“Catholic’s for Obama” – Knock it off!

1. You are not fooling anyone. No one is supporting you. You can throw a couple of semi-prominent people around like Douglas Kmiec and Senator Robert Casey, Jr. but in the end you barely have enough to field both sides of a baseball game. And can you even count Senator Casey? How is he different from any other Democrat politician? Casey said he would support anyone with a “D” by their name, no matter who wins the primary, “We’re going to elect a Democrat as president of the United States.”
2. You can get past the issue of abortion. It will always block your way to credibility. As Deacon Keith A. Fournier says, “Unless Senator Obama has a conversion over the fundamental human rights issue of our age, the right of every person to life, and the first freedom, the freedom to be born, I cannot vote for him.” He adds, “ Every procured abortion is the taking of a human life and I cannot ever support a candidate who fails to recognize that, Period.”
3. He is supported by every single pro-abortion rights group in the country.
4. The Supreme Court is important, and as President he will have the power to nominate very liberal, pro abortion judges. But don’t over look the fact he will also nominate scores and scores of Circuit court and federal judges as well. This is dangerous and most not happen.
5. There is a Democrat group called “Democrats for Life” they have a program called the 95/10 plan that would seek to eliminate 95% of all abortions in 10 years. Senator Obama does not support this very good plan and would likely work against it if elected.
6. I know Senator Obama makes you feel good. But what is his proven track record? Do you really believe he has the experience required to be President? He has only worked in the Senate for a little over 140 days. When he was elected in 2005 he was asked if he would run for President in 2008 and he laughed the idea off, calling it ridiculous. He joked it would at least take him three months to figure out the phones!

Pope

The Nicene Creed by Stephen Colbert

Keeping with today’s Stephen Colbert theme, as you can probably tell from the previous post Stephen is Catholic. Last year on an episode of the Colbert Report he let everyone know exactly what he believes…

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Stephen Colbert on Religion

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From chapter 4 of his book “I am America and so can you.”

A few pull quotes:

• “If you want to go first class on Christ-Track, there is only one way to ride… Roman Catholicism!”
• “Jesus founded only one church folks and it wasn’t Unitarism.”
• “Catholics have many advantages over other Christians. One is marble. For the buck I put into the collection plate, I want some production value. That means a church, not some community center that doubles as basketball court. Also Catholics have saints– more than 10,000 of them. They’re like God’s customer service reps, and each of them has a speciality.”
• “Protestantism, this is a variant form of Christianity, or ‘heresy’”
• “Protestants don’t make me angry as much as disappointed. Unlike the world’s crazy made up religions, they’re so close to getting it right. They’re a single Pope away from reaching their full potential.”
• “You’ve had your 490 year protest, lets move on.”
• “Why don’t Episcopalians just come out and say it – their Anglicans! A bunch of Tory Loyalist Brito-philes… waiting for the day America let’s her guard down and they can reinstate Henry VIII! Let’s keep an eye on these people”
• “Methodist – What, the Church of England wasn’t heretical enough for you?”
• “I’ll give the Mormons this, they know which way the wind blows when America decided polygamy wasn’t the way to, the Mormons changed their ways and banned it! They had similar changes in policy when public opinion turned against the tradition of massacring pioneers and believing all black people are evil.”
• “Pretty much whenever the general populous decides that Mormons are a sinful, crazy cult, their leader receives a message straight from God that makes everything okay.”

Barack Obama and the 95/10 plan

Democrats for Life have a very interesting plan that they claim will end 95% of all abortions in 10 years. Democrat Presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama does not support this plan. He supports abortion as a right, every woman should have, regardless of the situation. 

• Read more about the plan.
• Why Catholic’s should not vote for Obama

Catholics should not vote for Obama

1. Should Catholics vote for Barack Obama?
2. Is it a sin to vote for Obama? 

I get emails with these kind of questions all the time. I reply and tell them I plan on doing an article about it in the future. I’ve spent the last few days do almost non-stop research and I’m ready to write my article. 

