The Hell There IS....

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: When we look back at the panorama of the 20th century, and most specifically the warning of the Blessed Virgin given at Fatima, it is the subject of Hell that is brought to the forefront. It seems that one of the greatest strategies of the Evil One in the last 100 years is to convince modern man that there is no Hell. This has perhaps been the precursor that has led to such rampant immorality in our Western world.

On the topic of Hell, Michael Voris does a good job here, pointing out that it is our understanding of Hell that needs revision, not the doctrine itself. When we think of hell, the vision of flames comes to mind. The Scriptures however, also use the analogy of thirst to describe the pains of Hell, and when we consider this it becomes obvious. Hell cannot be imagined by the human mind. It is a spiritual state of lost souls, a state that is opposed to God, and is apart from God, or at least "tries" to be apart from God. Since God is omnipresent however, that is not possible, so Hell is a state of existence that seeks to be apart from God, but cannot be, because that is impossible. Those souls in Hell find the presence of God repulsive but cannot escape Him. It is an experience that the human mind cannot fathom, but one that can only be compared to everlasting flames and eternal thirst.

We Need A Constitutional Convention...

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I received the following notice from a friend, and with his permission I am reprinting it here. After careful consideration, I have come to endorse this plan.  I do hope you will join me.

The states that have recently called for a Constitutional Convention are....

    1.    Alabama
    2.    Alaska
    3.    Arizona
    4.    Arkansas
    5.    Delaware
    6.    Colorado
    7.    Florida
    8.    Georgia
    9.    Idaho
    10.    Indiana
    11.    Iowa
    12.    Kansas
    13.    Louisiana
    14.    Maryland
    15.    Mississippi
    16.    Missouri
    17.    Nebraska
    18.    Nevada
    19.    New Hampshire
    20.    New Mexico
    21.    North Carolina
    22.    North Dakota
    23.    Oklahoma
    24.    Oregon
    25.    Pennsylvania
    26.    South Carolina
    27.    South Dakota
    28.    Tennessee
    29.    Texas
    30.    Utah
    31.    Virginia
    32.    Wyoming

----------snip----------

Since 32 states (including Missouri) have already approved this, and called for a new Constitutional Convention, there is still one thing you can do to help this process along. Simply forward this message to everyone you can, for the purpose of educating them about the process. People have a tendency to panic over the unknown, but if they understand it, they're much more likely to make calm sound decisions. A Constitutional Convention hasn't been held in this nation since 1787. During that Convention, our Founding Fathers provided a way (Article V) for the states to convene another Convention, if or when, our nation ended up in the sort of mess we are in right now. Up until now, we have not availed ourselves of this right, but we are close (just 2 states away). As you know, our current political system in Washington DC is broken -- completely broken. It does not work anymore. We send people to Washington to balance the budget, cut spending, and reduce the national debt. Instead what we get are more deficits, new spending programs and a national debt so great that our creditors are threatening to downgrade our gold-plated AAA national credit rating. It seems that no matter who we send up there, the problem just keeps getting worse. Congress is unable to balance the budget, and/or the president won't sign a balanced budget. All the while, the national debt just keeps going up, mortgaging the future of our children. Because of this, for the first time in American history, we are faced with the real prospect that our children might have a lower quality of life than we have. It doesn't have to be this way. We the states, can take matters into our own hands, and we can do so using the simple tool the Founding Fathers gave us in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. So since our home State of Missouri has already voted to call for a convention, and since 31 other states have already done the same, the only thing left for us to do is help our friends and family understand what is coming, and encourage them to support the process. Lord knows, it's NOT going to get done by Washington DC. You can help by simply forwarding this message to them...

----------------------------------

Do We Need a New Constitutional Convention?

Article V of the Constitution provides two methods for adding Amendments. Congress introduces amendments by one method; the states initiate them under the other.

The only method ever used is the congressional method. It lets Congress pass constitutional amendments by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such amendments must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or special state conventions, as Congress determines. Over 10,000 amendments have been introduced into Congress since 1789. Only 33 have been approved. Of these, 27 have been ratified and added to the Constitution.

The other way of amending the Constitution has never been successfully used. Under this procedure, the states initiate the amending process by petitioning Congress for a constitutional convention. When two-thirds of the states have submitted petitions, Congress must call a convention. Any amendments approved by such a convention must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. Congress decides whether state legislatures or state conventions will ratify these amendments.

Since the Constitution went into effect, there have been about 400 petitions from state legislatures calling for a convention to consider one thing or another. None of these efforts ever succeeded, but some came close. For years Congress ignored requests to pass an amendment allowing for the direct election of U.S. senators. Finally, in 1912, Congress passed the 17th Amendment, but only after supporters of the amendment were just one state short of triggering a constitutional convention.

Since the 1960s, state legislatures have submitted petitions for constitutional conventions when Congress refused to pass controversial amendments. Three of these amendments would have allowed prayers in the schools, prohibited busing for racial balance, and permitted the states to make abortions illegal. In each of these cases, however, supporters fell short of getting the 34 states needed for calling a constitutional convention.

Most recently, there has been a major movement to pass a federal balanced budget amendment. Unable to get action in Congress, supporters again turned to the convention method of amendment. To date, those behind the balanced budget amendment have convinced 32 states to submit convention petitions to Congress. Backers of the amendment need only two more states to compel Congress to call a convention.

Many people have voiced concern over the convention method of amending the Constitution. Our only experience with a national constitutional convention took place 200 years ago. At that time the delegates took it upon themselves to ignore the reason for calling the convention, which was merely to improve the Articles of Confederation. The Founding Fathers also violated the procedure for changing the Articles of Confederation. Instead of requiring approval of all the state legislatures, the signers of the Constitution called for ratification by elected state conventions in only nine of the 13 states.

Another point of anxiety is that Article V of the Constitution says nothing about what a convention may or may not do. If a convention is held, must it deal with only one proposed amendment? Or could the delegates vote on any number of amendments that were introduced? The Constitution itself provides no answers to these questions.

Howard Jarvis, the late leader of the conservative tax revolt in California during the 1970s, opposed a convention. He stated that a convention "would put the Constitution back on the drawing board, where every radical crackpot or special interest group would have the chance to write the supreme law of the land."

Others, like Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, disagree with this viewpoint. Senator Hatch has said it is ironic when the people attempt to engage in "participatory democracy set forth by the Constitution, we are subject to doomsday rhetoric and dire predictions of domestic and international disaster."

