The seven big myths about the Catholic Church : distinguishing fact from fiction about Catholicism

The popular Kreeft uses a series of engaging and entertaining fictional interviews between a moral relativist and absolutist to refute arguments of moral relativism. A zesty mix of logic and humor that gives a solid defense of moral absolutes and a devastating critique of relativism. Publishers Weekly The only boring aspect of this book is its title, which doesn't do justice to apologist Kreeft's intelligent, engaging dialogue between two fictional friends during a week of relaxation at Martha's Vineyard. Kreeft, philosophy professor at Boston College and author of more than 25 books, describes the absolutist character 'Isa as a Muslim fundamentalist from Palestine who teaches philosophy at the American University in Beirut. His interviewer and sparring partner is Libby Rawls, an African-American, liberal feminist journalist. Using a classic debate format, with impressive fairness to the opposite side, Kreeft defines relativism and its importance. Tracing relativism's evolution and history in Western philosophy, Kreeft notes that relativism is a fairly modern perspective, originating within the last few hundred years. He outlines the philosophical distinctions between it and absolutism with clarity and an integrity that will delight both the layperson and the professional philosopher. For Kreeft, relativism has eroded a collective and individual sense of accountability and contributed to social decay, yet he can see the other side, especially with regard to cross-cultural differences. Although the purpose of the book is to uphold absolutism, Kreeft outlines the relativist perspective in an approachable, respectful manner. By giving counterarguments a fighting chance, this becomes a book that may actually persuade people--not just preach to the absolutist choir. (Nov.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information. How Do We Make Sense Of Life? How Should We Treat Others? How Should We Reasonably Be Expected To Be Treated By Others? When Human Life Is At Stake, Are There Reasonable Principles We Can Rely On To Guide Our Actions? How Should Our Laws Be Framed To Protect Human Life? What Kind Of Society Should Be Built? Questions. But Not Everyone Accepts The Same Religious Premises Or Recognizes The Same Spiritual Authorities. Are There Public Arguments --reasons That Can Be Given That Do Not Presuppose Agreement On Religious Grounds Or Common Religious Commitments--that Can Guide Our Thoughts And Actions, As Well As Our Laws And Public Policies? In Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy Of The Life Issues, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer Sets Out, In A Brief, Yet Highly-readable And Lucid Style, Ten Basic Principles That Must Govern The Reasonable Person's Thinking And Acting About Life Issues. A Highly-regarded Philosopher, Father Spitzer Provides An Intelligent Outline For Thinking And Talking About Human Life. This Book Is A Powerful Tool For Persuasively Articulating And Effectively Inculturating A Prolife Philosophy.--cover [page 4]. Principles Of Reason: The Principle Of Complete Explanation -- The Principles Of Noncontradiction -- The Principle Of Objective Evidence -- Principles Of Ethics: The Principle Of Nonmaleficence -- The Principle Of Consistent Ends And Means -- The Principle Of Full Human Potential -- Principles Of Justice And Natural Rights: The Principle Of Natural Rights -- The Principle Of Fundamentality Of Rights -- The Principle Of Limits To Freedom -- Fundamental Principle Of Identity And Culture: The Principle Of Beneficence -- Appendix: Evidence Of The Transmateriality Of Human Beings. Robert J. Spitzer. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 141-144. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 141-144) And Index. Ronald Knox was one of the most influential British convert-writers of the 20th century. Of his many works, The Belief of Catholics is his best-known book and his premiere piece of apologetics. While it deals extensively with Protestantism, its target is more the unchurched or lightly-church modern who, if he gives any thought at all to Catholicism, thinks it mildly foreign. As Knox knew, it is not the most difficult part of modern apologetics to convince the devoted Protestant that he has much of Christian truth but now needs to move on to the rest, which is found only in the Catholic Church. The most difficult part is convincing the nominal Protestant (or nominal Catholic), the vaguely religious person, or the person without any religious inclinations that God really does exist, that His existence matters, and that only knowledge of Him and obedience to Him can lead to answers to the questions that haunt everyone. Knox discusses "the truths Catholics hold", "the rules Catholics acknowledge", "the strength Catholics receive", and "the ambitions Catholics honour". These truths, rules, strengths, and ambitions were attractive to the book's first readers. They were answers to the ever-present "Why?". These answers will prove equally attractive to today's readers who, after so many decades of failed isms, yearn for understanding and commitment even more than did their grandparents' generation. ~ from Amazon.com Ronald Knox was one of the most influential British convert-writers of the 20th century. Of his many works, The Belief of Catholics is his best-known book and his premiere piece of apologetics. While it deals extensively with Protestantism, its target is more the unchurched or lightly-church modern who, if he gives any thought at all to Catholicism, thinks it mildly foreign.