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has caused a stir in the political world. He came out of no where and has virtually taken over the Democratic party.He holds rallies where thousands of people show up to cheer on the young Illinois senator. He promises change and a new direction in Washington D.C. However, as responsible Catholic voters we must examine the important issues and see what he would do as President of the United States. Catholic Answers, one of the leading apologetics lay ministries in this country have made a simple list of five non-negotiable issues. If a candidate supports any of these issues, they suggest you may not vote for them.  Catholic Answers describe them this way:

“These five current issues concern actions that are intrinsically evil and must never be promoted by the law. Intrinsically evil actions are those that fundamentally conflict with the moral law and can never be deliberately performed under any circumstances. It is a serious sin to deliberately endorse or promote any of these actions, and no candidate who really wants to advance the common good will support any action contrary to the non-negotiable principles involved in these issues.”

The issues are 1) abortion 2) euthanasia 3) embryonic stem cell research 4) human cloning and 5) homosexual ‘marriage.” Senator Barack Obama is at odds with just about every one of them. He is a tad wishy-washy on cloning. He voted against banning it outright, but when asked about he says he does not support human cloning. Which lead Bioethics.net to conclude, “bottom line: Obama might support therapeutic cloning (link.)”

Senator Barack Obama is at odds with these key elements of our Catholic and Christian beliefs. I cannot see how any faithful Catholic in good conscious can support this man. We will look at the teachings of the magisterium and the bible to show why I believe it would be sinful to vote for him. Look at the evidence and decide for yourself. 

• Abortion – The Catholic Church says, it is “never licit to obey it, or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or to vote for it” (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae 73). The Bible says, “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13). Scripture is clear that the unborn are humans. When Mary visited Elizabeth, who was pregnant with the unborn John the Baptist, Elizabeth declared: “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44).
• Senator Barack Obama – Rated  100% from NARAL, a pro-choice defense group. They say, “Senator Obama has a fully pro-choice record.” (link)” 
• Senator Barack Obama - Rated 0% by the National Right to Life, indicating a pro-choice stance (link).
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted “present” on an Illinois partial-birth abortion ban.
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted against “Induced Infant Liability Act.” It later became law and was signed by President Bush as the “Born Alive Infant Protection Act.” (Human Events)
• Senator Barack Obama - Supports abstinence and contraception. (2008 Democratic Compassion Forum at Messiah College Apr 13, 2008).
• Senator Barack Obama - Supports Roe v. Wade. (1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998) 
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted no on defining unborn as a child. (link) 
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted no on stopping minors crossing state lines for abortion. (link) 
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (link) 
• Senator Barack Obama – In his own words on abortion (youtube) (youtube).

 

• Euthanasia - The Catholic Church says, “Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes which no human law can claim to legitimize. There is no obligation in conscience to obey such laws; instead there is a grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection” (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae 73).
• Senator Barack Obama - Stop Terri Schiavo’s death was mistake, “I think professionally the biggest mistake that I made was when I first arrived in the Senate. There was a debate about Terri Schiavo, and a lot of us, including me, left the Senate with a bill that allowed Congress to intrude where it shouldn’t have.” (Link WND)

 

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research - The Catholic Church says,”Respect for the dignity of the human being excludes all experimental manipulation or exploitation of the human embryo” (Pontifical Council for the Family, Charter of the Rights of the  Family, 4b). Catholic Answer’s Adds, “Recent scientific advances show that often medical treatments that researchers hope to develop from experimentation on embryonic stem cells can be developed by using adult stem cells instead. Adult stem cells can be obtained without doing harm to the adults from whom they come. Thus there is no valid medical argument in favor of using embryonic stem cells. And even if there were benefits to be had from such experiments, they would not justify destroying innocent embryonic humans.”
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted yes on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines (link)
• Senator Barack Obama - Supports use federal funds to support embryonic research (link)
• Senator Barack Obama – In his own words on Stem Cells (youtube).

 

• Human Cloning - The Catholic Church says, “Attempts… for obtaining a human being without any connection with sexuality through ‘twin fission,’ cloning, or parthenogenesis are to be considered contrary to the moral law, since they are in opposition to the dignity both of human procreation and of the conjugal union” (RHL I:6).
• Senator Barack Obama - Voted no, while in the Illinois Senate on a bill that would have banned cloning (Roll & Text of Bill). 
• Senator Barack Obama – Says he is against human cloning in an interview: “While I oppose human cloning. I also oppose federal restrictions on therapeutic stem cell research (link).

