I Dare You!

[ 21 ] June 28, 2012 AD |

Talk radio can be extremely depressing these days.  It seems every other station has bad news to announce to the American people as Obama’s dangerous and outrageous presidency continues.  Yet, despite the increasing threats to democracy, the majority of Americans seem incredibly nonchalant about the downward spiral their country is quickly taking.  After listening to Michael Savage, the best conservative talk show host in existence right now, I find I cannot sit here doing “nothing” any more.  The longer I listen to Dr. Savage tell his listeners about what the Obama Administration is doing, and where this is headed if he is not overthrown, I find myself pushed to the verge of frustration as I yell helplessly: “What can I do!?!”  What can I, as a teenager who cannot vote or hold positions of influence, do to save my country?  And, furthermore, why aren’t those who can influence others speaking out, informing the American people of their treacherous position, and giving them plans of action to end this dash towards socialism?  The answer to the second question is very simple: either they are afraid, or they themselves do not realize the full extent of America’s backslide.  So, if those in public positions are not going to do anything, it is up to us- the up-and-coming generation of Americans- to do it for them.  Which is why I’ve compiled a short list of things you and I can do to fight this anti-American movement in desperate need of resistance.  I almost added “Preach from a Soapbox on your City’s Busiest Street Corner”, but I’m pretty sure this is illegal in some places, and the time has not yet come for us to take things to that extreme (though, unfortunately if this negative trend continues, the time may not be far away).

  1. Educate Yourself and Others:  Find a website, talk show, or newspaper that reports the news honestly, a station that does not pretend like the pro-life movement is non-existent, a paper that does not praise Obamacare, a site that does not hide what is going on in this country.  A few suggestions: The National Catholic Register newspaper and website (though more geared toward Catholic happenings, the blogs on the site touch on other political matters), Michael Savage talk show and website (not for young viewers/listeners), Life Site News website (one can sign up for an e-mail newsletter also), and New Advent website (once again, very Catholic).  This is more than enough to provide anyone with a basic understand of what is happening in America.  After you are educated, you can go out and educate others.  I’m not saying you should walk up to random strangers and just start talking, but in your daily conversations, if there is a good opening, bring up some of the things going in the world and see if your friend even knows about them.  Also, if you’re a blogger, blog about it.  If you have a podcast or talk show, talk about it.  If you have a column, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, anything that other people read, use it!  Little articles and lines here and there about this country will not turn everyone off, and even if they do, remember that when Christ was on the cross only three people were still standing with Him: His Mother, the Beloved Disciple John, and Mary Magdalene.  Which is why the path to Heaven is the narrow one.
  2. Boycott:  Research companies that openly support Planned Parenthood, Susan G. Komen, gay pride, etc.  Boycott them and write to the companies to tell them why you are no longer buying their products.  Don’t think this works?  Look at what happened with Pepsi.  Do the same thing with bands.  Rock for Life has an incredible list of both openly pro-life and pro-choice bands.  Stop buying the pro-choice music, and maybe look into a couple pro-life bands instead.  Think about it: if every pro-life person stopped buying Kraft Foods, or stopped supporting The Decemberists, a considerable dent would be made in these organizations’ income and fan-base.
  3. Participate:  The Fortnight for Freedom is running strong, and if you’re not participating, you need to start now!  Movements like this, that are driven by prayer, fasting, and public action, are the key ingredient to changing this country.  Join a local pro-life group, or a conservative action club in your area.  If there is a Tea Party Rally going on near you, attend it!  If there is a March for Life in your area, support it!  And, when the USCCB calls upon all of the Catholic bishops, priests, parishes, and citizens in America to pray and fast for the sake of continued religious liberty in this nation, for goodness sake, participate!!!
  4. Pray:  Get down on your knees and pray like you never have before, because this is serious.  Fellow Catholics, we are facing a huge attack on our faith right now, and if we do not beg God to have mercy on this country, to show the world how He protects His children, our right to make the Sign of the Cross in public could easily vanish.  Do not take this too lightly, if one man could wipe out countless Jews (and Catholics) in Europe, one man could do the same to Catholics here.  Rosaries, chaplets, novenas, holy hours, Masses, use all of the grace-filled “tools” available and pray that  your future children will be born into a world where it is still legal for them to be baptized.

