Skeptical Faith

Google Image Patrick Reardon, an author who regularly contributes to the National Catholic Reporter, wrote a column recently entitled, “God Calls Us to Show Up, Be Present.” The title intrigued me, and the article made several salient points. Reardon wrote about a group of men to which he belongs who meet regularly to talk mostly “about our individual and communal faith and about how our beliefs shape the way we live….” At a recent meeting, the question put to the group was: “What is the one thing in my faith of which I am absolutely sure?” As Reardon points out, it’s a question that people of faith should ask themselves frequently. After all, much of what Christians and Jews believe appears absolutely ludicrous to non-believers. We need to remind ourselves of that to avoid smugness and be ready to answer potential questions of belief for ourselves and others. Fully Alive  How did Reardon answer the question? “The one thing I’m sure of is that we’re called to show up...

Google Image My wife, Amparo, and I are visiting her native country of Colombia, staying the month in the peaceful, mountainous, semi-tropical town of Barichara. Already, we’ve gotten into the rhythm of the place and food is a big part: breakfast of fresh pineapple, tangerines off the tree in our house, various kinds of cheese breads, or arepas, an egg or two and pitch-black and strong Colombian coffee; lunch - the main meal - of meat, poultry or fish, vegetables and rice; and dinner, mostly of “calentado,” or leftovers. I spend much of my day reading and writing, with a long hike in late afternoon when the heat of the day gives way to the breezes that come like clockwork. Amparo likes to casually walk about town, making and renewing acquaintances with the shopkeepers (She’s from another part of Colombia, but we’ve been here several times before.) We both take early-afternoon naps in hammocks strategically placed to catch the breeze. We realize how privileged we are to be ...

Google Image In a visit last year to Dromore in County Tyrone, Ireland, my wife, Amparo, and I stayed in the ancestral home of the family of my great-grandfather. It’s a lovely place, thought to be in the family for over a couple of hundred years. Our hosts were Sínead McNulty, who stayed with us in Iowa for a couple of months several years ago, and her husband and toddler daughter. Sadly, they have been forced by the house’s deterioration and economic necessities to sell it. One of the home’s delights is a sun room built by Sínead’s Mum and Dad, the previous occupants. It features a library taking up a whole wall, and Sínead graciously offered me any books I wished. My luggage was already full so I chose only a thin paperback volume I read 50 years or so ago: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Translated Into 21 Languages The book had a great impact on me and I’ve referred to it several times in these blogs. It has been translated into 21 languages and the English...

Google Image A recent story in USA Today says Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ family was reportedly upset by his comments about religion.  In an interview, Rodgers said religion was a big part of his life when he was younger. But beginning in high school, he lost the connection with his Christian upbringing. “Rules and regulations and binary systems don’t really resonate with me,” Rodgers said. He also said he doesn’t find church very welcoming and didn’t like having to dress up to go to church. And, he believes religion is a “crutch” for some people. Saved and Unsaved? “Religion can be a crutch. Religion can be something people have to have to make themselves feel better. Because it’s binary, it’s us and them; it’s saved and unsaved; it’s heaven and hell; it’s enlightened and heathen; it’s holy and righteous and sinner; and that makes a lot of people feel better about themselves — ‘I’ve got Jesus and I’m saved,'” Rodgers said. He also questioned G...