Sunday, August 25, 2013

"Science" - Less willing to Debate?

Audio Link: (links will not work on some mobile devices)

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 8/22/2013-2nd Hour
(From 22:20 to 35:15 in this recorded program.)


Gary's Thoughts:

Openly debating a topic or an idea is a good way to become an informed person.  In an open debate a person can hear the arguments for both sides and make an informed decision.  When debate occurs in a public forum about a topic that impacts a community, a nation, or the world the informed population will generally guide the topic towards the common good rather than the good of a select few. However, in today's world of instant information through the Internet it is easy for anyone to publish a position on a topic with little resistance or opportunity for rebuttal.  Then when rebuttal comes it is often dismissed as "irrational" or "religious" rather than entering into an open debate.
The audio link in this post discusses a specific example of this "irrational" and "religious" dismissal.  It also discusses an example where "science" itself used a moral belief to defend their position but then condemned someone else's moral belief as irrational and religious when it disagreed with their moral position. "Science" cannot use morals when it favors their position and then simply dismiss someone else's moral position when they disagree. Open public debate is the solution, not Internet sound bites. 
  
Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net/

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

Website:
http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 8/22/2013


Topic: "Science" Writer Wants Wesley Smith Booted From National Review. Why?


Hank Campbell, the founder of Science 2.0, wants our friend Wesley Smith booted from National Review. Apparently he is “anti science” because he wrote a piece opposing three-parent IVF based on moral and ethical concerns. From Campbell’s tirade: “But there is no reason National Review should be letting an anti-science fear monger take up this charge against science yet again. Conservatives claim to be more rational so there is no reason to embrace the irrational Discovery Institute, yet Wesley J. Smith, Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism and quasi-philosophical lawyer is being encouraged to mask his anti-science agenda under the guise of ethics.” Wesley responds.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2013/08/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-august-22.html

9/1/2013 Mass Readings

Cycle C - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Luke 14:1, 7-14

Bible Study Link: www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/c_ot_22.pdf

Source: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
www.scborromeo.org

Sunday, August 18, 2013

8/25/2013 Mass Readings

Cycle C - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:
Isaiah 66:18-21
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30

Bible Study Link: www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/c_ot_21.pdf

Source: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
www.scborromeo.org

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Jesus: Sent by God? YES!

Speaker: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Audio Link: (links will not work on some mobile devices)
Line Up the Claimants
Revealed Truth
Miracles
New Testament Revelation 

Gary's Thoughts:
For Christians, the real existence of Jesus is central to what we believe as stated in the Nicene Creed. 
.
.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
.
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Some say Jesus never existed and others say Jesus existed on earth but he was just a prophet. Without a confidence in Jesus and his story, one’s trust in his saving grace will be limited or nonexistent.  These four records from Archbishop Sheen, which are part of a series called “Your Life is Worth Living”, is one good source for strengthening that confidence.
 
From the Series: Your Life is Worth Living

Website: http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/articles/sheen.htm


8/18/2013 Mass Readings

Cycle C - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

Bible Study Link: www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/c_ot_20.pdf

Source: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
www.scborromeo.org

Sunday, August 4, 2013

8/11/2013 Mass Readings

Cycle C - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:
Wisdom 18:6-9
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48

Bible Study Link: www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/c_ot_19.pdf

Source: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
www.scborromeo.org

Discerning God’s Will for Us

As Christians we are (or should be) seeking to do God’s will.  However, because God gave us a free will we often struggle to confidently know we are doing God’s will.  There are times in our lives that God’s will is very clear to us.  There are many more times (at least for me) when that will is not clear.

I found an article by Peter Kreeft that I want to share with you.  In this article, Peter lays out principles for discernment but he also points to many clues why God does not have a single correct choice for us in every decision we make.

Link to Article

 
More from Peter Kreeft