Copyright; Gavin Hurlimann (slightly edited) Note: this article supplements my own ‘Evolution Critique’ posting.
The disciplines of science have already proven that the Christian God of the Bible exists because the solid, rigid, fixed & unbreakable laws of physics.
To avoid fish hooks, confusion & for the ease of the reader; let’s be VERY EXACT with our terms & definitions.
The Laws of Thermodynamics are concerned with heat, mechanical energy, and the conversion between the two. All physical, biological, & chemical processes known to man are subject to these laws. Science often speaks of four (4) laws of thermodynamics, but only two (2) have any meaningful connection to Christianity.
They are the first (1st) & second (2nd) laws of thermodynamics.
It’s important to note that these “Laws” are not a hypothesis. They are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable by anything/anyone in the natural world.
1) The first (1st) law of thermodynamics – also known as the conservation of energy – states; “Nothing is presently coming into existence or going out of existence: matter & energy may be converted into one another, but there’s no net increase in the combined total of what exists”.
In other words, even if matter is converted to energy and vice versa, there will never be an “increase or decrease” in the total amount.
Therefore, if the matter and energy are neither created nor destroyed, then where did all the matter and energy in the universe come from?
Either;
a) the universe somehow came into existence without God, even though science has proved that it is impossible for something to arise out of nothing,
b) everything always existed in the universe, an idea that science has also proved impossible, or
c) God created it. This “is” most reasonable, plausible & rational explanation in light of this scientific Law & the following Laws & evidence.
1st Conclusion:
Science openly acknowledges that according to the first (1st) Law of Thermodynamics, there is no scientific explanation for the origins of the universe & life – apart from an Act of God.
2) The second (2nd) law of thermodynamics states that the entropy (breakdown or disorder) of a closed system cannot decrease, it only gets worse;
Every system, left to its own devices, always tends to move from order to diso, it’s energy tends to be transformed into lower levels of availability (for work), ultimately becoming totally random & unavailable for work”.
Scientist & author Isaac Asimov explains; “The universe is constantly getting more disorderly. . . . .all we have to do is “nothing” & everything deteriorates, collapses, breaks down, wears out, by itself – and that is what the second law of thermodynamics is all about.”
Two simple examples of entropy;
1) The exterior paint on an un-maintained house with eventually peel & fall off.
2) All human beings break down & die. The current death rate from old age is 100%.
In other words, left to itself & over time, everything tends toward disorder, randomness, and disorganization – unless there is intervention by an intelligent utility.
Naturalistic evolution “demands” that every physical system, from the atomic level on up, is the result of a spontaneous and increasingly complex and well-ordered process of assembly. Darwin suggested that living organisms, for instance, came about via a long string of infinitely complex, yet “random” evolutionary processes.
If planet Earth was an entirely closed system, such progression would be in complete violation of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. It’s important to note, however, that our planet is “NOT a closed system” in terms of thermodynamics, mostly because planet Earth is receiving energy from the sun.
However, the hypothesis of evolution runs contrary to the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics is on a general, large-scale view.
Entropy observed.
The trend, according to these unbreakable scientific laws, is that entropy (breakdown or disorder) is increasing, and thus natural processes must also be breaking down – not building up or “evolving” into something more complicated as postulated by the hypothesis of evolution..
Simple observation empirically confirms the truth of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. Paint on a house chips and peels. Dust builds up. The house itself falls into disrepair if preventative steps are not taken. Living things die & rot & finally decompose. We can observe the results of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics every day.
The hypothesis of evolution however, requires much more than just a simple change in entropy (breakdown or disorder). For evolution to be valid, the theory requiresmore than water freezing or the formation of salt crystals or dust collecting into a solar system. To evolve from non-life, matter on Earth would have to constantly, consistently, and directly move “AGAINST” the force of entropy (breakdown or disorder). However, this is “scientifically impossible”.
DNA is “NOT” a result of naturalistic evolution as the science of DNA has proven.
Evolutionists claim that life evolved in very small, simple mutational steps over billions of years in an open system like Earth.
But mutations “ARE” entropy (breakdown or disorder) and mutations occurring in a constant, beneficial manner “ARE” a violation of the unbreakable, scientific, second (2nd) Law of Thermodynamics.