Of course, any amendments produced by a convention would still have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. We may soon see how this never-used method works if the balanced budget people swing two more states over to their side.

source

QUICK LINK: http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2011/07/we-need-constitutional-convention.html

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

BREAKING: Oslo Terrorist Denies Christian Faith

READ THE UPDATED STORY HERE

BREAKING: Oslo Terrorist is a Freemason

Anders Behring Breivik

DEVELOPING UPDATE (7-25-2011): Analysis of Breivik's manifesto reveals that Breivik denies a personal Christian faith, doubts the existence of God, and no longer prays. He does however consider himself a Darwinist, and asserts the primacy of Nordic Paganism alongside Europe's historic Judeo-Christian culture.read full story here
DEVELOPING UPDATE (7-26-2011): Breivik wrote on page 1307 of his online manifesto: “If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian.” What Breivik is describing here is something called "National Christianity" or "Christian Nationalism," meaning a belief in Christian identity in the same way one would adhere to a national, cultural or ethnic identity. It has nothing to do with practicing the religion of Christianity. By his own testimony here, Breivik is a "National Christian" or "Christian Nationalist" which by all definitions is the exact opposite of a "Christian Fundamentalist."

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The confessed Oslo Terrorist - Anders Behring Breivik - is currently depicted by the mainstream news as a "Christian Fundamentalist." While this may, or may not, be true (more probably not) some new information is currently surfacing about the man. This picture to the right depicts Breivik wearing the traditional Masonic apron of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons. You can read more about this Masonic order HERE.

Norwegian Masonic Apron
3rd Degree

It should be pointed out here that about 80% of the people in Norway are officially registered by the state run church as "Christian," and one cannot be removed from that listing unless one submits a formal request to the government in writing. So nobody here is contesting that Breivik was listed as a "Christian," as about 80% of the Norwegian population is officially listed as such. (This in no way reflects the number of Norwegians who actually practice their registered faith, which is considerably lower.) Furthermore, it should be noted that many branches of Freemasonry have a historical connection to mainstream liberal Protestantism. So from the perspective of a liberal Protestant Christian, Freemasonry is perfectly compatible with the Christian religion. The issue explored in this blog has nothing to do with how Mr. Breivik identifies himself religiously. The issue concerning this blogger is how the ignorant mainstream news media has maliciously applied the term "Christian Fundamentalist" to describe him, when in fact all the evidence points to the contrary. Breivik may have had some beliefs that could be loosely described as socially conservative, but his Christianity (particularly his dogmatic theology) would have to be quite liberal to be compatible with his membership in the Masonic Lodge.

Whatever comes out about this monster, one thing is certain. He is far more complex than a common "Christian Fundamentalist." As the average Christian Fundamentalist is usually anti-Masonic. Christian Fundamentalists are generally Protestants, and this is one issue Roman Catholics and Protestant Fundamentalists tend to agree on. Protestant Fundamentalists generally regard Freemasonry as occult and Pagan in nature, in essence very anti-Christian. The Catholic Church cites different reasons, but likewise forbids all it's members from becoming Freemasons under pain of excommunication. While the Catholic Church's position on this is firm, the Protestant Fundamentalist position is absolute and militant. They generally insist that "Christians cannot be Masons." Given the general position of Christian Fundamentalists on this issue, and given the fact that Breivik listed Freemasonry as an "interest" on his Facebook page up to the day of the massacre, it is virtually impossible for him to truly be a "Christian Fundamentalist." He is more likely a deranged lunatic who doesn't know enough about conservative Protestant Christianity to understand that his membership and interest in the Masonic Lodge contradicts everything "conservative Christianity" is supposed to stand for.

In fact, Breivik was baptized into the state-run liberal Protestant Church (Lutheran Church of Norway) which he says he did "by his own free will," but later became disillusioned with the way in which Liberal Protestantism has sacrificed much of it's historic Christian character. He once blogged... "Today's Protestant church is a joke. Priests in jeans who march for Palestine and churches that look like minimalist shopping centres. I am a supporter of an indirect collective conversion of the Protestant church back to the Catholic." Breivik (a political Zionist) obviously had little knowledge of Catholicism, for if he did, he would have known that one of the biggest Christian supporters of a Palestinian State is none other than the Catholic Church. In light of his membership in the Masonic Lodge however, Breivik could not be a Catholic, for that would require breaking membership with the Lodge prior to reception into the Catholic Church. More likely, Breivik was lamenting the loss of historic Christian culture in this above quote, which according to his manifesto he saw on par with historic Nordic Pagan culture. The parallels between Anders Breivik and Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City Terrorist) are starting to surface in the most startling way. According to Breivik's manifesto he was originally a Liberal Protestant, but later lost his Christian faith, doubted the existence of God, and praised the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin. McVeigh in comparison, was raised a Roman Catholic, but later lost his Christian faith, believed in an impersonal and naturalistic deity, declaring that his "only god is science."

A YouTube video posted by Breivik depicts himself as a Knight Templar and lone crusader against the failed multicultural experiment in Europe. (Note: "Knights Templar" are associated with Freemasons.) Muslims and Marxists are cited as the object of his contempt, but native Europeans are held responsible for their takeover of European society. (This may explain his rationale for the attack on youths of the liberal Norwegian Labor Party.) While some European and American conservatives might sympathize with his strong stand against multiculturalism, none would sympathize with the extreme he took it to. Having watched the video it reminded me of old Nazi propaganda. Though Breivik was apparently not a formal member of any Neo-Nazi groups, he was known to post messages on some of their Internet forum space.

In truth, two crimes have been committed here. The first is the unspeakable terrorism of Anders Breivik, and the second is the eager (and nearly gleeful) way in which the mainstream news media depicts him as a "Christian Fundamentalist." A similar event happened in the United States back in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh used a similar fertilizer bomb to destroy the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. It was up to that time, the worst terrorist event in U.S. history. In the days leading up to the capture of McVeigh the mainstream news media characterized him as a "right-wing Christian Fundamentalist." In the end, we discovered that McVeigh was an agnostic and had abandoned his belief in the Christian God long ago. In his own words, McVeigh's "only god is science."

What we see in these two events is very revealing. The mainstream news media obviously has an ax to grind against conservative Protestantism and traditional Catholicism. They have demonstrated a repeating pattern of seizing upon any opportunity to label a known terrorist as a "Christian Fundamentalist," when in fact the evidence consistently points in the opposite direction. If there was ever any doubt before, it should be dispelled now, the mainstream news media is ANTI-CHRISTIAN and CHRISTOPHOBIC in the most vial and bigoted way imaginable. They are desperately seeking to connect conservative Christians to acts of terrorism whenever possible. It amazes me that such seemingly professional people could be so ignorant and prejudiced.

