lifesitenews--2020-06-30--Pope Francis exhorts German Catholics to continue on ‘Synodal Path’

VATICAN CITY , June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Pope Francis encouraged Bishop Georg Bätzing , the president of the German Bishops ’ Conference , to continue to pursue what is called the Synodal Path in Germany .
“ I feel strengthened by the intensive exchange with the Holy Father to continue on the path we have taken , ” the bishop of Limburg said after his private audience last Saturday .
During the process , which was officially launched late last year , preparatory documents have already defended the use of contraception , the practice of masturbation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , neither the question of the ordination of women nor that of making celibacy optional for priests was taken off the table .
“ The Pope appreciates this project , which he connects closely with the concept of ‘ synodality ’ that he coined , ” Bätzing said .
“ It was a matter of concern to me to make it clear that the Church in Germany is taking this path and always knows that it is bound to the universal Church.
” After Batzing ’ s election as new head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he succeeded Cardinal Reinhard Marx , it was his first official meeting with Pope Francis .
“ We must find answers to urgent challenges facing the Church , ranging from coming to terms with sexual abuse of minors to the dramatic numbers of people leaving the Church , ” Bätzing pointed out .
He did not explain how questioning Church teaching and customs of apostolic origin like celibacy help in addressing these issues .
The bishop of Limburg said the Pope referred to his letter to the Church in Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his letter , the Holy Father had not only praised and encouraged the Synodal Path as an expression of synodality .
He had also expressed some criticism , saying Catholic leaders in Germany should not be “ looking for immediate results with hasty consequences , also in the media , which are fleeting due to a lack of deepening and maturation , or because they do not correspond to the vocation given to us.
” Pope Francis had also called out German Catholics for their tendency to advance mostly structural developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more than a structural , organizational or functional change.
” He even characterized this attitude as a “ new pelagianism.
” “ The basis of this temptation is the idea that the best response to the many problems and shortcomings is to reorganize things , make changes , and ‘ patch things up , ’ with the goal of ordering and smoothing out ecclesial life , adapting it to the current logic or that of a particular group , ” he wrote .
Instead of structural developments , the Pope referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Path should have .
“ Pastoral conversion reminds us that evangelization must be our guiding criterion par excellence , by which we can recognize all the steps we are called to take as an ecclesial community ; evangelization is the proper and essential mission of the Church.
” The German Bishops ’ Conference ’ s press release after Bätzing ’ s meeting with Pope Francis did not mention evangelization at all , even though it was focused mainly on the Synodal Path , whose “ guiding criterion , ” Francis wrote last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , the head of the German Bishops ’ Conference , at the time still Cardinal Marx , and the head of the Central Committee of German Catholics , Thomas Sternberg , who together initiated the Synodal Path , put their own spin on the Pope ’ s letter .
“ Pope Francis wants to support the Church in Germany in its search for answers to the questions that move us all regarding a future-oriented form of the Church , ” they stated .
“ We will take up this letter as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it intensively on the Synodal Path.
” According to Bishop Bätzing , Pope Francis reminded the proponents of the Synodal Path , as well as the German Church in general , to “ not lose sight of the poor and the old , the refugees and those in need .
“ The Pope expressly asked that the effects and experiences in the face of the coronavirus pandemic be taken into consideration on the further Path , ” the bishop added .
He also expressed his hope that German Catholics could influence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I hope that with the experiences of the Synodal Path we can make a contribution to the World Synod of Bishops in October 2022 , ” Bätzing said .
A LifeSiteNews petition to the German bishops calls on them to resist the protestantization of the German Church due to the Synodal Path ’ s dissent from Catholic teaching on celibacy , clerical authority , the ban on female ordination , contraception , cohabitation , homosexuality , and gender theory .
With more than 11,000 signatures , readers may still sign it today @

The bishops' pathway defends the use of contraception, the practice of masturbation, and an active homosexual lifestyle.
VATICAN CITY, June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Pope Francis encouraged Bishop Georg Bätzing, the president of the German Bishops’ Conference, to continue to pursue what is called the Synodal Path in Germany.
“I feel strengthened by the intensive exchange with the Holy Father to continue on the path we have taken,” the bishop of Limburg said after his private audience last Saturday.
During the process, which was officially launched late last year, preparatory documents have already defended the use of contraception, the practice of masturbation, and an active homosexual lifestyle. Additionally, neither the question of the ordination of women nor that of making celibacy optional for priests was taken off the table.
“The Pope appreciates this project, which he connects closely with the concept of ‘synodality’ that he coined,” Bätzing said. “It was a matter of concern to me to make it clear that the Church in Germany is taking this path and always knows that it is bound to the universal Church.”
After Batzing’s election as new head of the German Bishops’ Conference last March, when he succeeded Cardinal Reinhard Marx, it was his first official meeting with Pope Francis.
“We must find answers to urgent challenges facing the Church, ranging from coming to terms with sexual abuse of minors to the dramatic numbers of people leaving the Church,” Bätzing pointed out. He did not explain how questioning Church teaching and customs of apostolic origin like celibacy help in addressing these issues.
The bishop of Limburg said the Pope referred to his letter to the Church in Germany, which he had written one year ago.
In his letter, the Holy Father had not only praised and encouraged the Synodal Path as an expression of synodality. He had also expressed some criticism, saying Catholic leaders in Germany should not be “looking for immediate results with hasty consequences, also in the media, which are fleeting due to a lack of deepening and maturation, or because they do not correspond to the vocation given to us.”
Pope Francis had also called out German Catholics for their tendency to advance mostly structural developments, saying “what we need is much more than a structural, organizational or functional change.” He even characterized this attitude as a “new pelagianism.”
“The basis of this temptation is the idea that the best response to the many problems and shortcomings is to reorganize things, make changes, and ‘patch things up,’ with the goal of ordering and smoothing out ecclesial life, adapting it to the current logic or that of a particular group,” he wrote.
Instead of structural developments, the Pope referred to evangelization as the main goal the Synodal Path should have. “Pastoral conversion reminds us that evangelization must be our guiding criterion par excellence, by which we can recognize all the steps we are called to take as an ecclesial community; evangelization is the proper and essential mission of the Church.”
The German Bishops’ Conference’s press release after Bätzing’s meeting with Pope Francis did not mention evangelization at all, even though it was focused mainly on the Synodal Path, whose “guiding criterion,” Francis wrote last year, was to be evangelization.
In 2019, the head of the German Bishops’ Conference, at the time still Cardinal Marx, and the head of the Central Committee of German Catholics, Thomas Sternberg, who together initiated the Synodal Path, put their own spin on the Pope’s letter.
“Pope Francis wants to support the Church in Germany in its search for answers to the questions that move us all regarding a future-oriented form of the Church,” they stated. “We will take up this letter as an orientation for our common action and reflect on it intensively on the Synodal Path.”
According to Bishop Bätzing, Pope Francis reminded the proponents of the Synodal Path, as well as the German Church in general, to “not lose sight of the poor and the old, the refugees and those in need. “The Pope expressly asked that the effects and experiences in the face of the coronavirus pandemic be taken into consideration on the further Path,” the bishop added.
He also expressed his hope that German Catholics could influence the upcoming synod on synodality in Rome. “I hope that with the experiences of the Synodal Path we can make a contribution to the World Synod of Bishops in October 2022,” Bätzing said.
A LifeSiteNews petition to the German bishops calls on them to resist the protestantization of the German Church due to the Synodal Path’s dissent from Catholic teaching on celibacy, clerical authority, the ban on female ordination, contraception, cohabitation, homosexuality, and gender theory. With more than 11,000 signatures, readers may still sign it today.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-29--Pro-family advocate points to fatherlessness as ‘a huge problem’