As Knox knew, it is not the most difficult part of modern apologetics to convince the devoted Protestant that he has much of Christian truth but now needs to move on to the rest, which is found only in the Catholic Church. The most difficult part is convincing the nominal Protestant (ornomnal Catholic), the vaguely religious person, or the person without any religious inclinations that God really does exist, that His existence matters, and that only knowledge of Him and obedience to Him can lead to answers to the questions that haunt everyone.

Knox discusses the truths Catholics hold, the rules Catholics acknowledge, the strength Catholics receive, and the ambitions Catholics honour. These truths, rules, strengths, and ambitions were attractive to the book's first readers. They were answers to the ever-present Why?. These answers will prove equally attractive to today's readers who, after so many decades of failed isms, yearn for understanding and commitment even more than did their grandparents' generation.

The Roman Catholic Church has long been the target of suspicion and hostility. But how much of this is based on ignorance and prejudice and how much is the fruit of thoughtful consideration of the facts? This book separates fact from fiction. Without excusing or justifying wrongdoing, author Christopher Kaczor clarifies official Catholic teaching and demonstrates that much popular opinion about Catholicism is based on misunderstanding and misinformation. He also provides robust and lucid arguments for Catholic belief and practice. No one book can answer everyone's questions or objections about Catholicism, but this work examines seven of the most controversial and most common myths about the Catholic Church. The Seven Myths: The Church Opposes Science: The Myth of Catholic Irrationality The Church Opposes Freedom and Happiness: The Myth of Catholic Indifference to Earthly Welfare The Church Hates Women: The Myth of Catholic Misogyny Indifferent to Love, the Church Banned Contraception: The Myth of Opposition between Love and Procreation The Church Hates Gays: The Myth of Catholic "Homophobia" The Church Opposes Same-Sex Marriage Because of Bigotry: The Myth That There Is No Rational Basis for Limiting Marriage to One Man and One Woman Priestly Celibacy Caused the Crisis of Sexual Abuse of Minors: The Myth of Priestly Pedophilia Richard Dawkins, Biologist And Best-selling Author, Claims That Belief In God Is A Delusion And That Religion Harms Society. Dawkins Contends That He Has Reason And Evidence On His Side, And He Dismisses Faith As Unfounded, Even Irrational. Dominican Thomas Crean Tackles Dawkins' Claims Head-on. He Presents Straightforward Arguments For God's Existence, And He Uses Reason And Evidence To Defend Such Things As Miracles And The Authority Of The Bible. He Also Shows How God Is Important For A Coherent Understanding Of Morality, And Why Dawkins' Approach Winds Up Reducing Morality To The Individual's Subjective Likes And Dislikes. By Demonstrating How Dawkins' Criticisms Rest On Misunderstandings, Superficial Readings, Poor Argumentation, A Lack Of Historical Awareness, And Not A Little Prejudice, Crean Reveals Dawkins To Be Out Of His Philosophical And Theological Depth, And His Case Against God To Be Fundamentally Flawed. Preface -- Professor Dawkin's Argument -- Professor Dawkins And St Thomas Aquinas -- Professor Dawkins And Miracles -- Professor Dawkins And The Gospels -- Professor Dawkins And The Origins Of Morality -- Professor Dawkins And The Origins Of Religion -- Professor Dawkins, Morals And The Bible -- Professor Dawkins And The Catholic Church -- The Two Ways. Thomas Crean. Includes Bibliographical References. Secular and religious thinkers agree: the sexual revolution is one of the most important milestones in human history. Perhaps nothing has changed life for so many, so fast, as the severing of sex and procreation. But what has been the result? This ground-breaking book by noted essayist and author Mary Eberstadt contends that sexual freedom has paradoxically produced widespread discontent. Drawing on sociologists Pitirim Sorokin, Carle Zimmerman, and others; philosopher G.E.M. Anscombe and novelist Tom Wolfe; and a host of feminists, food writers, musicians, and other voices from across today's popular culture, Eberstadt makes her contrarian case with an impressive array of evidence. Her chapters range across academic disciplines and include supporting evidence from contemporary literature and music, women's studies, college memoirs, dietary guides, advertisements, television shows, and films. Adam and Eve after the Pill examines as no book has before the seismic social changes caused by the sexual revolution. In examining human behavior in the post-liberation world, Eberstadt provocatively asks: Is food the new sex? Is pornography the new tobacco? Adam and Eve after the Pill will change the way readers view the paradoxical impact of the sexual revolution on ideas, morals, and humanity itself -- Provided by publisher How do we make sense of life? How should we treat others? How should we reasonably be expected to be treated by others? When human life is at stake, are there reasonable principles we can rely on to guide our actions? How should our laws be framed to protect human life? What kind of society should be built?Many people rely on their religious beliefs to answer these questions. But not everyone accepts the same religious premises or recognizes the same spiritual authorities. Are there public arguments--reasons that can be given that do not presuppose agreement on religious grounds or common religious commitments--that can guide our thoughts and actions, as well as our laws and public policies?In Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer sets out, in a brief, yet highly-readable and lucid style, ten basic principles that must