The Greater Sin

American Catholics are in an uproar. According to CNSNews.com, prior to President Obama’s Tuesday speech at Georgetown University (a Jesuit institution), White House officials asked university officials to cover the IHS monogram inscribed on a pediment at the back of the stage. (IHS is an acronym for Iesus Hominum Salvator, which is Latin for “Jesus, Savior of Men”). Georgetown Associate Vice President Julie Green Bataille stated, “Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage.” (http://www.cnsnews.com/public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=46784) On Thursday CBNNews.com reportedly received a statement from the White House stating that “decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags, which is standard for many presidential events. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false.” (http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/581525.aspx) Interestingly, when former First Lady Laura Bush spoke at Georgetown’s Gaston Hall on Dec 4, 2006 there was no need for the IHS monogram to be covered. (Photo of Laura Bush and the IHS monogram can be viewed at (http://www.cnsnews.com/public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=46769)

I do not believe for a moment that the IHS monogram was covered merely for aesthetic reasons. Our president simply did not want to be photographed in front of any symbol of Christ worship. I am not as angry as others about the IHS monogram request because I do not expect anything better from our president. Barack Obama has proven through his words and his actions that he is not a Christian. Then again, in truth, neither is he a Muslim or a Jew, or even a Scientologist for that matter. Obama is a humanist. He believes that Man is God and that we all hold the “Christ principle” within ourselves. “Yes, we can” really means, “Yes, Man can save itself.” This is why as insulting as Obama’s request was, it is the Society of Jesus that is guilty of the greater sin by agreeing to cover the IHS monogram.

A Roman Catholic order whose members define themselves as soldiers of Christ agreeing to cover the name of the Lord? Simply apostasy.

Although considering the jaded track record of the Jesuits–liberation theology, rejection of Papal authority–their burying of the Christ monogram is hardly surprising.

If Georgetown’s Jesuit officials were true soldiers of Christ they would have responded to the White House request by respectfully suggesting that the president “Go scratch.” And when Pres Obama objected they could have politely held the front door open to prevent it from hitting him in the ass as he was leaving.

Donald Tremblay