Should Bush, Jr. ask the European Pope to address the National Teachers Association and give suggestions to the teachers as to how to reduce the USA public school teenage pregnancy rate?
All legal under Bush, Jr.'s faiths-based initiatives to make America a theocracy?
2007-11-29 04:01:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Bush shouldn't even be talking to the Pope about anything.
2007-11-29 04:04:57 · answer #1 · answered by rikirailrd 4 · 4⤊ 7⤋
I think it could be good depending on how it is done. GW may also ask other religious leaders. I think the Pope could speak out more and use diplomacy to help with reduction of teen pregnacy. Some may not agree with the church's methodology, but the Pope has contacts and information that the president may not. If the church can find real ways of helping, that would be good cooperation with government in my opinion. It also can be done without undermining Catholic conscience. Also, I would disagree that this means theocracy. And I would not see theocracy as positive either way.
2007-11-29 12:55:01 · answer #2 · answered by Ed H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
+ Premarital Sex +
The United States of America teaches that it is permissible for teenagers over the age of 16 to have consensual premarital sex.
The Catholic Church has taught that premarital sex at any age is immoral for nearly 2,000 years. We inherited this virtue from our Jewish forefathers who have taught this for more than 5,000 years.
The Catholic Church would be happy to contribute in any reasonable way possible. Have the President contact the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E.
Washington DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-3000
+ Theocracy +
The Catholic Church does not want the United States to be a theocracy.
Catholic Church seeks and supports the freedom of religion for all human beings.
In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:
The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.
For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html
With love in Christ.
2007-11-30 00:23:36 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, he's not the "European" pope, he's the Roman Catholic pope, worldwide. And I wasn't aware that the pope was contributing to the rise in the teenage pregnancy rate; perhaps we should keep him away from teenage girls.
Also, he's not Bush "Jr." His name is George Walker Bush; his father is George Herbert Walker Bush. I'm not sure he's contributing to the rise in pregnancies, either, but he should be kept away from children and teenagers just on general principles.
I'm sorry, what was the question?
.
2007-11-29 12:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by Stranger In The Night 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
What is he going to tell them? Abstinence? Like that has worked.
Until the church comes out of the middle ages on their beliefs on birth control, their efforts of trying to limit birth control will be about as effective as swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.
2007-11-30 07:14:29 · answer #5 · answered by timbers 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why not. We couldn't do any worse than we already have. Conventional forms of birth control have failed miserably. And there are actually plenty of reason to teach abstinence that have absolutely nothing to do with religion. So I don't think you have to worry about any church/state infringement. The only problem with abstinence is that it requires people to be responsible and excersize self-control. Most people have proven a staunch unwillingness to do that.
2007-11-29 12:15:13 · answer #6 · answered by Thom 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is a parenting issue. The pope cannot do anything but make statements based on His understanding of God. God must raise children through parents that are willing to let Him.
2007-11-29 12:10:45 · answer #7 · answered by happylife22842 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. First of all one of them is stupid and another is old. Try and guess which one and I'll give you 5$. LOL!!!! XD But really, what are 2 men going to do. There are billions of kids in the world. It's gonna take alot of stuff to even reduce the rate.What are you gonna do? go to kids and say "don't have sex. If you have sex you'll get Chlamydia." LOL!!!! XD I don't really think thats going to change anything.
2007-11-29 12:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by Flintstoner 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think so, and I'm a Catholic.
The Pope is not responsible for the American education system. That is OUR job as citizens and the job of our elected officials.
The Pope of course is concerned with the millions of Catholics in America, and rightly so, and he has offered advice to Bush before when asked and that's perfectly legitimate from one Christian man to another.
As for abstinence policy, it works better than free birth control and sex ed. Look at Uganda's statistics for a model of success.
Pax Vobiscum+
2007-11-29 12:06:05 · answer #9 · answered by Veritas 7 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Maybe that would be more effective than the $200,000,000 annually spent on abstinence only programs. Even the administration's own figures decry the effectiveness of abstinence-only education. STD rates are just as high for those taking the pledge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginity_pledge
The truth will set you free from the bonds of religious ignorance.
2007-11-29 12:04:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