America's Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 1/15/2013-2nd Hour

Gary's Thoughts:

I doubt many in my circle of friends would question the statement that "religion benefits everyone, including atheist". However, some in our society do and in this very good interview with Rodney Stark, Rodney debunks many myths about religious people.  His findings are very interesting and will surprise many.

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net/

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 1/15/2013

Guest: Rodney Stark

Topic: America's Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists

A few years ago, a debate between atheists and religious believers spilled out from the halls of academia and the pews of America’s churches and into the public spotlight. A crop of atheist manifestos led the charge, surmounting and holding the tops of the nonfiction bestseller lists. This offensive brought on an outpouring of religious rebuttals. As both sides exchanged spirited volleys, accusations were leveled; myths, stereotypes, and strawmen arguments were perpetuated; and bitter hostility filled the air. Today many of these misconceptions and myths linger on, along with the generally acrimonious spirit of the debate. Distinguished researcher Rodney Stark joins us to clear the air of this hostility and debunk many of the debate’s most widely perpetuated misconceptions by drawing from an expansive pool of sociological findings. Looking at the measurable effects of religious faith and practice on American society, Stark rises above the fray and focuses exclusively on facts. His findings may surprise many, atheists and believers alike.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2013/01/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-january-15.html

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"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

Bible Basics for Catholics

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 7/19/2012-2nd Hour
(From 7:00 to 35:10 in this recorded program.)

If the link above does not work or the audio will not play use the link below and then go to July 2012 and scroll down to the first hour for July 19, 2012

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive Search

Gary's Thoughts:

For many of you this will be an introduction to a way of looking at the bible through covenants that you have not heard before.  I was introduced to this several years ago through talks and books by Scott Hahn.  It has helped me better fit pieces of the bible and bible stories together through a clearer picture of the overall storyline the bible has for us.

 

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net/

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 7/19/2012

Topic: Bible Basics for Catholics: A New Picture of Salvation History

From biblical scholar John Bergsma--two-time teacher of the year at the Franciscan University of Steubenville--comes a fresh, fun, and authentically Catholic introduction to the "big picture" of salvation history. This overview of the Bible is based on Bergsma's wildly popular introduction to theology course at Franciscan. Bergsma combines sound theology, academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and an endearing playfulness to draw readers into the connection between the great stories of the Bible and salvation in Jesus. John is with us.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2012/07/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-july-19.html

Untold Stories Behind the Abortion Fight

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 10/02/2012-2nd Hour

If the link above does not work or the audio will not play use the link below and then go to October 2012 and scroll down to the first hour for October 2, 2012

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive Search

Gary's Thought:

For those like me that support Pro-Life but are not actively involved, most of what you will hear in this interview is a real eye opener.  The first of two most surprising parts in this interview is when Dr. Monica Miller discusses court proceedings associated with some of her own personal arrests.  The second surprise is when a caller called in during the interview and said he felt abortion was necessary because the world is over populated.  Unbelievable! (See my "Risk of Over Population??? NOT!" blog for more related to over population)

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 10/2/2012

Topic:  Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abortion Wars

Every day, thousands of children fragile, innocent, alone are abandoned. They are brutally snuffed from the world and literally left in the trash . . . and it's all legal. Since 1976, Monica Miller has made it her life's work to defend the unborn: she has counseled pregnant women outside of abortion clinics and organized pro-life groups and sit-ins at many of those same clinics. She has blocked abortionists cars, been arrested, and gone to jail. And she has pulled the bodies of thousands of unborn babies out of dumpsters and given them a proper burial. Monica is here to tell the true-life tale of life and death, and a plea for the protection of the most helpless and innocent members of the human family.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2012/10/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-october-2.html

Risk of Over Population??? NOT!

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 10/20/2011-1st Hour
(From 29:40 to 45:00 in this recorded program.)

If the link above does not work or the audio will not play use the link below and then go to October 2011 and scroll down to the first hour for October 20, 2011

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive Search

Gary's Thought:

We have all heard at some time in our life that the world is becoming over populated. This argument is regularly used by those promoting abortion. It is amazing how different the truth actually is when you are not trying to promote some other agenda. Listen to this interview and get the rest of the story (and the truth) about population growth.

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 10/20/2011

Topic:  AP: “Challenges loom as world population about to hit 7 billion” Really?

As of Oct. 31, 2011, according to the U.N. Population Fund, there will be 7 billion people inhabiting the earth. The Associated Press reports it this way: “Is catastrophe inevitable? Not necessarily. But experts say most of Africa - and other high-growth developing nations such as Afghanistan and Pakistan - will be hard-pressed to furnish enough food, water and jobs for their people, especially without major new family-planning initiatives.” The executive director of the U.N. Population Fund, says “There are 215 million women worldwide who need family planning and don't get it. If we can change that, and these women can take charge of their lives, we'll have a better world." Steve Mosher of the Population Research Institute has a different view.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2011/10/today-on-kresta-october-20-2011.html

Archeology Supports the Bible

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 12/19/2011-1st Hour
(From 7:10 to 35:20 in this recorded program.)

If the link above does not work or the audio will not play use the link below and then go to December 2011 and scroll down to the first hour for December 19, 2011

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive Search

Gary's Thought:

Is the Bible true? "Christianity is not true because we believe it. We believe it because it is true".  This interview discusses several archeology finds in the Holy Lands that support the bible. 

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net

Series Name: Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host: Al Kresta

Date Produced: 12/19/2011

Topic: The Stones Cry Out: The Apologetics of Archaeology

Many times over the past few years Steve Ray has knelt in prayer at the tombs of Peter and Paul – and of Jesus, with tears welling up. “It’s true! It’s historical! I believe.” For Catholics, archaeology of the historical events of the New Testament confirms our trust in scripture and the Church. As we read Scripture and dig in the dirt, we remember, “It is not true because I believe, I believe because it is true.” Steve Ray is here to discuss the archaeology of the Bible..

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2011/12/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-december_19.html

A Fight for the Truth about Lance Armstrong

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

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive for: 12/18/2012-2nd Hour

If the link above does not work or the audio will not play use the link below and then go to December 2012 and scroll down to the second hour for December 18, 2012:

Kresta in the Afternoon - Audio Archive Search

Gary's Thought:

This interview with Betsy Andreu was done before Lance's interview with Opra in early January 2013. Betsy was interviewed by many news agencies after Lance's Opra interview but none of them went as deep into Betsy's story as this interview.  The best part of this interview is when Betsy talks about how her Catholic faith helped her through this fight for the truth. A fight she could have dropped (like many other people did) and her and her family would have greatly benefited financially. None of us know for sure what we would do if we were put in a situation like this, but Betsy is a great example of how I hope I would have had the strength to respond.

Produced by: Ave Maria Radio - http://avemariaradio.net

Series Name:  Kresta in the Afternoon

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

Host:  Al Kresta 

Date Produced:  12/18/2012

Topic: Lance Armstrong's Former Friend Speaks Out About Athlete's Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs

For some of those who knew Lance Armstrong the best, his fall from grace amid doping allegations is no surprise at all. Betsy Andreu, a former family friend to Armstrong says Armstrong is the “Bernie Madoff” of the sporting world. Andreu says Armstrong played the world and the media for years while knowingly taking performance enhancing drugs. Betsy joins us to discuss how she and Armstrong had a falling out when she refused to lie about something she heard while visiting Armstrong in the hospital at the time he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2012/12/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-december_18.html