Above all, remember the words of Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.  Decades later, when children are reading about these times in textbooks, do not let them ask the question: “Why didn’t they do anything, where were the Catholics?”  Instead, let them study the way we stood up in the face of persecution, loyal to the Church to the end.  And whether the victory is ours now or not, know that the ultimate battle is already won.  And our job is to polish our swords, take up our bow and quiver, and charge into battle crying with Peter Pevensie: “For Narnia, and for Aslan!”

So please, do something!  I dare you!

Category: Politics, Prayer

About the Author ()

Abigail C. Reimel is a budding Catholic writer on the way to Belmont Abbey College this Fall. Among other things she is a book-worm, violinist, worrier, pro-life activist and part-time face painter. When she's not reading or writing, she can either be found by the ocean with her family or in her car- windows down and 80's rock music pumping. She started writing online at her blog, A Catholic Teen's Perspective, where she posts about everything from movies to politics, and where links to her other online work can be found.
  • richard

    A timely and inspiring post.

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  • douglas

    God Bless you. Thank you for writing. Do not be discouraged when many people just smile with “this stage will pass to ” LOOK IN THEIR EYES.
    I might add two points.
    1.Find a minister who preaches on the obligation of adults to try and do all they can to protect the God-given Rights guaranteed by the Founders in the Constitution of these United states
    2. Remember that many people are so weak in their faith that they can not give a good reason for what they profess and therefore are unwilling to “make waves” (this includes being a parant) out of fear that someone will ask them “why they are doing this?”, or “what gives you the right to interfer with my rights?”

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    Thank you Richard!

    Thank you also, Douglas, for the encouragement. Very good points. We must support the few, strong, orthodox priests who are willing to preach about the dangers of our times. I’m happy you mentioned the insecurity many people who wish they could speak up face. Always: pray to the Holy Spirit, and remember that this is why educating yourself and others is so important. Time for everyone to brush up on their Catholic Apologetics and American History! :)

    God bless both of you!

  • Richard E

    Since there is also another Richard posting, I’m adding another letter to distinguish us. Just now reading this and the Fortnight for Freedom is over but not the fight that still lays in front of us. We must also keep encouraging our Bishops and Cardinals and parish priest to keep reminding everyone that the situations we are facing will only change is if the leaders are changed. There are many who call themselves practicing Catholics because they attend Mass but are strong supporters of the moral evils we face but little has been done, except to talk to them, and it is time for all the Cardinals and Bishops to stand shoulder to shoulder and if necessary excommunicate them from the Sacraments and let it be made public that these people do not speak for the Church, the same with dissident nuns, priest and theologians.

    If there is a call for civil disobedience, to refuse to follow and implement the unjust mandates, we should do so. What would happen if instead of facualities being closed and services stopped, they were kept open but without implementing the mandate laws and refusal to pay penalities but instead let the federal government come in and start arresting the ministrators, the priest and nuns, the Bishops and Cardinals, would there be enough jail space to hold them and what would the civil outcry be over the actions. And what will the federal government do when the streets are full of protesters against these arrests?
    One of our great Saints said that the Church grows stronger by the blood of its martyrs, we saw that happen in Mexico, docunmented in the movie For Greater Glory, we know of Archbishop Oscar Romero who spoke out against the government in its treatment of the poor and the Church. I’m not saying we should have blood martyrs, being locked up would serve the same purpose.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    Very true, Richard E. The fight continues until the crimes against freedom and innocent life end. Encouraging those who are actively fighting, especially faithful religious (Priests, Nuns, etc.) is indeed important.
    It seems there are already many institutions that are using your “civil disobedience” strategy, as well as various Catholic colleges.
    Yes, we must be ready to offer our very lives if necessary, but until it comes to that, as you said, we must educate people so that this dangerous leadership can be overthrown, and our country put back on the right track.
    These posts on my personal blog may be of interest to you:
    http://catholicteenperspective.blogspot.com/2012/03/deep-thoughts-for-troubled-times.html
    http://catholicteenperspective.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-are-we-holding-onto-sam.html

    God bless!