2nd Conclusion:
The first (1st) & second (2nd) scientific laws of thermodynamics are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable. Nothing in our natural world – including the hypothesis of evolution – can violate them.Except according to science, an Act of God.
3) Since 2013 NASA & SETI astrobiologists have acknowledged that all DNA originates from an intelligence outside of the observation of our current utilities.
So in light of this, a belief in the God of Creation is “not unwarranted” – or at least, not dismissed without rational consideration.
To illustrate further, all plant, animal & human DNA requires three (3) critical components;
a) information
b) communication
c) language.
Genuine science views DNA as a marker of intelligence NOT evidence of biochemical evolutionary processes. In simple terms; DNA cannot be “made” by biological evolution.
So, the science of DNA “rules out” all plant, animal & human life observed yesterday & today as the current end game of the hypothesis of evolution.
Why is this not common knowledge?
Andrew Kibler provides an responsible explanation in his post of Dec 4 2018;
“Science can take a good 5 to 10 years before it even begins to become mainstream. That’s on a good note though. People’s beliefs, worldviews and careers are on the line with some scientific discoveries, so it could take even longer. When it was discovered that light had “travel time” it wasn’t instantaneouslyaaccepted. It took 50 years to become mainstream after some hard battles”.
So, using the Laws of Logic;
d) DNA exists in all plant, animal & human life.
e) DNA is not the product of naturalistic evolution.
f) DNA is a marker of intelligence.
g) Logically, DNA is the product of something outside of the utilities of science.
h) The certaincy of scientific law leaves us mere humans with a couple of alternatives. In Western civilization the intellegence that creates intricate individual DNA is commonly referred to as the God of the Bible
i) Or aliens, if God is too hard a pill to swallow.
J) Panspermia& Directed Panspermia – a possible scientific alternative to God “or” evolution, involving aliens has zero evidence & the hypothesis remains on the fringes of credibility.
k) Finally, modern physics has demonstrated that consciousness mind does exist independent of matter. Mind & matter can & do interact.
l)This is a game-changer for the scientism, atheistic obsessed, as there is now no scientific basis for denying God’s existence.
3rd & Final Conclusion:
According to the scientific first (1st) & second (2nd) Laws of Thermodynamics it is impossible for the hypothesis of evolution to occur.
According to the science of DNA, it is impossible for DNA to be created by an evolutionary naturalistic process.
Which leaves: Evidence + Belief + Faith = God.
And because God exists, it follows that He created everything, including us.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A group of scientists are close to recognizing that there “might” be a God. They are astrobiologists.
S.E.T.I. stands for “Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence” and comprises several groups of scientists that were combining their expertise to try to discover if there is intelligent life anywhere out in the universe. [1]
In order to decide how they would recognize intelligent life, they had to determine some basic criteria that they could apply to observed phenomena that would characterize only intelligent origins. For example, if they saw certain patterns like Morse Code in a radio transmission, infra-red radiation, or gamma ray bursts, they would be certain that it had originated only at an intelligent source.
Since the early 1980s they have never detected any intelligent life anywhere else in the universe.
Recently however a couple of these scientists, Vladimir I. Cherbak and Maxim A. Makukovb, had the bright idea to apply the criteria they had created for SETI to the results of the DNA studies that have emerged. The conclusion was exactly one word, “Wow!”. [2]
They found that DNA shows patterns that could only have been created by intelligence. The odds of an error were less than 1 in 10 (exp) 13. (1 in 10 trillion). Their conclusion is that DNA is not random, but is the definite result of an “intelligence”.
The astrobiologists published their conclusions in a peer-reviewed journal in their field named Icarus. [3]. Peer-reviewed means that other experts in the same field have poured over their work and conclusions and have given it their consensus.
Click on the link below in [3] if you want to see some of the article and the charts of DNA that show the clear proof of intelligent design.
It’s likely you haven’t heard about this if you aren’t in the field. But it must be causing head scratching through a lot of research institutes and concern among evolutionists. It takes courage for these scientists to come forth and go against the entrenched dogma of evolutionists and the backlash that will surely come. But the truth will win out because it can’t be suppressed indefinitely.