WÜRZBURG , Germany , June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Well-known German pro-family advocate Gabriele Kuby spelled out this past weekend at a conference the numerous issues that many families , especially their children , are facing today , from divorce and fatherlessness to gender ideology and government policies that harm the traditional family .
“ It is indeed a huge problem in our society that fathers are absent , ” she said .
“ It is proven that children who grow up without a father who has the task of setting boundaries , giving orientation , being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child brave – if all this is missing , which the father can do much better than the mother , if all this is missing , the chances that the child will become delinquent , have mental disorders , behavioral problems , etc.
, take drugs , drop out of school , are much higher.
” “ We need the men , ” Kuby stressed .
“ We need the fathers.
” The trained sociologist repeatedly referred to scientific research , which , Kuby said , proves “ what everyone knows in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for instance , studied whether situations in which children grow up with two men or two women as “ parents ” are as healthy as the traditional family .
“ It has disadvantages for children if they don ’ t experience this triangulation , as the word is called , this triangle of father , mother , child , but only two fathers or only two mothers , ” Kuby pointed out .
Kuby made her remarks during a panel discussion last Sunday , which was streamed by pro-family organization “ Familie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! )
, uniting numerous other groups supporting the family .
Originally , “ Familie geht vor !
” had planned to have an outdoor event with thousands of families in Würzburg in the heart of Germany .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , the event was mainly held online .
On the question of divorce , Kuby continued , “ There is no doubt at all that divorces are a great burden on children and that they are basically a lifelong burden .
“ A divorce is for a child … a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more stability , ” she explained .
“ They have to go through new combinations again and again .
The partner marries again , separates again , there is an unmanageable system of relationships , and the child has to go through it again and again , and approve of it.
” Kuby said , “ It is not acceptable for a society to say that the emotions and the desires and the passions and the suffering , which also exists in marriages , of course – that this is the only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children have to submit without complaining.
” According to Kuby , who supported her statements by referencing several studies , children and young people generally long to have a family , as well as faithfulness in their relationships .
“ This longing can not be eradicated in the hearts of the people , ” she commented .
“ This is the good news , and we can build upon it.
” Kuby also criticized the daycare system , where working parents place their children , sometimes only at a few months old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick from it , ” she pointed out .
However , the system does not benefit parents , either , Kuby said .
Parents are “ exhausted from their jobs … coming to the daycare , receive this poor little worm , and then they are supposed to spend quality time with the children.
” The German government , the pro-family advocate explained , heavily supports parents who put their children in the daycare system early on .
“ I am in favor of freedom of choice , ” Kuby said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t have the material conditions among which we can choose at all .
And if the daycare is supported , supported , supported , with 1,000 euros a month , and mothers receive 120 euros for retirement , then there is no freedom of choice.
” The sociologist talked about the unseen consequences of the daycare system .
According to studies , up to one-third of the young generation are ill in one way or another , with acute illnesses turning into chronic conditions .
Even from an economic point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daycare system , if everything is factored in , far exceeds the cost of not having mothers in the workforce a few weeks after their babies are born .
In the end , Kuby briefly talked about gender ideology , pointing out that it has been imposed on countries by the United Nations , the World Health Organization , and the European Union .
To fix the system , she said , “ We simply have to make the demands that correspond to the order of creation .
And the order of creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfinished being belongs to his mother , and he needs a father to show him the world.
” Apart from Kuby , two representatives of parent organizations , Andrea Heck and Romy Richter , participated in the panel discussion , as well as Protestant preacher Alexander Bischoff .
Richter lamented the loss of a parenting culture .
“ We hunger to experience : How does family work ?
How do we do it ?
We have already forgotten how to do it .
Our instincts are already gone .
I experience many parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through all these activities.
” “ We don ’ t even have a feeling for it anymore , and we also lose this knowledge of what the children really need .
They need to bond , and the way children bond in early childhood is not compatible with a professional activity of the woman who is absent , then.
” Bischoff emphasized that after his move to a small town in Bavaria , the elderly living on their street are incredibly happy about having kids around .
His neighbors said they even turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids playing .
For Andrea Heck , fighting against policies that harm the traditional family is difficult .
“ Us families hardly have any lobby , ” she said .
“ Us mothers hardly have any lobby , either.
” The organization “ Familie geht vor !
” consists of 15 different groups and several individuals advocating for the protection of marriage and the family , the right of parents to educate their children , the right of children to their one mother and their one father , and financial justice for families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homosexuality and gender ideology .
Hedwig von Beverfoerde , a speaker for “ Familie geht vor !
” and leader of “ Demo für Alle , ” another pro-family group , said , “ Anti-family ideas continue to spread and are gradually being implemented politically – pushed by powerful lobby groups and the media .
In contrast , we demand a political turnaround in favor of the family .
To achieve this goal , we need to fly the flag effectively in the public eye.
” While it was not possible to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several activists were present in the city nonetheless , trying to get people to support the cause of the family .

German Gabriele Kuby spelled out the problems that families face today, from divorce to gender ideology to government policies that harm the traditional family.
WÜRZBURG, Germany, June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Well-known German pro-family advocate Gabriele Kuby spelled out this past weekend at a conference the numerous issues that many families, especially their children, are facing today, from divorce and fatherlessness to gender ideology and government policies that harm the traditional family.
“It is indeed a huge problem in our society that fathers are absent,” she said. “It is proven that children who grow up without a father who has the task of setting boundaries, giving orientation, being firm, having courage, making the child brave – if all this is missing, which the father can do much better than the mother, if all this is missing, the chances that the child will become delinquent, have mental disorders, behavioral problems, etc., take drugs, drop out of school, are much higher.”
“We need the men,” Kuby stressed. “We need the fathers.”
The trained sociologist repeatedly referred to scientific research, which, Kuby said, proves “what everyone knows in their hearts.” American sociology professor Mark Regnerus, for instance, studied whether situations in which children grow up with two men or two women as “parents” are as healthy as the traditional family.
“It has disadvantages for children if they don’t experience this triangulation, as the word is called, this triangle of father, mother, child, but only two fathers or only two mothers,” Kuby pointed out.
Kuby made her remarks during a panel discussion last Sunday, which was streamed by pro-family organization “Familie geht vor!” (Family first!), uniting numerous other groups supporting the family. Originally, “Familie geht vor!” had planned to have an outdoor event with thousands of families in Würzburg in the heart of Germany. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was mainly held online.
On the question of divorce, Kuby continued, “There is no doubt at all that divorces are a great burden on children and that they are basically a lifelong burden.
“A divorce is for a child … a constant drama, because there is no more stability,” she explained. “They have to go through new combinations again and again. The partner marries again, separates again, there is an unmanageable system of relationships, and the child has to go through it again and again, and approve of it.”
Kuby said, “It is not acceptable for a society to say that the emotions and the desires and the passions and the suffering, which also exists in marriages, of course – that this is the only thing we are guided by. And the children have to submit without complaining.”
According to Kuby, who supported her statements by referencing several studies, children and young people generally long to have a family, as well as faithfulness in their relationships. “This longing cannot be eradicated in the hearts of the people,” she commented. “This is the good news, and we can build upon it.”
Kuby also criticized the daycare system, where working parents place their children, sometimes only at a few months old, as incredibly stressful. “The children get sick from it,” she pointed out. However, the system does not benefit parents, either, Kuby said. Parents are “exhausted from their jobs … coming to the daycare, receive this poor little worm, and then they are supposed to spend quality time with the children.”
The German government, the pro-family advocate explained, heavily supports parents who put their children in the daycare system early on. “I am in favor of freedom of choice,” Kuby said, “but we cannot choose if we don’t have the material conditions among which we can choose at all. And if the daycare is supported, supported, supported, with 1,000 euros a month, and mothers receive 120 euros for retirement, then there is no freedom of choice.”
The sociologist talked about the unseen consequences of the daycare system. According to studies, up to one-third of the young generation are ill in one way or another, with acute illnesses turning into chronic conditions. Even from an economic point of view, the cost of the daycare system, if everything is factored in, far exceeds the cost of not having mothers in the workforce a few weeks after their babies are born.
In the end, Kuby briefly talked about gender ideology, pointing out that it has been imposed on countries by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the European Union.
To fix the system, she said, “We simply have to make the demands that correspond to the order of creation. And the order of creation says: The child as a small unfinished being belongs to his mother, and he needs a father to show him the world.”
Apart from Kuby, two representatives of parent organizations, Andrea Heck and Romy Richter, participated in the panel discussion, as well as Protestant preacher Alexander Bischoff.
Richter lamented the loss of a parenting culture. “We hunger to experience: How does family work? How do we do it? We have already forgotten how to do it. Our instincts are already gone. I experience many parents simply on a hamster wheel, working through all these activities.”
“We don’t even have a feeling for it anymore, and we also lose this knowledge of what the children really need. They need to bond, and the way children bond in early childhood is not compatible with a professional activity of the woman who is absent, then.”
Bischoff emphasized that after his move to a small town in Bavaria, the elderly living on their street are incredibly happy about having kids around. His neighbors said they even turned off the television to listen to the kids playing.
For Andrea Heck, fighting against policies that harm the traditional family is difficult. “Us families hardly have any lobby,” she said. “Us mothers hardly have any lobby, either.”
The organization “Familie geht vor!” consists of 15 different groups and several individuals advocating for the protection of marriage and the family, the right of parents to educate their children, the right of children to their one mother and their one father, and financial justice for families. The organization opposes any indoctrination by homosexuality and gender ideology.
Hedwig von Beverfoerde, a speaker for “Familie geht vor!” and leader of “Demo für Alle,” another pro-family group, said, “Anti-family ideas continue to spread and are gradually being implemented politically – pushed by powerful lobby groups and the media. In contrast, we demand a political turnaround in favor of the family. To achieve this goal, we need to fly the flag effectively in the public eye.”
While it was not possible to have families from across Germany come to Würzburg, several activists were present in the city nonetheless, trying to get people to support the cause of the family.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-29--Porn star charged with rape, faces 90 years in prison

