Gimme that old time politics

Terry Mattingly October 14th, 2008

If you’re like me, you have probably been feeling a bit down in recent weeks as the White House race has, at times, veered off into a muddy ditch or two. It’s easy to argue about who has been throwing what, but there’s no doubt that both sides are getting hit. It’s especially depressing, but not surprising, to see all of the religion hooks in this muddy drama.

This brings us to one of best political features that I have seen in the Washington Post Style section in quite some time. This p … (Read More)

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From our ‘no comment’ department

Terry Mattingly September 3rd, 2008

I realize that authorities in the American Catholic hierarchy are currently debating the ecclesiastical status of Sen. Joseph Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

But Fox News has opened up an entirely different front, when it comes to the battles over the meaning of “devout Catholic” and other related terms. Or do we need to blame Us magazine?

I offer the following news report — this is the complete story, I am afraid — with no additional commentary, other than a silent scream o … (Read More)

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Now, it’ll be harder to find Pinsky

Terry Mattingly July 21st, 2008

For years now, we’ve been moaning that it is hard — in the online editions of some well-known newspapers — to navigate their websites and find the work of the religion-beat specialists. The Orlando Sentinel was a perfect example, especially since the newspaper staff included one of the best veterans out there — Mark I. Pinsky of “The Gospel According to the Simpsons” fame.

Now, it’s going to be even harder to find Pinsky on the Sentinel site, since he will not be there. A friend of … (Read More)

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From our “no comment” department

Terry Mattingly June 10th, 2008

The following is not taken from a news story. It’s part of a column from (wait for it) the San Francisco Chronicle. And, yes, we have crossed paths with this man’s work before.

So I have no comment on Mark Morford’s answer to the question: What’s really going on with Obama (no other names needed at this point)?

I have no comment about the headline: “Is Obama an enlightened being? Spiritual wise ones say: This sure ain’t no ordinary politician. You buying it?”

Read the thesis for yo … (Read More)

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Is the pope still pope?

Terry Mattingly April 28th, 2008

The papal visit is over and the surprise of the trip was the drumbeat of references by Pope Benedict XVI to the clergy-abuse scandal, highlighted by the meeting with victims — from Boston no less — during his stay in Washington, D.C. This did not, of course, cancel out any of the themes that the pope was expected to emphasize, and did, such as religious liberty, a belief in absolute moral truths, unity on essential Catholic doctrines and a defense of attempts to instill a sense of Catholic i … (Read More)

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