+ Reflections on the Propriety of Using the Term, “Chinese Flu” / Condemnation of Anti-Chinese Prejudice I just ran across an article, “Why Chinese tourists love Italy’s quaint rural villages: . . .” (Silvia Marchetti, South China Morning Post, 12-12-19). It stated: More Chinese tourists have visited Italy this year than any other European country, with many seeking out the country’s villages and hamlets. . . . Forget about France, Germany or Greece – Italy is now the most popular... Read more
This continues the discussion that took place in the previous installment, with Paul Connors. His words will be in blue. My words from last time that he cites, will be in green and indented. ***** Thanks for your continuing replies. I love opportunities to clarify and counter-reply. It helps everyone clarify their own views. This is precisely the problem in many of the ‘apocalyptic’ models and predictions: they assume we will sit on our butts and do nothing whatever, which... Read more
Paul Connors critiqued at some length the reasoning in my article yesterday about coronavirus, “Black Death” Mentality On Display at Patheos Catholic” in the combox for that piece. Of course, I counter-replied. His words will be in blue (and if he responds further, all of that and my replies will be added here). ***** While there are definitely exaggerations in posts from other authors, your own post is a view through strongly rose-colored glasses, mixed with a few misleading statements. Have you... Read more
Now, I have already offered blistering critiques (two times) of the political and theological “right” and how they have exploited the present crisis to set forth goofy, wacko conspiratorial, apocalyptic theories of God’s judgment and wrath, and why He is supposedly judging etc. But there is also a need to critique what is going on, on a wide scale, on the political and theological left (or “non-conservative” observers, if you will). I have maintained for many years (my main article on... Read more
The following commentary comes from Dr. JD Donovan. His credentials follow: Dr. JD Donovan received his BS degree in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and his PhD in Biophysics and Theoretical Biology from the University of Chicago. * Always pursuing interdisciplinary topics, he has worked in university departments ranging from Physics to Physiology as well as industrial basic research developing new technologies for diagnostic testing. As a teacher, he has served mostly in small liberal arts colleges... Read more
Biblical Refutation of “Hyperfaith” / “Name-It-Claim-It” Teaching [Bible verses: New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise indicated] * * * * * 1) Jesus: Illness Not Necessarily Due to Sin John 9:2-3 His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Jesus answered “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 2) Enduring Sickness and God Smiting With... Read more
[from my 2013 book, pictured above (see purchase & general information); available in Spanish and French as well); passages are KJV unless otherwise indicated (RSV)] The purpose of this book was described in the Introduction: The notion that arose in my mind was to simply provide Bible passages (usually one verse; sometimes a few together) that would be (in my humble opinion, anyway) the very best “answers” to a large number of one-sentence questions. The format might remind one of the popular TV game show... Read more
[written yesterday on my Facebook page] *** I will continue to be optimistic, faithful, hopeful, humorous, always grounded in Holy Scripture and the Holy Catholic Church and apostolic Tradition; seeking to put things in worldwide and historical perspective; while always seeking to be realistic about the true issues and dangers we are facing. I will not be pessimistic, grumbling and complaining, running down Holy Mother Church or the Holy Father or bishops or priests (or local or national governments). I... Read more
This was a comment (+ my reply) underneath my article for the National Catholic Register: “Bodily Mortification is Quite Scriptural” (2-28-19). His words will be in blue. ***** Penance and repentance are, of course, part of Christian endeavor. But I would be interested in what psychologists at, say the University of Michigan, have to say about the concept of “mortification.” Is there a “slippery slope” danger of unhealthy physical and psychological mortification (frequent when I was in Catholic school and we... Read more
In the Christian life, it is understood by all that intercessory prayer helps others. We pray for people in order for them to receive some sort of blessing or guidance from God. It’s equally understood that God (not the one who prays) is the ultimate cause of all answered prayer. Yet (knowing that) this is one of many ways that God chooses to involve us in His providence and workings among mankind. What is not so well-known, however, is the notion of suffering or... Read more
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