June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In one of the least surprising stories of 2020 , it turns out that an industry that makes its millions trafficking in rape , sexual torture , and the degradation of women has produced yet another sexual predator .
The 67-year-old Ron Jeremy , one of the world ’ s most famous porn stars , has been formally charged with one count of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery , and three counts of forcible rape and forcible penetration with a foreign object .
In total , he has been accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
Jeremy , whose real name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt , pleaded not guilty to all crimes on June 27 in a Los Angeles courtroom .
The allegations against Jeremy are ugly .
According to prosecutors , the aging porn star is a serial predator , having raped a 25-year-old woman at a home in West Hollywood in May 2014 , and perpetrating two sexual assaults—one against a 46-year-old woman , and another against a 33-year-old woman—at a bar in the same area in 2017 .
He is also accused of raping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood bar in July of 2019 .
Jeremy claims through his attorney Stuart Goldfarb that he is “ absolutely innocent of the charges , ” and faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted .
LA County sheriff ’ s detectives say they have been investigating allegations against Jeremy for two years .
Jeremy , who appeared in court last Friday in an orange jumpsuit , also took to Twitter to defend himself , claiming that “ I am innocent of all charges .
I can ’ t wait to prove my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone for all the support.
” His next court hearing is scheduled for August 31 , and a judge set his bail at $ 6.6 million .
According to the district attorney ’ s office , the investigation into Ron Jeremy is ongoing , and one case , from 2016 , has already been declined by prosecutor ’ s for lack of evidence .
More may be coming .
As anti-porn activist Laila Mickelwait observed on Twitter : “ Ron Jeremy was charged with raping and sexually assaulting multiple women .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ pornstar ’ profile .
How many of them are actually rape crime [ scenes ] ?
How much money did Pornhub make off of this rapist ?
” Those familiar with the porn industry will not be surprised by these allegations .
Rape and other forms of sexual brutality have long been the porn industry ’ s open secret .
A few years ago , porn performer James Deen was also accused of a string of sexual assaults , and he openly defended his vicious slapping of one girl during a sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porn sets .
Violence against women is not a by-product of porn .
These days , it is often the point of porn .
According to one major porn producer : “ The future of American porn is pain.
” The porn industry often attempts to defend itself by trotting out spokespeople to assure everyone that the women getting beaten up , tortured , and degraded are just fine and enjoying it all .
Six years ago , the 18-year-old Miriam Weeks aka “ Belle Knox ” went on CNN , assuring everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ empowering ” and “ the way the world should be.
” Shortly thereafter , when a video emerged of the slender teenager getting slapped across the face , choked by a muscular male , and called vile names , Weeks admitted that the porn industry isn ’ t all that it ’ s cracked up to be .
“ The sex industry has a way of making you very cynical and very bitter , ” a tired-looking Weeks told one interviewer , “ In a way I ’ ve started to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit cynical .
It teaches you to be street smart and not to trust people…I ’ m so used to being on the lookout for scammers , people who are going to try [ to ] pimp me out or traffic me .
I think my experiences have aged me .
I don ’ t have the mind of an eighteen-year-old .
I have the emotional baggage of someone much , much older than me.
” It is a fact that our culture consumes , for entertainment and sexual pleasure , pornographic images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-screen .
Our young boys are growing up with a taste for rape and female pain , and this is twisting them in horrible ways .
The allegations against Ron Jeremy are not surprising .
It would only be surprising if there were not many , many more just like him—and scores of imitators in bedrooms across the continent , seeking to act out what they have been weaned on since puberty .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode , he interviews famed Chesterton scholar and founder of the Chesterton society and the Chesterton schools , Dale Ahlquist .
They discusss what G.K. Chesterton would think of the riots happening in the United States and the current state of the world .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

Those familiar with the porn industry will not be surprised by these allegations. Rape and other forms of sexual brutality have long been the porn industry’s open secret.
June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In one of the least surprising stories of 2020, it turns out that an industry that makes its millions trafficking in rape, sexual torture, and the degradation of women has produced yet another sexual predator. The 67-year-old Ron Jeremy, one of the world’s most famous porn stars, has been formally charged with one count of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery, and three counts of forcible rape and forcible penetration with a foreign object. In total, he has been accused of sexually assaulting one woman and raping three others. Jeremy, whose real name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt, pleaded not guilty to all crimes on June 27 in a Los Angeles courtroom.
The allegations against Jeremy are ugly. According to prosecutors, the aging porn star is a serial predator, having raped a 25-year-old woman at a home in West Hollywood in May 2014, and perpetrating two sexual assaults—one against a 46-year-old woman, and another against a 33-year-old woman—at a bar in the same area in 2017. He is also accused of raping a 30-year-old woman at the same West Hollywood bar in July of 2019. Jeremy claims through his attorney Stuart Goldfarb that he is “absolutely innocent of the charges,” and faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted. LA County sheriff’s detectives say they have been investigating allegations against Jeremy for two years.
Jeremy, who appeared in court last Friday in an orange jumpsuit, also took to Twitter to defend himself, claiming that “I am innocent of all charges. I can’t wait to prove my innocence in court! Thank you to everyone for all the support.” His next court hearing is scheduled for August 31, and a judge set his bail at $6.6 million. According to the district attorney’s office, the investigation into Ron Jeremy is ongoing, and one case, from 2016, has already been declined by prosecutor’s for lack of evidence.
More may be coming. As anti-porn activist Laila Mickelwait observed on Twitter: “Ron Jeremy was charged with raping and sexually assaulting multiple women. He also has almost 600 videos under his Pornhub ‘pornstar’ profile. How many of them are actually rape crime [scenes]? How much money did Pornhub make off of this rapist?”
Those familiar with the porn industry will not be surprised by these allegations. Rape and other forms of sexual brutality have long been the porn industry’s open secret. A few years ago, porn performer James Deen was also accused of a string of sexual assaults, and he openly defended his vicious slapping of one girl during a sex scene as par for the course on porn sets. Violence against women is not a by-product of porn. These days, it is often the point of porn. According to one major porn producer: “The future of American porn is pain.”
The porn industry often attempts to defend itself by trotting out spokespeople to assure everyone that the women getting beaten up, tortured, and degraded are just fine and enjoying it all. Six years ago, the 18-year-old Miriam Weeks aka “Belle Knox” went on CNN, assuring everyone that porn was “feminist” and “empowering” and “the way the world should be.” Shortly thereafter, when a video emerged of the slender teenager getting slapped across the face, choked by a muscular male, and called vile names, Weeks admitted that the porn industry isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
“The sex industry has a way of making you very cynical and very bitter,” a tired-looking Weeks told one interviewer, “In a way I’ve started to become kind of a bit bitter and a bit cynical. It teaches you to be street smart and not to trust people…I’m so used to being on the lookout for scammers, people who are going to try [to] pimp me out or traffic me. I think my experiences have aged me. I don’t have the mind of an eighteen-year-old. I have the emotional baggage of someone much, much older than me.”
It is a fact that our culture consumes, for entertainment and sexual pleasure, pornographic images of women and girls being physically destroyed on-screen. Our young boys are growing up with a taste for rape and female pain, and this is twisting them in horrible ways. The allegations against Ron Jeremy are not surprising. It would only be surprising if there were not many, many more just like him—and scores of imitators in bedrooms across the continent, seeking to act out what they have been weaned on since puberty.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews famed Chesterton scholar and founder of the Chesterton society and the Chesterton schools, Dale Ahlquist. They discusss what G.K. Chesterton would think of the riots happening in the United States and the current state of the world.
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-29--Black police officer tells white BLM protester: US has a ‘sin problem…read the Bible’

