RE: Ask a Catholic
May 29, 2015 at 10:28 pm
(This post was last modified: May 29, 2015 at 10:34 pm by Randy Carson.)
(May 27, 2015 at 11:18 pm)Spooky Wrote: A question:
Many of us Atheists have read the bible (which likely contributed to some of our "deconversions"). So, does it work both ways?
Suppose I provided you a copy of 'The God Delusion', would you read it? If not, why?
I wouldn't have a problem with that because it is useful to understand the arguments of the people you are trying to persuade.
Candidly, the LACK of references to books, articles and so forth has been one of the biggest surprises (and disappointments) of this forum. You are the first person that I can recall actually referencing a book since I joined three weeks ago. I'm used to discussions where people back up what they are saying with links, and quotes with sources, etc.
Perhaps you would be willing to read The God-less Delusion by Patrick Madrid? And there are other responses to Dawkins which may be even better than that one.
And for a good refresher on the Christian basics, I would suggest Luke and Acts...you can read them in a couple of evenings.
(May 28, 2015 at 10:04 pm)Cato Wrote: After 19 pages I'll assume that the answer to my reasonable question is: "like chicken".
The accidents of the bread remain.
(May 29, 2015 at 10:03 pm)francismjenkins Wrote: Nihilism is true (if by purpose you mean some sort of supernatural omnipotent intelligent cosmic being that grants purpose to everything in the universe), and yet atheists still manage to commit less crimes than the religious, for some reason they're less likely to get divorced, they're more educated, and in virtually every metric we commonly associate with "morality" .... atheists seem to outperform everyone else (without even trying).
In fact, at this point northern Europe is one of the most atheistic places on earth, and yet they outperform pretty much everywhere else on earth in almost every way. So apparently nihilism isn't so bad after all (sorry Nietzsche ... but I still love you)
But strictly speaking we do have purpose, its just that magic has nothing to do with it. Survival, happiness, material comfort, sexual satisfaction, love, family, etc., these are the underlying things that largely drive our behavior.
And as far as pedophiles go ... it was more like 5% of the priesthood (which is much higher than the population at large).
Depends on the study. One said that 4% had been accused, but some accusations were themselves not credible.
That said, how would you respond to the errors of those members of this forum who seem to be convinced that ALL Catholic priests and the entire Catholic Church is simply one giant pedophile ring?