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A TOPICAL GUIDE TO THEOLOGICAL MATTERS

09/16/06 It seems that Pope Benedict XVI has offended the Muslim world. or, more correctly, the Muslim world, much practiced in western theories of victimization, has embraced the opportunity to be offended. The Pope, attempting to open a dialogue about religiosity v. violence has rather met Islam as it is. Surely he will apologize for the result of his effort, but I pray for his insight to refuse, as kindly as possible, apology for his words. He spoke the truth. One hopes this will bring the world, and the Pope, to a closer understanding of the real nature of this conflict. Go to WHAT THE POPE ACTUALLY SAID 09/12/06. JES

08/13/06 It has become impossible to not be straightforward about the fundamentally religious nature of World War IV. It has not been helpful to have bobbed, ducked and weaved about this issue. What we have on our hands is a three way struggle between Judeo-Christianity, Western Secularism and Islam. Islam claims to find its roots with Abraham, however any commonality with Judeo-Christianity ends right there. We do not believe in, or worship, the same God.

Western Secularism, as we know it, aka Liberalism, is one of the many products of the Age of Enlightenment, aka the Corrosion of the Church of Rome, itself evolved from the Church of Peter. As Sunni and Shia tussle with one another within the world of Islam, so it is that the Church of Western Secularism and Judeo-Christian Believers tussle with one another throughout the world. For those interested in my more focused thoughts on these matters, go to PERSONAL NOTES-08/13/06

01/07/06 On both a secular and a theological level, Pat Robertson's comments are out of line. Concerning Arial Sharon's medical condition as punishment for withdrawal from Gaza, there is no evidence that Pat Robertson has any more insight into God's thoughts on the matter than I do. As a practicing Catholic, I can say that Mr. Robertson is theologically over stepping his bounds, imagining himself to be something he isn't. He is straining my patience to avoid a public (divisive) commentary on certain matters that separate Catholics from Protestants regarding theological understanding and secular strategy. On a secular level, his judgment with respect to timing, human dignity, and politics, both foreign and domestic, is atrocious and counter productive to the larger objectives of Conservatives here on Earth. By itself alone, this disqualifies his theological credentials to speak on matters secular. There have been several of these Pat Robertson incidents lately that are simply not welcome by Conservatives serious about getting some serious work done. I am compelled to be blunt: Mr. Robertson, until you are able to understand the discussion, do everyone a favor and just SHUT UP. JES

12/25/05 Fellow Christians: are you running on cultural autopilot, or have you really thought it out? There is a convenience in reasoning that there is no time to reason, and remember that the error is not reason, but reason alone. JES

11/17/05 Intelligent Design. Nothing strikes fear into the minds of the Great Secular Rational Liberal Elite more than to contemplate the real possibility of the return of a Judeo-Christian God to the public square. This is really what is at the bottom of the debate over the respectability, shall we say, of a consideration of the implications of intelligent design. The problem with intelligent design, however, is that what falls under this label does not arise out of a little white church in Alabama, or a schoolhouse in Tennessee. It is the product of scientific considerations by scientists, and its implications are dividing the scientific community with about the same level of reasoning and rhetoric as to whether Clarence Thomas is a Black Man. The wayward scientists are not starting out by proposing creation; that is not their purpose. They are proposing a closer examination of the theories of random selection, which underlies evolution, as they puzzle over a lot of numbers that don't appear to add up. These people do not have a religious purpose, whatever the implications. These people are attempting to pursue good science, in the tradition of good science, whatever the implications. That the Rational among us quake with fear mirrors the history of those in the past who could not cope with the meaning of the fact that a ship at sea gradually disappears over the horizon; with similar hysterical reaction. Given the political opportunities for exploitation on all sides, of a "debate" that will be less Rational than Emotive, and in the spirit of supporting true science, and rational consideration, it will be necessary to create o new web page. Go to Intelligent Design. JES

FMOWEB 110-650 TOPICAL GUIDE THEOLOGICAL