PETITION : Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A black police officer in the nation ’ s capital has told a white Black Lives Matter protester that sin is at the root of racism .
“ America has a sin problem , ” the officer said .
“ The world has a sin problem , ma ’ am .
Okay ?
” The police officer then proceeded to tell the protester about the message of the Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am the Way , the Truth , and the Life .
No one comes to the Father except through Me , ’ ” he pointed out in a video first published by Breitbart .
“ America and the world has a sin problem , ” he added .
“ You understand me ?
That ’ s where racism , injustice , and hate and anger and violence come from .
It ’ s not about racism.
” At the end of the video , the officer encouraged the young protester to “ read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated in a few short seconds echoes what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about the equality and differences among human beings .
“ Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls , all men have the same nature and the same origin .
Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ , all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude : all therefore enjoy an equal dignity , ” according to the Catechism .
Following from the “ dignity as persons and the rights that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beings are created equal , which in turn means that every kind “ of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex , race , color , social conditions , language , or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God ’ s design.
” However , this equality regarding the dignity of each person does not mean that all differences between human beings are wrong .
“ On coming into the world , man is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Differences appear tied to age , physical abilities , intellectual or moral aptitudes , the benefits derived from social commerce , and the distribution of wealth .
The ‘ talents ’ are not distributed equally.
” “ There exist also sinful inequalities , ” the Catechism explains , “ that affect millions of men and women .
These are in open contradiction of the Gospel : Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions .
Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scandal and militates against social justice , equity , human dignity , as well as social and international peace.
” The bishops in the United States released a pastoral letter against racism in 2018 .
In it , they repeatedly referred to racism as an evil and a sin .
“ Racism arises when—either consciously or unconsciously—a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior , and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard , ” the bishops explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals or groups to exclude , ridicule , mistreat , or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity , it is sinful .
Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice.
” Racism reveals “ a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended , to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love.
” According to the bishops , “ often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission , when individuals , communities , and even churches remain silent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is encountered.
” The bishops alleged already in 2018 that systemic racism was present in American society .
They claimed that “ the water crisis in Flint , Michigan , resulted from policy decisions that negatively affected the inhabitants , the majority of whom were African Americans.
” However , the bishops did not explain which of the policy decisions , even in the decades leading up to the water crisis , were made precisely because the majority of the inhabitants were African Americans .
They simply said , “ We could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination , prejudice , and racism , sadly , are too many.
” In addition , the bishops argued there are “ ways that racism has permeated the life of the Church and persists to a degree even today.
” In the past , “ in many Catholic parishes , people of color were relegated to segregated seating , and required to receive the Holy Eucharist after white parishioners .
All too often , leaders of the Church have remained silent about the horrific violence and other racial injustices perpetuated against African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter by referring to the conversion of St. Paul , which they called “ a powerful reminder of how God ’ s grace can transform even the hardest of hearts.
” Accordingly , “ Prayer and working toward conversion must be our first response in the face of evil actions ” like racism .
“ Therefore , we must never limit our understanding of God ’ s power to bring about the conversion of even those whose hearts appear completely frozen by the sin of racism , ” they added .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage them in love to abandon these sinful thoughts and destructive ways .
”

‘America and the world has a sin problem...you understand me? That’s where racism, injustice, and hate and anger and violence come from. It’s not about racism.'
PETITION: Urge U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference to defend Catholic heritage and statues! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A black police officer in the nation’s capital has told a white Black Lives Matter protester that sin is at the root of racism. “America has a sin problem,” the officer said. “The world has a sin problem, ma’am. Okay?”
The police officer then proceeded to tell the protester about the message of the Bible. “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,’” he pointed out in a video first published by Breitbart.
“America and the world has a sin problem,” he added. “You understand me? That’s where racism, injustice, and hate and anger and violence come from. It’s not about racism.”
At the end of the video, the officer encouraged the young protester to “read the Bible.”
What the police officer stated in a few short seconds echoes what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about the equality and differences among human beings. “Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity,” according to the Catechism.
Following from the “dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it,” all human beings are created equal, which in turn means that every kind “of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design.”
However, this equality regarding the dignity of each person does not mean that all differences between human beings are wrong. “On coming into the world, man is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily and spiritual life. He needs others. Differences appear tied to age, physical abilities, intellectual or moral aptitudes, the benefits derived from social commerce, and the distribution of wealth. The ‘talents’ are not distributed equally.”
“There exist also sinful inequalities,” the Catechism explains, “that affect millions of men and women. These are in open contradiction of the Gospel: Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace.”
The bishops in the United States released a pastoral letter against racism in 2018. In it, they repeatedly referred to racism as an evil and a sin.
“Racism arises when—either consciously or unconsciously—a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior and unworthy of equal regard,” the bishops explained. “When this conviction or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridicule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful. Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice.”
Racism reveals “a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love.”
According to the bishops, “often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when individuals, communities, and even churches remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered.”
The bishops alleged already in 2018 that systemic racism was present in American society.
They claimed that “the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, resulted from policy decisions that negatively affected the inhabitants, the majority of whom were African Americans.”
However, the bishops did not explain which of the policy decisions, even in the decades leading up to the water crisis, were made precisely because the majority of the inhabitants were African Americans. They simply said, “We could go on, for the instances of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, sadly, are too many.”
In addition, the bishops argued there are “ways that racism has permeated the life of the Church and persists to a degree even today.” In the past, “in many Catholic parishes, people of color were relegated to segregated seating, and required to receive the Holy Eucharist after white parishioners. All too often, leaders of the Church have remained silent about the horrific violence and other racial injustices perpetuated against African Americans and others.”
The bishops concluded their letter by referring to the conversion of St. Paul, which they called “a powerful reminder of how God’s grace can transform even the hardest of hearts.”
Accordingly, “Prayer and working toward conversion must be our first response in the face of evil actions” like racism.
“Therefore, we must never limit our understanding of God’s power to bring about the conversion of even those whose hearts appear completely frozen by the sin of racism,” they added. “Our communities must never cease to invite and encourage them in love to abandon these sinful thoughts and destructive ways.”
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lifesitenews--2020-06-29--Accommodating homosexuality makes ‘better Catholics,’ priest insists at ‘Pride Mass’

HOBOKEN , New Jersey , June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Despite gay “ Pride ” events being canceled from coast to coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Cardinal Joseph Tobin has permitted an LGBT “ Pride Mass ” to be conducted in his archdiocese .
For the third year in a row , the “ Annual Pride Mass in support of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters ” was held on Sunday at the merged parishes of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken , New Jersey .
The Mass , which was livestreamed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rainbow-colored banners lined the sanctuary .
The Archdiocese of Newark resumed Sunday Masses on June 21 after three months of suppression due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The current “ Phase Three ” directives require churches to restrict their attendance to 25 percent of capacity or fifty people , whichever is lower , with all who enter the churches required to wear face coverings among other mandatory “ social distancing ” dictates .
Previously , the archdiocese had suppressed not only the Mass , but also baptisms , funerals , confessions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Santora delivered an overtly political homily , condemning Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump for allowing “ their personal prejudices or political needs to override their oath of office to protect the people they serve ” — i.e.
, gay , lesbian , and transgender-identifying individuals .
Santora was quick to link the death of George Floyd and the protests and riots it has spawned to what he sees as ongoing discrimination within the Church against LGBT-identifying Catholics .
The priest seeks nothing less than the normalization of homosexual and trangender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are welcome and need to share their stories so stereotypes die and human beings emerge who desire what anyone in life wants : to love and be loved and accepted as they are , ” insisted Santora .
“ This is a nascent movement , and there are many in the Church opposed to gay accommodation , ” he asserted .
“ More pastoral outreach and discussion are needed to break down walls .
There is a need to minister together and to see each other as brothers and sisters without any labels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repression is still strong.
” “ There is no new life without casting aside the old , ” said Santora .
“ This is happening in the Church as we listen to our LGBT brothers and sisters and make our churches hospitable to all , especially those who have been on the margins not by their own choice.
” “ Just as with the reforms of political systems will be ongoing , so will the church 's mission and ministry to the LGBT members , but with the difference , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the African-American struggle for civil rights .
“ In the 1960s under the leadership of Reverend Martin Luther King , Jr. , blacks led the march for freedom and equality , ” said Santora .
“ We let go of any racist tendencies .
So too with LGBT rights and concerns.
” “ We jettison the old prejudice and celebrate pride in our LGBT community because we then become better people and better Catholics , ” he concluded .
During his homily as well as in an opinion piece he penned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised “ Outreach 2020 : Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community , ” a 43-minute video hosted by Fr .
James Martin , S.J.
, produced after a conference by the same name to have taken place at Fordham University this month had to be postponed due to the pandemic .
The video includes messages from Santa Fe archbishop John C. Wester ; Bishop John Stowe , OFM Conv .
; Fr .
Bryan Massingale ; and Sister Jeannine Gramick , S.L .
; all of whom have notoriously departed from Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homosexuality and trangenderism within Catholicism .
Concerning Gramick , a co-founder of the dissident “ New Ways Ministry ” in Maryland , Santora wrote , “ She has been threatened and badgered by the Vatican for her pioneering ministry and hasn ’ t given up.
” “ Gay discrimination lives in the Catholic church , ” said Santora , who seemed surprised that the Archdiocese of Detroit had recently “ told a parish group formed to support families of LGBTQ Catholics and any Dignity groups that they could not hold events on church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishop ’ s characterization of Fortunate Families as offering “ a competing vision ” of Church teaching .
In May 2017 , Cardinal Joseph Tobin personally received a group of individuals identifying as LGBT at Newark ’ s Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart in conjunction with an inaugural “ LGBT Pilgrimage ” to the cathedral .
Tobin had said he was delighted to welcome the LGBT group and personally approved their flyer for the event .
When asked at the time by the New York Times if he should have taken the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT pilgrims ” out of sin , he responded , “ That sounds a little backhanded to me.
” Tobin , a 2016 Pope Francis appointee to the cardinalate , is among a handful of Church leaders to endorse LGBT-affirming Father James Martin ’ s controversial Building a Bridge book .
In 2018 , following six priests having anonymously reported a homosexual subculture in the Newark archdiocese , the cardinal sent the priests of his archdiocese a letter encouraging them to remain silent if the media were to try to contact them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever spoken to me about a ‘ gay sub-culture ’ in the Archdiocese of Newark.
” The Archdiocese of Newark is one of the New Jersey dioceses that paid settlements to former priest victims of disgraced ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick , one of Tobin ’ s predecessors .
Questions remain about who in the U.S. Church hierarchy knew about McCarrick ’ s predation of boys and men .
The Catholic Church holds that same-sex attraction is disordered and that homosexual acts are sinful .
Church teaching states that “ homosexual persons are called to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is also what its teaching says about all people , since sexual relations are reserved for marriage , which is between a man and woman ( CCC 2360 ) .
To respectfully express concern about the pride Mass : Church of Our Lady of Grace 400 Willow Ave. Hoboken , NJ 07030 201-659-0369