 

• Homosexual “Marriage” – The Catholic Church says, “When legislation in favor of the recognition of homosexual unions is proposed for the first time in a legislative assembly, the Catholic lawmaker has a moral duty to express his opposition clearly and publicly and to vote against it. To vote in favor of a law so harmful to the common good is gravely immoral” (UHP 10).
• Senator Barack Obama -  Voted no constitutional ban of same-sex marriage (link).
• Senator Barack Obama - Marriage is not a human right (IL Senate Debate Oct 26, 2004).
• Senator Barack Obama - Oppose gay marriage; supports civil unions (The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.222-3).
• Senator Barack Obama - In his own words on gay marriage (youtube) (youtube).

 

More Reading

• Barack Obama’s Catholic Problem
• Roman Catholics for Obama ‘08
•  Obama is the Most Pro-Abortion Candidate Ever
• Abortion and Excommunication
• Will Senator Obama Use Iraq to Win the Catholic Vote?
• Catholic Obama supporter denied communion
• Infanticide, revisited
• Evangelium Vitae
• CATHOLIC DISSIDENTS ADVISE OBAMA
• Has Obama Dissolved His Catholic Advisory Council?
•  Obama’s a Pregnant Woman at an Abortion Rally
• Obama pledged to Planned Parenthood: “I will not yield” to pro-life concerns
• Obama: More pro-choice then NARAL
• OBAMA CHAMPIONS “CULTURE OF DEATH”
• OBAMA ON LIFE ISSUES AND MARRIAGE
• Barack Obama Defends Opposition To Partial-Birth Abortion Ban In Interview
• Obama’s fundraising letter using the “so-called” partial birth abortion ban
• Bishop Calls on Catholic Obama Supporters to Ask Him to Oppose Abortion
• Barack Obama Would Take Back Vote Helping Terri Schiavo Avoid Euthanasia
• Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics  
• Voter’s Guide for Serious Christians 

Vatican: Okay to believe in Aliens

The Vatican’s chief astronomer says that believing in the existence of extra terrestrials does not contradict faith in God.Father Jose Gabriel Funes, says that the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

In an interview published Tuesday by Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Funes says that such a notion “doesn’t contradict our faith” because aliens would still be God’s creatures.

The interview was headlined: “The extraterrestrial is my brother.” Funes said that ruling out the existence of aliens would be like “putting limits” on God’s creative freedom.

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

“You who I called brother. How could you have come to hate me so? Is this what you wanted? Then let my heart be hardened and never mind how high the cost may grow. This will still be so. I will never let your people go.” – Pharaoh Ramesses II

An ambitious account of the life of Moses and the great Exodus. The Prince of Egypt was DreamWorks first full-length animated film and while based on the biblical story, the film does take many dramatic liberties. However, it still stays true to the book of Exodus. The filmmakers actually place a disclaimer up front which points the viewers to the Bible to find out what actually happened (which impressed me).

The film starts in the middle of the persecution of the Hebrew people by the King of Egypt. He has ordered the execution of the first born male child of all the Hebrew people. The Pharaoh was afraid that if the male numbers grew, one day they the slaves would have enough men to overpower him and flee for freedom.

Jochebed, a Hebrew woman is afraid for her new baby boy. With her daughter Miriam she sets her son afloat inside a whicker basket in the Nile river in hopes for a better life – free from the slaughter that would find him if he were to stay.

Miriam follows the basket until it arrives at of all places the palace of the King and Queen of Egypt. The Queen finds the baby and names him Moses. She adopts him as her own. The film cuts to twenty years later and we see Moses and his adopted brother Rameses playing and causing trouble. They are the Prices of Egypt and are having a grand time. One night, Moses runs into his slave sister Miriam. She confronts Moses and tells him that he is her brother. He is upset and angry at such an accusation, until she starts to sing a lullaby that he remembers.

Moses runs away in search for answers. The Pharaoh, tells Moses it’s the truth, but that matters not because he a Prince of Egypt now. He says not to feel upset, they were only Hebrew children that were killed. Moses is taken back at the callousness in his father’s voice.