The underlying message of the mainstream news media is that Fundamentalism (of any type) causes terrorism. This is a farce! What causes terrorism is the carcinogenic belief that the ends justify the means. From this mindset comes everything from war to genocide. It also spawns terrorism. Those who believe in it have subscribed to the notion that human beings are expendable to various "causes." After all is said and done, regardless of the ramblings of the lunatic behind it, that was the cause of the Oslo Massacre. That is what motivated Anders Breivik to commit his terrorist acts and kill so many innocent people. In his mind, and in his moral code, the ends justified the means, and the lives of his victims were simply a means to accomplish his end. Whatever "end" he desired is irrelevant. What brought about the bloodshed was his Machiavellian morality. Yes, it really is that simple.

Despite all the mystery surrounding this story right now, there is something we do know. Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed Pontius Pilate with the following words...

Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." - John 18:36

There is no justification for this man's hideous act of terrorism. The fact that he did take matters to unprovoked physical violence demonstrates that he is NOT a servant of Christ. Our prayers go out to the victims in Norway, most especially to the parents and families of the murdered teens on Utoya island. May God comfort them in this horrible time of crisis.

Never Forget Who We Are....

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Before there was Gregorian Chant, there was Roman Plain Chant. The following sounds in the embeded video below are some of the oldest Psalmodies in ancient Western history. This is who we are! It is our Roman Catholic heritage and culture. It is this very thing, along with our customs and sensibilities, that the Leftists outside of the Church seek to destroy through their legal means of cultural genocide. This is what Modernists inside the Church unwittingly undermine with their constant liturgical innovations and introduction of modern pop/folk music. The Modernists inside the Church I have pity for, because they have been dupped. They mistakenly believe that by "modernizing" the Church, and "bringing it into the 21st century" they will attract more people to her. Sadly, some forty years of "modernizing" has produced the exact opposite, yet for some reason they are unable to see that. When will they learn that there is nothing they can do to "change" the Church in such a way that people who already hate her will somehow come to like her? When will they learn that there is nothing more "dated" than a contemporary liturgy, and that traditional liturgy is TIMELESS......


Remember who you are, and return to your most ancient roots. This is the Roman Catholic way. This is our heritage and our identity. This is who we are as a people. Never, ever forget!

Special thanks to Sarah in Australia for this video Recommendation.

Now Bishops Will HAVE TO Do Their Jobs

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The following is not a total victory, but it is good news. Think of it as a shot across the bow of the Canadian Catholic Church. The artillery shell missed the ship, but made a huge splash off the port bow, giving her a good rock and roll in the waters....

(The Catholic Register) - The Ontario Liberal government's equity and inclusive education policy will not mandate Catholic schools to teach students anti-Catholic views on marriage and sexuality or force them to establish gay-straight alliances, says Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

“There's no question that in Catholic schools, they have the constitutional right to to teach their faith in their schools and that has not changed,” Dombrowsky told The Catholic Register...

read full story here

Sadly, Catholic schools in Canada will be required to host "gay support groups" to emotionally assist students dealing with homosexual temptations, but there is no word yet on what requirements those support groups will entail.

The moral to this story is that Canadian Catholic bishops (and priests) now have no choice but to enforce the teachings of the Church rigorously in regards to the area of homosexuality. If they don't, than the Canadian government will see that the Church has "changed" it's teachings on homosexuality, and no longer needs an exception to the law. So the word to Canadian Catholic bishops (and priests) is this. You better start doing your job, and enforcing the Church's teaching on homosexuality, or else the Canadian government will eventually eliminate your exception to the current law.

The Hypocricy of Europe

Legal Age of Consent
in Europe

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT:  And so it came to pass, in the latter days, that the priesthood of Christ was infiltrated by certain sodomite men, who lied and broke their vows of chastity, sexually abusing boys, and some corrupt bishops turned a blind eye to them, refusing to administer the justice that was due.  It was but a small fraction of the clergy who did this, less than a twentieth, but because of their sins the whole world was enraged.  Already hating the message of the gospel of Christ that convicted them of sin, the governors of the formerly Christian lands turned against the Church, demanding that priests break their sacramental vows under pain of imprisonment.  These same European governors however, also approved marriage between sodomites, and made legal the very thing they claimed to abhor, that is the sexual abuse of teenage boys.  To make matters worse, some of these same governors created literature urging parents to sexually abuse their young daughters, as early as the first year of life.  And so the once Christian leaders of Europe fell into the ultimate apostasy and hypocrisy, attacking the Church for the same sins that they themselves were guilty of on a much greater scale.

THE AMERICAN CRUSADE

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The final Battle for America has begun, and The Catholic Knight is calling upon all my Catholic readers to rally to an ongoing crusade for the religious liberties of Catholics in the United States. Recent passage of gay-marriage laws, and other elements of the militant homosexual agenda, have caused the religious freedom of Catholics to be attacked in various states. Catholics are now becoming victims of frivolous lawsuits by militant homosexuals, backed by the ACLU, designed to systematically use means of legal coercion to exterminate all trace of traditional Catholic religion and culture. This is nothing less than a form of cultural genocide.

This is an act of war! Many American states have given the militant homosexuals the tools they now need to effect the extermination they desire. The time for passive defense is over. The situation is dire. The United States was founded on religious liberty. If religious liberty for traditional Catholics is lost, than no religious group is safe, and the very reason for America's existence is lost as well. This is not only a battle for the religious freedom of traditional Catholics in America, but for America itself, because if we lose, America has completely lost it's reason for existence.

The good news is that Leftist- Liberals actually FEAR us Christians. They really do, and some of them are very candid about their fear of us. So the time has come to stand up and defend our rights vigorously. They will back down if we don't back down. They will compromise with us of we refuse to compromise with them.. They will because they already have an innate fear of us, and they don't believe in anything worth sacrificing their comfortable lives for.

Therefore, The Catholic Knight calls upon all of my readers to engage in the following crusade. Remember, we are Catholics. We are an honorable and civilized people. We do not resort to violence unless violently attacked by physical force. Nearly a thousand years ago, our Catholic ancestors crusaded against the Muslims only after they had been violently assaulted by Islamic jihad for centuries. Their military campaign (the crusades) against the violent jihadists were justified. We, however, have not had to deal with that kind of violent threat -- yet. For now, our crusade is limited to a legal and political fight, so we shall respond in kind with the same type of force.

OUR BATTLE STRATEGY...