“The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is the collective name for a number of activities people undertake to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. SETI projects use scientific methods in this search. For example, electromagnetic radiation is monitored for signs of transmissions from civilizations on other worlds. Some of the most well known projects are run by Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley and the SETI Institute.”
[2] The “Wow! signal” of the terrestrial genetic code. Vladimir I. shCherbak, Maxim A. Makukovb
Excerpt from the Abstract: “Here we show that the terrestrial code displays a thorough precision-type orderliness matching the criteria to be considered an informational signal. Simple arrangements of the code reveal an ensemble of arithmetical and ideographical patterns of the same symbolic language. Accurate and systematic, these underlying patterns appear as a product of precision logic and nontrivial computing rather than of stochastic processes (the null hypothesis that they are due to chance coupled with presumable evolutionary pathways is rejected with P-value < 10 (exp) –13). The patterns display readily recognizable hallmarks of artificiality, among which are the symbol of zero, the privileged decimal syntax and semantical symmetries. Besides, extraction of the signal involves logically straightforward but abstract operations, making the patterns essentially irreducible to natural origin.”
“Icarus is a premier scientific journal dedicated to the field of planetary science. It is published under the auspices of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS). The journal contains articles discussing the results of new research on astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific aspects of the Solar System or extrasolar systems.
Source: Vladimir I. shCherbak & Maxim A. Makukovb: Icarus Journal May 2013.
Resources: The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism: Philip Johnson. Publisher, Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, Illinois USA.
Ultimate Proof: Resolving the Origins Debate by Dr Jason Lisle. Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Heisenberg Uncertainty (indeterminacy) Principle: Dr Mario Beauregard, Dr Henry Stapp, Dr Richard Conn Henry, J.P. Moreland.
Psychology and Religion by Carl G Jung. Publisher: Yale University Press.
New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. Intervarsity Press. Leicester England.
Vladimir I. shCherback and Maxim A. Makukorb, Icarus Journal May 2013.
Is God a Delusion: Dr John Lennox 14 March 2015. YouTube.
The Mind and the Brain: Dr Jeffery M. Schwartz. Publisher Haper Collins.
I’ve written about many subjects on this blog but there is none that equals the significance of this one considering the uncounted millions of human lives lost in the 20th and now the 21st Century!
Very often we hear the expression ‘they made the supreme sacrifice’, usually meaning humans have sacrificed their life for some political objective as determined by government’s led by emperor, dictator, monarch, president, prime minister, etc., etc, elected or not.
I suggest this scenario is little changed throughout thousands of years of human history, i.e. the projection of a nations power, or defense, via the sacrifice of their human population! *
Therefore the question that I believe may fairly be asked then is this; Are such human sacrifices not in reality ‘religious perversion’?!
For example; historian’s well discern that in the Mayan culture human sacrifices were often made to ensure the success of crops or other untold various interests. Interestingly, in our day, those ancient human sacrifices, be they men, women, or children, are often regarded as atrocities, perverted abuses of the populace by their rulers, supported by their religious representatives, in other words the ruling elements of their society!
“politics and nationalism…exalted the state as divine…or identified it with the march of God in history.” For some, the “worship of the state as the personification of the spirit of the nation was essential for realization of the national destiny.” (Ideas in Conflict, Edward Burns) *
My question is; what has changed today? Modern day governments may regard themselves as well informed and progressive, but doesn’t the sacrifice of human lives for one national purpose or another simply reflect all those ancient sacrifices made in the Mayan culture, or in hundreds of other cultures throughout thousands of years of human history?
When young men and women are encouraged, even trained, to make the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ of their lives for some national, or dare I say ‘cultural’ cause, what difference is there to all those ancient societies? Societies that interestingly no longer exist in spite of those sacrifices.
How can it be said that ‘modern’ man is any more advanced in his thinking than historically significant societies like the Mayan’s and countless others?