This eventually leads to Moses running away and fleeing Egypt into the desert. Here is here’s the voice of God in the Burning Bush telling him to return to Egypt and free the slaves and lead them to freedom. When Moses does finally return to confront the king, he realizes the new Pharaoh is his brother Rameses!

The filmmakers had daunting task ahead of them when they set out to make this film. The story is cherished by billions of people. Christians, Jews and Muslims all hold this story is sacred. It was banned in several Arab countries and caused a lot of controversy at the time of it’s release. The film was all most universally praised but it still contains several very dark themes. The murder of children for instance is confronted head on in the film.

The story of Moses and the great Exodus comes alive in this animated film. It’s very close to a musical, but I don’t think it’s actually classified as one. The music in the film is remarkable is probably my favorite soundtrack of all time. This is a powerful and uplifting story that will show you how miracles can happen if you believe. The scenes of Moses parting the Red Sea are worth the price of admission alone.

Cast

• Val Kilmer as Moses
• Ralph Fiennes as Ramesses II
• Patrick Stewart as Pharaoh Seti I
• Michelle Pfeiffer as Zipporah
• Helen Mirrem as Queen Tuya
• Jeff Goldblum as Aaron
• Sandra Bullock as Miriam
• Danny Glover as Jethro
• Steve Martin as Hotep
• Martin Short as Huy
• Ofra Haza as Yocheved

The cast is incredible. You can see from the names above, this is nothing but top notch talent. Jeff Goldbulm was great as Aaron, the brother of Moses. Val Kilmer, the voice of Moses was also the voice used for God. He was extremely reverent and there is nothing sacrilegious at all about his portal. Steve Martin and Martin Short steal many scenes in the film as the two head priests for the Pharaoh.

Ratings and Suggestions

The Prince of Egypt is rated PG for intense depiction of thematic elements. I would recommend this film for the whole family. Even with the darker themes in the movie, it’s nothing graphic and should not stop you from showing your younger children the movie. I strong recommend the film however to adults who want a fresh (or new even) perspective on the story. This is one amazing film, which I happy give four out of four stars.

Why do you go to church?

 

Senator Barack Obama asks himself a rhetorical question. He says he doesn’t go to church to deal with the “spectacle” that has become the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy. He does to church, “to pray.” Now, I give him credit, that is a decent answer probably only worth a few points in a game of family feud. The number one answer obviously is to worship God.

But he never says this and never even comes close. I have not edited or doctored this video in anyway. Why is he struggling so much with the question? I honestly don’t know, but I find it troubling.

The Sacrifice of Christ – A Parent’s Perspective

As Christians we are know the sacrifice Christ made for the sake of our sins is amazing. He came to earth, suffered and died to pay a debt, we owe. But how often do we really stop and think about the sacrifice God the Father made? Since becoming a father myself almost four years ago, it’s something I’ve thought about a lot.

The mystery of the Blessed Trinity aside for the moment, simply because it’s something we may not fully understand until we die. God’s love for us was so strong, that he allowed is only Son to be crucified for the sins of the world. The Gospel of Saint John tells us:

“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.”

Nothing is more important to me then my daughter. The love I feel when I look in her eyes could never be described.  I can’t even begin to imagine a situation, where I would even consider doing what God the Father did for us. When I think the pain and agony  Jesus suffered during his final days, His sacrifice is much more powerful to me. I thank God for the blessing he has given my wife and I with our daughter and thank Him everyday for His Blessed Son, our Savior and Lord. My mind wonders to the stations of the cross we pray each Easter as we contemplate the trials Christ faced during his Passion.

“We adore you Oh Christ, and we bless you. 
Because by your Holy Cross 
You have redeemed the world.”

C.S. Lewis Quote on our souls

“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” – C. S. Lewis 

Benny Hinn is a Fraud

Free Hugs

Nothing beats a hug.

What Scripture do Catholic bloggers use…

I asked over 100 of my favorite, and popular Catholic bloggers two questions:

 

1. What version of Sacred Scripture do you use most?
2. Why?

The results are now in, and clear winner was theRevised Standard version: Catholic Edition (RSV: CE). And many of them said to stay far away from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Here are the emails I got from each blogger. I will add more as they come in…

Answers:

Greg Krehbiel - “New American Standard Version (a Protestant translation) for most of the Bible, and the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition for the deuterocanonical books.”

