I’ve decided its time for us to put a more distinct differentiation between politics and religion on the blog. I would love to write more theology posts, but that is not really the purpose of this blog. Thus I have create Areopagus Blog, which will cover “Theology, Apologetics, and Christian Thought.”

I encourage SaveTheGOP readers to head over there for more religion oriented stuff, also any STG writer interested in joining Areopagus please email me at markdharris@gmail.com.

So lets keep our posts here now focused on more of the political realm.

Earlier this week, Pope Benedict named fifteen new Cardinals, the first appointments of his tenure as Vicar of Christ in the Roman Catholic Church. A number of the appointments stand out to me.

First, the Pope has chosen to elevate Bishop O’Malley, the one tapped in the aftermath of the scandals that rocked Boston. He has done an excellent job in that post and has rebuilt and restructured the Boston Church despite a hyper-sensational media. Further, Bishop Levada, formally of San Francisco was elevated, who succeeded Cardinal Ratzinger in the Holy Office of the Doctrine of the Faith. This raise (if my memory serves me) the US delegation of Cardinals to fifteen, which seems to point to a renewed interest in the North American role inside the church.

But most striking was the elevation of Bishop Joseph Zen . Surely this was a move to reaffirm the Church in China and aimed at a repressive Communist regime which has systematically persecuted Christians. Joseph Cardinal Zen is sure to be met with resistance, but his work in the Church will ultimately aide those currently suffering under the brutality of the Chinese government.

His proclamation of Christ and enthusiastic call for change in China is exemplary and we are bound to see good fruits from this, and other, appointments by Pope Bennedict XVI.

I recently complained that the violent protestors of the Muhammad cartoons demonstrated a severe lack of understanding of freedom of speech. Well, it looks like Europeans severely lack this understanding too, as a German man was just sentenced to one year of jailtime for offending Islam.

via Drudge

Houston we have a problem. From the beginning, the story of turning over 6 US ports to the UAE has not passed the smell test. Fox News is now reporting that a little caveat in the deal stated that “the [White House Review] committee must agree not to formally investigate the purchase and Bush must not move to block the sale for national security purposes.” Oh really. An old addage in life says, follow the money. I can’t help but think who will profit from this deal. It just does not make sense any other way.

Thankfully members of Congress have problems with this as well and planned to investigate. Now we know the ineptness of Congress when it comes to investigations but maybe they will get it right this time. One thing is for certain the moniker of the party of corruption hung around the neck of the GOP by the Democrats starts to take on more of an air of truth. Mid-term elections are going to be fun. Sarcasm intended.

For the best response to the President see Carmine’s earlier post.

Wow, I thought I had seen a lot of Lewis hating in my day but this takes the case.

No doubt Lewis was more-or-less Catholic oriented in his theology, though unlike most denominations Catholicism is defined by ones reconciliation to the Church not mental assent to theology, so in no real terms was he Catholic. (Yes, I know about the whole last right things, but argument for another time).

But if you can judge anyone by their fruits, then Lewis and the tremendous work he has made for Christ through his books… well speak for themselves.

Sorry I spoke too soon: This takes the cake.

I could spend hours talking about the theological lunacy of such, but its late.