Conversation Among Friends - materialism - Comments

delusional?

Peter — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:50:46 -0500

JS - i looked at the reviews of the d'souza book, and it sounds like he falls *splat* on his face when it comes to arguing science. reading the one-star reviews on amazon is revealing. ow! which may be a really bad idea when you're trying to vy for supremacy with a bunch of scientists? i am afraid well intentioned, but uninformed defence of the faith may play strongly into the hands of those with bad intent. that's why i'm so keen on getting myself well prepared.

the other book, however, i think is really worth reading. it's in my shopping cart now thanks for the pointer. keep it up!

Discusson about ranting atheists

Joey — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:09:54 -0500

PM,

FYI, I think this book by Dinesh D'Souza is an attempt to respond to Dawkins and company. This looks like an excellent response. One reviewer summarizes each chapter on Amazon.

Oops, I was actually thinking of the Dawkins Delusion. The link will get you there.

so....

Peter — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:32:53 -0500

Keung on PBXVI

Joey — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:28:57 -0500

PM,

From Wed-13-Sept-06:

Tuebingen, Germany- Hans Kueng, the Swiss-born Catholic theologian who has been a long-time critic of the Vatican, slammed Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday for not offering dialogue during a six-day visit to Germany. There had not been "a single future-oriented signal" from the pope, nor were there any suggestions of reforms on the way, Kueng told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in an interview.

Kueng, who was invited to a long lunch and talk with Benedict in Italy last year, said the visit had made a contradictory impression.

"He didn't fulfil any of the hopes of reform-oriented Catholics.

"But on a personal level, he made a nice impression and was on the wavelength of the faithful. He's not a media pope with acting talent trying to pull in applause. Rather he is someone who concentrates on the central truth of Christianity, belief in God," he said.

Speaking at his home in Tuebingen, Germany, the retired theologian said Benedict had been "tactically smart to stay silent about the rule of celibacy for priests, or the ban on contraceptives and other uncomfortable Roman rules.

"He was always stressing the nice side of faith and the church and leaving the harsh church rules that still exist unmentioned."

Kueng added, "I don't see dialogue in practice."

Asked how he judged the one-year-old Benedict papacy, Kueng said, "His trademark is still unclear. But I still hope that the pope will manage to leave behind the dark shadows of the former doctrine watchdog and offer constructive solutions for the church and ecumenism."

Kueng said theologians had offered the Vatican many ways of letting Protestants share in the Catholic communion ceremony and said, "It's up to the pope to act."