This time of the year is always difficult for me. I tend to disappear in all the “holiday cheer.” I don’t celebrate Christmas. I don’t believe in a God, Christian or otherwise. Yet, when you wish me “Merry Christmas,” you don’t see that part of me. And that hurts. “Happy holidays” sounds hallow, too. There are no holidays i celebrate around this time. The inner voices then tell me to just “get into the spirit,” which i guess means ignoring myself, too. So, feel free to call me a scrooge. This year i won’t disappear. I could celebrate winter solstice. … Continue reading »
Dec 242011
Oct 182009
“Deliver us from Evil” is the title of a documentary that uses the case of one Catholic priest to unravel the whole story of Catholic cover-up of the extend of child sexual abuse committed by priests. According to Patrick Wall, a theologian and former priest, the Catholic church knew that they had a problem with priests abusing children way back in the 4th century, when the first attempts were made to force priests into celibacy. Another report was published (and ignored) in the 11th century. Then in the 12th century, celibacy became official. According to Father Thomas Doyle, a very … Continue reading »
May 032009
Robin Wilson writes in the LA Times: “As a growing number of states stand poised to pass interracial marriage laws, they should consider this: It’s possible to legalize interracial marriage without infringing on religious liberty.” Okay. It’s not quite the actual quote. I replaced “same-sex” with “interracial” to point out that the cry for “religious liberty” is really a cover-up for a cry for allowing continued discrimination based on outdated (and sometimes absurd) rules that have no place in a secular world. Yet, despite this country’s claim that religion and state are separated many call for bending over backwards to … Continue reading »
May 022009
I admit it. I am angry. Not exactly sure what precisely I am angry about but it’s a reaction to a talk Michael Mamas gave at the Commonwealth Club. I think what I am angry about is how he can present such nonsense so authoritatively and get people to believe it. Nonsense? Who am I to say something a DVM espouses is nonsense? Well, I don’t know it for sure but I have a pretty good hunch that his mixture of quantum physics, evolution, relativism, and hope is nonsense. Sorry. The universe is not filled with a consciousness that is … Continue reading »
The Pew Forum presents an interesting chart showing what people think about global warming: If it occurs and if so, what causes it. All this is broken out by religious affiliation. Overall, 71% of the US population agree that the average temperatures are rising but only 47% of the population (or two-thirds of people who agree with a warming trend) think that this is mostly due to human activity. So, one-third of those observing the warming trend think it’s caused by natural patterns. Apparently, they know better what’s going on than the experts… But fully 21% don’t even notice that … Continue reading »
A 4-year old gem, an article in Conscience magazine, provides central arguments against marriage – same-sex or different sex. Mary E. Hunt, a Catholic feminist theologian, eloquently argues in “A Marriage Proposal” for moving beyond the focus on marriage to focusing on building a just society. Some of her points that especially resonated with me: In fact, what seems to be a huge step forward for lesbian and gay people, will, when achieved, extend the reach of state control over relationships. It will privilege those who are coupled over those who are single or otherwise connected. It will shore up … Continue reading »
Recent Comments