Despite gay 'Pride' events being canceled from coast to coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardinal Joseph Tobin permitted an LGBT 'Pride Mass' to be conducted in his archdiocese.
HOBOKEN, New Jersey, June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Despite gay “Pride” events being canceled from coast to coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardinal Joseph Tobin has permitted an LGBT “Pride Mass” to be conducted in his archdiocese.
For the third year in a row, the “Annual Pride Mass in support of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters” was held on Sunday at the merged parishes of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The Mass, which was livestreamed on YouTube, seems to show sparse attendance. Rainbow-colored banners lined the sanctuary.
The Archdiocese of Newark resumed Sunday Masses on June 21 after three months of suppression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current “Phase Three” directives require churches to restrict their attendance to 25 percent of capacity or fifty people, whichever is lower, with all who enter the churches required to wear face coverings among other mandatory “social distancing” dictates.
Previously, the archdiocese had suppressed not only the Mass, but also baptisms, funerals, confessions, and last rites.
Pastor Fr. Alexander Santora delivered an overtly political homily, condemning Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump for allowing “their personal prejudices or political needs to override their oath of office to protect the people they serve” — i.e., gay, lesbian, and transgender-identifying individuals.
Santora was quick to link the death of George Floyd and the protests and riots it has spawned to what he sees as ongoing discrimination within the Church against LGBT-identifying Catholics. The priest seeks nothing less than the normalization of homosexual and trangender identity and relationships.
“LGBT individuals are welcome and need to share their stories so stereotypes die and human beings emerge who desire what anyone in life wants: to love and be loved and accepted as they are,” insisted Santora.
“This is a nascent movement, and there are many in the Church opposed to gay accommodation,” he asserted. “More pastoral outreach and discussion are needed to break down walls. There is a need to minister together and to see each other as brothers and sisters without any labels in places around the world, though repression is still strong.”
“There is no new life without casting aside the old,” said Santora. “This is happening in the Church as we listen to our LGBT brothers and sisters and make our churches hospitable to all, especially those who have been on the margins not by their own choice.”
“Just as with the reforms of political systems will be ongoing, so will the church's mission and ministry to the LGBT members, but with the difference,” he said, again attempting to draw a connection to the African-American struggle for civil rights.
“In the 1960s under the leadership of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., blacks led the march for freedom and equality,” said Santora. “We let go of any racist tendencies. So too with LGBT rights and concerns.”
“We jettison the old prejudice and celebrate pride in our LGBT community because we then become better people and better Catholics,” he concluded.
During his homily as well as in an opinion piece he penned for NJ.com published the same day, Santora praised “Outreach 2020: Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community,” a 43-minute video hosted by Fr. James Martin, S.J., produced after a conference by the same name to have taken place at Fordham University this month had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
The video includes messages from Santa Fe archbishop John C. Wester; Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.; Fr. Bryan Massingale; and Sister Jeannine Gramick, S.L.; all of whom have notoriously departed from Church teaching to push for the normalization of homosexuality and trangenderism within Catholicism.
Concerning Gramick, a co-founder of the dissident “New Ways Ministry” in Maryland, Santora wrote, “She has been threatened and badgered by the Vatican for her pioneering ministry and hasn’t given up.”
“Gay discrimination lives in the Catholic church,” said Santora, who seemed surprised that the Archdiocese of Detroit had recently “told a parish group formed to support families of LGBTQ Catholics and any Dignity groups that they could not hold events on church property.” He seemed to question the bishop’s characterization of Fortunate Families as offering “a competing vision” of Church teaching.
Pro-LGBT history of Cardinal Tobin’s archdiocese
In May 2017, Cardinal Joseph Tobin personally received a group of individuals identifying as LGBT at Newark’s Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart in conjunction with an inaugural “LGBT Pilgrimage” to the cathedral. Tobin had said he was delighted to welcome the LGBT group and personally approved their flyer for the event.
When asked at the time by the New York Times if he should have taken the opportunity at the event to call the “LGBT pilgrims” out of sin, he responded, “That sounds a little backhanded to me.”
Tobin, a 2016 Pope Francis appointee to the cardinalate, is among a handful of Church leaders to endorse LGBT-affirming Father James Martin’s controversial Building a Bridge book.
In 2018, following six priests having anonymously reported a homosexual subculture in the Newark archdiocese, the cardinal sent the priests of his archdiocese a letter encouraging them to remain silent if the media were to try to contact them. He also denied that anyone “has ever spoken to me about a ‘gay sub-culture’ in the Archdiocese of Newark.”
The Archdiocese of Newark is one of the New Jersey dioceses that paid settlements to former priest victims of disgraced ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick, one of Tobin’s predecessors. Questions remain about who in the U.S. Church hierarchy knew about McCarrick’s predation of boys and men.
The Catholic Church holds that same-sex attraction is disordered and that homosexual acts are sinful. Church teaching states that “homosexual persons are called to chastity” (CCC 2359), which is also what its teaching says about all people, since sexual relations are reserved for marriage, which is between a man and woman (CCC 2360).
To respectfully express concern about the pride Mass:
Church of Our Lady of Grace
400 Willow Ave.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
201-659-0369
Email [email protected]
Archdiocese of Newark
171 Clifton Avenue
P.O. BOX 9500
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 497-4000
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-29--How faithful Catholics should respond to a world of strife, upheaval, and danger

