The Parable of Energy

Last updated on: August 4, 2012 at 11:52 am By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

There was once a Professor who said explained to his student that “Energy” was the foundation of all things. “Energy cannot be created or destroyed. Energy holds everything together and drives all things.” The student said, “But why can’t I see this energy? How do you know it exists? Where is the evidence?” The professor was shocked, “Energy is contained in matter.” “You mean it is inside that table there, but I can’t see it?” asked the student. “Sort of”... Read more

Are All Other Religions Wrong?

Last updated on: August 4, 2012 at 11:46 am By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Someone in the combox asked why I believed that my religion was “the correct one.” There may be an implication here that Catholics not only believe their religion is right, but that all others are wrong. I’m sure there are plenty of Protestant Christians who see it that way, and a good number of Catholics would also sign up to that viewpoint, but that it not what Catholics believe. It’s not that “we’re all right and they’re all wrong”, instead... Read more

Problems with the New Atheists

Last updated on: August 3, 2012 at 9:21 am By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

One of the positive things about discussions with atheists is that most of them insist on rational discussion. They say they want to discuss things reasonably. It’s disappointing therefore when the conversations sometimes end up with atheists descending to profanity, emotional rants, ad hominem attacks and blasphemy. Nevermind. Some Catholics are fond of irrational rants too. If we leave the irrational ranters from both sides out of the discussion, it is important for atheists to understand the religion with which... Read more

The Dictatorship of Sentimentality

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 3:48 pm By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Have you ever had to deal with a female work colleague or family member who, just as the argument got interesting, turned on the tears? Immediately they win. It’s a not-too-subtle form of emotional blackmail. The tears shift the conversation away from reasoning and evidence and you have to stop and feel guilty and compassionate and find the Kleenex and ask if they’re okay and be caring. It’s a neat form of bullying. Most often it is not conscious or... Read more

Four Fallacies

Last updated on: August 2, 2012 at 9:39 am By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Here’s Brandon Vogt with his family–proving my point that yesterday’s Chick Fil A Day was ordinary folks having a good time and asking to be left alone. Brandon comments on his blog here–explaining four fallacies associated with the current debate. Read more

Here’s How the Father of Lies Operates:

Last updated on: August 1, 2012 at 4:29 pm By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

First the Dark Lord tells everyone that marriage doesn’t matter. “It’s only a piece of paper!” they cried. He encourages promiscuity, sexual ‘freedom’, adultery, fornication and co-habitation. “Marriage? What’s Marriage? Just an outdated institution to keep women barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen.” Let’s get rid of marriage. Let’s make divorce no-fault, cheap and easy. Marry as many times as you want, but marriage? It’s only a piece of paper. Once that lie is firmly established simply shift it... Read more

LA and Chick-Fil-A

Last updated on: August 1, 2012 at 4:05 pm By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

People are often taken in by my MSM spoof reporter Todd Unctuous, then whenever he appears, sure enough, some MSM smart aleck comes along and almost makes Todd look smart. This time it’s Michael Hiltzick writing in the LA Times here about Chick-Fil-A’s Dan Cathy ‘getting involved in politics’ when he expressed his opinion about gay marriage. I think Hiltzick must have gone to the same journalism course as Todd. He says Cathy was involved in politics?? Dan Cathy’s comments... Read more

Todd Unctuous on Chick-Fil-A

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 3:49 pm By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Guest blogger Todd Unctuous is top commentator for MSM. With a degree in Media Studies from Scranton Community College, Todd writes for many papers and websites, and is known for his incisive writing, objective reporting and razor sharp comment. Have you noticed that the people who cling to their Bibles and their guns are also clinging to their Chick-Fil-A sandwiches? Tomorrow we are told by Mike Huckabee–a devout Catholic with seven children and Governor Rick Santorum–who is a right wing... Read more

Protest and Positivity

Last updated on: July 28, 2012 at 5:41 am By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Here’s my latest article for Integrated Catholic Life. How do you deal with negativity and the protester mentality? Stop, Look and Listen, then move forward. Read more

The Vicar on a Roman Holiday

Last updated on: December 26, 2014 at 3:45 pm By Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Guest blogger, The Rev’d Humphrey Blytherington is Vicar of St Hilda’s, Little Snoring with All Saints, Great Snoring. He is a graduate of Plymouth University. He completed his studies for the ministry at Latimer Hall, Durham. He is married to Daphne and enjoys home brewing, model railroading and is an avid member of the Great Snoring Morris Dancers. What ho! Good to see you lads, good to see you! I must say I’ve missed coming down here to the... Read more

Where did God tell Moses to remove his shoes because it was holy ground?