Monday, October 10, 2011

Today on Kresta - October 10, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Oct. 10

4:00 – The Debate Over Internet Privacy
House lawmakers last week debated proposed updates to the Children’s Online Private Protection rules by the Federal Trade Commission that Web firms be required to seek greater permissions from parents to collect information about children under the age of 13. This comes amidst a large debate over privacy on the internet. We talk with Mark Bowden, author of Worm, the story of the battle between those determined to exploit the internet and those committed to protect it—the ongoing war taking place literally beneath our fingertips.

4:20 - The Desert Fathers: Saint Anthony and the Beginnings of Monasticism
In the late third century, more and more people withdrew to the radical seclusion of the desert so as to live entirely for God under the direction of a spiritual father. Among these "Desert Fathers" one figure is especially preeminent: Saint Anthony the Hermit. We go back to the hour when monasticism was born and describes the life of those revolutionary Christians who sought God in the Egyptian desert. Tony Ryan of Ignatius Press is our guide.

4:40 – The Greatest Miracle
The Greatest Miracle is a 3D animated film on the Mass. Made by some of the creative talent behind films like Hercules, Spider Man and Ice Age, The Greatest Miracle tells the story of three strangers whose lives intersect one morning at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There, each person meets their guardian angel and is given the gift to see the world through spiritual eyes and take full account of their blessings. We talk with producer Pablo Barroso and composer Mark McKenzie.

5:00 – Kresta Comments
A Texas pastor introduced Rick Perry at a major conference of Christian conservatives here on Friday as “a genuine follower of Jesus Christ” and then walked outside and attacked Mitt Romney’s religion, calling the Mormon Church a cult and stating that Mr. Romney “is not a Christian.” The comments by the pastor, Robert Jeffress of Dallas, injected a potentially explosive issue into the presidential campaign. Al has some comments on this issue.

5:30 – Vianney Speaks
Vianney Speaks, the latest Saint Luke Productions television drama, will premiere on October 14 & 15 on EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. This unique program depicts the passionate sermons and fervent prayers of JohnVianney, the beloved French pastor, as portrayed by actor and film director Leonardo Defilippis. Vianney Speaks grew out of Saint Luke Productions' live theatrical production VIANNEY,which has been touring the US and Canada, and has inspired audiences of more than 100,000 since its premiere in 2009. This made-for-television program is guaranteed to deepen understanding of the Catholic faith by highlighting a combination of the interior struggles of Vianney and his compelling sermons, which converted thousands of souls. Leonardo joins us.

1 comment:

  1. Re: Mormonism

    Al, Rick Santorum said a lot more than "I'm not an expert on Mormonism."

    On the October 7 Hardball, Chris Matthews asked Santorum about Mitt Romney and Mormonism. The dialog went like this:

    Santorum: "I don't think you should vote against anybody based on their religion. Mitt Romney is -- even as the pastor said -- he's a good moral man."

    Matthews: "Is he a Christian?"

    Santorum: "He believes he's a Christian. I'm not an expert on the Mormon religion."

    Matthews: "Oh, you're hedging."

    Santorum: "I'm not hedging."

    Matthews: "It's the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- you don't believe that?"

    Santorum: "Every Mormon I know believes that they are Christian. I'm not an expert in Mormonism, so if they say they're Christians, as far as I'm concerned they're Christians. If they say they believe in Jesus Christ, fine, they're Christian."

    Matthews: "But they're not a cult?"

    Santorum: "No, they are not a cult. I believe that people should focus on the public policy, focus on his morality and his own life. And as far as I can see, it's a pretty good one."

    Conservative Catholic Bill Bennett was at the Values Voter Summit and said: "Do not give voice to bigotry. Do not give voice to bigotry. [Mild applause.] Remember George Washington -- his manly advice to us -- to despise all forms of racial and religious bigotry. He who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen counseled: 'We should give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.' Let's follow him."

    And conservative Catholic Peggy Noonan said on ABC's This Week: "And I would note that when you look at polls, Catholics are less likely to be bigoted, if you will, about such religions as Mormonism, in part because bigotry has been put against them. It is not a Catholic problem with the Republican base; it is an evangelical prob-- uh, Protestant problem. We'll see how big it is."

    Al, you've got your work cut out for you. You should get Rick Santorum, Bill Bennett and Peggy Noonan on your show and tell them that they're wrong.

    I have three questions for KITA fans:

    1) Do you agree with Santorum's statement: "I don't think you should vote against anybody based on their religion?"

    2) Do you agree with Santorum that Mitt Romney is a Christian just because he says he's a Christian?

    3) Do you think Mitt Romney has a better than even chance of being saved from the fires of Hell? Or are you looking at a man who will be screaming in agony forever in God's Infinite Chamber of Pain because he didn't have a relationship with the true Christ?

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