Alive! Newspaper... worth the paper it's printed on?

daithiocondun

I'm sure that most people in Ireland are familiar with the free Catholic newspaper called "Alive!". It's available in many Churches and some shops (I think). I would just like to know, from any people who are really familiar with the paper, whether they think it is far too right-wing and possibly even offensive.

In summary (my opinion and observations, only) I would consider it a piece of Catholic propaganda which serves not to inform, but rather to convince the reader of how Catholicism is the ONLY acceptable and "right" faith in existence.

Far from being a down-to-earth newspaper which provides real "news", with a Catholic emphasis/reference point, Alive! seems to be a very opinionated and often damning paper which highlights the flaws and follies of those who practice/preach/approve of any moral issue/belief-system which does not fit into the very right-wing Alive! agenda.

To provide an example for clarity. I was shocked to read an article by Fr Owen Gorman back in June 2008 (Issue 136) entitled "Jehovah Witness Bible distorts Word of God". This article was simply a Jehovah Witness bashing which ranted on about how, and I quote "They deprived their followers of the truth. In short, they butchered the Scriptures". Fr Owen then concluded by alluding to the "darkness into which they have been lead". I don't know about everyone else, but I was quite angry at this. I am not a Jehovah Witness and am not a practicing Catholic either. But I felt that this article had no proper purpose in a Catholic paper. It served only to highlight why Catholicism is right and Jehovah Witnesses are wrong.... and could well be damned as a result!

I wrote an e-mail to the editor and highlighted my concerns (in no uncertain terms, I grant you) but made the error (in hindsight) of saying that I was a student of Theology at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and that no lecturer in the Department would ever say that Catholicism is right and another was wrong. The result of my complaint was a dismissive and indignant email reply from the editor as well as - TO MY SHOCK - a full write-up about Mary Immaculate College and it's poor Catholic ethos in response to my email. This brought MY COLLEGE into disrepute and the editor was subsequently forced to apologize for his disgraceful and arrogant write up. What's more, in the same issue, Fr Gorman wrote ANOTHER anti-Jehovah Witness article!! Chance? I think not!

My conclusion is a paper that should be banned as left-wing anti-liberal and anti-alternative word vomit that is insulting to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Sorry for ranting!
What do we all think????

daithiocondun

P.S. I just checked the Charter there and I don't think there is an issue with mentioning a specific paper/company/organisation.

But I'm willing to be told otherwise.

AhSureTisGrand

daithiocondun wrote: »

My conclusion is a paper that should be banned as left-wing anti-liberal and anti-alternative word vomit that is insulting to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

:rolleyes:

Perhaps my definition of liberal is outdated but as far as I know they tend not to like this censorship thing

daithiocondun

Nhead wrote: »

I wouldn't ban it... the would probably love that:D

I don't think they would. They'd prob start a riot.... very Christian-like

Manach

The OP's opinion is his own. I've myself prefer the Irish Catholic for my religious news source. If I could get the HSE or other government depts to stop advertising on TV on how to live my life I'd be equally pleased.

Monty.

Shock horror, a Catholic paper presents a Catholic perspective for Catholics, how sickening for the haters.

To provide an example for clarity. I was shocked to read an article by Fr Owen Gorman back in June 2008 (Issue 136) entitled "Jehovah Witness Bible distorts Word of God". This article was simply a Jehovah Witness bashing which ranted on about how, and I quote "They deprived their followers of the truth. In short, they butchered the Scriptures". Fr Owen then concluded by alluding to the "darkness into which they have been lead"

All Fr. Gorman has pointed out here are very basic and important facts.

Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs totally distinct and in error from mainstream Christianity.

You should do a bit of research on the JW altered bible and their theology before you go jumping to conclusions and accusations.

No Catholic has anything personal against any JW. I find them to be very nice people and always invite them in for a cup of tea when they call.