  • Richard E

    Abigail, I went back and read your two links, it looks very much like we were on the same wave length in our thoughts. I was reading a short time ago about some of the priest, clergy martyrs from one German camp during WWII and found this one quote: “But we maintain our Christian, courageous calm. Nobody will take away our will to struggle and fight back as long as He is with us. God is the ruler of the fates of men and peoples. This is our victory, which overcomes the world.” – Blessed Karl Leisner, who died on the Feast of Saint Stephen of TB he contracted while in prison shortly after the camp was liberated by American forces.
    I strongly feel that if our current president gets another 4 years there will be a even bigger attack not only on the Catholic Church but other Christian denominations and Christian owned companies, we only have to look at the current attack on Chick-fli-A.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    Yes, I thought so as well; I’m happy you read them. That quote is very powerful; it reminded me of the movie about one of the concentration camps that was solely for Catholic priests entitled “The Ninth Day”. It’s very hard to watch, but I highly recommend it.
    I agree with you. If Obama is re-elected, Catholics are going to be in grave danger. But, we must continue to pray, act, and trust that God will guide us through the trials, if indeed we are called to face them.
    Thank you for reading the posts, and for sharing the quote with me. May God bless those of us who are striving to fight for Him in this battle.

  • Richard E

    Abigail, The name of the movie you mentioned did not ring any bells so when searching. the movieis based on “The Dachau concentration camp which was the first concentration camp of the Nazi regime, and the central holding place for imprisoned Catholic and non-Catholic Christian leaders.”
    This is the same concentration camp the the priest I quoted above was held. I saved the link the quote came from alone with another about the concentration camp and now that I know there is a movie related to it will read more on the other priest who were held there and their quotes. I’m going to have to see if I can find it on DVD.
    I do a lot of searching for quotes of Saints and have come across many writings, quotes and sermons of priest and pastors who were martyred during WWII and much of what they write about is how it was first the ability to worship openly and freely, the crack down on them speaking out against the regeime, and I can see some paralles from then to know. How the elderly were removed from homes to gov hospitals and then suddenly die, the same with those with special needs – then we look at the ‘health care panel’ in the health care act it gets scary. Even close to today we can look back at Archbiship Oscar Romero and how he spoke out against how the gov was treating the middle class and the poor and was martyred on the altar for it.
    I think too many people are turning a blind eye to what is going on, so for now it is up to those who ‘have eyes to see, ears to hear’ to keep up the prayers for guidance and protection.
    I think I just got a new topic to write on to some yahoo groups I’m on, I’m long past due.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    I would love to know where I can find some of those quotes and writings, as they are of great interest to me. I am always looking for new quotes to sprinkle throughout my posts.
    It is very scary; like you said there are many people who are blowing it off, thinking nothing “that big” is ever going to happen. What they don’t realize is that it already has. The most recent issue over Melinda Gates wanting to provide contraception internationally, and the comments that other world-wide leaders made in support of her at the summit she hosted, it is all positively frightening. They talk about human beings as if we were cattle. Here’s a link to that story: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/gates-summit-raises-billions-for-birth-control/
    That’s right, it’s up to us now, and it’s wonderful to hear from someone else who has answered the call to battle and taken up his sword for Christ.
    God bless.

