Bishop Jezerinac: Atheists are to blame for the war!

http://www.morning.com/juraj-jezerinac...nimke/1000612/

Sex, lies, and all we need now is some scandalous video footage...

These so-called journalists should be embarrassed by themselves—and then they have the nerve to offer us an audio recording as if it makes things better.🤣
http://www.morning.com/juraj-jezerin...nimke/1000612/

Just another entry in the endless line of media manipulation. Jezerinac isn't actually laying accusations against atheists; he’s calling out atheization. There is a massive difference there—one is about people, the other is about a process.

Scott Cruz4 said:These so-called journalists should be embarrassed by themselves—and then they have the nerve to offer us an audio recording as if it makes things better.🤣
http://www.morning.com/juraj-jezerin...nimke/1000612/

Just another entry in the endless line of media manipulation. Jezerinac isn't actually laying accusations against atheists; he’s calling out atheization. There is a massive difference there—one is about people, the other is about a process.

And who exactly is driving this "atheization" according to him? Is it the believers? 🙂

Scott Cruz4 said:These so-called journalists should be embarrassed by themselves—and then they have the nerve to offer us an audio recording as if it makes things better.🤣
http://www.morning.com/juraj-jezerin...nimke/1000612/

Just another entry in the endless line of media manipulation. Jezerinac isn't actually laying accusations against atheists; he’s calling out atheization. There is a massive difference there—one is about people, the other is about a process.

when people run out of actual arguments, they go for stuff like this, maybe.☕

wearyowl29 said:http://www.morning.com/juraj-jezerinac...nimke/1000612/

Sex, lies, and all we need now is some scandalous video footage...

So, what does the Morning actually prove? I'll say it again:

- They think their readers are fools. Honestly, they aren't entirely wrong.
- Most of their audience doesn't read past the headline.
- This kind of news spreads easily—using a misleading headline is a classic tactic to drive engagement.
- Most people won't bother fact-checking; they'll just interpret things to fit their own biases, which is clearly happening here.
- For some reason, they serve a specific interest—there could be many reasons for this, such as pushing to abolish military chaplaincies.
- They survive on lies, half-truths, and manufactured scandals.

The bottom line is that Bishop Jezerinac didn't claim atheists were responsible for the war.
To "atheize" someone means to influence anyone who isn't an atheist. That includes believers, agnostics, or even those without a firm stance. In the former regime—if it's even worth mentioning—this was a systematic process.
Furthermore, Americans didn't start the war, nor did the United States (though perhaps according to Protagoras, they did).

As I’ve already stated on this thread, his statement was directed at believers. What the Morning journalist fails to grasp is that the blame lies with those who reject or ignore God (
believers), those who don't know Him (agnostics), and those who have been stripped of faith (atheists).
This is a broad generalization, but it's certainly not cause for a shouting match or the usual nonsense found here on the Forum—arguing over who is stupider or more hypocritical. Usually, the answer to that is simply whoever asks the question.

I mean, what kind of person stands up at a podium and claims that the religious revival following the shift toward democracy is actually what caused the war?

If there had been any kind of systematic attempt to push atheism, maybe we’d have an atheist population similar to what you see in the Czech Republic. But having only about 5% non-believers isn't really the result of a coordinated effort, I guess.

And honestly, what is the actual purpose of the military chaplaincy anyway?

And let’s not forget they couldn't even stream the full sermon; they just served up a measly four minutes out of eight and a half.
Tomorrow, we’re diving into some fringe science territory regarding yet another one of those Illuminati-style provocations 🙄 (though this 🙄 little side note is just my own take, since I’ve already posted my thoughts on 🙄 religion elsewhere)

It’s hardly ideal when the media chooses to spin things this way, is it? And does the Church really have much interest in dragging them into court? Not likely—they’d much rather just bury the whole thing under a different headline whenever it suits their agenda. 🙄, well, consider this one a personal message from a Catholic to the Catholic Church.

gentlestag3 said:I mean, what kind of person stands up at a podium and claims that the religious revival following the shift toward democracy is actually what caused the war?

If there had been any kind of systematic attempt to push atheism, maybe we’d have an atheist population similar to what you see in the Czech Republic. But having only about 5% non-believers isn't really the result of a coordinated effort, I guess.

And honestly, what is the actual purpose of the military chaplaincy anyway?

