More Debate Club at Auschwitz

Last updated on: February 14, 2011 at 2:08 pm By pentimento

Ed Mechmann takes on Live Action’s tactics at his blog for the Archdiocese of New York. “Another response to [Christopher] Tollefsen’s argument [against the tactics of Live Action] . . . is less legitimate under Catholic teaching, and is actually quite dangerous. This claims that Live Action’s tactics are necessary to serve a higher purpose — exposing the evil of Planned Parenthood. These proponents cite the analogy to the need to lie in order to effectively engage in activities like... Read more

By Way Of Love, Not By Rules

Last updated on: February 14, 2011 at 5:00 am By Henry Karlson

Abba Amoun of Nitria came to see Abba Anthony and said to him, ‘Since my rule is stricter than yours how is it that your name is better known amongst men than mine is?’ Abba Anthony answered, ‘It is because I love God more than you.’[1] Legalists create rules for themselves and others, hoping by the establishment and following of such rules, people will be impressed. This attitude is wrong, and leads to all kinds of disappointment. When people are... Read more

Sauce for the goose

Last updated on: February 13, 2011 at 9:44 am By David Cruz-Uribe

I have been very busy with classes this week, so I have not followed the flap about Planned Parenthood, abortion and Vox Nova closely. However, I have been reading a bit about it and I wanted to offer some of my own thoughts. If these have already appeared in other posts and comm boxes, well, I guess this will just show that great minds think alike! 🙂 I have never been a fan of Planned Parenthood, but I have been... Read more

Reflections on smallpox and God’s creation

Last updated on: February 13, 2011 at 8:53 am By David Cruz-Uribe

An interesting article in the Guardian this morning, on the (on-going) debate on whether to eliminate the remaining stocks of the smallpox virus. The article focuses on the pragmatic issues of health, international security and bio-terrorism, but in reading it I was wondering if there were larger issues involved. The daily gospel readings are from Genesis, and so I have been rereading the account of creation. (more…) Read more

Moving forward with polygenism?

Last updated on: February 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm By Nathan O'Halloran, SJ

This past weekend, Jesuit High School in New Orleans hosted the St. Robert Bellarmine Convocation on faith and science for high school teachers of science and theology in the archdiocese of New Orleans. It was a tremendous success with over 80 science and theology teachers attending. In the morning there were two main presentations, and then breakout sessions in the afternoon. My breakout was on the question of Adam and Eve, human origins, and modern genetics. Below is my powerpoint from... Read more

Pushing the Limits with “Taxpayer Funding”

Last updated on: February 11, 2011 at 1:59 pm By Morning's Minion

I don’t usually pay any attention to Glenn Beck, but this little tirade lays the groundwork for some really interesting questions. Beck’s ire is directed against the right of TSA workers to unionize, if they so desire. I don’t expect any better from a person who attacks the core Catholic notion of social justice, but it’s worth pointing out that the Catholic church has always supported the right of workers to form unions and to bargain collectively. The right to... Read more

What I Mean When I Talk About “Our Reptilian Corporate Masters”

Last updated on: February 11, 2011 at 1:52 pm By Matt Talbot

Glenn Greenwald (one of my political heroes, and one of the very few journalists who dares to challenge the narratives promulgated by our corporat(ist) media) was apparently (and ludicrously) targeted for career destruction by some “guns for hire” retained by Bank of America. He responded today: But the real issue highlighted by this episode is just how lawless and unrestrained is the unified axis of government and corporate power. I’ve written many times about this issue — the full-scale merger... Read more

Ida Maria: Honesty about Promiscuity

Last updated on: May 3, 2017 at 7:07 pm By Brett Salkeld

Readers may recall my fondness for honest music. In this light, I give you Ida Maria – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked: So, the song is entirely catchy and Ida is a great performer, but beyond that, I think it says something very true about hook-up culture. My favorite part? ” I don’ mi-i-i-i-i-i-i-ind if you take me home” as if playing coy, followed immediately by the needy, “C’mon take me home.” The runner-up? “Ok, you’re... Read more

God’s Presence is Found in Community

Last updated on: February 11, 2011 at 5:00 am By Henry Karlson

He [Abba Poemen] said that Abba Theonas said, “Even if a man acquires a virtue, God does not grant him grace for himself alone.” He knew that he was not faithful in his own labour, but that if he went to his companion, God would be with him. [1] Grace is not given to us to be individuals separated from each other. We are called to be the Body of Christ, the Church, a community. While there is an element... Read more