header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 16
1941 - Rose (stagecoach) Station at bottom of Grapevine dedicated as California Historical Landmark [story]
Rose Station marker


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Apr 15, 2013

mug_joemessinaNot all religions are under attack. It seems the emphasis is on Christian-based religions. Let’s review a couple of examples.

According to the AP and other news sources, an LGBTQ group (for the uniformed that stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer”) has asked that a priest be removed from George Washington University. They want Father Greg Shaffer removed from campus over his anti-gay and anti-abortion views.

Damian Legacy and Blake Bergen want the university’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion to investigate the priest and are calling for the student government association to de-fund the Newman Center on campus.

News reports indicate they were particularly offended by a blog post the priest wrote calling gay relationships “unnatural and immoral.”

Interesting. This doesn’t sound like they really care to have someone with a diverse thought process to be included. In fact, it doesn’t sound at all like they want to understand why he believes what he does. Isn’t that intolerance? And does the priest not have a right to express what the Catholic Church teaches? The church that he works for and pledged an oath to is dedicated to upholding the truth according to God’s word (as laid out in the Bible), and it’s what he believes.

Did they not know what the Catholic Churches believe and teach? Did they not know what 99.9 percent of Catholic priests believe? A testimony to how deeply the left does its homework.

This is one of the few cases where the school has shown some spine. School officials have said it protects the right of religious freedom and is defending the rights of all religious beliefs to express themselves.

Newman Center, the building in which the priest was teaching, is a Catholic-based center. The have Catholic mass in there and teach the principles of the Catholic faith. No one is forced to go and participate.  So what’s wrong here? I’ll tell you. It’s all about hate. Period.

The people who complained about a Catholic priest teaching Catholic principles in a Catholic hall are just hateful.

This shows the real hypocrisy of the left. If I say I don’t believe in gay marriage and I don’t believe same-sex couples should be allowed to be married, then I am, or will be, labeled a “homophobe” and “gay hater.” They say we should be silenced and not allowed to teach in our churches what the Bible clearly states about marriage, abortion and so on. They say it’s hate speech.

When they speak against Christians, it’s considered freedom of speech. But when Christians speak against LGBTQ lifestyles, it’s hate speech. Really. How disingenuous can one be?

Then, there is the kid who asked the teacher for a Bible. No way, you say? Yes. Another news source posts, “The teacher’s trouble started last October when he was standing by a door waiting on middle school students to enter the building. One student trailed behind the rest.”

“Just remember, son,” he told the tardy student, “The first shall be last but the last shall be first.”  A few days later the student asked about the origins of the quote. The teacher “told him it was in the Bible.”

There’s that nasty word, and being uttered in a school, oh my. Doesn’t sound like the teacher was pushing his views, but let’s continue.

“On Oct. 12, the teacher was eating lunch in the cafeteria when the student approached and brought up the Bible verse. So the teacher took out his Bible and showed the student the verse.

“At some point the student mentioned that he did not have a Bible. The teacher, who also serves in Gideons International, happened to have a spare book.

“The teacher basically said, ‘would you like mine?’ said a friend of the teacher and a fellow Gideon. The student said yes, and so the teacher gave him his personal New Testament.”

Still doesn’t sound to me like pushing his religious beliefs. So what happens next? He is fired. What did he do wrong? They hand out all kinds of fliers and books on sex and how to and where to and with how many to the kids who didn’t ask for them, but a teacher, who is asked specifically about a book the student is curious about, is forbidden from sharing? Just outrageous.

There are so many examples of these kinds of incidents happening more and more in our schools. Only a dishonest person would say there is no attack on religious liberties in this country.

 

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also an elected member of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

5 Comments

  1. Lee Morrell says:

    Let me first state that the “Q” in LGBTQ stands for “questioning,” as in “questioning ones sexual identity,” not the anti-gay epithet “queer” that you chose. But I certainly don’t expect someone who clearly disapproves of that lifestyle to research to make sure that a word with such negative connotation would be included in a self-description.

    The problem with the ultra religious and anti-gay set railing against people who want to deny them their rights is that the hypocrisy you claim is the hypocrisy you deliver.

    There is no attack on religion, Joe…there is an attack on people using religion as a reason to deny people their rights. Can’t tell you how many times I have heard “I have no problem with gay marriage…it’s the Bible that does.” Stop hiding behind your religion and speak for yourself…YOU think homosexuality is an abomination. The Bible may say it is, but there are a lot of nonsense beliefs the Bible espouses that are clearly hardly worth mentioning. Those are your beliefs. Have the courage of your hate-ridden convictions to back them.