David Morrison - “Jeff: The Revised Standard Version…..I don’t know why. I have always liked it best.”

Yurodivi - “My personal preference is for the Douaiversion, although I sometimes consult the New American Bible or the Jerusalem Bible for clarification. I like the Douai because the archaic usage seems fitting for such lofty themes as the salvation of the world. I realize some people find that same language discouraging, but it really speaks to me.”

David L Alexander - For my weblog, I use the Revised New American Bible. As it is approved for liturgical use in the USA, it is the one with which most people are familiar. For that reason, it also appears on the USCCB website, and the text is easy to copy and paste from there.

For scripture study, I use the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, with commentary. It is considered a more eloquent translation than the NAB. I’m considering making a switch.

Seth Peters - I use the NAB because it’s the official Catholic version. The Douay-Rheims is like the King James: antiquated. But the NAB is the least poetic translation ever. So, on some occasions, I will go to the RSV-CE. And every once in a while I’ve used the New Oxford Annotated, but that’s just to compare notes. So- the NAB it is.

Becket - When I’m reading for fun or for devotion I usually use the NAB which seems to me to be the best in English for a quick read. But when I’m studying or working I use an online source atwww.blueletterbible.com  It’s protestant, but it’s searchable and has a feature in which you can view nine different versions at once for the same verse, including the Latin Vulgate. Now that the US Bishop’s website has a searchable NAB atwww.usccb.org/nab/bible/index.htm I use that when I’m not comparing translations.  Hope that helps!

Michael Dubruiel - Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (Also known in the U.S. as the Ignatius Bible). It is the closest to the Hebrew and Greek original with little ideaolgical baggage and very readable.

Jeff Miller  – RSV Catholic-Edition as put out by Ignatus Press.

I use it because it is a literal translation suitable for scholarship and it is fairly easy to read.  I really don’t like dynamic translations like the New American Bible and prefer one more faithful to the text. Pretty much every good Catholic Apologist like Jimm Akin also highly recommends the RSV CE.

The NRSV I would stay away from since it uses inclusive language.

Father Jim Tucker - The King James Version, supplemented by the Ignatius Bible (RSV + deuterocanon) The language is elegant, the translation excellent overall, and it is the version that has made its way into English-language literature.

Father Bob Carr -  use the NAB (New American Bible) most because that is what the readings are in Church. I actually do not like it.

I also use La Biblia Latino  America for the same reason in the spanish communities. I do prefer that version to the english and virtually every other english version to the NAB.

I also use the NIV alot because it is quite prominent in envangelical community and is better than the NAB

Lane Core Jr. - Hi, Jeff. I use The Jerusalem Bible (1966). Not The New Jerusalem Bible (1985). Several reasons: (1) I just like the translation; (2) the full edition has good footnotes and cross references, though there is a reader’s edition with neither; (3) besides several JB editions of the Bible, I also have a three-volume JB lectionary that I use to read the day’s Mass readings in my own prayers; and, (4) I have a concordance to the New Testament that uses JB as its base text. God bless. ELC.

Tom Kreitzberg - I probably use the New American Bible most, because I have two copies of it and so am twice as likely to put my hand on an NAB than any other translation. Oh, and that’s also where I usually go for on-line quotations (at the USCCB website).

I’m also likely to use the RSV Catholic, the Knox, and the Douay Rheims, for alternative translations and notes.

Oswald Sobrino - I use the Revised Standard Version the most because it tends to be literal, it seeks to preserve the best literary quality of the old King James Version, and because it does not distort the original by resorting to “gender inclusive”  language. That said, sometimes in particular passages, other translations are better. So the best thing is to compare translations when you are focusing closely on a particular passage. The New Jerusalem Bible, the New American Bible, the New International Version, and the English Standard Bible are all helpful parallel translations to consult.

The New Revised Standard Version can also be helpful; but, in my opinion, is fatally marred by the gender inclusive agenda and obsession. You can do well without ever consulting the New Revised Standard Version, which is the darling edition of theological liberals.