1. Pray to Our Lady of America, The Immaculate Conception, for assistance, and familiarize yourself with the devotion to her.


2. Financially support the Thomas More Law Center with your tax deductible donations. No amount is too small. Give regularly, as this will be our front line.


3. Be prepared to file a lawsuit wherever and whenever your religious freedom is violated. Be aggressive about this, and encourage other Catholics to do the same. Contact the Thomas More Law Center for sound legal advice first, and do not be afraid.


4. Begin organizing religious freedom rallies. Start talking to the TEA Party organizers about this, as they are well connected, well funded, and will likely support such an effort. Contact should be made on both the national and local level. We must form an alliance here, or we will fail. We need their numbers, and they need our support. Remember, we must all hang together, or it won't be long before we each hang separately. (I'm not kidding here folks, this is the radical Left's agenda for us, if they get their way.)


5. Recruit faithful priests and bishops to come to our aid. Talk to your local priest, if he is somebody who cares, and not some leftover from the hippie generation. Tell him about the dire circumstances, and what you're trying to do to defend the rights of Catholics and Holy Mother Church. Get him to come to some meetings and speak up for our religious freedom.


6. Begin local letter writing campaigns to both state and federal legislators, demanding our religious freedom be protected against the militant homosexual agenda, and don't be afraid to tell them that if they don't help us, you will actively work to find their replacement.

This is just the beginning. There are more radical steps at our disposal, and we may have to use them, but for now this will do just to mobilize the troops and get the ground war going. Please pass on this article to every Catholic you know. Feel free to use the "share" icons below, or you may cut and paste the following link to an email: http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2011/07/american-crusade.html

Muslim Innkeepers SUED For Refusing Gay Wedding

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Here's the story. The militant homosexual agenda is now taking on an innocent Muslim couple simply for exercising their religious beliefs and cultural sensibilities. It just goes to show that the militant homosexuals in America know no limits, and no religious group is safe from their tyranny. This poor Muslim couple will now likely lose their ranch and Inn over this senseless and hateful lawsuit against their religious beliefs.

New Tab - Catholic Politics 101

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: You will notice a new tab above in the Catholic Knight pages marked "Catholic Politics 101". While you cannot leave comments on that page, you are more than welcome to leave your comments here.

Missouri Bans All Abortions After 20 Weeks

The Missouri Battle Flag
Once a Civil War icon,
Now a symbol of the Christian cause
in Missouri's culture war.

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Even though Missouri has elected a pro-abortion Democrat governor, he has enough sense to know that going against the people of Missouri on this issue is political suicide. He will allow the bill to become law by neither signing it nor vetoing it. The bill bans all abortions in the state after 20 weeks gestation, except in cases of physical "medical emergency" endangering the life or limb of the mother. I can tell you, if the people of Missouri could really have their way, all abortions in the state would be banned in total. That day will come eventually, just as soon as we are liberated from the tyranny of Roe v. Wade.

I should point out here that the only reason why Missourians elected a pro-abortion Democrat governor in the first place is because the previous Republican governor (Matt Blunt) lost his endorsement from 'Missouri Right to Life.'  This was after he brought human cloning to the state through the deceptive "Amendment 2" proposal that tricked Missouri voters into voting in favor of human cloning by telling them the bill actually opposed it.  It was the worst case of political deception in Missouri history, and the former Republican governor did it to bring biotech money into the state.  As a result, his political career came to an abrupt end in November 2008.  In what was already a bad election year for Republicans to begin with, Missouri voters rationalized that with a pro-abort Democrat in the governor's mansion, at least we know what we're dealing with.  So he serves on borrowed time.  Based on his action in the case of this bill, I think he knows that....

(Reuters) - Missouri's governor said on Thursday he will let a measure passed by state lawmakers this spring restricting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy take effect -- though he will not sign it.

Under the state's constitution, bills sent to the governor but not signed become law.

The Missouri legislation, similar to that in several other states, prohibits abortions on viable fetuses after 20 weeks unless continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mother's life or cause substantial injury to her major bodily functions.

"This legislation was approved by an overwhelming, bi-partisan majority in both houses," Governor Jay Nixon said.

"Although people have differing views on this issue, it's important that we work together to provide accurate health information, promote personal responsibility, protect women's health, and improve foster care, adoption and child protection services."

Doctors who violate the law are subject to imprisonment, a fine of up to $50,000 and loss of their medical license.

"The major effect of this is to keep doctors specializing in late-term abortions from setting up business in Missouri," said Joe Ortwerth, executive director of the Missouri Family Policy Council, which strongly supported the law....

read full story here

Catholic Democrat = Lost Soul

For my international readers -
The Donkey is the official symbol of the U.S. Democratic Party,
The U.S. Republican Party uses the Elephant as it's symbol.

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I believe we have reached a point now, both in this nation and the U.S. Catholic Church, where the term "Catholic Democrat" means the equivalent of selling ones soul to the devil. Basically it works like this.  The Democratic Party is so anti-Catholic on every single social issue imaginable, from abortion to gay-marriage, to school-choice, to religious freedom, that in order for a Catholic to be a successful elected official in the Democratic Party, he basically has to ignore everything the Catholic Church teaches.

I challenge anyone to survey the U.S. political landscape today and prove me wrong.

That being said, this is not an endorsement of the Republican Party either.  While the Republican Party holds to many positions that oppose Catholic social teaching, there is at least a little wiggle room left for Catholics in that party to still be Catholics with good conscience -- for now.  Granted, that would entail not towing the party line on some issues, and even opposing the party on some issues, but nevertheless I would say it is still at least possible to be a Catholic and a Republican -- for now.

That being said, yours truly (The Catholic Knight) is a Distributist, so I'm basically unrepresented in American politics.  I'm forced to identify myself as an Independent.  When I do vote, I'm forced to choose between Republican and third party candidates, as I've come to the conclusion that voting Democrat in today's political environment is to sell my soul.  I believe it was Cardinal Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Vatican's Apostolic Signatura, who recently said the U.S. Democratic Party is swiftly becoming the "Party of Death."

Michele Bachmann Rejects Anti-Catholicism

2012 Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann

(The Christian Post) - Michele Bachmann has received a much-needed endorsement from Catholics following media reports saying she quit her Lutheran church, which believes the Pope is the Antichrist.

“We find no evidence of any bigotry on the part of Rep. Michele Bachmann,” Catholic News Agency quoted Bill Donohue, president of America’s largest Catholic civil rights organization Catholic League, as saying Friday. Donohue, however, also said it was “regrettable that there are still strains of anti-Catholicism in some Protestant circles.”