govern the reasonable person's thinking and acting about life issues. A highly-regarded philosopher, Father Spitzer provides an intelligent outline for thinking and talking about human life. This book is a powerful tool for persuasively articulating and effectively inculturating a prolife philosophy. No issue is more fateful for civilization than moral relativism. History knows not one example of a successful society which repudiated moral absolutes. Yet most attacks on relativism have been either pragmatic (looking at its social consequences) or exhorting (preaching rather than proving), and philosophers' arguments against it have been specialized, technical, and scholarly. In his typical unique writing style, Peter Kreeft lets an attractive, honest, and funny relativist interview a "Muslim fundamentalist" absolutist so as not to stack the dice personally for absolutism. In an engaging series of personal interviews, every conceivable argument the "sassy Black feminist" reporter Libby gives against absolutism is simply and clearly refuted, and none of the many arguments for moral absolutism is refuted. Examines The Social Changes Caused By The Sexual Revolution And Argues That Is Has Produced Widespread Discontent. Introduction -- The Intellectual Backdrop : The Will To Disbelieve -- What Is The Sexual Revolution Doing To Women? : What Does Woman Want? -- What Is The Sexual Revolution Doing To Men? : Peter Pan And The Weight Of Smut -- What Is The Sexual Revolution Doing To Children? : The Pedophilia Chic, Then And Now -- What Is The Sexual Revolution Doing To Young Adults? : What To Do About Toxic U? -- The Transvaluation Of Values, Part One : Is Food The New Sex? -- The Transvaluation Of Values, Part Two : Is Pornography The New Tobacco? -- The Vindication Of Humanae Vitae -- Epilogue. Mary Eberstadt. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Church Opposes Science : The Myth Of Catholic Irrationality -- The Church Opposes Freedom And Happiness : The Myth Of Catholic Indifference To Earthly Welfare -- The Church Hates Women : The Myth Of Catholic Misogyny -- Indifferent To Love, The Church Banned Contraception : The Myth Of Opposition Between Love And Procreation -- The Church Hates Gays : The Myth Of Catholic Homophobia And Inaction Against Aids/hiv -- The Church Opposes Same-sex Marriage Because Of Bigotry : The Myth That There Is No Rational Basis For Limiting Marriage To One Man And One Woman -- Priestly Celibacy Caused The Crisis Of Sexual Abuse Of Minors : The Myth Of Priestly Pedophilia. Christopher Kaczor. Includes Bibliographical References. "In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism over ten years ago, Thomas Howard presents his wonderful, refreshing insights on the "glad tidings" of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice, rendered in his unique style of prose for which he is well-known. The book's chapters take the form of lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience"--Amazon.com The popular apologist and best-selling author of Catholicism and Fundamentalism addresses fifty-two of the most common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith that are held by many Catholics and Protestants. Drawing upon Scripture and the Catholic tradition, he not only shows the logical errors in these positions but clearly spells out Catholic teaching and explains the rationale behind frequently misunderstood doctrines and practices. An excellent guide to what Catholics really believe and why. Karl Keating defends Catholicism from fundamentalist attacks and explains why fundamentalism has been so successful in converting Romanists. After showing the origins of fundamentalism, he examines representative anti-Catholic groups and presents their arguments in their own words. His rebuttals are clear, detailed, and charitable. Special emphasis is given to the scriptural basis for Catholic doctrines and beliefs. "Peter Kreeft lets an attractive, honest, and funny relativist interview a "Muslim fundamentalist" absolutist so as not to stack the dice personally for absolutism. In a series of personal interviews, every conceivable argument the "sassy Black feminist" reporter Libby gives against absolutism is simply and clearly refuted, and none of the many arguments for moral absolutism is refuted."--BOOK JACKET. "Ronald Knox was one of the most influential British convert-writers of the 20th century. Of his many works, The Belief of Catholics is his best-known book and his premiere piece of apologetics. While it deals extensively with Protestantism, its target is primarily the unchurched or lightly-churched modern who, if he gives any thought at all to Catholicism, thinks it midly foreign." [from back cover]

the Popular Apologist And Author Of The Bestselling catholicism And Fundamentalism Provides Insightful Answers To 52 Of The Most Common Misconceptions About The Catholic Faith That Are Held By Protestants And Catholics. He Draws On Scripure And Church Teaching To Provide Clear Explanations About Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs.

In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism, Thomas Howard presents the glad tidings of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice in the engaging style he has come to be known for.

Examines the controversy between Catholicism and Protestant fundamentalism, looking at the arguments fundamentalists use to attack Catholic beliefs and practices, and providing rebuttals with which Catholics can defend their faith In This Work Of Catholic Apologetics, Karl Keating Makes A Defense Of Catholicism Against The Critical Attacks Of Protestant Fundamentalists. Examines the social changes caused by the sexual revolution and argues that it has produced widespread discontent Keating explains some of the most common misperceptions and misunderstandings of the Roman Catholic Church