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Archive: Ronald Rychlak
Abortion and thinking Americans
It is true that an unplanned pregnancy can be an embarrassment, create a severe financial strain, and cause parents (especially the mother) to drop out of school early. That does not justify, under any normal legal analysis, the taking of a life. We do not take it as a justification for homicide, for instance, if an elderly parent strains the finances or psychological balance of a household. In no situation other than abortion does an individual or group of individuals have a right to kill based upon status alone.
By Ronald Rychlak | March 3, 2011; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (5)
The right to Episcopal authority
If an entity wants to call itself "Catholic," it needs to live up to the standards established by the Church....If people want different rules, they need to look elsewhere, not force their values on the Church.
By Ronald Rychlak | January 25, 2011; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (8)
Christians and non-Christian Christmas
"Keep Christ in Christmas" is a great reminder for Christians about "the reason for the season," but trying to put Christ into someone else's Christmas can chase them further away.
By Ronald Rychlak | December 23, 2010; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (2)
Call it karma
Many of the blessings we have today are a result of economic policies designed by our predecessors.
By Ronald Rychlak | November 30, 2010; 05:04 PM ET | Comments (2)
A problem of his own making
This nation surely is built upon a Judeo-Christian ethic.
By Ronald Rychlak | November 11, 2010; 05:56 PM ET | Comments (34)
Atheism and the Tea Party
Many people of faith have found a voice in the Tea Party. That does not mean that the party itself is closed to those of a different (or no) faith.
By Ronald Rychlak | September 24, 2010; 03:49 PM ET | Comments (14)
Only Imam Rauf can solve this problem
Only Imam Rauf can resolve this situation. New York Governor David Paterson proposed to help him out by finding a different location for the center. The Catholic Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, endorsed that plan. Rauf should take them up on the offer.
By Ronald Rychlak | August 27, 2010; 12:16 PM ET | Comments (0)
Catholics should 'be not afraid' in seeking truth
Pope John Paul II said "be not afraid." Be not afraid of new ideas. Be not afraid of exploring foreign doctrines. Be not afraid of looking at other paths. But, be not afraid to defend the truth or to hold fast to your faith.
By Ronald Rychlak | August 10, 2010; 03:38 PM ET | Comments (69)
The true language of counter-terrorism
We can't really study modern terrorism without developing an understanding of the motivations. Religion is a significant motivation underlying much modern terrorism.
By Ronald Rychlak | July 14, 2010; 01:28 PM ET | Comments (7)
Not even all Christians follow same path
While we can and should work toward tolerance and understanding, we should not trivialize or overlook theological differences that can be very important. We may be more alike than not, but there are competing world views. Many people have fought and died over religious differences. That is not a good thing, but it is a reality.
By Ronald Rychlak | July 6, 2010; 12:52 PM ET | Comments (3)
The humanity of the executioner
An expression of contempt by Atty. Gen. Shurtleff for someone that society has asked him to kill (or play a big role in having killed) is a mere reflection of Shurtleff's humanity. He would have to believe that Gardner deserved to be executed or he could not carry out his job.
By Ronald Rychlak | June 21, 2010; 04:56 PM ET | Comments (5)
People need power and your prayers
The bottom line is that people need power, and people need a clean environment. Somehow we have to meet both of those needs. That is a pressing but long-range problem that requires a scientific answer.
By Ronald Rychlak | June 3, 2010; 12:17 PM ET | Comments (1)
Court composed of individuals, not categories
Differences in mainstream religions are considered almost trivial. A conservative Protestant tends to be one in mind with a conservative Jew or a conservative Catholic. The same goes for liberals.
By Ronald Rychlak | May 12, 2010; 02:44 PM ET | Comments (0)
Imposed or self-imposed censorship?
Unless and until the government can assure artists or speakers that they will be safe, I cannot fault them for tempering their words and images (though I wish they did not have to do so.)
By Ronald Rychlak | May 7, 2010; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (0)
Church is pro-family, not anti-sex
A church does not really restrict freedom; it merely teaches that certain things are appropriate or are sinful. Individuals then make decisions as to their conduct. What I have observed with Catholics who take their religion seriously is that these rules seem to lead to secure family bonds.
By Ronald Rychlak | April 26, 2010; 12:39 PM ET | Comments (1)
Glenn Beck is right
His comments should alert church leaders to the very real harms that can come from the misuse of politics and social justice activism within the church. I'm also glad that a younger pastor came to my parish and brought the "social justice" era to a quick end.
By Ronald Rychlak | April 14, 2010; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (54)