Most Catholics over in the Czech Republic actually follow an evangelical tradition rather than the Roman Catholic faith. Ever heard of that?

nimblewalker58 said:Most Catholics over in the Czech Republic actually follow an evangelical tradition rather than the Roman Catholic faith. Ever heard of that?

It's simply not true—evangelicals aren't part of the Catholic Church, nor do they outnumber Catholics in the Czech Republic.
Think of it like this: religious believers of any kind are actually a small minority there.

gentlestag3 said:I mean, what kind of person stands up at a podium and claims that the religious revival following the shift toward democracy is actually what caused the war?

If there had been any kind of systematic attempt to push atheism, maybe we’d have an atheist population similar to what you see in the Czech Republic. But having only about 5% non-believers isn't really the result of a coordinated effort, I guess.

And honestly, what is the actual purpose of the military chaplaincy anyway?

Someone could make that claim right now—just like they already do here.

It was systematic. That was the official mandate of the sole ruling party, which was obligated to follow its own platform.
Anyone who lived through that era or went to school back then knows this, provided they haven't conveniently forgotten for certain "reasons."
And I’ve mentioned this before: it’s just playing with statistics.
There is no statistic that can accurately measure the shifts in the human psyche or spirituality.
The variables are nearly infinite; people change their minds all the time.
These numbers are often used for political or even financial leverage, but in my view, they are useless.
Besides, you don't need 5% of a population to trigger a war. You only need a few hotheads.

The military chaplaincy exists to serve the spiritual needs of service members, and it operates with the authority of a diocese. Military chaplains and the bishop perform the same duties as any other priests or bishops, even if their working conditions differ. I am no longer part of that system.

nimblewalker58 said:Most Catholics over in the Czech Republic actually follow an evangelical tradition rather than the Roman Catholic faith. Ever heard of that?

I guess that makes them a slightly less atheistic country, maybe?🤷

gentlestag3 said:I mean, what kind of person stands up at a podium and claims that the religious revival following the shift toward democracy is actually what caused the war?

If there had been any kind of systematic attempt to push atheism, maybe we’d have an atheist population similar to what you see in the Czech Republic. But having only about 5% non-believers isn't really the result of a coordinated effort, I guess.

And honestly, what is the actual purpose of the military chaplaincy anyway?

It essentially serves as a frontline defense against rising secularism.😕

Noah Grant59 said:Someone could make that claim right now—just like they already do here.

It was systematic. That was the official mandate of the sole ruling party, which was obligated to follow its own platform.
Anyone who lived through that era or went to school back then knows this, provided they haven't conveniently forgotten for certain "reasons."
And I’ve mentioned this before: it’s just playing with statistics.
There is no statistic that can accurately measure the shifts in the human psyche or spirituality.
The variables are nearly infinite; people change their minds all the time.
These numbers are often used for political or even financial leverage, but in my view, they are useless.
Besides, you don't need 5% of a population to trigger a war. You only need a few hotheads.

The military chaplaincy exists to serve the spiritual needs of service members, and it operates with the authority of a diocese. Military chaplains and the bishop perform the same duties as any other priests or bishops, even if their working conditions differ. I am no longer part of that system.

Does the bishop there preach the teachings of Jesus and instruct soldiers to love their enemies, just as the Gospels command?
Do the soldiers realize that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword, or is what Jesus told Saint Peter somehow inapplicable to a soldier?

We urgently need a medical chaplaincy, maybe a union chaplaincy, or one for retirees, teachers... I mean, there are way more of them out there than soldiers, I guess.☕

How does a chaplaincy actually work? Like, do they have branches in other dioceses or bishoprics? And if they don't, what happens to soldiers in places like Savannah who might need support?

Anyway, atheists aren't the ones to blame for war, and secularization isn't the cause either. It’s really those ultra-nationalists at fault—some of whom even pivoted to join the Communist Party, which is probably where people draw that connection to atheism...

George Robinson43 said:Does the bishop there preach the teachings of Jesus and instruct soldiers to love their enemies, just as the Gospels command?
Do the soldiers realize that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword, or is what Jesus told Saint Peter somehow inapplicable to a soldier?

Well, I mean, the military does have duties that are sort of more sacred than just being aggressive toward others... like defense, which I suppose is definitely within God's grace. Besides, we aren't exactly an aggressive or expansionist nation, so that comment feels a little off, I guess.

gentlestag3 said:I guess that makes them a slightly less atheistic country, maybe?🤷

It’s not even the opposite—it’s actually more than that. You’re looking at a milder, less radical strain of Protestantism. And for heaven's sake, isn't this the only nation that managed to adopt communism without a violent revolution? In the end, it didn't even turn out to be true communism; it just morphed into that distorted, twisted version of Soviet-style socialism. I mean, did you guys not pay any attention in history class?

