Running Shorts and Chapel Veils

In light of the protests that are consuming Saint Louis, I thought I'd add my collected thoughts to the mix. I'm also going to try to do the impossible, and leave politics out of it. That's right, I'm not going to disclose what I think about the trial itself or what I think about the message the protestors are trying to get across. I'm just going to use my Catholic faith to view the events that have unfolded since the verdict. Although I will refrain from sharing my political views, I will say that this trial and the protests surrounding it appear to be more about politics than justice in the courtroom. Maybe that does sound political, but I've tried to look at this situation  as objectively as possible and this is the conclusion I've come too: it seems to matter more that Officer Stockley was white and that Mr. Smith was black than the fact that a human life was lost. It really hurts my heart that this seems to be the case. Instead of responding out of co...

In a complete reversal from the 20th century, more people today identify themselves as "spiritual but not religious." An increasing group of people, especially young people, are rejecting traditional religious institutions and opting for a more personalized approach to theism. Is this something we should be concerned about? Absolutely. If people separate themselves from the Church not only do they lose access to the sacraments, but they also lack the tools they need to improve their character. While setting off on your own customized spiritual journey may sound like a good idea at first, it's really like choosing a life raft instead of a cruise ship. First, I'd like to dispute the premise that "spiritual but not religious" implies. It sounds like people have two choices; you can either be spiritual or religious, but not both. We've attached a negative connotation to the term religious, which makes it undesirable for people who claim to be free thinkers...