Oh look, my first column for the Freethinker is online.
It starts with…
National Public Radio’s religious affairs reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty did a story about the reactionary (not that she used that word) trend in the Catholic Church the other day. She spoke to the Bishop of Lincoln (Nebraska), who told her that when it comes to doctrines, the church is not a democracy.
“These are not open to votes,” Bruskewitz said. “These are what God has revealed, and the custody of that revelation is of course in the possession of the Church.”
Bruskewitz said the Church can’t compromise its views just because the secular world doesn’t like them.
And then it goes on.
I like tooth fairy theology. It’s a lovely way of deflating these mumbling priests and their revealed nonsense.
I liked your comment on MM’s post.
As comments are closed there, I’ll say this here.
“… the Church can’t compromise its views just because the secular world doesn’t like them”
We should celebrate this, not because it’s a complacent and contemptuous attitude towards others but because its a fact which debilitates religion and which is its downfall.
The Catholic church has stood inert while public opinion has turned against slavery, ignorance (e.g. the Latin bible), racism, sexual discrimination and homophobia.
Let’s say it again:
“… the Church can’t compromise its views just because the secular world doesn’t like them”
Of course. Spoken by every political, social, and financial oppressor since the beginning of time.
Excellent piece Ophelia. Calling god “Terry” is like pulling back the curtains to reveal the little old man pulling the levers for The Great and Powerful Oz.
Somebody should tell Bruskewitz that he needs to reread Aesop’s fable about the Oak Tree And The Reed
A compromise involves something given by both sides. When one side is a non-existent sky fairy . . . . .
Bonus points for using “Ouroboros” in a sentence!
Totally OT, but if you’re looking for a good read in the classic fantasy genre E.R. Eddison’s “The Worm Ouroboros” is not bad, and his Zimiamvian Trilogy books are even better…if a bit Nietzschean in outlook.
The church doesn’t move on the whims of public opinion. Except that it does. The revealed truth has been constantly changing as the world has changed, the church just moves much more slowly. He’s apparently pretty ignorant of the history of his own church. Good things he’s shining a light on the fallacy of the whole thing, unfortunately, most believers won’t see it that way. How can a changeless god continually change, and, as it happens, change according to exactly those ideals of public opinion.
@8
That was one of the WEIRDEST fantasy novels I have EVER read (not that this is a bad thing).
I’d say it was weirder than the Ghormengast novels…
Anyone ever read Cordwainer Smith?
[saw this little blast on the never boring net.]
Who Needs Holy Catholics?
There’s already enough holy stuff:
Holy Father, Holy Mother, Holy Week, Holy Virgin, Holy Water, Holy Orders, Holy Bingo, Holy Savior, Holy Family, Holy Matrimony, Holy Oils, and Holy Communion. So who needs Holy Catholics, especially in politics?
The New Testament (Phil. 2:9-11) says that “Jesus” is “a name which is above every name.” Since many have viewed Catholicism as a “blasphemous counterfeit” of true Christianity, shouldn’t the Pope tell folks in Catholic countries to quit naming their boys “Jesus” and threaten to excommunicate them if they do? Wouldn’t this be a step in the right direction?
(Believe it or not, the above message was inspired by “good Catholics” like Boehner, Biden, Pelosi and Madonna!)