A local psychologist told our local paper, “I absolutely despise web-based social media”.

He works with young people harmed by cyber bullying and considering harming themselves.

But these social (anti-social?) media are not going away. More likely, they will increase.

What to do?

There is no law of nature dictating that only superficial/mean/meaningless material can be transmitted electronically . . . .

Or is there?

Is the fault in human nature itself?

A flawed nature armed with technology enabling instant, irretrievable expression of frustrated self-absorption — with no built-in cooling-off period mechanism.

* * *

Those aware that it is God who gives us existence second by second . . . .

That life is a conversation/transaction between oneself and God . . . .

That God is closer to us than we are to ourselves . . . .

Those who understand all this must painstakingly seek to share it with those who don’t.

How?

Best, perhaps, by word of mouth.

The people we meet each day – let’s love them with a selfless, ordered, God-centred love.

Last week’s media reported “new hope” for infertile couples troubled about possible genetic disease problems.

Researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University have managed a “breakthrough” in embryo screening techniques.

The new methods will detect chromosomally abnormal embryos with “99 percent accuracy”.

Screening for Down Syndrome etc. is to be done “before pregnancy” — using cells from 5-day old embryos.

* * *

It sounds fairly ethical if you read it quickly

Slow down a bit and you’ll notice that young human beings are to be discarded if considered not up to standard.

The idea of destroying human lives which fail to meet somebody’s requirements has turned up repeatedly through human history.

The sacredness of human life is only sometimes taken seriously.

The real issue here is not a matter of science, but of religion.

If we don’t respect all human life as a gift from God, we risk behaving very badly when faced with inconveniences.

Santorum and Gingritch have withdrawn as prospective Republican candidates.

The media now talk in terms of a Romney/Obama race.

They are probably right.

They are doing everything possible to make it right.

They never mention Ron Paul, who has not, so far, pulled out of the Republican nominee race.

* * *

Paul is a medical graduate, who has practised for decades as an 0bstetrician having, he claims, delivered over 4000 babies.

He calls himself  “an unshakable foe of abortion” — his career as an obstetrician having forced him to acknowledge that human life begins at conception.

Dr Paul’s economic policies are unusual, but are consistent.

He believes in small government — believes it, not just talks it.

In his own medical practice he never accepted government money (via Medicaid or Medicare) but charged private fees — for the poor, charging reduced or no fees.

* * *

Obama is stridently pro-abortion.

Romney contradicts himself on the subject.

In the US, voting is not compulsory.

For many thinking Americans the only possibilities must be to vote Paul or not vote at all.

A new book about atheism and religion is creating some interest.

Swiss multimedia commentator, Alain de Botton, calls his book “Religion for Atheists: a non-believer’s guide to the uses of religion”.

He says modern atheists are throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

He has little time for Richard Dawkins, for example. Such people, he says, have forgotten important truths — and must now humbly revisit at least some aspects of Faith to get them back.

Truths about how to live and love, care for others, handle suffering and death etc.

* * *

Some of the book’s suggestions are misguided: for example that atheists copy the idea of a weekly communal meal — as is, he says, “found at the heart of the Catholic Mass”.

No.

The communal meal concept is not the heart of the Mass.

The Mass is first and foremost a sacrifice — the sacrifice of Christ’s Cross made present, its memory celebrated and its saving power applied to the faithful.

Mass can be validly celebrated when non-communal — celebrated by a priest alone.

The Mass is something totally supernatural.

It has no “natural” equivalent that atheists can borrow.

It is part of the Catholic Faith or it is nothing.

The governor of Wisconsin state, USA, recently made an announcement that “the Christmas Tree displayed in our state Capitol will have homemade ornaments . . . . etc.”

Horrified responses followed

“Freedom From Religion Foundation” (FFRF) called his words “rude and insensitive . . . a snub to non-Christians.”

Legal moves will possibly come next.

* * *

The FFRF refers to itself as a group of “freethinkers”

They believe in your “freedom” never to say the word Christmas in public.

Since the 1980’s, those Americans who hate the idea of “government endorsement of religion” have witch-hunted anybody saying Christmas tree . . . .

Instead of “Holiday tree” which is a permissible phrase.

So much for the status of belief in the USA.

What about Australia?

* * *

Researchers claim that only 40 percent of Australians now identify as Christians.

About 10 percent identify themselves with other religions.

The rest don’t believe in anything much.

20 percent call themselves “spiritual” but not “religious”.

We mostly want to feel good and — to some that way inclined — religion and/or spirituality can be a convenient feelgood.

Are we all — both religious and un-religious – alike primarily committed to self-fulfilment, self-esteem and self-worship?

Only the colour of the tinsel varying?

(stats from: OliveTree Media Research, 22 November 2011)

Pope Benedict, visiting his home country, Germany, has paid tribute to those who kept the faith during Nazi and Communist persecutions.

After meeting a group of victims of past sexual abuse by church workers, he humbly commented that he could “understand that, in the face of such reports, people, especially those close to victims, would say, ‘This isn’t my church anymore’.”

He vowed that the Church will “deal with all crimes of abuse” and is “committed to promotion of measures for the protection of children and young people”.

* * *

In a world where hatred seems to reign, to learn the message of God’s love is urgent and critical.

The people you meet every day need to discover that they are infinitely lovable, no matter how badly they feel about themselves.

And to experience the life-altering potency of God’s love.

It is the task of the Church to be God’s agent in passing on that message and that transforming experience of love.

Now is not the time for Christians to abandon the Church, but to redouble our efforts, at the personal level, to spread God’s life-changing love.

* * *

Today, try to let everyone you meet be aware of his/her lovability.

All are infinitely loveable, because God loves all infinitely.

We must first let God’s love change us — then endeavour to become change-agents in creating and spreading love.

It is not easy to act consistently with this kind of love.

None of us is as good at it as we ought to be.

If we humbly ask God for his grace, he will change us – and use the change in us as a step towards changing the world.