So, you’re really going to sit there and criticize a Bishop who possesses a classical education that frankly goes way beyond any engineering degree, all while you choose to put your absolute faith in journalists who seem to wrap up their entire schooling during three long weekends? Honestly, it’s a bit of a disgrace, isn't it?

gentlestag3 said:I guess that makes them a slightly less atheistic country, maybe?🤷

Actually, I’d argue the exact opposite—it’s more like a specific strain of Protestantism. They were incredibly forward-thinking intellectuals, really at the forefront of the Enlightenment. It’s quite a unique case, isn't it? They managed to transition into communism without any sort of violent revolution, though they unfortunately ended up stuck with Stalinism in the end.

Honestly, I feel like you really ought to brush up on a bit of history first; it just makes everything so much easier to wrap your head around, doesn't it?

George Robinson43 said:Does the bishop there preach the teachings of Jesus and instruct soldiers to love their enemies, just as the Gospels command?
Do the soldiers realize that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword, or is what Jesus told Saint Peter somehow inapplicable to a soldier?

The apostles (Peter and George J.) have an apostolic duty, while soldiers have a military one.

Just as the apostles have their sacred obligation to teach, soldiers have their own holy duty to defend their country and its people. It's no less significant.

gentlestag3, nearly every military unit at the brigade level has its own chaplain.
The nature of military service means most soldiers are far from home, away from their local parishes—though you could certainly debate the necessity of a dedicated military chaplaincy given how much the troop numbers have changed lately.

nimblewalker58 said:It’s not even the opposite—it’s actually more than that. You’re looking at a milder, less radical strain of Protestantism. And for heaven's sake, isn't this the only nation that managed to adopt communism without a violent revolution? In the end, it didn't even turn out to be true communism; it just morphed into that distorted, twisted version of Soviet-style socialism. I mean, did you guys not pay any attention in history class?

So, you’re really going to sit there and criticize a Bishop who possesses a classical education that frankly goes way beyond any engineering degree, all while you choose to put your absolute faith in journalists who seem to wrap up their entire schooling during three long weekends? Honestly, it’s a bit of a disgrace, isn't it?

I mean, I guess if someone actually has a solid, classic education under their belt, they probably aren't just spouting nonsense, right? It makes you wonder... are we all just turning a blind eye to what's right in front of us? Maybe we're just choosing not to see it. I don't know.

I guess I don't really see how the way things went down in the Czech Republic matters here. It’s kind of different for us, isn't it? Back then, people were basically losing consciousness just passing by that old blue train with a corpse inside... and then, after the nineties hit, most people were just passing out at the altar because their faith became so intense. Maybe it's just how things happen sometimes, I suppose.

I guess it feels like people over in the Czech Republic might be a bit more practical than we are. They don't seem to have that mindset where you have to be religious just to prove you belong to the culture. Here in the States, it feels like being a good American is almost synonymous with being Catholic, which is kind of weird when you think about it. It’s like if you aren't part of the church, people look at you sideways, almost like you're some kind of radical or a hardline political extremist. I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking things, but it seems like there's this heavy expectation here to tie everything together, whereas they just... exist. It's interesting, I guess.

gentlestag3 said:Well, I mean, the military does have duties that are sort of more sacred than just being aggressive toward others... like defense, which I suppose is definitely within God's grace. Besides, we aren't exactly an aggressive or expansionist nation, so that comment feels a little off, I guess.

That wasn't my point at all. I was stating that Jesus' teachings instruct us not to use force even against an enemy attacking us.
We can certainly claim that defense is within God's grace—just as one might claim the Earth is flat—but the son of God spoke differently. I believe He was perfectly clear when He taught that one should respond to a stone with bread instead. Furthermore, He forbade St. Peter from defending Him, making it known that drawing a sword inevitably leads to dying by the sword.

Naturally, any person under attack will shout, "To hell with that nonsense!" and rush to defend their family, their country... whatever.

I simply wanted to ask: do priests actually preach Jesus' teachings? Do they tell soldiers they shouldn't defend themselves, or warn them about the words spoken to St. Peter? Not to mention this:
You have heard that it is said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you, to those of you listening: love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.