  • Richard E

    I’ve been keeping up with Melinda Gates via various different Christian/Catholic web sited and she is ‘in lock-step’ with the Pres, Sec of State in pushing for contraceptive and abortion by using the UN as the jumping off point, and we know that PPH is working hard behind the scenes there as well.
    Here are a few links relating to the concentration camp:
    This is the link the quote I shared came from:
    http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3239

    Catholic priests in the Dachau concentration camp:
    http://www.scrapbookpages.com/dachauscrapbook/KZDachau/DachauLife3.html

    This link has some info and a short video, on Blessed Leisner’s ordination, secretly filmed
    http://salesianity.blogspot.com/2010/11/blessed-karl-leisner-and-ordination-at.html

    As for a source of good quotes, have you checked out the Good News Ministries Daily Blessings – it comes out every evening with inspiriational quotes from the Saint of the day and other holy people. You’ll get quotations like:
    The order of society is based on two virtues: justice and charity. Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked. It is justice’s role to prevent the attack. – Blessed Frédéric Ozanam
    and
    The most deadly poison of our time is indifference. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers. ― Saint Maximilian Kolbe

  • Richard E

    I should of included this link also as it contains excerpts of sermons from a Catholic Bishop who even though outspoken of Nazi Germany was never arrested. Much of what these sermons contain we can see happening here and other parts of the world.
    Blessed Clemens August von Galen sermons.
    http://www.churchinhistory.org/pages/booklets/vongalen(n).htm

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    I know, the whole Melinda Gates issue is so underhanded and sickening.
    I read the whole Fr. Karl story, and it was incredible- a perfect story for these times. I especially loved the quartet he wrote on how “The God is the Lord even of these our times”. Powerful. I’m wondering now if he was one of the characters in the movie I spoke of. Unfortunately, I do not remember any of the names from the film, just the horrors of what the priests endured. Thank you so much for sharing the story and additional links with me.
    I had not heard of Good News Ministries, but now I am signed up for their Daily Blessings and cannot wait to start receiving them. Often I use Matthew Warner’s http://www.quotecatholic.com, but as it is a work in progress, it isn’t the most comprehensive.
    Two more incredible quotes. I love St. Maximillian Kolbe; another incredible WWII priest.
    God bless!

  • Richard E

    When you start receiving the Daily Blessing you will see a link to archive quotes from all Saints, holy men and women whose words have been used. It took a while to get the archive up and going as there were almost 7-8 years of quotes to go through.
    We have only to look back at the supression of the Church and martyrs and what they have left us from those of Japan, Africa, Spain, France, England, WWII, Mexico, we come to learn that it is a constant struggle and so many have stood in defense of the Chruch. We also have many Protestand pastors and preaches who have stood up for Christianity, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one and a martry for the faith.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    That’s wonderful! I’m excited to have such a great quotes database at my fingertips now. Thanks again for telling me about it.
    Yes, the new movie “For Greater Glory” illustrates this in a compelling way. And, as you said, there are indeed some Protestants who recognize the importance of defending the Catholic Church’s freedom, for as Glenn Beck has pointed out, if the Catholic Church is conquered, the rest of the churches will be a piece of cake.
    God bless!

  • Richard E

    In that data base of quotes, there are some 1240 different quotes, some more will be added now that all the quotes for July have been sent, at the end of this month more new quotes will also be added, those will be the quotes you are receiving now.
    Happy Feast of Saint John Vianney – parton of parish priest.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    What a wonderful resource! Thank you for all of this! God bless.

  • Richard E

    Your welcome and glad I was of some assistance. Later today I’ll actually be updating the Daily Blessing automail scheduler again, do it about once a week to stay at least 2 weeks ahead.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    I’m confused… Why are you doing that, and what does that mean?

  • Richard E

    I’m the person behind all the searching for the Daily Blessing quotes that go out each day and then go into the mail system about once a week to update the new quotes that will be coming out.

  • Abigail C. Reimel

    Oh, I see. I didn’t realize you worked for the site. Well then, thank you for helping to provide such a great resource for Catholic quotes, and for delivering new ones to inboxes every day! God bless you and your work!

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