JEFFERSON — Dave […]
Tag: angels
Spiritual Warfare Series offered in Waterloo
WATERLOO — Fr. Jorge Miramontes, pastor of Holy Family Parish, is leading a Spiritual Warfare Series called, “Angels and Demons.” It is being held at the school cafeteria, 387 S. Monroe St., on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The series began Sept. 29 and continues to Nov. 3.
The program is for anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge about angels and demons and understand how to engage in ongoing spiritual battle.
The danger of soft atheism
 |
|
A very instructive exchange between Gary Gutting, a philosophy professor at Notre Dame, and Philip Kitcher, a philosophy professor at Columbia, just appeared in The New York Times.
Kitcher describes himself as a proponent of “soft atheism,” an atheism distinct from the polemical variety espoused by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. Unlike his harsher colleagues, Kitcher is willing to admit that religion can play an ethically useful role in a predominantly secular society.
I would like to draw attention to one move made in this interview, since it shows one of the fundamental misunderstandings of religion common among atheists.
Plurality of religious doctrines
Prompted by Gutting, Kitcher admits that he finds all religious doctrine incredible. He points to the plurality of religious doctrines: Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, animists, etc., hold to radically different accounts of reality, the divine, human purpose, etc.
The danger of soft atheism
|
|
A very instructive exchange between Gary Gutting, a philosophy professor at Notre Dame, and Philip Kitcher, a philosophy professor at Columbia, just appeared in The New York Times.
Kitcher describes himself as a proponent of “soft atheism,” an atheism distinct from the polemical variety espoused by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. Unlike his harsher colleagues, Kitcher is willing to admit that religion can play an ethically useful role in a predominantly secular society.
I would like to draw attention to one move made in this interview, since it shows one of the fundamental misunderstandings of religion common among atheists.
Plurality of religious doctrines
Prompted by Gutting, Kitcher admits that he finds all religious doctrine incredible. He points to the plurality of religious doctrines: Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, animists, etc., hold to radically different accounts of reality, the divine, human purpose, etc.
Mary’s Assumption inspires us to imitate her discipleship
Fr. Mark Link shared an inspiring story of a Catholic teenager who felt that her mother rejected her. She transferred her anger for her mother to Mary.
The girl reluctantly went on a required Confirmation retreat. The director talked about Mary. As the girl listened, angry feelings towards her mother surfaced. She rejected everything good the speaker shared about Mary. After the talk, she went outside to walk off her anger. She wanted to cry but her tears froze. She felt bitter loneliness and rejection.
She wandered aimlessly until her curiosity attracted her to a small grotto-like building. She looked inside and discovered a large statue of Mary from whom she was trying to escape. She wanted to run, but she was drawn to the kneeler at Mary’s feet. She fell on her knees, weeping in the folds of Mary’s robes. When she stopped crying, she felt cleansed and renewed. Touched by Mary, she began to accept her as her spiritual mother.
An ‘angel’ for the missions every day: Work and witness of Religious Sisters in the Developing World
In our world today —perhaps in our own lives — there are times it seems that not too much “good news” exists.
We hear of war and natural disasters around the globe. At home, we may be afraid as we face a loved one’s illness, or financial difficulties.
In those moments, we call to mind the angel’s announcement that first Christmas, taking comfort in the message of God’s love, as it supports us every day through life’s challenges.