(5-27-08) *** As this was from a private letter, my correspondent’s exact words will be paraphrased, not cited. Her “words” will be in blue. * * * * * What exactly is worship, according to Catholics? I know that you say you worship only God, but how is this defined? How do you distinguish between worshiping God and honoring saints? I’ve read a little about latria and dulia and hyperdulia, but to me it is almost like talking out of both... Read more
This was a dialogue with Mark Shea and Deacon Steven Greydanus from a public Facebook thread on the latter’s page. They granted express permission (after I asked) to cite their words (Mark’s will be in blue and Deacon Steven’s in green). ***** My concern in connection with Moore (as I’ve said over and over and over, sometimes IN ALL CAPS TO BE EXTRA CLEAR) has NEVER been about Moore himself. My concern has ALWAYS been (as I’ve said from the beginning) with the... Read more
This article has been re-uploaded under the title, “I Excoriated Society-Wide Sexual Abuse in 2007”. *** Photo credit:US Air Force photo / ad [URL / public domain] *** Read more
(4-18-09) *** It’s often heard that 7 out of 10 Catholics disbelieve in the Church’s teaching on the Holy Eucharist. A quick Google search along these lines shows that many Catholics have accepted these figures, based on polling data. It’s nothing new or unknown among Catholics at all. I have accepted this bit of “common knowledge” myself in the past. But is it correct? On occasion I have heard otherwise, and have seen some materials indicating that the situation is... Read more
(10-10-06) *** I reply to the comments of “drunken tune” (never was there a more apt nickname) on the Debunking Christianity blog: *** Here’s some short answers that most Christians will have trouble with. Us atheists need not answer them because they do not contradict with [sic] atheism, Well, you have plenty of your own to deal with, so I wouldn’t wish more upon you. but they do with Christianity. According to you . . . While atheism may be depressing for some, It... Read more
(4-9-06) *** I’d like to deal with a proposed dilemma. A Lutheran professor of history with whom I was debating, stated: “Samuel, Elijah, young Solomon, etc.) did precisely what Hezekiah and Josiah felt commanded by the word of God to reject.” This was a fascinating line of inquiry. Were the righteous prophets Samuel and Elijah actually on the wrong side of the issue and on the side of a corrupt tradition later corrected by good Torah-alone proto-Protestants Josiah and Hezekiah? As we’ll see,... Read more
(4-9-06) *** The original 2006 version of this material was a very lengthy dialogue with a Lutheran professor of history, in five parts. It’s available on Internet Archive (allow time to upload): parts one / two / three / four / five. The first, basic part of that, summarizing relevant biblical passages, is also available on this website, by itself. For those interested in going much more in-depth regarding this issue, read on: *** In looking for some [Protestant] scholarly... Read more
This occurred on my Facebook [public] page underneath the posting of the related article, Holding Hands at Mass During the “Our Father”. One man’s words will be in blue, and a woman’s in green. See also my in-depth treatment of the rubrics (citing many liturgical experts: which I am assuredly not): Posture During the “Our Father” Over Against the Rubrics. ***** 1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the... Read more
(2-19-14) *** [originally a short post on Facebook, followed by a huge discussion: 334 comments; the Facebook thread also includes a sub-discussion on clapping for musicians — or anyone else — at Mass. I have collected my comments from the discussion] *** [see also my very popular in-depth article on this topic (7497 shares): Posture During the “Our Father” Over Against the Rubrics] *** It’s against the rubrics, folks, which in English means that the Church does not permit it. Makes me... Read more
(8-26-06) *** [This was a chapter intended for my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007), but not included in the final draft] SACRAMENTALISM Catholics believe that sacraments give grace even if one is in unrepentant sin Isn’t that the point of ex opere operato? Initial reply Sacraments possess an inherent power to give grace, yet the effect is hindered or rendered null and void if the recipient is in serious sin. Extensive reply The Catholic belief about the efficacy of sacraments is... Read more
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