Donohue was responding to Thursday’s report in The Atlantic that said the Minnesota Republican was likely to face controversy over her affiliation with Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stillwater, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which says the Roman Catholic Pope is the Antichrist.

Rep. Bachmann has “condemned anti-Catholicism” and “just as President Barack Obama is not responsible for the views of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Rep. Bachmann must be judged on the basis of her own record,” the League president said, referring to Obama’s former pastor’s statements in 2008 that the U.S. government may have spread AIDS among the black community and that some American wartime activities constituted terrorism.

According to the director of communications of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Joel Hochmuth, the 55-year-old congresswoman was released from her family’s membership on June 21, six days before she formally announced her candidacy for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination...

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I need to point out here that this is a really big deal.  Many Republican presidential candidates have had ties to anti-Catholic Protestant groups in the past.  The list includes John McCain, Mike Huckabee and George W. Bush.  In each case, the candidate has distanced himself from the anti-Catholic views of the person or group in question, but none have ever cut themselves off from that person or group completely, until now.  What we have in the case of Michele Bachmann is a clean break from not only her former Lutheran parish, but her entire Lutheran denomination as well, in addition to a public statement that categorically rejects the teachings of her former religious affiliation.  "I love Catholics, I’m a Christian, and my church does not believe that the Pope is the Antichrist" Bachmann said, in complete opposition to her former denomination's official stand...

We reject the idea that the teaching that the Papacy is the Antichrist rests on a merely human interpretation of history or is an open question. We hold rather that this teaching rests on the revelation of God in Scripture which finds its fulfillment in history. The Holy Spirit reveals this fulfillment to the eyes of faith (cf. The Abiding Word, Vol. 2, p. 764). Since Scripture teaches that the Antichrist would be revealed and gives the marks by which the Antichrist is to be recognized (2 Th 2:6,8), and since this prophecy has been clearly fulfilled in the history and development of the Roman Papacy, it is Scripture which reveals that the Papacy is the Antichrist.

source

Statement of Faith

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)

We do not know what Michele Bachmann's personal interpretation of her previous church's doctrine was. We do now know if she ever even accepted it at all. At present, we still do not know what nondenominational church she currently attends, though it appears there are only about a half-dozen of them in the Stillwater area. There is only one thing we do know. Based on Michele Bachmann's personal words and actions, she clearly DOES NOT believe the pope is the Antichrist. Furthermore, based on her few comments on the matter, it would appear the very idea of such a thing is repulsive to her, and this may have possibly contributed to her decision to leave the WELS denomination.

Now as a Catholic (born Lutheran and descended from a man who helped form the WELS) I've got to say this was a pretty gutsy move on Bachmann's part.  She went above and beyond the typical Republican response to this problem.  She backed her words with action, and that's just something you don't see every day.   Good for her!

Balance the Budget, Cut the Debt, Free the States

SUBSIDIARITY

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: As the budget battle ensues in Washington DC, partisan politics have taken over, at least on the Democrat side to be sure, but what about the Republicans?

Yes, the Republicans are playing partisan politics too, but this time it's a little different. This time it's for their own political survival. The TEA Party leaders have made it clear that if Republicans fail to deliver a balanced budget with substantial and credible cuts made to the national debt, the party is over for them. TEA Party leaders across the nation have already stated they are prepared to "make an example of them in 2012" in reference to the Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, America's creditors are growing impatient, and they are threatening to downgrade America's credit rating if a budget deal is not reached soon.

God fearing faithful Catholics should look at this with a sober non-partisan perspective.  We can be sympathetic with the TEA Party message by echoing our own message from the teachings of the Catholic Church -- SUBSIDIARITY....

1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good."

1884 God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts to every creature the functions it is capable of performing, according to the capacities of its own nature. This mode of governance ought to be followed in social life. The way God acts in governing the world, which bears witness to such great regard for human freedom, should inspire the wisdom of those who govern human communities. They should behave as ministers of divine providence.

1885 The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies. It tends toward the establishment of true international order.

-- Catechism of the Catholic Church

California Falls

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: UPDATE 7/14/2011 - Sadly, I was right about California's supposedly "Catholic" governor. He signed the bill, mentioned in story below, into law. Originally posted on July 7th, I am reposting this story today (July 14th) for review....

(LifeSiteNews.com) - A bill requiring public schools to teach the “historical contributions” of homosexual Americans was approved by the California legislature on Tuesday, July 5. The bill also prohibits any school material or instruction that reflects adversely on homosexuality, bisexuality or transgenderism, and prohibits parents from removing children from classes over offensive material....

read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Next on the list of states to fall to the homosexual agenda is California. Though voters overwhelming passed Proposition 8 in 2008, prohibiting gay marriage, the homosexual mafia in California (which I like to call "the pink hand") has managed to get it derailed in court, and retaliated with an education bill that would force mandatory homosexual indoctrination upon all public school children in the state. The bill prohibits in public schools any literary material that speaks ill of homosexuality. Now that OFFICIALLY makes the Bible ILLEGAL on California public school campuses. The bill also carries a "no opt-out" clause that prohibits parents from pulling children from classes due to offensive curriculum that violates their religious beliefs. As a result, California public schools will become gay indoctrination zones, making the Bible illegal, and securing a future generation that will be more than happy to give homosexuals anything and everything they ask for -- including gay-marriage.

California Governor Jerry Brown
Another "Catholic" Democrat

With the passage of this bill into law, the State of California has now fallen to the sodomite agenda. Religious persecution of public school children, and their parents, will commence on January 1, 2012.

But wait, you say, the governor hasn't signed it yet! Well, you're right about that. However, the governor is a Catholic and a Democrat, which usually makes the most extreme Left-wing combination, so it's as good as signed as far as I'm concerned. If he doesn't sign it, I will be shocked! He'll be breaking a time honored Catholic-Democrat tradition of going against the Church's teaching on every social issue imaginable. I suppose there is always a first time for everything, but I wouldn't expect it from this man. If on the remote chance he doesn't sign it, than the tradition of the California legislature is to either override the veto or else just try again later. So no matter how you look at it, it's as good as signed into law.

What are faithful Catholic and Evangelical families to do? There are now only three options available to faithful California Christians with school-aged children....

1. Private School
2. Home School
3. Get the hell out of California!

If you can't afford private school, and home school is not a viable option due to your busy lifestyle, I guess that leaves only one option left. The only alternative is to send your children to a California public school with the understanding that you will completely lose control of what they are learning, and you will be legally unable to "opt-out" of any curriculum you find religiously offensive. (Again remember, this goes into effect January 1, 2012. So you have exactly six months to act from the date of this blog entry.)