June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — As a Catholic in the U.S. today striving to be faithful , it can seem like a depressing time to be alive .
With the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic impact , the riots and violence gripping the nation , and the overall division within our country and even our own Church , it can be a temptation to fall into despair .
But are these times really that much worse than other challenging times in history ?
How would the saints respond if they walked the earth today ?
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — at this time in history — for a reason , and we should all prayerfully discern our personal response in these turbulent times .
There are , however , some core practices that apply across the board .
The list below is one I developed for myself , and I thought it might benefit others as well .
1 .
Now , more than ever , we should recommit ourselves to our families .
Love is an act of the will .
It takes effort and discipline .
We should practice patience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put away our phones and spend quality time with our loved ones .
News and social media can easily overwhelm us and cause anxiety and despair .
Sometimes it ’ s better to just turn them off and be present — physically and emotionally — with those who matter most .
After all , how can we be a shining light in this dark and broken world , as Christ instructed , without first loving and forgiving those closest to us — our spouses , children , parents , siblings , and extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t flip a switch and fix the brokenness in our society .
The traditional family is under blistering assault by dark forces that want to destroy truth , beauty , and goodness — and reshape society .
Countless unborn babies — precious and unique human lives — are still being murdered in their mothers ’ wombs every year in the U.S .
These are complex issues that require complex solutions .
But that doesn ’ t mean we don ’ t have a role to play .
We should harness our God-given power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circles by small but consistent acts of charity toward our neighbors .
We must remember that every person is made in the image and likeness of God , that God can transform the hearts of even the worst sinners , and that even one small act of love can transform a soul .
If Christians across the world regularly and sincerely used their God-given power , grounded in love , many souls would be saved , and many problems would be solved .
3 .
Loving your neighbor never involves compromising the Truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On June 22 , we celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas More , a martyr for Truth and the patron saint of lawyers .
He died — as all martyrs do — because he realized that the Truth is worth dying for .
In his case , he died defending the Truth regarding the indissolubility of marriage and papal authority in the Catholic Church .
He put these truths over his own physical well-being ( as he was ultimately beheaded ) — because he recognized that his eternal soul was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt saved countless other souls as well .
The Truth is constantly under attack by the enemy .
Things we know are evil are being called good , and things we know are good and true are being called evil .
Government officials and even Church officials have failed to defend the Truth and , in many cases , have worked to dismantle it .
We are called to defend the Truth at all costs — even when it means risking our jobs , our reputations , and even our lives .
Truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider to what extent God put us here to defend it .
4 .
It ’ s no secret that the radical left in the U.S. is actively working to dismantle the traditional family and reshape society as we know it .
Leftists are advocating , at every level , for the systematic murder of the unborn , so-called “ gay marriage , ” a complete rejection of the concept of biological sex , and much more .
The radical left is organized and militant and is seeking to destroy anyone who dares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose on society .
They are fighting tirelessly to destroy religious liberty and many of the values that our country was founded upon .
Entire treatises can be written on this subject , but the point here is that our vote matters profoundly .
If Catholics across the U.S. committed to voting for candidates who actually shared their values , blue states would turn to red states , and order would be restored through strong and solid leadership .
The problem is that many Catholics don ’ t understand their faith and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s worth fighting to preserve .
Those of us who do must exercise our constitutional rights to vote , to encourage others to vote , and even to prayerfully consider running for office .
In the end , however , we must remember that God is in control and that no politician is our savior .
We must trust God , but we must also use our talents and intellect to advocate for a just society that is pleasing to God .
5 .
As Aristotle said , “ I count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him who conquers his enemies , for the hardest victory is over self.
” We should engage in a daily battle to conquer sin .
Fight the devil at every turn , resist temptation , and stay close to God .
We should regularly confess our sins and seek to cultivate virtues .
Church politics can be distracting and depressing .
It ’ s important to know what ’ s going on in the hierarchy of church , but sometimes it can be overwhelming — particularly since there is not much that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change it .
Find a good church led by a solid priest , and make that your parish — even if it means driving three times as far as the closest church .
Sacraments are essential to salvation — regardless of what the governor or county health director thinks .
6 .
Begin your day with a holy hour and mental prayer .
Starting your day with a holy hour will change your life .
It takes time and discipline to work this into your schedule , but it can pay eternal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spent in vocal prayer , reading Scripture , or reading spiritual books , but at least fifteen or twenty minutes should ideally be reserved for mental prayer .
Many saints have taught that regular mental prayer is necessary for the salvation of our souls .
For example , St. Alphonsus Liguori teaches that “ [ s ] hort of a miracle , a man who does not practice mental prayer will end up in mortal sin.
” St. Vincent de Paul tell us , “ A man without mental prayer is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even renounce the slightest thing .
It is merely the life of an animal.
” St. Teresa is quoted as going even farther : A regular holy hour will give us direction , keep us grounded , and keep our minds and hearts close to God .
As explained in detail in The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard , focusing on the interior life will lead us to regularly ask , “ Quo vadam et ad quid ?
” Where am I going and why ?
Mental prayer will help us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , how He would act , what advice He would give us , and what He wants from us during these difficult times .
7 .
Keep your end in mind .
Many theologians and biblical scholars have questioned how much more God will tolerate and whether these could be the end times .
Many prophecies , apparitions , and even the Book of Revelation help shed light on our current circumstances .
Regardless , we should always assume that the end is near — because it is ( our personal end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing we control is this present moment .
The past is gone , and the future may never come .
We should treat each day as though it were truly our last .
We should not live in fear .
After all , as one faithful priest recently explained , nowhere in the Bible does it say to “ stay safe ” — as we commonly hear these days .
But the Bible repeatedly reminds us to “ be not afraid.
” As Jesus said in the Book of Matthew , “ do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body but can not kill the soul ; rather , be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
” We should have a healthy fear of God by growing in charity and avoiding sin .
In sum , these times present many challenges but also many opportunities for sanctification .
We are not all called to “ fight the culture war ” through politics and the courts .
Some are , but many are not .
But we are all called to be saints ; we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all called to know and love and defend the Truth ; and we are all called to love God with our whole heart , our whole mind , and our whole soul , and to love our neighbors as ourselves .
In the end , the most important aim is to save our souls and to bring as many other people as we can to Christ .
We should try to improve our society in the process , but we should not be discouraged if we fall short in this life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in control and that “ all things work for good for those who love God.
” And as Saint Teresa of Calcutta wisely said , “ We are not called to be successful ; we are called to be faithful.
” Paul M. Jonna is a partner with LiMandri & Jonna LLP , a civil litigation practice based in Rancho Santa Fe , CA .
Mr. Jonna also handles constitutional litigation , defending religious liberty and First Amendment rights , including current cases representing David Daleiden , Cathy Miller of Tastries Bakery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children of the Immaculate Heart , and Timothy Gordon .

As a Catholic in the U.S. striving to be faithful, it can seem like a depressing time to be alive. How would the saints respond if they walked the earth today?
June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — As a Catholic in the U.S. today striving to be faithful, it can seem like a depressing time to be alive. With the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic impact, the riots and violence gripping the nation, and the overall division within our country and even our own Church, it can be a temptation to fall into despair.
But are these times really that much worse than other challenging times in history? How would the saints respond if they walked the earth today?
There is no doubt that God put us here — at this time in history — for a reason, and we should all prayerfully discern our personal response in these turbulent times. There are, however, some core practices that apply across the board. The list below is one I developed for myself, and I thought it might benefit others as well.
1. Love your family more. Now, more than ever, we should recommit ourselves to our families. Love is an act of the will. It takes effort and discipline. We should practice patience and bite our tongues. We should put away our phones and spend quality time with our loved ones. News and social media can easily overwhelm us and cause anxiety and despair. Sometimes it’s better to just turn them off and be present — physically and emotionally — with those who matter most. After all, how can we be a shining light in this dark and broken world, as Christ instructed, without first loving and forgiving those closest to us — our spouses, children, parents, siblings, and extended family?
2. Love your neighbors more. We can’t flip a switch and fix the brokenness in our society. The traditional family is under blistering assault by dark forces that want to destroy truth, beauty, and goodness — and reshape society. Countless unborn babies — precious and unique human lives — are still being murdered in their mothers’ wombs every year in the U.S. These are complex issues that require complex solutions. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a role to play. We should harness our God-given power to solve these problems in our own circles by small but consistent acts of charity toward our neighbors. We must remember that every person is made in the image and likeness of God, that God can transform the hearts of even the worst sinners, and that even one small act of love can transform a soul. If Christians across the world regularly and sincerely used their God-given power, grounded in love, many souls would be saved, and many problems would be solved.
3. Defend the Truth. Loving your neighbor never involves compromising the Truth; that would be a false love. On June 22, we celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas More, a martyr for Truth and the patron saint of lawyers. He died — as all martyrs do — because he realized that the Truth is worth dying for. In his case, he died defending the Truth regarding the indissolubility of marriage and papal authority in the Catholic Church. He put these truths over his own physical well-being (as he was ultimately beheaded) — because he recognized that his eternal soul was at stake. The example he set no doubt saved countless other souls as well. The Truth is constantly under attack by the enemy. Things we know are evil are being called good, and things we know are good and true are being called evil. Government officials and even Church officials have failed to defend the Truth and, in many cases, have worked to dismantle it. We are called to defend the Truth at all costs — even when it means risking our jobs, our reputations, and even our lives. Truth is under attack, and we should consider to what extent God put us here to defend it.
4. Vote. It’s no secret that the radical left in the U.S. is actively working to dismantle the traditional family and reshape society as we know it. Leftists are advocating, at every level, for the systematic murder of the unborn, so-called “gay marriage,” a complete rejection of the concept of biological sex, and much more. The radical left is organized and militant and is seeking to destroy anyone who dares to question the regimen leftists seek to impose on society. They are fighting tirelessly to destroy religious liberty and many of the values that our country was founded upon. Entire treatises can be written on this subject, but the point here is that our vote matters profoundly. If Catholics across the U.S. committed to voting for candidates who actually shared their values, blue states would turn to red states, and order would be restored through strong and solid leadership. The problem is that many Catholics don’t understand their faith and, consequently, don’t understand why it’s worth fighting to preserve. Those of us who do must exercise our constitutional rights to vote, to encourage others to vote, and even to prayerfully consider running for office. In the end, however, we must remember that God is in control and that no politician is our savior. We must trust God, but we must also use our talents and intellect to advocate for a just society that is pleasing to God.
5. Avoid sin and frequent the sacraments. As Aristotle said, “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self.” We should engage in a daily battle to conquer sin. Fight the devil at every turn, resist temptation, and stay close to God. We should regularly confess our sins and seek to cultivate virtues. Church politics can be distracting and depressing. It’s important to know what’s going on in the hierarchy of church, but sometimes it can be overwhelming — particularly since there is not much that we, as lay faithful, can do to change it. Find a good church led by a solid priest, and make that your parish — even if it means driving three times as far as the closest church. Sacraments are essential to salvation — regardless of what the governor or county health director thinks.
6. Begin your day with a holy hour and mental prayer. Starting your day with a holy hour will change your life. It takes time and discipline to work this into your schedule, but it can pay eternal dividends. Some of that time can be spent in vocal prayer, reading Scripture, or reading spiritual books, but at least fifteen or twenty minutes should ideally be reserved for mental prayer. Many saints have taught that regular mental prayer is necessary for the salvation of our souls. For example, St. Alphonsus Liguori teaches that “[s]hort of a miracle, a man who does not practice mental prayer will end up in mortal sin.” St. Vincent de Paul tell us, “A man without mental prayer is not good for anything; he cannot even renounce the slightest thing. It is merely the life of an animal.” St. Teresa is quoted as going even farther:
Without mental prayer a person soon becomes either a brute or a devil. If you do not practice mental prayer, you don’t need any devil to throw you into hell, you throw yourself in there of your own accord. On the contrary, give me the greatest of all sinners; if he practices mental prayer, be it only for fifteen minutes every day, he will be converted. If he perseveres in it, his eternal salvation is assured.
A regular holy hour will give us direction, keep us grounded, and keep our minds and hearts close to God. As explained in detail in The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard, focusing on the interior life will lead us to regularly ask, “Quo vadam et ad quid?” Where am I going and why? Mental prayer will help us understand what Jesus would do in our place, how He would act, what advice He would give us, and what He wants from us during these difficult times.
7. Keep your end in mind. Many theologians and biblical scholars have questioned how much more God will tolerate and whether these could be the end times. Many prophecies, apparitions, and even the Book of Revelation help shed light on our current circumstances. Regardless, we should always assume that the end is near — because it is (our personal end, at least). The only thing we control is this present moment. The past is gone, and the future may never come. We should treat each day as though it were truly our last. We should not live in fear. After all, as one faithful priest recently explained, nowhere in the Bible does it say to “stay safe” — as we commonly hear these days. But the Bible repeatedly reminds us to “be not afraid.” As Jesus said in the Book of Matthew, “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” We should have a healthy fear of God by growing in charity and avoiding sin.
In sum, these times present many challenges but also many opportunities for sanctification. We are not all called to “fight the culture war” through politics and the courts. Some are, but many are not. But we are all called to be saints; we are called to be faithful; we are all called to know and love and defend the Truth; and we are all called to love God with our whole heart, our whole mind, and our whole soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In the end, the most important aim is to save our souls and to bring as many other people as we can to Christ. We should try to improve our society in the process, but we should not be discouraged if we fall short in this life. Ultimately, we know that God is in control and that “all things work for good for those who love God.” And as Saint Teresa of Calcutta wisely said, “We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.”
Paul M. Jonna is a partner with LiMandri & Jonna LLP, a civil litigation practice based in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Mr. Jonna also handles constitutional litigation, defending religious liberty and First Amendment rights, including current cases representing David Daleiden, Cathy Miller of Tastries Bakery, Stephen Brady of Roman Catholic Faithful, Children of the Immaculate Heart, and Timothy Gordon.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-29--California archbishop performs exorcism on site of St. Junipero Serra statue desecration