    As for the teacher in New Jersey, he broke two school rules about distributing religious items on campus…if it had been the Torah or the Koran it would have been treated the same. I respect the fact that the young man asked the teacher about the phrase and wanted to know more…but the teacher should have simply told him where he can get a Bible and move on. Religion doesn’t belong in public school…there is such a diversity of beliefs that to single out one – even if it is in the majority – flies in the face of the freedom of religious practice this nation was founded on.

    Joe, it is people like you, who try to shroud their hate in the American flag and call it freedom, that make me nervous for the future. your hate is blinding…your hate is nauseating…your hate is yours. Keep it. And keep it away from the rest of us.

    Lee Morrell
    Saugus

  2. Joe Messina says:

    Well Mr Morrell, How typical of some go right for the “HATER term” good job! I would not have expected less, actually I took the term “Queer: which I though was wrong but checked out several LGBTQ sites to find its commonly referred to as queer. BUT just to show a fact as opposed to an opinion… From Wikipedia “The term LGBT is intended to emphasize a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures and is sometimes used to refer to anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender instead of exclusively to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.[2][5] To recognize this inclusion, a popular variant adds the letter Q for those who identify as queer and/or are questioning their sexual identity as LGBTQ, recorded since 1996” not my words.

    ALSO
    http://www.depts.ttu.edu/scc/Virtual_Library/lgbtq.php
    another and I could list many.. will you be calling them
    out as haters also?

    As far as hiding behind the bible not a chance, You want to have a real conversation on this, I am on the air 5 days a week. I would love to discuss this with you and show you incident after incident where you are wrong sir, there is an attack on religion ANY type of religion. and ITS wrong. PERIOD. We should all be able to get along. ALL of us,

    • Lee Morrell says:

      It’s kinda like the N-word, Joe…if you are “in the fold,” you can use it…but you clearly aren’t, so you probably shouldn’t.

      I don’t listen to your show, Joe…nothing personal, but your beliefs aren’t mine and – much like in my personal life, I choose to try and spend my time with people who mirror my beliefs as much as possible. While i have many rightie friends, I tend to stay away from Bible thumpers…they tend to make me tear my hair out.

      The problem with Bible thumpers, Joe, is that you discount all of the other religions as blasphemy or heresy. I was raised as a cultural Jew, but I fully respect that there are other religions and other beliefs…but I would never discount those religions because they aren’t mine.

      You absolutely hide behind the Bible…unless you are saying that your disapproval of the gay lifestyle is not based in religion…but if it isn’t, what IS it based in?

  3. thatone08 says:

    Well put Lee, but I have heard Queer used as well. That is why LGBT seems to be the preferred term, the Q is usually dropped entirely. It’s not even in the wikipedia title.

    As a fellow SCV raised guy, I’d like to see more love be preached everywhere, but SCV especially. We always need to focus on the positive and avoid negativity. To that end, here is a nice graphic I saw today with positive thoughts from a Christian pastor which I hope will inspire other pastors. http://i.imgur.com/yt3bX92.jpg

    There isn’t a war against religion, but there is a movement keep the separation of church and state strong, and prevent laws created because of religious objections.

  4. kolikkopelit says:

    Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info approximately
    this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve
    came upon til now. But, what about the conclusion?
    Are you positive in regards tto the source?