But theology wise, they are in total error, this is not a good way to be for any Christian.

alex73

Nhead wrote: »

Just wish they would listen when you politely ask them to stop posting them through the door is all, but hate, nah, a very strong emotion that ruins the soul. To each their own :-)

catholic newspapers are not in the business of posting free papers on the boxes of every home. Usually they don't have the money. the person must have signed up for the paper at some stage.

strobe

I'm happy for them to print any magazine they want, with any content they want, but if another one comes through my door despite my very clear and obvious 'no junk mail please' sign, that every other organisation and business can manage to comprehend and respect, I will begin posting diseased animal faeces to their HQ on a bi-weekly basis.

PDN

daithiocondun wrote: »

To provide an example for clarity. I was shocked to read an article by Fr Owen Gorman back in June 2008 (Issue 136) entitled "Jehovah Witness Bible distorts Word of God". This article was simply a Jehovah Witness bashing which ranted on about how, and I quote "They deprived their followers of the truth. In short, they butchered the Scriptures". Fr Owen then concluded by alluding to the "darkness into which they have been lead". I don't know about everyone else, but I was quite angry at this. I am not a Jehovah Witness and am not a practicing Catholic either. But I felt that this article had no proper purpose in a Catholic paper. It served only to highlight why Catholicism is right and Jehovah Witnesses are wrong.... and could well be damned as a result!

I wrote an e-mail to the editor and highlighted my concerns (in no uncertain terms, I grant you) but made the error (in hindsight) of saying that I was a student of Theology at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and that no lecturer in the Department would ever say that Catholicism is right and another was wrong.

I am a lecturer in Theology at a third level institution - and I would certainly say that Jehovah's Witnesses butcher the Scriptures. Anyone who reads Greek can easily see that for themselves by comparing a Greek NT with the JW's 'translation'.

(btw - aside from that I think 'Alive' is garbage)

Manach

Or perhaps as well not follow pavlovianly the relativistic left wing agenda of the democratic party?

Monty.

Nhead wrote: »

Yeah, that is what annoys me they just ignore you when you ask them to stop sending it, what they print is of little consequence, I don't like it so I just don't read it.

Who did you ask ?

It would be better to tell the person that delivers it, I doubt the paper themselves have direct contact with each and every delivery person or the resources to keep track of each and every person who does not want one through their letterbox. How have you got on with the senders of all the other flyers that come through your door ?

I often get the watchtower through my door, it never bothers me, it's just a delivery person trying to cover hundreds of houses and earn a living.

Monty.

strobe wrote: »

I will begin posting diseased animal faeces to their HQ on a bi-weekly basis.

Intresting response. Noted.
Says a lot more about you than it does them.

strobe

Monty. wrote: »

Says a lot more about you than it does them.

Deuteronomy 19:21

Monty.

strobe wrote: »

Deuteronomy 19:21

Again, that says more about you.

super_furry

Monty. wrote: »

Shock horror, a Catholic paper presents a Catholic perspective for Catholics, how sickening for the haters.

No problem with that at all. What is objectionable though is the fact that it's foisted on people whether they want it or not.

It's propoganda that's pushed through my letter box every month.

strobe

Monty. wrote: »

Again, that says more about you.

Such as...? Just so we are clear, contrary to popular opinion in some quarters, I am not the author of the Book of Deuteronomy.

laughter189

I found the opinions in Alive extreme and dis-agreed with most of it .

But I did make some money from advertising in it , - always got a few customers when I advertised .

georgieporgy

I read Alive regularly and have never seen anything offensive in it. It's often quite informative.

Keaton

Monty. wrote: »

Who did you ask ?

It would be better to tell the person that delivers it, I doubt the paper themselves have direct contact with each and every delivery person or the resources to keep track of each and every person who does not want one through their letterbox. How have you got on with the senders of all the other flyers that come through your door ?

I often get the watchtower through my door, it never bothers me, it's just a delivery person trying to cover hundreds of houses and earn a living.

The people who deliver the alive paper are all volunteers.

As regards the editor, a kinder and warmer gentleman you could not hope to meet.