SAN FRANCISCO , California , June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The archbishop of San Francisco has led prayers of reparation and exorcism at the base of the profaned statue of St. Junípero Serra .
On June 27 , Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone led a group of Catholics to Golden Gate Park , where a statue of the great missionary was first unveiled on November 17 , 1907 .
On June 19 , 2020 , the monument to St. Junípero Serra was toppled by a mob inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement .
In reparation for the vandalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the plinth in the rosary and performed a simple exorcism ceremony .
Cordileone said the statue of St. Junípero Serra had been “ blasphemously torn down ” and that an “ act of sacrilege ” had occurred where they prayed .
He said the outrage was an “ act of the Evil One ” and that evil had “ made itself present ” at the site .
“ This [ sacrilege ] is the activity of the Evil One , who wants to bring down the Church , who wants to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archbishop said .
“ So we have gathered together to pray to God in an act of reparation , asking God ’ s mercy upon us , upon our whole city , that we might turn our hearts back to Him , ” he continued .
The reparation took the form of fasting and praying the rosary and the prayer for the intercession of Saint Michael , as well as blessing the ravaged plinth and site with holy water .
“ We offer this prayer and bless the ground with holy water , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctify it , so that we in return might be sanctified , ” Cordileone said .
The statue of St. Junípero Serra had been “ very much a part ” of his life growing up , the archbishop revealed in an interview after the service .
He confessed to feeling distress and pain over the ongoing violence against memorials of saints and said the crowd that had gathered for the prayers and exorcism was a “ real comfort ” to him .
“ I was feeling great distress and a ... deep wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] these horrendous acts of blasphemy and disparaging of the memory of Serra , who was such a great hero , such a great defender of the indigenous people of this land.
” Cordileone asked that Catholics pray , fast , and learn about the history of St. Junípero Serra and the Catholic Church .
He said Catholics should be “ proud ” of the history of their Church but also live in humility and pray that they , too , “ with the grace of God ” give the world goodness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Archbishop of San Francisco wrote a statement condemning the violence and vandalism that have swept the United States since the May 25 death of an intoxicated black man under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis .
“ What is happening to our society ?
” Cordileone asked .
“ A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence , looting , and vandalism .
The toppling and defacing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of St. Junípero Serra , have become the latest example , ” he continued .
“ The memorialization of historic figures merits an honest and fair discussion as to how and to whom such honor should be given .
But here , there was no such rational discussion ; it was mob rule , a troubling phenomenon that seems to be repeating itself throughout the country.
” In his statement , Cordileone defended the Franciscan St. Junípero Serra , who lived from 1713 to 1784 , as an advocate of the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made heroic sacrifices to protect the indigenous people of California from their Spanish conquerors , especially the soldiers , ” he wrote .
“ Even with his infirmed leg which caused him such pain , he walked all the way to Mexico City to obtain special faculties of governance from the Viceroy of Spain in order to discipline the military who were abusing the Indians .
And then he walked back to California , ” he continued .
“ And lest there be any doubt , we have a physical reminder to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( soldiers ’ barracks ) associated with a mission in the chain of 21 missions that he founded , the presidio is miles away from the mission itself and the school.
” The archbishop pointed out that St. Junípero Serra had also offered the indigenous people of the region “ the best thing he had : the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ , which he and his fellow Franciscan friars did through education , health care , and training in the agrarian arts.
” The archbishop argued that “ historical wrongs can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also counseled a rational and loving “ righteous indignation ” in place of rage .
“ Anger against injustice can be a healthy response when it is that righteous indignation which moves a society forward , ” he wrote .
“ But as Christ himself teaches , and St. Francis modeled , love and not rage is the only answer.
” St. Junípero Serra was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015 .

Abp. Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said the statue of St. Junípero Serra had been 'blasphemously torn down' and that an 'act of sacrilege' had occurred.
SAN FRANCISCO, California, June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The archbishop of San Francisco has led prayers of reparation and exorcism at the base of the profaned statue of St. Junípero Serra.
On June 27, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone led a group of Catholics to Golden Gate Park, where a statue of the great missionary was first unveiled on November 17, 1907. On June 19, 2020, the monument to St. Junípero Serra was toppled by a mob inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. In reparation for the vandalism, Cordileone led the small crowd assembled before the plinth in the rosary and performed a simple exorcism ceremony.
Cordileone said the statue of St. Junípero Serra had been “blasphemously torn down” and that an “act of sacrilege” had occurred where they prayed. He said the outrage was an “act of the Evil One” and that evil had “made itself present” at the site.
“This [sacrilege] is the activity of the Evil One, who wants to bring down the Church, who wants to bring down all Christian believers,” the archbishop said.
“So we have gathered together to pray to God in an act of reparation, asking God’s mercy upon us, upon our whole city, that we might turn our hearts back to Him,” he continued.
The reparation took the form of fasting and praying the rosary and the prayer for the intercession of Saint Michael, as well as blessing the ravaged plinth and site with holy water.
“We offer this prayer and bless the ground with holy water, so that God might purify it, sanctify it, so that we in return might be sanctified,” Cordileone said.
The statue of St. Junípero Serra had been “very much a part” of his life growing up, the archbishop revealed in an interview after the service. He confessed to feeling distress and pain over the ongoing violence against memorials of saints and said the crowd that had gathered for the prayers and exorcism was a “real comfort” to him.
“I was feeling great distress and a … deep wound in my soul when I [saw] these horrendous acts of blasphemy and disparaging of the memory of Serra, who was such a great hero, such a great defender of the indigenous people of this land.”
Cordileone asked that Catholics pray, fast, and learn about the history of St. Junípero Serra and the Catholic Church. He said Catholics should be “proud” of the history of their Church but also live in humility and pray that they, too, “with the grace of God” give the world goodness, beauty, and truth.
Last week the Archbishop of San Francisco wrote a statement condemning the violence and vandalism that have swept the United States since the May 25 death of an intoxicated black man under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis.
“What is happening to our society?” Cordileone asked.
“A renewed national movement to heal memories and correct the injustices of racism and police brutality in our country has been hijacked by some into a movement of violence, looting, and vandalism. The toppling and defacing of statues in Golden Gate Park, including that of St. Junípero Serra, have become the latest example,” he continued.
“The memorialization of historic figures merits an honest and fair discussion as to how and to whom such honor should be given. But here, there was no such rational discussion; it was mob rule, a troubling phenomenon that seems to be repeating itself throughout the country.”
In his statement, Cordileone defended the Franciscan St. Junípero Serra, who lived from 1713 to 1784, as an advocate of the poor and oppressed.
“St. Serra made heroic sacrifices to protect the indigenous people of California from their Spanish conquerors, especially the soldiers,” he wrote.
“Even with his infirmed leg which caused him such pain, he walked all the way to Mexico City to obtain special faculties of governance from the Viceroy of Spain in order to discipline the military who were abusing the Indians. And then he walked back to California,” he continued.
“And lest there be any doubt, we have a physical reminder to this day: everywhere there is a presidio (soldiers’ barracks) associated with a mission in the chain of 21 missions that he founded, the presidio is miles away from the mission itself and the school.”
The archbishop pointed out that St. Junípero Serra had also offered the indigenous people of the region “the best thing he had: the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, which he and his fellow Franciscan friars did through education, health care, and training in the agrarian arts.”
The archbishop argued that “historical wrongs cannot be righted” by rewriting history. He also counseled a rational and loving “righteous indignation” in place of rage.
“Anger against injustice can be a healthy response when it is that righteous indignation which moves a society forward,” he wrote. “But as Christ himself teaches, and St. Francis modeled, love and not rage is the only answer.”
St. Junípero Serra was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015.
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lifesitenews--2020-06-29--Zuckerberg caves to boycott, will put warnings on politicians’ posts, may censor Trump

