to get the facts straight. 

Let's hope this new study is correct and may we all work to foster belief in Christ among us Who promised not to leave us orphans. He is truly present in the Eucharist. What an invitation to be as close to Him as a mother with her unborn infant.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. 

1 comment:

  1. "Sometimes Things Aren't as Bad as You've Been Led to Believe!"
    "Yes, they are worse!" is my favorite rejoinder. I'm glad that it doesn't apply this time. Two-thirds is far too low, of course, but a good bit better than what we've been led to believe, yes.

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