Politics, Headlines, Bachmann, and 'Those Catholics'

First, the good news:

"...Although [Catholic League president Bill] Donohue expressed regret over the church's doctrinal statement, he said that ...[Representative Michele]... Bachmann has 'condemned anti-Catholicism' and shown no signs discrimination against Catholics in her political career...."
(CNA)

Now the not-so-good news:

"...Rep. Bachmann made headlines this week when The Atlantic linked the presidential candidate with the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minnesota.

"The church community belongs to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - founded in 1850 with around 400,000 members today - which tightly adheres to the teachings of 16th century Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther.

"The synod's 'Doctrinal Statement on the Antichrist' claims that the Bible has 'revealed' that the 'Roman Papacy' is the anti-Christ...."
(CNA)

'Oh, the Satanic Horror of Those People Over There'

That bit about the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod being one of the lot who feel that the Pope is the antichrist explains a lot.

I'm a convert to Catholicism: partly because I grew up in a virulently anti-Catholic part of the country.¹

My contact with majority denominations in my home area was mostly through folks who, in some cases, were surprised to find out that Catholics were Christians. And I'd listened to some quite imaginative radio preachers. At least some of the latter were of the 'Franklin Delano Roosevelt's birthday divided by Stalin's hat size and the circumference of a Roosevelt dime gives you the Number of the Beast' variety. I exaggerate, but not by much.

As I said: imaginative.

I think there's a need, for some folks anyway, to have someone to blame. It can be those 'deluded, superstitious, immoral, smelly, un-American Catholics and their Satanic Pope,' or those 'dirty, smelly [ethnic group],' or the Illuminati - and I've opined about that in another blog:

• "Lebanon, Israel, Pakistan, India, and the Lizard People"
  (January 14, 2009)
  Particularly
  • Someone to Blame

In America, I think Catholics have been a fairly safe group to loathe. Until quite recently many of us were focused mostly on trying to blend in and make a living. Making a fuss about anti-Catholic propaganda just wasn't a priority.

And that's another topic.

Oh, by the way: Yes, I know about the pedophile priests.

Is a Candidate's Religion Important? That Depends

Although I think a person's faith is very important: I don't think it's necessarily a major issue with most political candidates. America isn't a country where political leaders are also religious leaders.

I'm much more concerned about whether a candidate can be relied upon to stay out of the courts for the duration of his or her term, and is generally sober enough to sign documents. Beyond the basics, I'm also concerned about a number of issues - and will have to start slogging through that as the next election gets closer.

As to whether or not I think a candidate can be a member of some church, and hold views contrary to those of that church? I'm a practicing Catholic - and the shenanigans of 'Catholic' politicos is another topic, for another day.

Related posts:

• America
  • "It's 'Patriot Dream,' Not 'Patriot Delusion'"
    (July 4, 2011)
  • "Natural Moral Law, Catholicism, Karma, and the Tea Party"
    (October 16, 2010)
  • "Public Officials with Ethical Standards: A Radical Idea For Today's America"
    (June 29, 2010)
  • " 'I Take No Interest in Politics' isn't an Option"
    (March 29, 2010)
  • "Pro-Life? You May be a Dangerous Domestic Terrorist! MIAC Says So"
    (March 23, 2009)
• Getting a grip
  
  • "Apocalypse Whenever"
    (June 14, 2011)
  • "Morality, Wisdom, and Getting a Grip"
    (June 3, 2011)
  • " 'Death Cookie' Comic: Seemed Like a Good Idea At the Time?"
    (March 5, 2010)
  • "Florida Book-Burning, Tolerance, and 'The Good Old Days' "
    (September 9, 2010)
  • "Conservative? Liberal? Democrat? Republican? No, I'm Catholic"
    (November 3, 2008)

In the news:

• "Rep. Michelle Bachmann's church may be anti-Catholic but she isn't, says Bill Donohue"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (July 15, 2011)

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¹ My parents went to a nice mainstream Protestant church - which didn't claim that somebody the founder didn't like was the antichrist. It was a rather pedestrian - and sane - denomination. And I have fond memories of my Protestant past.