Bike Bits
2 weeks ago
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Racing Further Behind The Times
The Catholic bishops are remaining steadfast in their futile fight against same-sex marriage. During the month of August they published some tips to help educate the Catholic masses.
Tip #2 is to reframe the debate to restricting the talk about marriage as being only between a man and a woman.
We can make a case for the uniqueness of marriage between a man and a woman by pointing out that only a man and a woman can form a one-flesh communion and can give themselves fully to each other, including on a bodily level (see FAQ #8) [My Note: Funny, this is a broken link on that page.]. Only a man and a woman are capable of welcoming new life into the world, even though there are times, sadly, when this doesn’t happen for reasons beyond their control. And so forth.
Reframing means not accepting the terms of the debate as given, but digging deeper to get at the real issues, the real questions. So if someone asks you, “Are you for marriage equality?” an answer could be: “Well, what do you think marriage is?” or, less Socratically, “I’m for equality, sure – but I think marriage is unique and needs both a man and a woman; it’s not wrong to treat different things differently,” etc.
It's interesting that in the last tip we learn this is targeted for Catholic young adults. Good luck with that. Something like 65% of young people support same-sex marriage.
The audience that the bishops have in mind for the Marriage: Unique for a Reason project is Catholic young adults. The bishops reasoned that young adults are most bombarded and most susceptible to faulty messages about marriage, but the materials could certainly be used for older audiences too. The materials do not assume much in the way of prior catechesis, but they are written for a Catholic audience, not a generic or secular one.
The end-goal of the resources is inculcating a renewed understanding and appreciation of what the Church teaches in regards to marriage, and a sense of its reasonableness. The hope is that learning the Church’s timeless teaching can build confidence to promote and defend it.
Faulty messages about marriage? A state is free to define marriage one way and a religion is free to define it another and one can be married in the eyes of the state and not in the eyes of a religion. The definition of marriage within the Catholic church is obviously not being changed and the bishops are free to define marriage as they see fit. But they're trying to apply their definition to those outside their faith. And at the same time they are highlighting how their so-called sense of reasonableness is way out of touch with society and making themselves less relevant.
Tip #2 is to reframe the debate to restricting the talk about marriage as being only between a man and a woman.
We can make a case for the uniqueness of marriage between a man and a woman by pointing out that only a man and a woman can form a one-flesh communion and can give themselves fully to each other, including on a bodily level (see FAQ #8) [My Note: Funny, this is a broken link on that page.]. Only a man and a woman are capable of welcoming new life into the world, even though there are times, sadly, when this doesn’t happen for reasons beyond their control. And so forth.
Reframing means not accepting the terms of the debate as given, but digging deeper to get at the real issues, the real questions. So if someone asks you, “Are you for marriage equality?” an answer could be: “Well, what do you think marriage is?” or, less Socratically, “I’m for equality, sure – but I think marriage is unique and needs both a man and a woman; it’s not wrong to treat different things differently,” etc.
It's interesting that in the last tip we learn this is targeted for Catholic young adults. Good luck with that. Something like 65% of young people support same-sex marriage.
The audience that the bishops have in mind for the Marriage: Unique for a Reason project is Catholic young adults. The bishops reasoned that young adults are most bombarded and most susceptible to faulty messages about marriage, but the materials could certainly be used for older audiences too. The materials do not assume much in the way of prior catechesis, but they are written for a Catholic audience, not a generic or secular one.
The end-goal of the resources is inculcating a renewed understanding and appreciation of what the Church teaches in regards to marriage, and a sense of its reasonableness. The hope is that learning the Church’s timeless teaching can build confidence to promote and defend it.
Faulty messages about marriage? A state is free to define marriage one way and a religion is free to define it another and one can be married in the eyes of the state and not in the eyes of a religion. The definition of marriage within the Catholic church is obviously not being changed and the bishops are free to define marriage as they see fit. But they're trying to apply their definition to those outside their faith. And at the same time they are highlighting how their so-called sense of reasonableness is way out of touch with society and making themselves less relevant.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Fun And Games Last Sunday
My brother John has known Russell and Karen Ivy for 12 or 13 years now. Since 1986, the Ivy's have held a family and friends barbecue and triathlon. The triathlon consists of frisbee golf, table tennis, and horseshoes. Those who choose to play frisbee golf do so as an individual event. Names are drawn to randomly pair up those who wish to play the other two events.
Kathy, Steph and I, along with my sister Barb, were staying with John for the weekend. We had also picked up Josh and Amanda. Long story short, we were invited to attend the Ivy Triathlon. Barb had a great idea in that we ten (including John's family) should decorate t-shirts and show up as "Team Greer". By coincidence, John and Susan had a bunch of plain white T's on hand along with clothing markers so we got busy. John went with the wife beater shirt. I decorated a child's medium. Everyone did a great job personalizing their shirts.
Russell and Karen loved it. The food was awesome, the people were welcoming, and the games were fun. They even invited us to return next year.
Kathy, Steph and I, along with my sister Barb, were staying with John for the weekend. We had also picked up Josh and Amanda. Long story short, we were invited to attend the Ivy Triathlon. Barb had a great idea in that we ten (including John's family) should decorate t-shirts and show up as "Team Greer". By coincidence, John and Susan had a bunch of plain white T's on hand along with clothing markers so we got busy. John went with the wife beater shirt. I decorated a child's medium. Everyone did a great job personalizing their shirts.
Team Greer.
Josh...
...and Amanda show off their disc skills.
Kathy on the table.
Susan on the table.
John about to throw a ringer.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Labor Day Cyclocross Race
The family headed to the west side to pick up Josh and Amanda, attend a family-oriented triathlon consisting of frisbee golf, table tennis and horseshoes, and race the Labor Day Cyclocross Race put on by my team--Team Double Check.
Kathy and my sister, Barb, did the beginner's race and they had a blast. It was a fast course with just enough technical stuff to make it challenging for the experienced and interesting for the new folks. We might have the hook set on a couple of new racers.
Kathy and my sister, Barb, did the beginner's race and they had a blast. It was a fast course with just enough technical stuff to make it challenging for the experienced and interesting for the new folks. We might have the hook set on a couple of new racers.
Kathy is all smiles.
Barb is all business.
A spill on the first turn after the start.
Interesting barrier technique.
The leader and he still finished first.
I feel like I didn't get my fair share of dust.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
It's Not Like It Means Something
Yesterday, President Obama said he's decided that the United States should take military action in Syria, but he's going to seek Congressional authorization first. However, he also said he believes he has the authority to take military action without Congressional authorization.
So why bother? To give the appearance of a checked Executive, I suppose.
So why bother? To give the appearance of a checked Executive, I suppose.
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