If you plan to flee the state, please be assured you're in good company, as literally millions of people just like you have done the same over the last 20 years. (I was one of them.) There is no shame in running, especially if it's for the sake of your child's spiritual, emotional and mental welfare. So if you're planning to run, I'll tell you where to go, and what region of the nation will offer you the most religious freedom for the longest period of time. Look at a map of the United States, and start with the State of Texas, then look north all the way up to Kansas. Then look east all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. This is called the "Bible Belt." It is also known as the "Old South" or Dixie. Any state in this region is pretty much a safe haven compared to the rest of the country, especially the West Coast and Northeastern states. Take a look at the map below. Red states are SAFE for religious freedom. They have a proven track record of defending religious freedom and standing up to the homosexual agenda. Blue states are UNSAFE. They are either falling to the homosexual agenda, or vulnerable to fall to it in the near future. These states will likely persecute Christian school children and parents eventually. PURPLE states are a gamble. They could go either way in the distant future, and there is no way to know today what they will do tomorrow. This is because they have sent mixed signals on the issue of gay-marriage and the homosexual agenda. So moving there could be a risk, if not for your children than possibly for theirs.

I'm sorry it's come to this, and with such short notice (only six months) but you can't honestly say you were not warned. The writing has been on the wall for decades now. I got out in the early 1990s, as did many other faithful Christians seeking refuge from what we knew would become oppressive state laws in the not-too-distant future. California has been heading down this trajectory for a VERY LONG TIME.

The good news is that Dixie was not hit as hard by the recession as California or the Northeastern and Rustbelt states. You can still find a good job in Dixie if you look hard enough, and are willing to relocate. Another piece of good news is that housing is relatively affordable in Dixie. An average 3 bedroom, 2 bath house, with an attached garage will still run you around $100,000 in most places, give or take $20,000, the big exception being Florida of course.

These states are fiercely independent, and for the most part anti-Washington establishment. They will resist federal intrusion on issues like this to the last straw. They are also not fond of people working within the states, trying to change laws to favor sodomy. Iowa fell to a court decision favoring gay-marriage a couple years ago. I can testify if the same thing happened in Missouri, it would not set well with the people of this state, and they would resist it to the point of rewriting our state constitution if necessary. (Oh that's right, we Missourians already did that. See what I mean.) Last week I appealed to New Yorkers and all New England Christians who still give a hoot about what the Scriptures and Church have to say about homosexuality. I told them to get out before it's too late for their families. Now, I'm appealing to my fellow Californians. I'm a Native Californian and I left my birth state twenty years ago because I saw the writing on the wall, just as millions of others did. I appeal to you. I know there are still millions of you left who still care about the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Get out! Get out now before it's too late for your family. What more can I say? The writing is on the wall. Religious persecution comes next. You have been warned.

Please pass this blog entry on to every Californian you know who is a conservative Christian, especially practicing Catholics, and most especially if they have school-age children. You can use the "share" icons below, or just email a copy of this article.

Romney Refuses to Sign Pledge Opposing Gay-Marriage

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Hmmmm. Very telling....

DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign said Tuesday that he will not sign a conservative Iowa Christian group's far-reaching pledge opposing gay marriage, making him the first Republican presidential candidate to reject it.

Two of Romney's rivals for the Republican nomination, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, have signed the The Family Leader's 14-point pledge, which calls on the candidates to denounce same-sex marriage rights, pornography, same-sex military accommodations and forms of Islamic law.

read full story here

The Cult of the Omnipotent State

ATHENA
Greek Goddess of Government & Democracy

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The state is their God. Not so much in their words, but in their actions, they demonstrate their belief that there is no power higher than the state, and all morality is based entirely on state law, which of course can be changed to suit their fancy. Outside of state law there is no morality, and outside of the state there is no god greater than the state. All gods, most especially the Christian God, must be subject to the state. Of course these people are a little timid about enforcing their state-god upon the Muslims, but make no mistake about it, they believe Allah is subject to the state as well, and the same goes for any follower of Mohamed.

So who are these people? Are they the ancient Greeks or Romans? No. The ancient Greeks and Romans were more direct and honest about their intentions. They made no attempt to hide their state sponsored Paganism. Are they the modern Chinese Communists? Not exactly, though they have a lot in common with the Chi-coms, they are not the same people. So who are they?

These are the modern Left-wing Liberals driving the state and cultural entertainment industry in Europe, Canada, the American Left-Coast and New England. Their goddess is the state, and they put all their cares and dreams at her feet. Anyone who puts the government in the place of God is part of this cult. No temples have been built to honor the "cult of the omnipotent state" but there need not be any. Every temple imaginable already exists -- in Washington DC -- the Mecca of Democratic Imperialism. We could say that various idols have been erected in cities across America, to the cult of omnipotent government, but that would be a stretch, for art means different things to different people. No, modern worship of Athen's goddess is embodied more in actions and attitude, than in wood and stone.

We began to see the cult of the omnipotent state arise in New England and the Left Coast during the late 1960s through 1990s. These became the strongholds of modern Athenian worship. This of course was immediately adopted by Washington DC, which seized every opportunity to consolidate power and centralize bureaucracy. Washington DC however, was not the only place where the cult seized power. As I said, all of the West Coast states, along with New England became firmly entrenched in the cult, and now it is spreading into the Rust Belt states and even the Northern Midwestern states. The State of Florida has not escaped it's influence either. We have seen it's national imposition upon all the people of America through the United States Supreme Court with the issues of abortion, religion in public schools, and eminent domain. However, the states are now jumping on the cult's bandwagon concerning the issue of gay-marriage.

THE LIE...

State advocates of gay-marriage assure churches and synagogues that the creation of gay-marriage will have no effect whatsoever on the free exercise of religion. They promise that churches will continue to be allowed to not recognize gay-marriages and not be forced to perform them. They are also assured this will in no way have any effect on their private charitable institutions. THIS IS A LIE!!!! And SHAME ON YOU if you believe it! The evidence is plain for all the world to see. Catholic Charities have already been shut down in Massachusetts, California and Illinois over the gay-marriage issue. This is because these states were attempting to legally require Catholic adoption agencies to adopt children to gay couples, on the grounds that failure to comply amounted to discrimination and therefore a violation of state law. So you see, the cult of the omnipotent state requires that all bow the knee to Athena, including churches, synagogues and Catholic Charities. The next step is hate-crimes laws, wherein pastors will likely be prosecuted for preaching against the sin of homosexuality. Already, a bill has been passed in California, making it officially ILLEGAL to have a Bible on public school campuses. The cult of the omnipotent state marches on.

