Lady Gaga Attacks Christianity With New Song About Judas

By: Don Caldwell


Hof far is too far?


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Pop provocateur Lady Gaga has managed to outrage and insult many Catholics by leaking her new song, “Judas” just two days before the start of Holy Week.


"It's always edgy and always (about) our religion," Bill Donohue, spokesperson for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said about frequent pop culture attacks on the Church. "(And) all during Holy Week."


In “Judas,” Lady Gaga sings about her love for Judas, the infamous apostle who betrayed Jesus.
"Jesus in my virtue and Judas is the demon I cling to...I'm just a holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas baby," sings Lady Gaga.


The 25-year old pop star, who was raised Catholic, seems to be taking cues from Madonna and Sinead O’Conner—both lapsed Catholics who courted controversy (and publicity) by using religious imagery in their performances and videos.


O’Conner infuriated the entire Eastern Seaboard when she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II and called him “evil” on “Saturday Night Live” in 1992.


In 1989, Madonna was condemned by the Vatican for her “Like a Prayer” video, which included scenes of burning crosses, a stigmata, and sharing a passionate kiss with a saint.


Have we grown so accustomed to accepting the extremes in society with each generation that few (if any) of us will do anything about this (other than rolling ones’ eyes) ? If this were offending another faith, would society be so ready to accept this? Has Christianity become so complacent that it would be ready to tolerate anything? If so, can one say that Christianity still has strong values? How many “Christians” will still purchase music from this “artist” thinking that they will just ignore this song and that they are just fitting in with the times? What if this were an artist that was singing about rape or child abuse, would you be more outraged? Would you still listen to her music? What does this say about the importance you really place in your faith as compared to other things?


How far is too far... for you?

Updated Link: (Story Continued)Lady Gaga Attacks Christianity: Update. The Music Video Is Out



(ORIGINAL LINK) Lady Gaga outrages Catholics during Holy Week with new single ‘Judas’ « Entertainment

4 in 10 Americans Believe Natural Disasters A Sign from God. Why Does God Allow Suffering?

By: Don Caldwell


Do you believe recent natural disasters re a sign from God?


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A recent poll conducted shows that about 4 in 10 Americans believe that natural disasters are a sign from God.


When Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara called the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan tembatsu -- or "divine judgment" -- he expressed a kind of theological cause and effect shared by nearly 40 percent of Americans.


Ishihara later apologized for his remarks. But a recent poll from the Public Religion Research Institute and Religion News Survey shows some support for his original sentiment: 16 percent of Americans agree that natural disasters are a sign from God, while 22 percent mostly agree.
A slight majority -- 51 percent -- disagreed natural disasters are a sign from the Almighty. Yet a slightly larger majority, 56 percent, said they believe God is in control of everything that happens in the world.


In a way, the poll examined the age-old philosophical dilemma: "If God is good, why is there so much disaster, tragedy and pain in the world?"

If you do believe that these disasters are a sign from God, then what do you believe God is so displeased with that such punishment would come? Do you think your actions are also to blame for this? If God were standing right next to you, do you think that he would be proud of your actions? One can obviously answer “yes” to how important family is in our daily lives, or that a husband should be conscious to showing your wife how much you love her (or to one’s children).


Have you done anything today that would make God proud?


 Have you done anything today that shows him that you love him?

People ask “if God is good, why is there so much disaster, tragedy and pain in the world?”. Perhaps pain and suffering are one of the greatest of the gifts God has given us. You cannot recognize the light without the dark. We can never appreciate anything without the absence of it. If we were born into heaven, would we appreciate anything? Would we be like spoiled selfish people, content in getting everything we ever wanted? We spend a short lifetime in this life experiencing joys and hardships everyday,. Would the suffering we experience in this life help us to appreciate a billion years of joy in heaven?

Is that a small price to pay?

In the end, is it worth it?

(ORIGNAL LINK) Poll: Nearly 4 in 10 Americans Say Natural Disasters Sign from God - FoxNews.com

Study Finds Middle-Aged Are Unhappiest, Blames Family.

By: Don Caldwell


Will you regret having a family?


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One study suggests that the one thing that brings the greatest meaning and happiness in life (Relationships) is what makes you the unhappiest.


People’s happiness over their lifetime follows a U-shaped curve, with the young and the old the happiest and those in middle age the most unhappy, according to a study cited by The (London) Daily Telegraph.


Young people are carefree and optimistic about their future and dissatisfaction does not begin to kick in until they are in their late 20s, the research indicates.


People over the age of 50 also rated highly on the happiness index, due to their acceptance and satisfaction with their lives.


The study attributed the spike in happiness to good health care and people doing more activities they enjoyed while cutting down on things they disliked.


Middle-aged people, on the other hand, were often burdened by financial and time obligations such as looking after children and caring for their parents.


Would it life be so much happier if we were allowed to have a greater amount of time dedicated to our own personal desires?


It is obvious that such pursuits would keep us entertained and satisfied in the short run, but can they bring us long-term fulfillment?


Most of us can probably state what is supposed to be most important in life, but do we let the values and desires of the world around us cloud us from appreciating what is most important?


If family makes one so miserable is the problem with their behavior or in our own confused beliefs and intentions? A mixture of both, perhaps?


Considering we are perhaps the worst judge of our own selves, could we even truly know the answer to these questions?

(ORIGINAL LINK) Happiness is U-shaped ... which explains why the middle-aged are grumpy - The Telegraph