All Else Confusion

The recent column by Bishop Doran of Rockford, IL has caused quite a furor on a local Young Adult list serve. One member of the list wrote to complain that posting the letter to the group was bringing "partisanship" where it didn't belong. He went so far as to accuse the bishop of mistaking his facts. For example, he points out that there are pro-life Democrats and pro-choice Republicans and many Democratic states have abortion rates lower than the national average. And finally ends up by pointing out that the Church is also concerned with the death penalty and war (which Republicans are more likely to support). The War in Iraq was not justified and the Democrats were on the right side of that one. (You had to know that was coming)

One of the respondant e-mails included the observation that this was "moral vacillitude," causing some posters to decry those who make personal attacts and a reminder from the moderators of the "ground rules" for playing nice on the list serve. Thus, what started out as a discussion of the "partisanship" of the bishops words and his advisibility in writing them has turned into a vigorous discussion concerning the rules of civil discussion.

I found the quickness with which the list moderator jumped into the debate somewhat puzzling. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but I didn't find the offensive remarks to be all that awful. Perhaps it's just that I've been desensitized by these guys, but I don't see the need for all these calls for more friendliness. A little contention, even if it is very pointed, spices things up a little. Personally I find all this "hearts and flowers" type of charity a little too bland to take.

By the way, the orignal writer did apologize...for not presenting his ideas in a more loving manner. Bah!