The reality is that mankind is in darkness spiritually speaking. No amount of technological advances can overcome this fact. No matter how it may be couched in glowing terms, human sacrifice is still a common practice after thousands of years. In other words there has been no progress spiritually for the nations of mankind, in fact the scale of human lives lost in national conflicts is ever increasing, aided and abetted by religious elements as always. “Kill one man and you’re a murderer, kill a million and you’re a conqueror.” (Jean Rostand quote)
Why can’t it be understood that ‘God wants mercy and not sacrifice’? (Matt. 9:13) Make no mistake about it; sacrificing human lives for any national purpose is in no way the ‘will of God’! They have not and will not receive his blessing for doing so. On the contrary, they are condemned by him for doing so.
As the BeeGee’s song of decades ago said it… ‘the answer my friends is blowing on the wind’, the ‘scriptural wind’ imho.
* “Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” (Albert Einstein)
Isn’t it exciting to hear there may be earth-like planets, namely those that orbit suns similar to our own, perhaps even in abundance ‘out there’ in the universe?! Yes, but let’s take a step back and analyze ‘why’ its exciting for a moment.
Could it be that our human emotions are based on hope? What I mean is this; based on human history, (I refer to written history and not speculative pre-history), there have been many technological accomplishments, however, sociologically not so much, or to put it simply, human relations have, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.
Arguably, history has recorded that modern man is pretty much a failure in human relations. For instance when has there ever been an extended period in at least 2000 years that hasn’t included wars, genocides, oppression, atrocities, ad infinitum!
In my humble opinion failures throughout history have engendered a present day ‘faint hope’ that somewhere, somehow, mankind will find relief, or to put it another way, ‘salvation’, from his earthly experience. (I would also submit this is the very basis of the ‘theory’ of evolution.) In other words an attempt to absolve humanity from our blood stained past, and even more so, its present!
Its no secret that the dramatic increase in world population has brought about the prospect of mass-extinction, despite enormous potential for increase… why? In a nutshell; the answer is clearly human mismanagement, be it environmentally, politically, or economically!
But I digress; returning to the aforementioned planetary discoveries; what is it that really excites us about them? Isn’t it all about finding relief from our human failures? The vain hope that if there is life on other planets it may somehow point the way to discover or make human life somehow successful, an existence that has eluded us on earth?
For example, remember the classic Sci-Fi movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”? An alien galactic envoy arrives to warn that robots were authorized to arbitrarily enforce galactic peace. They were said to be programmed to obliterate any planet who threatened a galactic peace protocol by the misuse of atomic power! (A very human approach no doubt!)
In conclusion, I submit that mankind as a whole is missing the ‘woods for the trees’. What I mean by that is the greatest human to ever live provided us with the way out of our failed human condition, the way to achieve what many are now seeking in the stars.
He told us what to seek, how and where to find it, and the result would be nothing less than everlasting life on a paradise earth! Therefore shouldn’t that be our primary focus? Because whether we seek it or not, earth is scheduled for exactly that ideal future by its eternal Creator! Indeed, have faith: it really will happen, with, or without, our personal benefit, and right here on planet earth!
Is it possible for our puny human brain to actually be in touch with the Creator of all things? Arguably its a question philosophers and thoughtful people have struggled with since the beginning of written history.
For instance speaking of human history, year after year archeological discoveries confirm entire ancient civilizations now being uncovered in South America were ‘primarily’ based on worship of an all powerful god in one form or another.
In truth its simply no exaggeration to say there is an innate desire in all humanity to communicate with a supreme Creator! And with limited knowledge, many societies have conferred this desire on objects of wood or stone, in the vain hope they would be heard and benefit therefrom. Is so-called ‘modern man’ really so different? Or is technology filling that very same role today? Its a fair question considering how much focus of attention is given to it in all its material forms, from smart phones to orbiting satellites.
Of course it is obvious to thinking people a far, far, superior entity exits some refer to as the ‘first cause’ of all life on earth. Ever more true science clearly points to a Creator of life on earth in all its genetic forms. Generations of observant mankind see abundant visible evidence of this.* However this is also backed up by inspired prophetic scriptures with positive reinforcement of that evidence, in spades!
Can it truly be said there is solid evidence to base hope and belief on other than lifeless wood or stone, effigies, technology and icon’s, or even paintings, etc, but rather on an invisible all-wise and loving spiritual God?