ISLAMOPHOBIA

Nowhere is the fear of Muslims more evident than among modern worshipers of Athena. Well, at least in America anyway. They're starting to get a little more courageous in Europe these days. American Athena worshipers do believe that Allah and Mohamed are subject to Athena, and they must submit to the state no matter how much state laws violate their religious beliefs. Muslims reading this should take note here. The cult of the omnipotent state makes no distinction between Allah and Jehovah, Mohamed and Jesus, Muslims and Christians. All are subject to Athena -- the omnipotent state -- who through democracy and kritocracy impose all forms of immorality upon the churches, mosques and synagogues. The only reason why the cult of the omnipotent state has not cracked down on mosques in America is because the established worshipers of Athena are still afraid of Muslims. As demonstrated in Europe however, their fear of Muslims will subside eventually, and when it does, Muslim institutions will be forced to recognize gay-marriage too.

American Muslims should fight back (non-violently of course), and there is only one way to do it. Start organizing ritual worship for Muslims schoolchildren in public schools. Tell the school boards and superintendents that if they don't allow prayer rugs and hijabs on campus, than they are violating your religion and your rights. Fight them in the courts, and demonstrate, demonstrate, DEMONSTRATE! We Christians will probably join you since we've been fighting them on this for decades. If you know any Muslim Americans, please make sure they read this article.

CHRISTOPHOBIA

The cult of the omnipotent state has always feared Christianity, perhaps more so than any other religion. But in their fear of Christianity, the worshipers of Athena have lost all fear of Christians. They've been persecuting us for decades you see. They have banned us from praying in public schools, and if the Muslims begin to demonstrate against the state to defend their religious rights, than I'm afraid we have no choice but to join them now, for what the Athenian worshipers are now doing to them, they've been doing to us for decades.

MODERN PAGANISM

The cult of the omnipotent state is nothing new. Variations of it were put forward in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome. The ancient Greek cult of Athena probably best represents modern Pagan Imperialism. This is because Athena was the Greek goddess of war, craftsmen and government. Democracy was born in ancient Athens -- named after the goddess Athena -- and America's founding fathers made sure to model our physical institutions of national government after the architecture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In times past, America still had a strong Christian society, and so appeals to Greek Paganism in government were simply viewed as a harmless novelty. Indeed at one time they may have been, but today, the secular culture is such that the attitudes and actions of those running the government (both state and federal) are far more "Pagan" than America's Founding Fathers could have ever imagined. Ancient Paganism was far more obvious and honest about it's intentions, and worship of their deities often took on religious ceremonies as well as state laws. Modern Paganism is a different story. As the modern world is infested with notions of atheism and secular deism, the cult of the omnipotent state (Athena) is played out more in actions and laws exclusively, while physical representations of the deity are limited to subjective art.

America's Chastisement

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: So naturally with the economic fall of the United States will follow the military decline of the nation as well, along with the loss of our place as a world superpower. The crisis will come to a head at the end of July 2011 as the U.S. Congress attempts to raise the debt ceiling to forestall a default on the national debt. Assuming the debt ceiling is raised, this will kick the crisis down the road a bit until the end of September, where it will likely be kicked down the road a little further, and so on. We've reached the end of our rope folks, and aside from some very draconian austerity measures, there will be no recovery. Doing what it takes to stop the deficit spending and reign in the debt, will inevitably cause a backlash on Wall Street, both prolonging and deepening the recession. Not doing what it takes will keep Wall Street and the economy afloat for a little while longer but make the crisis worse when the day of reckoning comes. So here we are, at the end of the world's greatest empire, and not a single shot was fired to bring it down. Let history record that the American Empire literally spent itself into oblivion.

As in all things, there is a moral lesson to be learned. America's two biggest sins against God and nature were avarice and sensuality. The two sins are linked together as manifestations of pride. Our avarice resulted in a crushing national debt that brought us to our collective knees. Our sensuality resulted in the abuse of our bodies, the destruction of our families, and the murder of our children. America is not alone in this economic chastisement. Europe will likewise pay a huge price. Together America and Europe exported sensual materialism to the world, and with this, our world will fall into crisis.

So what happens next? Is the whole thing going to explode into worldwide anarchy? I say no. The current world order will go out with nothing more than a whimper, as the New World Order sweeps in to solve all of our economic woes. The dollar will simply be replaced as a new IMF petrol-currency becomes the standard. Seemingly overnight, America's wealth will vanish, and Americans will be shocked to learn that while they still make enough money to barely survive in the United States, travel abroad, and the purchase of foreign goods, will be out of reach. Since America no longer produces hardly anything, except food, America will once again become a "poor nation of farmers" as it was back in the 1800s. Transition back into an agrarian economy will be slow and painful.

Is America over? Our days as a superpower are certainly over, without a doubt, but does that mean the United States of America is officially kaput? Not necessarily. America existed as a poor nation once before, and it can exist as such again. If the following things happen, the United States of America will survive, but if they do not happen, America will eventually be broken up and parceled out into smaller nation-states...

1. Americans must repent of their avarice.
2. Americans must repent of their sensuality.
3. Americans must return to faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Americans must learn to adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
5. Catholic Americans must turn to "Our Lady of America" or "Our Lady of Good Help" and petition her intercession.

These things must be done concurrently.  While it may seem impossible for them to happen now (July of 2011), the months and years of crisis ahead will crush American pride and therefore soften American hearts.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: Be sure this short video is seen by every priest and Catholic school principle in your area.

OZARKA - The Switzerland of North America?

Hiking the Ozark Mountains

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The Ozark Mountains are an outcropping of large limestone hills and plateaus on the Midwestern plains states. They resemble in many ways a smaller version of the Appalachian Mountains to the east. The Ozarks occupy a very large portion of Missouri, Northern Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. The climate is usually more temperate than the surrounding regions. The people of the area are staunchly conservative and Protestant, mainly Baptist and Pentecostal. There is a growing Catholic missionary presence in the area, and a fairly large Lutheran population up north by the Missouri River.

Springfield Missouri
Queen City of the Ozarks

The largest city in the Ozarks is Springfield Missouri, also known as "The Queen City" back during the 1950s. It hosts the worldwide headquarters for the "Assemblies of God" Pentecostal denomination. This large blue and white building is affectionately called the "Blue Vatican" by locals. The Ozarks are the home of Bass Pro Shops, Branson, "Big Cedar Lodge" and the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs. With plenty of lakes, rivers and streams, the area is a vacation destination for many Midwestern Americans.