I also recommend an interlinear Greek-English bible for those who can read the Greek alphabet, a skill that can be easily acquired. You will find that the original Greek words tend to be more thought-provoking than the English translations. There are also dictionaries that discuss the different meanings of New Testament Greek words. Vine’s dictionary of New Testament words is, in my experience, very helpful.

D Rober - I tend to use the Revised Standard Version, either the Ignatius Bible for devotional purposes or the original Oxford Annotated Bible for more scholarly purposes. I think it draws the best balance of preserving older expressions with having a translation understandable to modern people, without sacrificing true meaning as other translations do

 

Steven Riddle - It depends on what I’m doing – If I’m studying on my own I use RSV CE If I’m studying with a group, I use whatever they are comfotable with If I’m praying scripture I use the Authorized Edition (which includes the deuterocanonicals) for the sheer majesty and beauty of the language.

What I never, never, never, never, never, never, under any condition other than those forced on me in Mass do is use that excrable NAB committee blando translations.  I also steer away from the Jerusalem Bible because it is a translation from the French after the fact and the New Jerusalem because it warps the language for inclusivity.  Hopw this is helpful.

Laura Tushnet - Ignatius RSV

Karen Marie Knapp - My most-used versions of the Scripture are: The old Jerusalem Bible, with all the notes and cross-references – the first Bible I ever used for serious Bible study and the first Catholic Bible I owned myself, as opposed by my parents’ CCD Bible and the KJB I got given by a friend when she saw the sorry worn-out state of said CCD Bible… when I quote from memory, it’s usually the old Jerusalem text, since I’ve been studying and praying from it for over 30 years.

The Grail Psalter – since it’s the one in the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Kleist-Lilly New Testament, a Catholic current-English translation of the mid-1950s that I accidentally discovered in a used bookstore and have been using ever since.  Good accurate translation, in good big print on full-weight paper.

In addition, I have about 10 other translations around I sometimes refer to, left from my days as a theology grad student.  And the edition of the Vulgate that is four little red hardbound books.

Mary Jane Ballou - I use the Revised Standard Version (not the NRSV – the earlier one).  I think the English is better and I find the notes in the NAB (New American Bible) too annoying.  I’ve also used a bilingual Greek-RSV published by the United Bible Societies (I can read Koine when so inclined and reading in Greek slows me down when I need it..  Of annotated editions, I liked the Navarre Bible Series, Vulgate, RSV and commentary from the Fathers and, of course, St. Josemaria Escriva.

Kelly Clark -For daily Mass readings, I like the The Navarre Bible. In fact, I subscribe to a moderated e-mail list that gives the daily reading and commentaries (where available…they’re still working on the Old Testament commentaries but have gotten some done.)

For prayer and study, I’m partial to The Catholic Study Bible (NAB). My version was  published in 1990 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Nicole M. DesOrmeaux - The version of sacred scripture I use most frequently and why is the one found in the “office of the church-liturgy of hours” the why goes without saying…

Father Michael Darcy -  I prefer the RSV because it’s written beautifully, but more simply than some of the very old translations (King James, Douai-Rheims: the RSV is basically an updated version of the King James Bible).  It’s also a very literal translation of the original languages.  There’s also an older “St. Joseph’s” version that I like, which is not to be confused with the new St Joseph’s version.  For some reason there is no distinction in their names to make clear the fact that they are different translations, which is unfortunate.  In fact, I discovered the difference quite accidentally.  I hope this helps.

Father Thomas Dowd - I use the NRSV a lot because it is the version we use here in Canada as part of the liturgy.  When I pray the breviary, however, it is the NAB that is used for scripture passages (except the psalms).

For personal study and reading I use either the RSV (an excellent translation) or the JB (for the scholarly footnotes).

When I can, though, I turn to the original Greek for the NT.  My Greek is pretty bad, though, so that is more for research purposes.

The Mighty Barrister - I use several, but I like the Ignatius Bible (which I believe is the Revised Standard Version) best.  When I am doing apologetics, I’ll use the King James Version or the American Standard Version just to make sure we’re speaking the same language.