Albert Einstein epithet; “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” [Science, Philosophy and Religion]
In fact scientific confirmation is being added every day, consider this….and keep in mind this was written thousands of years before DNA confirmed this… “Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.” (Psalm 139:16 NWT Bible) Hebrew scripture written by King David;
Another example; “He (God) stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing” (Job26:7 NWT Bible)Again, recorded scripture written thousands of years before space travel confirmed this fact, during a time when most of mankind believed the earth stood on on the back of a turtle or an elephant or had some other ignorant idea!
These are just a couple of examples of the accuracy and authenticity of inspired scriptures, i.e. Holy Scripture. As if simple observation of all life and beginning to be understood ecological systems on planet earth were not enough in and of themselves!
What is more, he has promised to restore this sadly damaged planet to its optimal condition, including all mankind…. “….he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”(Revelation21:3-5)
“He is the Maker of the earth by his power, The One who established the productive land by his wisdom And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah51:15)
True; humility is needed in order to acknowledge plain observable truth that we are the product of an invisible, spiritual, benevolent all-mighty-Creator, well represented by his son. Please visit JW.org for much more news and information plus a free study of the Bible, you’ll never regret it!
Given all the interest in B.C. Ferries reminds me of a close call! I was a Quartermaster (steerman if you will) on a ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay for Nanaimo Harbour. The reason was a temp job while the Queen of Prince Rupert was being repaired (for details see my blog: The Grounding!)
It was a latter sailing after sunset, in fact it was quite dark, I don’t remember the time of year. Being a 20 something crewman on the helm at the time I was keen to obey directions from the Captain. We departed Horseshoe Bay backing out from the loading platform as per normal and began our rotation to transition to a forward course without incident, then began a port turn (left hand) to straight out our course, but this is where things went sideways!
A First Officer has the loading responsibility on any ship, and as we began our turn he was busy explaining car deck loading concerns with the Captain. Meanwhile I had been given the port turn instructions as mentioned. As the ship steadily turned to port therefore, I was left with a view of coastal rocks dead ahead! The Captain and first officer were completely distracted and not aware of our serious position. Finally with no time to lose, I spoke up to make the Captain aware of the potential danger!
He was startled at the continually turning ship toward shore, and immediately ordered “HARD STARBOARD” which I was glad to comply with! Indeed his distraction by the first officer had nearly resulted in ‘another’ ferry grounding, with me being a witness to both!
Thank goodness I could not be regarded as a ‘Jonas’ this time!
When have you not been impressed by human interactions with animals? I’m saying never. Indeed our relationship with animals, land or sea, has always been, at the very least, intriguing. From curious killer whales, to birds and gorilla’s many others of our fellow earth creatures have proven to be willing to interact with us humans.
So what is the point? May I suggest we are part of a symphony of creation, perhaps in the likeness of an orchestra conductor!
By that I mean our Creator has given us a beautiful association with all His creation. When he stated to the original human couple; ‘to have in subjection’* all other life on earth, he actually granted us humans an untold connection and stewardship of all other life forms from birds to mammals!
For example basic communication with many creatures are being discovered in recent times by serious students of the environment. Perhaps you have seen some of them on PBS TV channels, as I have.
Its a clear lesson for all of us on planet earth; we have been created and blessed to joyfully communicate and lovingly care for the fellow creatures of earth by our wise heavenly Father.
Here is a slightly edited version and PLEASE NOTE: HORRIFIC DOCUMENTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REPRINT.
By secular standards, the Catholic Church is a corrupt organization and Federal authorities should treat it like one! Neil Macdonald · CBC News · Posted: Aug 26, 2018 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: August 26, 2018
WARNING: This column contains disturbing details
Imagine for a moment that a big, admired multinational corporation, one selling a beloved product, was employing large numbers of male pedophiles and rapists, operating in rings all over the world, and that their crimes had been uncovered in Australia, Ireland, Canada, the Philippines, Belgium, France, Austria, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Britain, Germany and the United States, and, further, that senior executives had systematically covered up and suppressed evidence, transferring and enabling hundreds of predators, betraying thousands of victims. What would happen to the company is not terribly difficult to imagine. At a minimum, the U.S. government would likely use its Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law to go after not only the rapists and molesters, but also the company’s executives, up to and including its CEO if possible, seizing the company’s assets and seeking the harshest possible prison terms. That’s the sort of thing RICO was invented for. The company would almost certainly collapse. But of course no company’s warranty guarantees everlasting life, and no company maintains that its CEO is chosen by God.
