Unapologetic Catholic

Vatican Astronomer ridicules Intelligent Design--again.

Fr. Coyne continues his good scientific work by forthrightly stating that Intelligent Design is “absurd.”  Catholic blog reception is somewhat mixed.  It's amazing to me that those who ridicule geocentricism and the DA Vinci Code aren't self aware enough to realize the difference between those absurdities and ID is one of (only very slight) degree.

The sad part is the instant assumption that Fr. Coyne, a distinguished theologian and scientist appointed as the Vatican astronomer by the Pope, is accorded such disrespect by Catholics.  Has he read Behe? a blogger incredulously asks?  Of course Fr. Coyne has.  It’s the blogger who hasn’t realized how clearly Behe has been discredited.  Behe himself conceded at the Dover trial that the ID is as scientific as astrology.  Fr. Coyne also considers astrology to be absurd, so Coyne and Behe are in agreement as to the relative scientific merits of ID and astrology.  Most Catholic members of St. Blogs parish don’t  understand the theological difficulties with ID.  They don’t understand they make themselves, and Catholics in general, look as gullible as the DA Vinci Code adherents. Instead, they arrogantly dismiss Fr. Coyne based on their poor grasp of theology and science.

Intelligent Design is the DA Vinci Code equivalent for certain Catholics constrained by a literalist reading of scripture.  Robert Sugenis objects to an earlier scientific advance (helicetricism) that he deemed inconsistent with his immature theology. Intelligent Design proponents object to a later scientific advance (evolution) deemed incompatible with their immature understanding of theology.

Just as Sugenis needs to adjust his theology, these Catholics need to allow their own theology to mature.  Listen to the Church: “Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created "in a state of journeying" (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it.”   

That’s right, as a “work in progress," God's creation evolves.

Coomonweal starts a new Blog

Commonweal is a refreshing oasis in the insanity that is Catholic media.  It is unapologetic in the best sense of the world.  If you are sure about your faith and want to read articles confirming you in your certainty, there are a lot to choose from.

If you have a more intellectual bent, sometimes doubting and sometimes critical, Commonweal is for you.

Commonweal has recently started a group blog, dotCommonweal, with a series of heavyweight Catholic contributors.  It probably won't get many votes in the annual St. Blog's awards.  That's unfortunate.

I'm anxious to hear what they say.  This post asks, "Where are the Commonweal Catholics?"  Similar to the St. Blog's annual inquiry.

Well, we are busy.  We have families to support and work to do.  You don't see a lot of Trappists on the internet for the same reason, I suspect.

JN316

Personalized license plates are ubiquitous here.  I love deciphering particularly clever ones like NQIZITIV and IMOTIV8.  Some give clues to occupations or sports like 10S AN1, ID DOK and LITIG8R.  FST FNGR  could be a court reporter, massage therapist or just a chronically angry driver.  A minivan with soccer emblems has the license KIDBOX.  Another with eight kids in the family had the descriptive 4XX 4XY.  Perfect.

While driving to work on Ash Wednesday, I was planning my workday and bemoaning my lack of spirituality when I noticed the license of the car ahead of me:  HEB 11V1.  Completely out of context, I was puzzled at first but quickly figured out it was a Bible verse.  A message from God, but my codebook was at the office.

When I got to the office, I looked it up and realized it was one of my favorite Bible verses.

That’s a lot of put on a license plate.

Maybe one of my other favorites is available:

James 1:22