Kevin Kroll
wrote:
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Hi guys,
- Is it sinful to live in [and/or] love New York City?
Kevin
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Is it sinful to live in [and/or] love New York City? }
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Bob replied:
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Hi Kevin,
Only if you are a Yankees fan, at least according to the book of Red Sox.
But seriously, if you are making a serious inquiry I would say, No. I
could understand how one might argue that it would be wrong to love Sodom
and Gomorrah where only sin abounded, and likewise, (NYC) New York City is considered,
by some, to be a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.
However, the analogy is not true, for unlike Sodom
and Gomorrah, New York City has many good
people and God would therefore spare it.
In any case, there are many good people and many good things to love about
NYC; the bad elements exist everywhere. New York City is no different
in that respect, except perhaps on a grander scale.
I love New York, the people, the excitement. I'm sure Peter and Paul loved
Rome, but didn't care for the aspects of the culture that were sinful.
New York City is our Rome, for better of worse; so love her just the same.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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Eric replied:
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Hi Kevin,
In general, No, but it depends on why you like New York City. If you
like it because of the energy, diversity, excitement, and so forth, there
is certainly nothing wrong with liking it. If, on the other hand, you like
it because it affords easy access to the seedy underground, or any other
reason contrary to the faith, that's a different story.
What you want to do is make a short, prioritized list of what you like
most about NYC. If the reasons are mostly morally good or morally neutral,
then you're in good shape. If they are morally questionable, then perhaps
it is sinful.
Off the top of my head though, if you are a law-abiding person,
I can't think of too many obvious reasons that it would be morally questionable
to like NYC, unless:
- you were involved in dissipated sexual immorality or
- were a rich person who enjoyed the lavish lifestyle
then again, I am not
that familiar with NYC, so there may be other reasons I'm not aware of.
Eric
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Mike replied:
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Hi Kevin,
I agree with Bob's initial answer:
Only if you are a Yankees fan, at least according to the book of Red Sox.
And . . . that reminds me of a recent joke I heard:
On his recent trip to the United States, Peter Protestant learned that
Pope Benedict XVI was to visit New York City. He also found out that he
was to appear in Yankee stadium to the delight of New York Yankee fans
everywhere. Although he knew nothing about Catholics and the Catholic faith,
he decide to attend to see what the big thing was about this guy.
Wow,
was he impressed! Screaming fans, who couldn't control themselves, and
excitement everywhere. After the event, he ran into his Catholic friend,
John, who was an avid Red Sox fan.
Peter said:
"Hey John, Did you see your Pope at Yankee Stadium?"
John replied:
"No, unfortunately, I was away on business. How was it?"
Peter replied:
It was great, there were screaming New York Yankee fans and everyone
was shouting and having a great time. At one point the Holy Father
stood up and made something like the sign of the Cross three times
over the crowd while saying these strange words I wrote down on paper.
I think they were in Latin.
You have to admit John, Pope Benedict made it pretty clear to the
whole world that he was a New York Yankees fan!
John replied:
"Oh really? Show me that sign he made over the crowd
again and the paper with the words he used."
Peter showed him the sign again and gave him the piece
of paper.
John replied:
Peter, that's not a blessing, that's an exorcism!
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For more visit our Catholic
humor page. Last time I checked is was the fourth most visited page
on our site!
Mike
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