The thing with alive is that the people who deliver it are, as I said, volunteers, and some of them cover large areas. When you're delivering anything like that, it's quite hard to remember to exclude certain houses, and this is complicated further by the fact that a different person might do it from month to month, perhaps in teams.

I don't like political parties putting leaflets in my door, but I still have a quick read and then bin them. I recommend folks do the same with alive if you don't care for it, or perhaps let a family relative read it.

strobe

Keaton wrote: »

I don't like political parties putting leaflets in my door, but I still have a quick read and then bin them. I recommend folks do the same with alive if you don't care for it.

Not only does that seem very environmentally (and monetarily) wasteful but it may be depriving someone who would actually like to read the magazine from having one as they print a finite number each issue.

Keaton

strobe wrote: »

Not only does that seem very environmentally (and monetarily) wasteful but it may be depriving someone who would actually like to read the magazine from having one as they print a finite number each issue.

Yeah maybe but I think they've factored that into their 'business plan'. All producers of free printed stuff know that much is wasted.

Additionally, there is no obligation on you to re-deliver it to an interested reader - you've already been inconvenienced enough!:p

Onesimus

Nhead wrote: »

Nah they didn't I asked them that, it is a free newspaper they look for people to distribute them. No biggie, just would be nice if they respected the individuals wish.

http://www.alive.ie/about-us.html

I dont want the free Dundalk Leader ( which is the ultimate local rag in my area ) put through my door every week but I dont go nuts about it and ask for my wishes to be respected.

Describing Alive as right wing is to put a political stamp on it. I prefer it over the liberal Irish Catholic anyday. It is not a political paper. It's a Catholic paper that delivers Catholic truth.

The reason you find it offensive is because A) your not Catholic and more importantly it does not tell you what you WANT to hear.

PatricaMcKay2

Onesimus wrote: »

Describing Alive as right wing is to put a political stamp on it. I prefer it over the liberal Irish Catholic anyday. It is not a political paper. It's a Catholic paper that delivers Catholic truth.
.

Anytime that I have looked at it there was been very little on actual theology or even the spiritual life, I like The Angelus because it often was extremely well written articles and it is openly right wing.

Keaton

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

Anytime that I have looked at it there was been very little on actual theology or even the spiritual life, I like The Angelus because it often was extremely well written articles and it is openly right wing.

The Angelus is published by the US District of SSPX.

There is no really solid, orthodox, original and intelligent Catholic newspaper in Ireland today. Sadly, the talents that could produce such a publication are currently engaged in separate, small-time efforts, laudable as they are. They should be supported. But there needs to be a coming together of talents and resources. Together, they could produce a really good publication.

In the UK, there is The Catholic Herald, which is miles and miles ahead of any home-grown Irish newspaper. There's also The Universe, and The Catholic Times. It is quite shocking that we don't have anything of a similar calibre here.

As regards Alive, it is simply a popular tabloid Catholic newspaper. It does have some good material, but we need something more that is not currently provided.

strobe

Keaton wrote: »

Yeah maybe but I think they've factored that into their 'business plan'.

LOL The 'monetary' thing was a joke man. I wouldn't even deign to try and estimate the 'Alive' business plan. Needless to say I think they are in the black constantly...

All producers of free printed stuff know that much is wasted.

They do, but most at least pretend to care, I have found. I won't mention the balding German guy.

Additionally, there is no obligation on you to re-deliver it to an interested reader - you've already been inconvenienced enough!:p

Now now, you (and they, I'm sure) know what I mean.

J C

AhSureTisGrand wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Perhaps my definition of liberal is outdated but as far as I know they tend not to like this censorship thing

I have found that Pseudo-liberals are quite illiberal about viewpoints with which they disagree.

... and despite their 'liberal' pretensions ... they have no problem with the censorship of other people's ideas, when they disagree with them.

A true liberal welcomes all viewpoints and is particularly defensive of the right to free speeh of those with whom they disagree.
This doesn't mean that a true liberal cannot then point out any weaknesses that they see in the other person's point of view ... it just means that a true liberal defends the right of people with opposing points of view to express them.