Skeptical Faith

Google Image I’m not a big follower of celebrities, including actors and actresses. I admire their talent but otherwise don’t pay much attention to what they say or do, especially if it has to do with something other than show business. So I haven’t paid much attention to Michael J. Fox, 59, who became famous for his major roles in the Back to the Future trilogy of films and the Family Ties television series. But I must admit he’s pretty impressive, having overcome hardships that would be a huge challenge for anybody. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29. Then in 2018 he learned he had a tumor on his spine that required a risky surgery. The surgery was successful but he had to relearn to walk.   A review of his new book, “No Time like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality,” appeared recently in USA Today. It details the devastating fall he took shortly after the surgery that left him with a broken arm and on the threshold of despair. Nothing but Pain an...

Google Image My brother, Jack, and his wife, Rosie, raised four wonderful children, each of whom are loving, caring human beings who contribute to the good of society. But Jack and Rosie didn’t have the chance to fully raise a fifth child. Barbara, whom we called “Barbie,” died at age 4 in 1959. She had cystic fibrosis. For those unfamiliar with the disease, c ystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder which causes the lungs to produce extra-thick, sticky mucus that builds up and clogs airways. Though CF is still considered incurable, much progress has been made through medications, exercise and diet management. The average life expectancy for a child born with CF in 1959 was 6 months. Today it’s 37 and steadily rising. Barbie’s life was short, but full of love and support. Her sister, Karen, who is two years older, recently shared her memories. She recalls that after coming home from school, she and Barbie would sit on the top step of a staircase and talk about what happened at school...

Google Image A recent poll confirmed for me something that I have been suspecting: Many people who stopped going to church during the pandemic probably won’t return. In a new survey of Catholics, ages 18-35, by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate - which is associated with Georgetown University and commonly known as CARA - found that “36 percent of respondents plan to attend Mass less frequently when stay-at-home orders related to the Covid-19 pandemic end and churches fully open,” according to America Magazine. The data apply only to young Catholics, but I would bet they can be applied to most young churchgoers, whatever their denomination. Given that the years-long decline in church attendance among young people is well documented and well-known, these new data may not be surprising. And though the rate of decline in church attendance may be lower among older people, I would guess that a proportional decline applies to them. More Prayer at Home The survey showed...

Google Image Interesting that during the election campaign, “science” became a bone of contention, with one side accusing the other of ignoring it. Most of us don’t give the topic “science” much thought, but as a regular listener to “Science Friday” on National Public Radio and other media reports, I’m aware that many scientists worry about the public’s lack of enthusiasm for, and sometimes even hostility toward, science. I really don’t think there’s much to worry about. A Pew Research Center poll earlier this year found that most Americans “see net benefits from science for society, and they expect more ahead. Strong Public Support “ About three-quarters of Americans say science has, on balance, had a mostly positive effect on society. And 82 percent expect future scientific developments to yield benefits for society in years to come. The overall portrait is one of strong public support for the benefits of science to society….” What about the attitude toward science of people ...