Faith and Optimism vs. Reactionary Gloomy Pessimism

February 13, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This is a somewhat abridged version of chapter 2 of my 2002 book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries [purchase at the link for as little as $2.99] ***** The orthodox, faithful, obedient Catholic outlook on the Church (even in the truly grave crisis it now endures — arguably the greatest ever) is far more sunny than that of radical Catholic reactionaries. Their incessant pessimism and cynicism often runs contrary to a robust faith and trust in God, and a working knowledge of... Read more

Pope’s “Querida Amazonia”: Reactionaries Step in it Again

February 13, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Pope Francis released his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia on 2-12-20. The hysterical and fanatical reactionary gossipy nonsense about married priests and a corrupted liturgy in the Amazon was utterly unfounded and erroneous, as always. I shall document numerous examples of it below. But first I’d like to remind readers of several recent controversies of a similar ludicrous and unfounded nature. If folks don;t learn from history, they will repeat the same mistakes again. We had the infamous “pope... Read more

Contraception and Biblical Teaching (Fer or Agin)?

February 12, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This is a portion of my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press: 2007). All biblical quotations in my book (as usual) are from the RSV, unless otherwise noted. It is slightly different from the book chapter because it is my own original manuscript. ***** MARRIAGE AND FAMILY The Catholic ban on contraception is an arbitrary, unbiblical restriction It’s just one of many areas where Catholics are out of the mainstream Initial Reply * The prohibition of contraception was commonly accepted... Read more

Dialogue: Sexist, Misogynist Bible and Christianity?

February 12, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Debate with Five Atheists. Are Christian Women Abused as “Sheep”? This is an exchange I had on a semi-private discussion list (starting on 31 August 2010), connected with an atheist group that I was invited to (I’ve attended in-person, twice) and one I have been interacting with in writing. A thread began, where negative comments were made about the Bible and Christian women. I chimed in, and of course it was off to the dog races, then. Very little actual dialogue... Read more

Salesian Apologetics #7: Objections to St. Peter the Rock

February 11, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This is one of a series of extensive excerpts (with my occasional commentary) from The Catholic Controversy (1596): a classic of Catholic apologetics (originally a collection of pamphlets), written by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622): a Doctor of the Church [see all the installments by searching “Salesian Apologetics #” on my blog sidebar search function]. Any comments of mine (apart from lists of related links) will be in blue. The rest is from the online, public domain text (3rd revised... Read more

Dialogue: Are Paul, the Bible, & Catholicism Against Sex?

February 11, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This exchange took place on my blog, underneath the article, Dialogue: Is Catholic Virginity an “Anti-Sex” Viewpoint? Words of anti-theist-type agnostic 90Lew90 will be in blue. Words of fellow Catholic Susan Schudt (who earned an MA in theology and MS in chemical engineering) will be in green. ***** It’s clear in 1 Corinthians 7 that Paul takes a dim view of sex, seeing it as unfortunate at best, and that marriage is an exculpatory measure against the sins of lust and fornication. It’s hardly a... Read more

Is Catholic Male-Only Priesthood Inherently Sexist?

February 10, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Today we hear the argument that “men and women are equal in Christ, so why can’t a woman be a priest? Jesus certainly didn’t discriminate in this way!” The Church’s all-male priesthood doesn’t signify in the first place that women are inferior to men (Gal. 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”), only that they have different roles to play within the Body of... Read more

Dialogue: Is Catholic Virginity an “Anti-Sex” Viewpoint?

February 9, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This came about in the combox for my post, Why Believe in Mary’s perpetual Virginity? JD Eveland, an agnostic, with whom I’ve been having amiable discussions, asked the question (his words in blue). * * * * * Dave, I hope that you don’t see this as inappropriate; I assure you that this is a serious question. (If you want to delete this, I understand; but I hope not, since it opens up a wide range of questions.) My question,... Read more

Dialogue w Never-Trumper: Is Trump Really Pro-Life?

February 9, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This is an exchange with Scott Eric Alt on his Facebook page, from 24 January 2017. His words will be in blue. ***** Prediction about Trump and SCOTUS. This is just a prediction; I am not infallible. There is an open seat on the Court: it is early in Trump’s administration. He will choose a nominee very much in the mold of Justice Scalia–red meat for the base. The balance on the Court will remain exactly as before; conservative Christians... Read more

Natural Family Planning: Anti-Sex & Anti-Pleasure?

February 8, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

This was an exchange that took place underneath my post, Natural Family Planning (NFP) & Contraceptive Intent. “Naters” (of unknown religious affiliation and 20 years old) seems quite concerned with NFP, judging by a seemingly overwhelming emphasis on it: seen in his Disqus comments. His words will be in blue. ***** There are several problems here. If couples are concerned about spacing children but then don’t want to think that contraception is okay, then that means that NFP is the only de... Read more