tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7258903829242617268.post7528517246765497797..comments2023-09-20T04:36:43.331-04:00Comments on Rollie's Blog: Public Matters: Reflections on the Pope's LetterRollie Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12823235385877021567noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7258903829242617268.post-50299552819124042632015-06-27T22:43:55.541-04:002015-06-27T22:43:55.541-04:00thanks for your thoughtful response and analysis o...thanks for your thoughtful response and analysis of the encyclical -- we can gain much by study and reflection on the encyclical and paying attention to what it says about our role as pilgrims on this earth. lenoreLenoe Dowlingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7258903829242617268.post-78988791546854268322015-06-25T13:19:02.614-04:002015-06-25T13:19:02.614-04:00From Al Fritsch
Dear Rollie,
This article is...<br />From Al Fritsch<br /><br />Dear Rollie,<br /><br /> This article is well thought out and written. I certainly know where you are coming from and find that you highlight the good of having a spiritual leader of a highly visible religious institution speak in the name of struggling humanity. You see the value of integrity and thus it is your stated goal in your own reflections. The integrity of which Francis speaks is one where the poor are part of establishing a healthy world -- and not the afterthought of plutocrats who control the wealth of the world in their own greedy manner.<br /><br /> Obviously we differ in where you engage Francis in dialog. Overpopulation is an issue of the 1970s and one that needs being addressed especially by an overpopulating Moslem and not Christian world (just look at the stats). But what can we do in this regard? The major issue is always overconsumption as I said in 1974. Curb autos and not so much people and resources would be in greater balance. Who is to stop driving privileges among 3-car families -- and now 600 million Chinese rushing to join the auto ranks and leaving their bikes at home?<br /><br /> My greatest difference with you is the statement: "the distinction between 'artificial' and 'natural' birth control is gratuitous'." Horse feathers! Do you say the same about organic versus corporate food production or fossil fuel and renewables? I have been helpless at the thoughtless manner in which people use chemicals in their bodies; it's part of the decadence of our civilization. These BC chemicals (some of the most powerful ever consumed) can play a long time havoc to individuals and social structures. That applies to over consumed OTC drugs as well as illegal varieties. Natural means are highly championed by environmentally-conscious homesteaders perhaps more than by practicing Catholic but deserve greater support all the more today because the method is well worth championing as an alternative to Big Drug Corporations. If you care to simplify lifestyles as Pope Francis calls for, then for heavens sake think "natural" in foods, building materials, community relations, clothing, and a hundred different applications. As Francis said elsewhere we should not multiply like rabbits.<br /><br /> The abortion question haunts us all, you and me. Violence is already in our world where someone feels the terrible burden of raising a child without proper support. The violence of billionaires allowed to thrive in a world of a billion destitute and 51% young black unemployment along side of that terrible prison system (where I tried to bring relief for two decades) is all around us. A little more violence in a young girls's decisions does not justify any of it. Every child coming into the world deserves community support and not individualistic destruction -- and support groups harboring hidden racial bias.<br /><br /> Really we agree for the most part about Pope Francis. A little long perhaps but he had much to say in which I am in 100% agreement. Now to carry on the struggle within church structures by the climate change deniers who are striving hard to destroy my weak Earth Healing efforts. I wish I had your prayers in this struggle for in times it looks like they will continue the status quo and slash the vitality of this planet. Thanks for your writing and I do hope to have a chance to chat in the near future. Al Fritsch, SJ<br />Al Fritschnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7258903829242617268.post-16180181659900047452015-06-25T11:49:57.542-04:002015-06-25T11:49:57.542-04:00Rollie,
Now I have to pick it up and begin to rea...Rollie,<br /><br />Now I have to pick it up and begin to read again. <br /><br />I stopped not very far in because there was no science. I thought the Encyclical was therefore of not much use or relevance.<br /><br />Your commentary fits the small part that I read. I think I should read the whole thing to see if it says enough to use in the attempt to be able to make human activity synergistic with the rest of the world to move us forward to something better and not bust a use without adequate cost measures approach to life.<br /><br />Dan CoffeyDan Coffeyhttp://dancoffey.comnoreply@blogger.com