Life News reported this week that Planned Parenthood , along with an odd assembly of local churches, is sponsoring their very own “40 days for Prayer”, an obvious take off on the pro-life “40 days for Life” effort. According to Life News, California’s Humbolt County Clergy for Choice includes Temple Beth El in Eureka, Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, St. Francis in Fortuna, Old Town Gazebo in Eureka, and Arcata United Methodist. The prayers and program appear to have been put together by FaithAloud.org where questions are being referred. Faith Aloud’s Executive Director, UCC Reverend Rebecca Turner, seems to have a heart full of compassion for women and their issues, but the Catholic Church? Not so much.
Rev. Turner seems to be very respected in her efforts, as she was named “Person of the Year” in 2010 by the Abortion Care Network and in 2012 was named one of the “13 Religious Women to Watch: Changing the World for Good” by George Soros’ Center for American Progress. It may come as no surprise that Soros’ Open Society is also a financial supporter of Faith Aloud through The Groundswell Fund. Here are Faith Aloud’s proud supporters:
The Groundswell Fund
The Ms. Foundation for Women
The Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee Foundation
The Sunnen Foundation
The Groundswell Fund is an umbrella for funding partners wishing to support “reproductive justice” efforts. Included in those they list in that category is the Tides Foundation and Open Society Institute.
YouTube videos reveal a Reverend Turner who speaks with a quiet, reassuring voice in a tone similar to Jim Wallis, soothing those who have chosen abortion and affirming their choice. Yet this same reverend seems to take a very different tone when it comes to the Catholic Church. From an online blog post written by Reverend Turner (emphasis mine):
To be pro-choice is not to be anti-Catholic. To be pro-women’s ordination is not to be anti-Catholic. To be pro-marriage equality is not to be anti-Catholic. To be disgusted by sexual abuse and a worldwide system for its cover-up is not to be anti-Catholic. These positions are pro-people, as the church should be. If these things ARE anti-Catholic, then that is an admission by the church that these things are endemic to their culture and are non-negotiable. As a minister I know that the Christian faith is not founded in policies that are anti-people, and I believe even the Catholic church can embrace the change necessary to be a healthy part of people’s lives.
The second concern is why there are so many pedophiles in the Catholic church. I can’t believe that anyone is born a pedophile, so how does one become one, and is there something inherent in the Catholic system that actually creates pedophiles (rather than just attracting them)? I would posit that yes, the Catholic priesthood system creates pedophiles. I realize what a controversial statement that is (and I will be called anti-Catholic for it-see paragraph above).
The Catholic system identifies young men very early that they believe have qualities for the priesthood, and they are set on a educational track that will get them there. I believe the vast majority of these young men enter this priest-track quite innocently. From early adolescence they are taught that any sexual contact-including touching themselves-is a sin. At the height of their sexual awakening and curiosity, they receive regular reminders of that sex is forbidden. (Forbidden=nasty.) Such forced repression is eventually going to have an outlet. Since that outlet cannot be an open, honest one, it looks for ways to express itself that can be easily hidden. The victims are the ones most vulnerable and least likely to report.
The third concern is that we have too many different words for sexual assault, depending on the age or gender of the victim and actual sexual acts involved. Let’s do away with this hierarchy of sexual assault-it is all rape. Whether the victim is a child or an adult, male or female, unwanted sexual contact is rape. And the Catholic church is perpetuating a rape culture.
Considering that patriarchy and intolerant Catholic Church teachings are standing in her way, what else can she do but attack them? After all, the end justifies the means, right? Sadly, the good Reverend feels her advice will fall on deaf ears, as she closes with this:
But I know they aren’t going to listen to me, because I’m a woman.
Do you want to listen to her? Here’s your chance:
And that, my friends, is what reproductive justice and “changing the world for good” is all about….Soros style, of course.
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