The people of the Ozarks are fiercely independent and for the most part anti-Washington. They even see themselves in opposition to their own state governments on many issues. It was for this reason it came as no surprise when Springfield city councilman, Doug Burlison, suggested the possibility of Ozark secession from Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, as well as the United States of America....

(Ozarks First) -- Could Springfield stand alone? It's a question one elected official is asking. It comes at a time when a lot of people are upset about their government. But does that mean they'll adopt a seemingly radical idea. One city councilman suggests secession might be the final answer. It's the online post that has people talking.

Doug Burlison tells fellow freedom fighters that secession seems logical. He wonders what a "Republic of the Ozarks" might look like. "I put this stuff out there, but I don't think it's crazy or an illegitimate idea," he says. "In a nutshell, I'm saying the Declaration of Independence still applies today." Not only is he talking about cutting federal ties -- "We're close to the constituents. People in DC are not as close as we are." -- he doesn't like the way things are going in Jefferson City, either. "If our state government is unwilling to do anything to remove us from this oppressive government, then maybe we need to be out from their umbrella as well...

read full story here

So as an Ozarkian myself I found this story intriguing. The idea may not be as radical as it sounds. They're talking about doing something similar in Southern California. I can personally attest to the fact that while my fellow Ozarkians are fiercely loyal to the American ideals this nation was built on, it is this very loyalty that causes them to abhor just about everything that happens in Washington DC. Ozarkians love their country and their American flags too, but for the most part, they hate what America has sadly become in recent years, and even more so, they fear what may be coming next.

So could Ozarkians secede from Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma? Yes, and in fact the US Constitution allows for this. If they could garner enough votes, "Ozarka" could very well become the 51st state. This is a very likely scenario under the right conditions - which may already exist. However, could Ozarkians then secede from the United States of America entirely? In my opinion, the answer again is yes, but only under the right conditions. I don't think those conditions are present yet, as of the date of this article (July of 2011), but could very well arise in the near future if this nation continues on it's current trajectory.

So what would an Ozark Republic, or "Ozarka," actually look like? As a resident of these parts, I think I may have some credentials to speak in this area.

Christ of the Ozarks
Eureka Springs

The governmental makeup of Ozarka would be fiscally libertarian and socially conservative. Religion plays a big part in the lives of people in this area, and issues of church and state are frequently blurred. While it is highly unlikely that Ozarka would adopt any kind of official state religion, we could expect a government that would drop all restrictions of free exercise of religion on public property and public schools. We would probably see a strict enforcement of decency laws, along with prohibitions against gambling and the enforcement of sin taxes. Homosexual marriage would be prohibited in Ozarka, as well as abortion and euthanasia. Likewise, embryonic stem cell research and human cloning would be illegal too. Displays of homosexual acts would likely fall under decency laws and it is unlikely that "gay-pride parades" would be permitted, let alone any type of parade that celebrates any kind of sexuality (gay or straight).

Fiscally, Ozarka would probably adopt a "Fair Tax" system of revenue collection and would likely ban income tax entirely. This would be designed to attract industry into the newly formed country. Banking laws would likely mirror Switzerland, so as to attract international investment into the region. Social programs would likely adopt a distributist model, relying heavily on private charity, while the government simply coordinates and subsidizes these private efforts with tax dollars.

The Civil War Missouri Battle Flag
Might be Adopted As the National
Symbol for Ozarka

Ozarka would likely adopt a foreign policy of armed neutrality, as most people (even women) in the region are already armed anyway. Military service in the guard would probably be compulsory for all young men, and able-bodied men of all ages would likely be on active reserve for most of their adult lives. The borders of Ozarka would be strictly enforced in a unique way. For the most part, people who live in the region would automatically become citizens of Ozarka, while these citizens would be given drivers licenses that double as visas allowing them to work and temporarily live in the rest of the United States. Meanwhile, citizens of the United States would likely be able to acquire Ozarka visas very easily as well, allowing them to temporarily live and work in the region. However, people who are not citizens of the United States or Ozarka would be easily detected and deported back to their home country. The idea of shutting out the rest of the world would not sit well with Ozarkians. People in this area want to live free, and under Christian ideals, but they are not isolationists. They regard the surrounding areas as their neighbors, and would likely continue to do so, even if they were a separate and independent country.

The Great Horned Owl
of the Ozarks

The national mascot bird of Ozarka would likely be an owl of some kind. Being predators, they would appeal to most men in the region who spend the better part of the year hunting and fishing. Owls are also frequently viewed as a symbol of wisdom, and this would be a method of governance that local Ozarkians would aspire toward. Owls can frequently be heard after dark in this part of the Midwest and one has nested not far from my bedroom window. The culture that would develop in Ozarka would likely be a cross between Old German and Victorian English. Of course the national language of Ozarka would be English, and that would be strictly enforced. Considering the thick accent in some parts of the Ozarks, the national government might have to standardize some language education in the public schools.

Catholics would certainly do well in such an environment, and indeed we already are doing quite well in this area as things currently stand. The Catholic Church is the fastest growing non-pentecostal denomination in the Ozarks, surpassing Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians and even Baptists. (That's not in size mind you, just speed of growth.) Because of the conservative nature of the people in this area, there is a growing trend toward traditionalism amongst Catholics in the Ozarks. Now traditional priests and parishes are still hard to come by, but finding Catholics who want more traditionalism are not. There is one traditional monastery at the foot of the Ozark Mountains in Oklahoma, and another taking root in Northern Arkansas. The Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau hosts at least one Latin mass daily in Springfield, and even hosts an Anglican Use mission in the Springfield area as well. The local bishop is now in the process of installing a Catholic radio network that will span the diocese. These mountains are prime missionary fields for Catholics with a good understanding of their faith and the ability to defend it against typical Fundamentalist rhetoric. Baptists, Pentecostals and Evangelicals do convert to Catholicism here. It happens all the time. The potential of a Catholic renewal does exist in the Ozarks.

A Typical Ozarks Spring

Will there be an "Independence for the Ozarks" campaign? I have to say I am not against the idea, and might possibly favor it, if the conditions were right. For now, those conditions don't seem too far away. I think the last ten years has given a lot of my fellow Ozarkians time to reflect on a lot of things, and I think it's safe to say they too might consider political secession if the conditions were right for it. Lord knows, the cultural secession already happened decades ago.