My article on JFK and C. S. Lewis has just been published by the National Catholic Register (see the link below). I was both amused and bemused by one of the comments which accused me of believing JFK to be in Hell when my article states explicitly that it’s not for any of us to usurp the final judgment of God on deceased souls (Dante’s poetic license notwithstanding). I am reminded of Chesterton’s complaint that it didn’t matter how much he made the point of a story stick out like a spike, the critics would still carefully impale themselves on something else!
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/john-f.-kennedy-and-c.s.-lewis-where-are-they-now/
Perhaps it’s just me, but it seems impossible any longer to discuss public figures – particularly political ones – without a huge segment of the populace immediately assigning both partisan and malign political intent to the author. Respondents on the NCR site were quick to point out other politicians and their sins, but the article was not intended to be a lengthy tome examining the sins of all current hypocritical politicians (please forgive that redundancy!) For one thing, no library, let alone single newspaper, could contain such a work even if it were attempted!
I think Joseph Pearce has outlined in a very compelling way the impact that the public life of these two individuals have had on society both during their lives and afterward. None us can know what is in the heart of another, but those whose lives are in the public mode can be judged by their actions.
To me, JFK’s most disturbing step as a Catholic was his appearance during the presidential campaign in Houston in which he essentially told the assembled Protestant ministers that he would not be influenced by the Pope or the Church. This act, more than his personal failings, displayed for all that his faith was subordinate to political ambition and the acquisition of power. This then was a calculated decision, not an impulsive response to sinful inclinations.
Despite two distinct mentions in the article that he was not, and we should not, assign anyone to Hell, some readers will only see what they want to see and disregard the rest.
On “The Simpsons,” there is an episode where Lisa is visited by the ghost of John F. Kennedy. He urges her to change her mind about becoming a gymnast. Excited, Lisa gushes, “I can’t argue with the man who wrote ‘Profiles in Courage’!” Nervously, Kennedy retorts, “Yes… Er… Um… Wrote it. Uh, goodbye, Liser.” Lisa responds, “See you in Heaven, Mr. President!” Kennedy nervously responds, “Yes… Er… Um… Heaven,” before sinking into a fiery abyss.
Thanks Harry. You have explained everything with a rare and exemplary lucidity!
But you did compare him with Sebellius and you also implied he was a heretic.Comes pretty close.Eunice Kennedy, a faithful Catholic thought differently, so for a change I think you”ve missed the mark by overspending it, however subtly.
I wouldn’t say Pelosi and Gates are cafeteria Catholics. That would complement them too much. They are militantly pro abortion and anti life but there is no serious evidence, other than the hopeful gossip of pro abortionists of both parties, that President Kennedy was anything close to that description. The circumstantial evidence of his life and family would suggest the opposite, despite his youngest brothers position. Perhaps another tragic consequence of the assassination in that he wasn’t there to sort him out, as any big brother would try to do.
His sister Eunice and his mother were obviously prolife and were particularly close to him.
His speech in Houston was not heretical in that a faithful Catholic could say these things if his view conformed with the view of the Church. It might be sophistry and not very apostolic but if read in the light of the bigoted times he lived in it makes sense.
Tom, With all due respect, my article states explicitly that we are not to judge whether anyone, JFK included, is in hell. I accused him of being a cafeteria Catholic, like Pelosi and Gates. I didn’t condemn him to hell. I stated explicitly that apostasy and heresy lead to hell, which it does. Apostasy and heresy are sins, not people.
Tom,
Whatever his good points, and he did have plenty of them, John F. Kennedy was definitely not St. Louis IX, St. Thomas More, or Blessed Karl of Austria-Hungary. Far from it. They, rather than any of the Kennedys, should be the model for Catholics engaged in public service.
Exactly It is solely up to Jesus to decide who gets into heaven. When I meet Jesus, I am going to beg for mercy and not deny my sins
Merry Christmas,
Chris
Owner
CEL Financial Services
Tax Return Preparer
http://www.taxprepfillmore.com/santa-paula-tax-preparation
JFK was judged merciful by Jesus. That is all we know.
Chris
Owner CEL Financial Services
http://www.taxprepfillmore.com/income-tax-service-areashttp://www.businessadviceforu
good article …………But you did compare him with Sebellius and you also implied he was a heretic.Comes pretty close.Eunice Kennedy, a faithful Catholic thought differently, so for a change I think you”ve missed the mark by overspending it, however subtly.
happy christmas for all……….
I was both amused and bemused by one of the comments which accused me of believing JFK to be in Hell