I think the theist can make a strong, general appeal to beauty and aesthetics as an intrinsic part of the universe, and as necessary in their own way as breathing and brain waves. I would contend that there is a link between the beauty we perceive in the order and proportion, dramatic contrast, design, symmetry, color, etc., of creation, and the God Who lies behind all that. In other words, it could be argued as a subset of the teleological... Read more
1. They think contraception (which all Christians before 1930 condemned as grave sin) is fine and dandy. (Note: Natural Family Planning, or NFP is essentially different from artificial contraception, and is fully supported by the Church, as I have written about several times). 2. They favor radical secularist / unisex feminism and women priests. 3. They think Jesus (and inspired Scripture) could be in error, and teach theological error. 4. They favor divorce, or at least a very loose application... Read more
From an atheist discussion list; uploaded with editorial permission from Steve Conifer, whose words will be in blue. The original exchange was extremely long, so I have abridged it for the sake of brevity, focus, and the patience of readers. Good philosophical discussions usually don’t have a neat and tidy ending, as complete concessions or admissions of defeat are rare. My goal is to let atheists speak for themselves (rather than be caricatured by opponents) and to demonstrate how a Christian apologist... Read more
My atheist opponent’s words will be in blue. I guess it’s okay, if you read the Bible. Personally, I believe in the ability to believe. In the case of religion, I simply cannot. Anything can be said to be true without proof, but only religion requires us to do so. It’s untrue that we believe without proof, or that this is required. That was the whole purpose of miracles, including the Resurrection. They verified the Christian faith, and the matter... Read more
[The Presbyterian’s words will be in blue] Kinda sorta like when my parents promised me a spanking when we got home. But doesn’t Christ’s dealing with sin seem thorough enough? “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” (Hebrews 1:3, emphasis mine) 50 Bible Passages... Read more
Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety. (The 95 Theses, #16; 31 October 1517; translated by C. M. Jacobs, 1915) With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror would grow less and love increase. (Ibid., #17) I say nothing about the fire and place of purgatory, not because I deny them, but because that discussion is another one which I do not undertake to bring up at this time. .... Read more
I wrote the following on my old blog (1-7-11), to a Christian friend who was basically saying that we should ignore atheists: I think we can be friends with atheists by stressing the many things that we still hold in common. I get along far better with them than I do with anti-Catholic Protestants (because the latter position is largely prejudice-based and immediately viciously self-contradictory). Not all of ’em, but ones like DagoodS (and there are a considerable number like... Read more
This took place with my friend, Deacon Steven D. Greydanus, on my Facebook page. His words will be in blue. Words of fellow Catholic and friend, Margie Prox Sindelar (who also disagreed with the Deacon) will be in green. ***** [I began the Facebook thread by citing the article, “Trump signed Bibles. Heresy? Many religious leaders say no” (Jennifer McDermott, AP, 3-9-19) ] As usual, the objections are misguided and much ado about nothing. They seem to presuppose evil intent... Read more
I’m not a Greek scholar, but even St. Thomas Aquinas thought this argument (broadly considered) had force (as we shall see below), so I barge ahead and submit this to the reader’s consideration . . . ***** Luke 1:29 (RSV-CE) And he [the angel Gabriel] came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” I got to thinking today about other scriptural uses of the word, hail (chairō in Greek: Strong’s word #5463). As with most biblical Greek... Read more
This was with Tony Jiang: a non-Christian, and took place spontaneously on my Facebook page today. His words will be in blue. ***** It’s anti-traditional secularism, sexual “freedom”, and head-in-the-sand Marxist drivel that drives the Democrat Party. Yes, because Christian fundies think controlling people’s most private affairs is freedom. Can you elaborate? I don’t know how this applies to my point, and/or the [linked] article. I’m not a “fundamentalist”; never have been. I’m an orthodox Catholic and political conservative. You... Read more
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