June 29 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – After several days of public pressure , Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is submitting to the demands of a coalition of advertisers who have complained that the social network doesn ’ t do enough to censor or discredit conservative speech .
The Anti-Defamation League , NAACP , Sleeping Giants , Color of Change , Free Press , and Common Sense have accused Facebook of “ allow ( ing ) incitement to violence against protesters fighting for racial justice in America in the wake of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so many others ” ; of legitimizing conservative news outlets Breitbart and the Daily Caller ; and of “ turn ( ing ) a blind eye to blatant voter suppression on their platform.
” The coalition demands that Facebook create new layers of moderation and engagement for targets of “ identity-based hate , ” to take steps to ensure ad revenue does not support “ content labeled as misinformation or hate , ” and to more closely monitor “ extremism ” in private Facebook groups .
Verizon , Ben & Jerry ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the companies they got to agree to halt Facebook ads .
On Friday , Zuckerberg announced a handful of changes the company would be making to its policies , ostensibly in the name of “ extra precautions to help everyone stay safe , stay informed , and ultimately use their voice where it matters most -- voting.
” Among those changes , he says Facebook is “ prohibiting a wider category of hateful content in ads .
Specifically , we 're expanding our ads policy to prohibit claims that people from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , religious affiliation , caste , sexual orientation , gender identity or immigration status are a threat to the physical safety , health or survival of others .
We 're also expanding our policies to better protect immigrants , migrants , refugees and asylum seekers from ads suggesting these groups are inferior or expressing contempt , dismissal or disgust directed at them.
” Breitbart senior tech correspondent Allum Bokhari suspects this change is a mere pretext to suppress one of President Donald Trump ’ s most popular campaign messages .
“ Pointing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rising crime and disorder was a major element of Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , ” he writes , “ and also features strongly in the campaigns of European right-wing populists such as Matteo Salvini and Viktor Orban , who have enjoyed considerable electoral success over the past five years.
” Facebook will also copy Twitter ’ s practice of putting warning labels on posts from political candidates or officeholders that are deemed beyond the pale .
“ We 'll allow people to share this content to condemn it , just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because this is an important part of how we discuss what 's acceptable in our society , ” Zuckerberg writes , “ but we 'll add a prompt to tell people that the content they 're sharing may violate our policies.
” This change , and the protests that brought it about , is widely understood to be a reference to a social media post by Trump declaring that “ THUGS ” among the protesters , who had been filmed engaging in violent acts such as smashing storefronts and setting buildings on fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen .
Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” Twitter set off a firestorm last month when it placed a warning over the tweet , claiming that it “ violated the Twitter rules about glorifying violence.
” Pressure quickly mounted for Facebook to do the same , which Zuckerberg initially declined to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s policies on the matter would “ evolve ” in the wake of employee protests .
Conservatives , however , say further appeasement of the Left is the last thing Facebook needs to do , given the platform ’ s history of suppressing conservative content under vague or false pretenses .
Multiple analyses have found that algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites .
Last year , an insider revealed that Facebook “ deboosts ” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites .
Most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attest that Facebook aggressively discriminates against conservatives on a global scale for the purpose of influencing election outcomes .
One of the insiders provided footage of content moderators openly discussing how they would like to delete “ every Donald Trump post I see on the timeline ” and “ delete all Republicans ... for terrorism ” if they so much as post a photo “ wearing a MAGA hat.
” Cognizant service delivery manager Demian Gordon can also be seen saying he would not hold staff accountable for taking down Trump posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got ta get the Cheeto ( Trump ) out of the office.
” The other described witnessing moderators “ deleting on average 300 posts or actioning 300 posts a day ” in a way “ that just targeted conservatives or favored liberals , ” with personnel equating Trump supporters with violent hate groups , while expressly making an exception for overtly-hateful posts by the moderators ’ LGBT allies in the name of supporting Pride Month .

The Facebook founder says the changes directed at 'identity-based hate' ultimately will impact what 'matters most -- voting.'
June 29, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – After several days of public pressure, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is submitting to the demands of a coalition of advertisers who have complained that the social network doesn’t do enough to censor or discredit conservative speech.
The Anti-Defamation League, NAACP, Sleeping Giants, Color of Change, Free Press, and Common Sense have accused Facebook of “allow(ing) incitement to violence against protesters fighting for racial justice in America in the wake of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and so many others”; of legitimizing conservative news outlets Breitbart and the Daily Caller; and of “turn(ing) a blind eye to blatant voter suppression on their platform.”
The coalition demands that Facebook create new layers of moderation and engagement for targets of “identity-based hate,” to take steps to ensure ad revenue does not support “content labeled as misinformation or hate,” and to more closely monitor “extremism” in private Facebook groups. Verizon, Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, and REI are among the companies they got to agree to halt Facebook ads.
On Friday, Zuckerberg announced a handful of changes the company would be making to its policies, ostensibly in the name of “extra precautions to help everyone stay safe, stay informed, and ultimately use their voice where it matters most — voting.”
Among those changes, he says Facebook is “prohibiting a wider category of hateful content in ads. Specifically, we're expanding our ads policy to prohibit claims that people from a specific race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity or immigration status are a threat to the physical safety, health or survival of others. We're also expanding our policies to better protect immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from ads suggesting these groups are inferior or expressing contempt, dismissal or disgust directed at them.”
Breitbart senior tech correspondent Allum Bokhari suspects this change is a mere pretext to suppress one of President Donald Trump’s most popular campaign messages. “Pointing out the empirical that mass illegal immigration leads to rising crime and disorder was a major element of Trump’s 2016 campaign,” he writes, “and also features strongly in the campaigns of European right-wing populists such as Matteo Salvini and Viktor Orban, who have enjoyed considerable electoral success over the past five years.”
Facebook will also copy Twitter’s practice of putting warning labels on posts from political candidates or officeholders that are deemed beyond the pale. “We'll allow people to share this content to condemn it, just like we do with other problematic content, because this is an important part of how we discuss what's acceptable in our society,” Zuckerberg writes, “but we'll add a prompt to tell people that the content they're sharing may violate our policies.”
This change, and the protests that brought it about, is widely understood to be a reference to a social media post by Trump declaring that “THUGS” among the protesters, who had been filmed engaging in violent acts such as smashing storefronts and setting buildings on fire, were “dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Twitter set off a firestorm last month when it placed a warning over the tweet, claiming that it “violated the Twitter rules about glorifying violence.” Pressure quickly mounted for Facebook to do the same, which Zuckerberg initially declined to follow its lead, but soon suggested the company’s policies on the matter would “evolve” in the wake of employee protests.
Conservatives, however, say further appeasement of the Left is the last thing Facebook needs to do, given the platform’s history of suppressing conservative content under vague or false pretenses.
Multiple analyses have found that algorithm changes instituted at the beginning of 2018 disproportionately impacted conservative politicians and websites. Last year, an insider revealed that Facebook “deboosts” traffic to several mainstream conservative sites.
Most recently, a pair of whistleblowers came forward to attest that Facebook aggressively discriminates against conservatives on a global scale for the purpose of influencing election outcomes.
One of the insiders provided footage of content moderators openly discussing how they would like to delete “every Donald Trump post I see on the timeline” and “delete all Republicans…for terrorism” if they so much as post a photo “wearing a MAGA hat.” Cognizant service delivery manager Demian Gordon can also be seen saying he would not hold staff accountable for taking down Trump posts, on the grounds that they “gotta get the Cheeto (Trump) out of the office.”
The other described witnessing moderators “deleting on average 300 posts or actioning 300 posts a day” in a way “that just targeted conservatives or favored liberals,” with personnel equating Trump supporters with violent hate groups, while expressly making an exception for overtly-hateful posts by the moderators’ LGBT allies in the name of supporting Pride Month.
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