Father James Goins - I use the Oxford Annotated Revised Standard Version. I love the notes they include. The Oxford Annotated New Revised Standard Version is disappointing. They “cleaned up” the “sexist” language. I think it robbed the text of some of its power.

I would also suggest the Men’s Study Bible. It’s a Protestant translation but has wonderful reflections written by various men scattered throughout.

Carol at Magisterial Fidelity - 1. Douay Rheims. 2. Translation of others too watered down.

Alan Phipps - I prefer to use the Revised Standard Version; I find it to be the most scholarly translation, literal yet appreciative of literary methods. I would recommend the Ignatius Bible that is published by Ignatius Press.  It contains a special Catholic Edition of the RSV.

Carl Olson - When leading a Bible study, as I do each week at my parish, I use the RSVCE, NAB, and the NASB. I also use a Greek/English Interlinear New Testament. In addition, I’ll consult a number of commentaries. For example, we are currently going through the Book of Revelation; I own thirty commentaries on that particular book and will look at 8-10 of them when preparing for a study. Many of them will have the commentator’s own translation of the text, which is always interesting to compare to other translations.

For personal reading of the Bible, I most often use the RSVCE or NASB. Sometimes I’ll use the NAB, but I’m not a big fan of the NAB, nor of the NIV or New Jerusalem.

I like both the RSVCE and NASB because they tend to be quite literal in their translation of the Hebrew or Greek text and take less liberties with the text. My affection for the NASB goes back to my days as an Evangelical Protestant, and I still use the NASB translation I was given by my parents when I was eight years old. However, the translation sometimes has a Protestant bias and it does not, of course, contain the seven deutero-canonical books. However, my NASB Bible contains twenty-five years of personal notes/comments, and they often prove helpful – especially in examining how my understanding of certain passages of Scripture have developed or changed over time.

Father Ethan McCarthy - I use the Revise Standard Version and because it is the most faithful translation.

Charles Everson - New Jerusalem and RSV.  Why?  I enjoy the poetic (though not always the best translation) language of the NJB, but for serious study I use the RSV.

Mark Shea - RSV-CE.  Because it’s a good translation.

Pelianito - use the New American Bible translation most often.  I use it because I have it on CD and it is convenient for cutting and pasting.  However, it is not my favorite translation.  I kind of fell in love with the Jerusalem Bible translation, the first translation I owned.  It seems more poetic and less cumbersome in spots.  The other Bible I love is put out by the Catholic Bishops of the philippines.  It has wonderful footnotes, an excellent study bible.  The best thing is that it may be downloaded free at http://www.bible.claret.org/bibles/

Penitens - In my blog, I tend to use 2 different translations more than others (in no particular order): The latest revision of the New American Bible. This is the version used for the readings at Mass in the  United Statesand I try to reflect on these readings every day on my blog, so it often makes sense to quote from that version. It is easy to hyperlink to the readings on theU.S. bishops’ website and from there one can link to the full context of each selection (with footnotes). This translation also has the advantages of familiarity for U.S. Catholics (being the one they hear at Mass) and lack of outdated language. All that being said, although I respect the U.S. bishops (and whoever who worked diligently on this translation they sponsored), I do not care for the translation.

The other translation I use is the King James Version (known by some Protestants as the Authorised Version). I use it when the elegance of its classic English and/or its resonance with Protestant readers would be more appropriate. Of course, some of its language can be a bit outdated.

I will also sometimes use the Revised Standard Version (a good balance of classic phrasing, modern scholarship, and updated vocabulary) when neither the revised NAB or the KJV work well.

I will also sometimes quote from the new Latin Vulgate translation (available on the  Vatican website).

I will sometimes (although rarely) quote from previous versions of the New American Bible or of the Vulgate when the wording would be most familiar or otherwise appropriate.

Very rarely I will craft a translation of my own, when there is an important nuance not efficiently conveyed by other translations. This is very time-consuming to me, because my scholarship is not very efficient.

Anti-Catholic’s Consider a Change of Heart?

Here is a doodle I threw together based on what I can imagine might be going through the minds of James White, and Jack Chick as they watch all this coverage of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. I doubt the folks over at Alpha and Omega Ministries will have a real change of heart to the church as I suggested in my cartoon, but you never know.