Moral Theology is, basically, the study of right and wrong from God’s perspective and man’s relation to God and Divine Revelation. It’s at first simple; think “Ten Commandments.” But it does get more complicated; think killing in war or in self defense. OK, my point is, Moral Theology requires serious, prayerful study, exploration and reflection to arrive at coherent conclusions on just what is morally and ethically permissible. Bible scholars, preachers, teachers, theologians and philosophers have done this down through the centuries and have arrived at certain determinations. That’s why it was a shock yesterday when a CNN cameraman in the US Senate building delivered to Rev. Pat Mahoney and me his moral pronouncement on our prayer service. I was just sure he hadn’t engaged in the same laboriously reflective exercises as had, say, the prophets, apostles and Church Fathers.

You may have watched the video and even joined with us as we prayed outside the office of Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson who, with Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, is holding up action on healthcare reform over federal funding of abortion. Pat and I decided to do the most powerful thing we could do to support these senators in their noble efforts, and that was pray for them, for the Senate as a whole, and for our nation. We asked the Creator of the Universe to use these efforts to preserve and protect the value, sanctity and dignity of every human life.

The CNN video-journalist who covered our prayer service obviously didn’t like it. From the moment he arrived he seemed unusually disgruntled and showed it in his short temper and crabby disposition. After we were through praying, instead of the usual pack-it-up and move-it-out action, he broke down his equipment, slung it over his shoulder, then sauntered over to us as we all approached a nearby elevator. He turned to Pat and me and said, “You know, as an old news guy around here, I just gotta tell you, if you guys intentionally or unintentionally hold up this healthcare bill, that’s a sin, too.”

I was speechless. First, I didn’t think CNN video-journalists had a definition for “sin.” I now know I was wrong on that, but even if they do, I didn’t think they were really allowed to pontificate about it, unless they were hired as commentators. This was just weird. To have a representative of CNN instructing two ministers that it’s “a sin” to pray for God to superintend over something as consequential as healthcare, and in the process preserve and protect innocent human life, was, well, breathtaking.

So, now we know CNN doesn’t just have opinions about politics, but instead is imposing their morality on us. Hmm . . . how curious.

Oh, speaking of prayer and the value of human life, check out the timeline on “Political strife over abortion” at msnbc.com and scroll ahead to 2007. You’ll see we’ve been praying about this all along. If you didn’t get in on our prayer meeting of yesterday, you can check that out, too, in the videos to be posted below a little later.

Back soon . . .

Rob +