Skeptical Faith

Google Image An online ad for a book on spiritual practices reads: "We all have a spiritual side, but for many of us, it's something we don't quite understand. We may feel drawn to certain spiritual concepts but have no idea how to incorporate them into our lives. That's where the importance of having a spiritual practice comes in. A spiritual practice is any activity that helps us connect with our higher selves and find meaning in life.” I understand that many people feel the need to connect with something or someone “spiritually,” and also the confusion and bewilderment about how to go about it. Is it possible that the answers are obvious, hidden before our eyes? Many Religious Options I’m referring to the religion in which we were raised, and for those who were raised with no religion, to the many religious options that are available. Isn’t the situation like the person who wants to access the Internet but is unaware of all the Internet providers that have...

Google Image First, a disclosure: this blog – as many of my blogs – uses the experience of a Catholic to illustrate its purpose. I believe, however, that people of any faith, or no faith, can find the blog useful. I recently came across an online article, by Daid Johnston, called “I Thought I Was Done with Catholicism. Then I Watched ‘Mrs. Davis.’” “I was always the token religious kid in school growing up,” Johnston writes, “prone to being prudish and judgmental, and making a big deal about fasting for the triduum (that’s Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). But like the millions of people who are raised in the strict, repressive religion, once I entered the wider world, I realized that Catholicism didn’t serve me anymore.” The author revealed that she intended to be a nun, but starting college, she “ realized there’s more to me than my faith and my religion,” and like so many who believe their college days were an awakening to the “uselessness” or “evils” of religion...

Google Image I recently watched the Netflix documentary, “Our Universe.” It’s a glitzy attempt to relate current natural species to the creation of the universe – repeating the view that everything is descendent from stars. It follows the lives of animals, alternating between showing the pace of their lives and illustrated video of explosions and other outer-space phenomena. I searched online in vain for the show’s script but couldn’t find it, so I’m recounting what I saw and heard of the series from memory. It has a lot going for it, principally its narration by Morgan Freeman. The video of animals on land and sea is compelling and the connection made between them and the evolution of stars and planets interesting. Lack of Originality and Honesty I watch a lot of nature shows, however, and this one, like many others, suffers, in my opinion, from lack of originality and honesty. For one thing, I get the impression that this show, and many nature documentaries, use films of anim...

Google Image I was shocked recently when I saw on Facebook reactions to a report on the educational attainment of the residents of the 50 U.S. states. After viewing a couple of dozen comments posted by people viewing the data, I would say nine out of 10 wrote comments belittling the value of higher education. Typical were statements – I would guess mainly from people who never attended college - saying that education is next to useless, provides few benefits, and doesn’t make you “smarter” or wise. The last comment I can agree with. Education doesn’t necessarily make you more wise – defined by the dictionary as “ knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.” In my view, education may help knowing what is true or right but doesn’t necessarily result in “just judgment.” Substantial Benefits But study after study shows that a higher education, on average, results in more financial, social and career success. The College Board’s “ Trends in Higher Educa...