Given that the “liberal churches are losing members because they’re liberal; conservative churches are growing because they’re conservative” argument is invoked every so often here at MSP, I thought people would be interested in this article from Religion Dispatches analyzing some of the problems with that claim. An excerpt: Hout…
Category: Catholicism
Christmas Eve Service
Some years ago, I attended a Christmas Eve service with my grandmother. She converted to Mormonism as an adult, and was raised in a more traditional/ritual religion (Ukrainian Orthodox). It’s a religion where they make a big deal out of Christmas Eve. She liked attending services of other churches on…
What Causes Same-Sex Attraction? Catholic Newspaper: “The Devil”
The oldest Catholic newspaper in the US published and quickly retracted an article that suggested that same-sex attraction is caused by Satan. The logic went like this: Disruptive imbalances in nature that thwart encoded processes point to supernatural actors who, unlike God, do not have the good of persons at…
Robert P. George’s stand-up comedy routine is beyond stale
From the NOM chairman’s 2007 debut gig: No doubt, it’s sure to get a chuckle from Mormons and Catholics … God’s on the line. Who’s He calling? Rome? Salt Lake City? Hilarity ensues. Best.Joke.Ever. Just ask Matt Holland. But I exaggerate. Because it wasn’t until 2009 that Robby began deadpanning…
One BYU professor’s quest to rescue prejudice from intellectual obloquy
Ralph Hancock started his three-part series at Times & Seasons by sounding the gay threat alarm, but couldn’t be bothered to actually discuss the nature of the threat, apparently in a rush to get to his third post, in which it’s explained that the real danger lies in something called…
Catholicism, officially morally bankrupt
How morally bankrupt does a religion have to be to fight legislation that removes statutes of limitations on childhood sexual abuse crimes? Well, the Catholic Church is that bankrupt as it fought Florida legislators who were trying to remove the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse. Some choice quotes…
What is it with Utah and standing ovations?
Before Kevin Garn got his Big O, Cardinal Francis George brought a BYU crowd of 12,000 to their feet. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Hey preacher, leave those kids alone!
I have a 6-year old daughter, and one issue that will start coming up soon is baptism. It’s not the actual baptism that bothers me; I basically see it as a rite of passage. I think eight years old is far too young to decide to join a religion, but…
Prophet v. Pope
My Mormon mother-in-law is staying with us for a week to help with newborn care. My wife, mother-in-law, and I decided to watch Angels and Demons last night while the baby slept. After it was over, my wife said, “I don’t understand why Catholics revere the Pope so much.” I…
Catholic ethics = punish the rape victim, not the rapist!
So, I’m reading the news this morning, enjoying my bagel with strawberry cream cheese and hot chocolate when I catch this article about abortion in Brazil. Apparently a 9-year-old girl was raped by her stepfather, became pregnant by him, and was carrying twins. The doctors who performed the abortion said…