JFK was thought of as a threat for being Catholic. Now 5 radical SCOTUS judges are Catholic.

[TheBlackAdder]

Was the threat of Catholicism overblown with JFK or just a precursor to what many knew of the potential for a heavily Catholic representation in a predominately Protestant country?


Were those who objected cognizant to the possible threats to the Constitution and government?


Did they equate the corrupt church and mafia legacies with possible political influences on the U.S.?


===


It kind of makes you wonder, how the Evangelical wing of this country has sided with Catholics, whom they were deeply opposed to years ago--now bed partners for passing religiously-based court rulings and bills. Yet, they both still harbor animosity for the Jews.


===

I expect this to be flagged as offensive to some, because we can't have any real discussions of substance when it involves religion and how it changes, influences, or affects the population en mass.

[RobertEarl]

1. It is offensive

The vote was not because they are Catholic. It is because they are assholes.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. Their position on birth control was, in no way, religiously motivated? nt

[RobertEarl]

3. It was political

And wrong. They know they can't undo Roe v. Wade because of politics.

Assigning, as you tried to do, all Catholics into a big bad scary group is just wrong.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. Everything that occurs, in personal interactions or public is political. I'm talking motivators. nt

[LiberalElite]

4. Many many American Catholics

ignore the Church's dogma on birth control.

[Uncle Joe]

13. No, it was corporate supremacist motivated, religion is just the fig leaf. n/t

[rug]

5. Were you looking for KnowNothingUnderground?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Know_Nothing

[TheBlackAdder]

7. There were a couple of articles, either Salon or Slate that raised similar points.

They discussed how the court is not representative to the religious fabric of this country, with the majority, beyond the five SCOTUS judges as being Catholic.

I'm more into wondering why there was such a radical change in the courts, the government, and public perception and acceptance since the 1960's when JFK was lambasted for being Roman Catholic.


PS. I'm Methodist/Presbyterian who switch to RC 15 years ago and I am raising my four kids as Roman Catholics. I am well versed in both religions, plus haven taken a year of religion courses in college, including the Psychology of Religion.

[rug]

8. The answer to that lies more with Reagan than with Kennedy.

Reagan has an interesting religious history. His father's background was Irish Roman Catholic and his mother's background was Scot/English Disciples of Christ. Reagan was raised in the Disciples of Christ Church while his older brother Neil was raised Catholic. If that situation was reversed, I don't think it would have made a bit of difference to his politics.

Not to mention Sotomayor's religion.

[alp227]

9. DU ToS forbid claims of "disloyalty by Jewish Americans" or "nefarious influence by Jews"

so how is this post any different?

[TheBlackAdder]

14. I am not claiming "disloyalty by Jewish Americans" or "nefarious influence by Jews".

As a Methodist/Presbyterian who converted to catholicism, to raise my family under one religion...

I am well versed in the behaviors of those in the Protestant and Catholic churches, having attended many Sunday Morning sermons and masses. I have noticed a distinct attitude, not by the clergy, but by the church goers to praise Israel, but not so much for the Jews who inhabit Israel. Many parishioners cite a dislike, blaming the Jews for the death of Christ, when a person who is versed in history knows differently. Others will say how they are in charge of the banks and media, when it was the Christians who made them the bank managers back in the late 1920's and early 1930's - since Christians could not loan money for a profit. The Christian bank owners appointed Jewish branch managers--since they didn't believe in Christ and were not going to be saved. This act, allowed the Jews to escape the financial isolation and poverty they were forced into, as many of these branch managers started giving loans to others of their faith, which included loans for the foundation of movie studios. So, if anyone wants to blame the Jews for obtaining financial power, the Christians just need to look in the mirror. I am not, in any way, shape, or form stating anything negative about the Jewish people.

[alp227]

15. OK, but in this case replace "Jew" with "Catholic" in my original post.

Why is this post making accusations about Catholics not any different from crazy talk about "Jewish bankers" etc.?

[TheBlackAdder]

16. Catholics are not a repressed minority, nor are the statements made deemed accusations.

The church has a historical trail, from the US, England and Central/Western Europe.

Perhaps, you should research the church you so defend, including recent abuses and their actions to hide information.

[Phlem]

10. 1 to 6 for leaving it.

[TheBlackAdder]

11. Thanks to everyone who had supported this poorly constructed OP.

Next time, I'll try to compose my thoughts in a more lucid and cogent manner before posting something that could be construed as being inflammatory. As someone who is moderately versed in U.S. History and Religion, back in college for continuing education (English and Political Science degree) this time, I should have properly packaged up this OP. I was hurried at the time of the initial post.


As an EFF supporter, I was concerned that this could be canceled, like so many innocent threads, because of sensitivity.


Luckily, some of you saw though the post and were able to discern the several points that I had poorly conveyed.

[Ken Burch]

12. Of course, when JFK's opponents used the word "Catholic" to describe him,

They actually meant "guy who enjoys sex and has a lot of it".