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024
I think we’re all glad that the extreme heat of the past few months here in southern California has passed, and we are now enjoying some beautiful fall days.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
This week, I took my Oath of Office for my third and final term as Fifth District Supervisor.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
As we conclude the 2024 Fall season, I would like to thank all the athletic directors, school administrators, athletic trainers and anyone else responsible for helping implement and navigate our new Health and Safety Bylaws.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
Did you know that our local Santa Clarita Public Library offers passport acceptance services? Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad or reconnecting with family, the Santa Clarita Public Library is here to support your journey.
Monday, Nov 4, 2024
As the winter season approaches, that means one thing, the holidays are on their way. Here in Santa Clarita, our community comes alive with the festive spirit, making it the perfect time to discover and support our local businesses.
Monday, Nov 4, 2024
Propositions, ballot measures, judges, City Councilmembers, state assembly, Congress, Senate and of course, the President—as Tuesday, Nov. 5 approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1941 - Rose (stagecoach) Station at bottom of Grapevine dedicated as California Historical Landmark [story]
Rose Station marker
The Fourth Annual Barnyard Light Tour at William S. Hart Regional Park presented by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, 5-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Fourth Annual Hart Barnyard Light Tour
William S. Hart Union High School District junior high schools (Arroyo Seco, La Mesa, Placerita, Rancho Pico, Rio Norte and Sierra Vista) have been ranked in the top 14% of middle schools in the State of California by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News Ranks Hart Junior Highs in Top 14%
Local and federal law enforcement officials conducted a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation on Wednesday, Nov. 13, that resulted in the arrest of several individuals.
Arrests Made in Large Multi-Agency Drugs, Firearms Operation
Sunday, Nov. 17 is National Take a Hike Day. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has a few tips to share to celebrate the day safely.
Nov. 17: National Take a Hike Day Safety Tips
The popular "I Found Sammy Clarita campaign" is back and Sammy Clarita has a new look and a new book, "Sammy Stories, Volume 5, They Call it Puppy Love."
Sammy Clarita is Back with New Book, New Look
Barbie fans of all ages, this one’s for you. The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour is continuing its 2024 tour of the West with a stop in Valencia on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Nov. 16: The ‘Barbie’ Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour
The November city of Santa Clarita Community Hike will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. at East Walker Ranch Open Space, located on Placerita Canyon Road, 2.5 miles east of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center.
Nov. 16: East Walker Ranch Free Community Hike
1978 - Southern Pacific Saugus depot closes; later moved to Hart Park [story]
Saugus depot
Finally Family Homes is looking for tiny home building assistant volunteers to help create affordable housing while making a pathway to ownership attainable for college-aged foster youth.
Volunteers Needed to Help Build Tiny Homes
The city of Santa Clarita has announced that starting Friday, Nov. 15 evening at 9 p.m. through Sunday Nov. 17 morning at 6 a.m., there will be a full road closure on Copper Hill Drive between Avenida Rancho Tesoro and McBean Parkway.
Nov. 15-17: Lane Closures for Copper Hill Bridge Widening Project
"Christmas Carol: The True Meaning of Christmas" hosted by the Canyon Theatre Guild will perform weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 29 thru Monday, Dec. 23 at 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Nov. 29: ‘Christmas Carol, The True Meaning of Christmas’
College of the Canyons will host a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Speaker Series on Friday, Nov. 22 in an effort to engage, inform and inspire students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields.
Nov. 22: COC to Host STEM Speaker Series
Rescue a recipe from the scrap bin and craft into a personalized cookbook using reclaimed materials, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 10 at the Valencia library, 23743 West Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 10: Reclaimed Recipes, Make Your Own Cookbook at Valencia Library
ARTree Community Arts Center will host a continuation of the courtyard beautification project with a teen Paint a Rock event, Saturday, Nov. 30, noon-3 p.m. at 22508 6th St., Newhall CA 91321.
Nov. 30: ARTree Teen Event Paint a Rock Beautification Courtyard Event
California State Parks invites all off-roading enthusiasts to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Fall OHV Safety Week from Nov. 16 to 24. This year’s theme, “Share the Trails,” focuses on fostering respect, responsibility and a sense of community for all who enjoy California’s diverse off-highway trails.
Nov. 16-24: ‘Share the Trails’ During Fall OHV Safety Week
Placerita Canyon Nature Center will host its Holiday Craft Fair Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Placerita Canyon Natural Area, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, CA 91321.
Dec. 7-8: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Holiday Craft Fair
The California Department of Transportation has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the 2023 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation program to provide real-time, critical information to drivers by connecting vehicles and roadside equipment with cellular networks.
Caltrans Awarded $5.6M for Safety, Reduced Travel Times
Freshman kicker Luis Rodriguez drilled a 21-yard field goal as time expired, lifting No. 12 Canyons to a 27-24 comeback victory over No. 14 Bakersfield College at Cougar Stadium on Saturday Nov. 9.
Rodriguez’ Kick Lifts No. 12 Canyons past No. 14 Bakersfield 27-24
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Public Outreach and Legislation Committee will hold a meeting Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5:30 p.m., in the Engineering Services Section Boardroom, 26521 Summit Circle in Santa Clarita.
Nov. 21: SCV Water Public Outreach, Legislation Committee Meeting
In a tense three sets that found The Master's University's women's volleyball team having to come from behind, the No. 1-seeded Lady Mustangs defeated the No. 4-seed Embry-Riddle Eagles 25-22, 26-24, 25-17 to win the semifinals of the GSAC Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament Tuesday night, Nov. 12 in The MacArthur Center.
Lady Mustangs Head to Championship in Women’s Volleyball
1935 - Voters approve $22,000 construction bond to build a bigger Saugus School. WPA kicked in another $17,181 [story]
Saugus School
Today in SCV History (Nov. 14)
The 39th Annual CSUN Powwow will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, to celebrate the American Indian communities living in L.A. Country and throughout Southern California.
Nov. 30 CSUN 39th Annual Powwow
College of the Canyons announced it was one of 25 winners to receive a 2024 Open Education Awards for Excellence for its Open For Antiracism Project.
COC Receives International Award for OER Antiracism Project
SCVNews.com