Grand jury report: (continued) The Roman Catholic church does, which is the only explanation for why, after the release of a grand jury report that detailed more than 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania over several decades by more than 300 predators in clerical collars, many of whom are still alive, millions of American Catholics continued to attend mass.
(DISGUSTING GRAPHIC DOCUMENTED CASES ARE DELETED FROM THIS REPRINTING HERE)
‘We showed no care for the little ones’: Pope’s letter vows to end sex abuse, coverups Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, told reporters last week that high church officials “routinely and purposefully described the abuse as ‘horseplay’ and ‘wrestling,'” choosing to transfer the pedophiles to other congregations (where they’d have a whole new selection of horseplay partners), or send them away for prayerful reflection before returning to duty.
Unfortunately, though, Shapiro said, the statute of limitations has run out in most of the cases, or the priests involved had died. Pity, Shapiro was implying, because if they could, authorities would vigorously pursue and prosecute and imprison not only the perpetrators, but their enablers and protectors. Or not. Actually, probably not. Inevitably, that scale of prosecution – we are talking about inflicting severe damage to the Catholic Church in the United States – would require steadfast political will, and seriously, what politician seeking re-election wants to alienate 24 per cent of Americans, many of whom, despite clear evidence of the church’s moral rot, insist on believing it is infallible? Pope Francis released an open letter to the world’s Catholics after the Pennsylvania revelations, basically repeating the company line. (Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press)
The same goes elsewhere. Revelations of horrors in all the above-mentioned Western countries (here in Canada, there was documented abuse in Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, where the church’s Mount Cashel orphanage was operated as sort of a prison for child sex slavesresulted in dismissals of some church officials, some lawsuits and a handful of criminal convictions, but not much more than that.)
Each time, the Pope or one of his high subalterns would lament human frailty, and drone on about the sacred duty to protect the most vulnerable, while privately fighting to thwart civil suits or conspiring to keep facts from investigating authorities.
Pope Francis, who enjoys the most saintly reputation of any recent pope (except for John Paul II, who was actually made a saint, despite all the ugly revelations on his watch) released an open letter to the world’s Catholics after the Pennsylvania revelations, basically repeating the company line: gosh, sorry, that was terrible, we must do better, God bless you all, go in peace.
Noting first that “most of these cases belong to the past,” (don’t all cases belong to the past?) the Pope banged on for 2,000 words about feeling the pain of the vulnerable, and the necessity of ensuring it doesn’t happen again (and again and again and again), but his central theme was expressed right off the top in a line from Corinthians: “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.”
Yes. Of course. Let’s compare the spiritual suffering the Pope claims the revelations have caused him to that of a child being sodomized by an adult stalker in a clerical collar, a monster the boy probably doesn’t think he’s even allowed to complain about.
Resisting change The right thing for the Pope to do would be to waive his sovereign privilege (he is a sitting head of state), and invite criminal authorities to freely and fully access church records worldwide, and drain the holy swamp. He might also consider at this stage ordaining women, because women are God’s creatures too, perfectly able to spiritually guide the faithful, and, umm, don’t tend to rape children.
But the privileged old men who run the church aren’t going to allow any of that. They’re a bit like gun control opponents, opposing an obvious solution on doctrinaire grounds. There actually have been a few attempts to use the RICO statute against priests, notably in Cleveland, but jurors did not convict
When former Oklahoma governor and former federal prosecutor Frank Keating, a practicing Catholic, compared the church’s obsession with secrecy to the Mafia’s, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles demanded his ouster from a church board examining clerical abuse. Keating resigned from the panel. Mahony, who covered up sexual abuse by priests in California, according to church records, retired peacefully at age 75. Only after a court order compelled the Los Angeles archdiocese to open its files on abuse was Mahony gently rebuked by the church.
The National (news cast) Pope Francis condemns priestly sexual abuse. Pope Francis condemned priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up by the Catholic Church, in a public letter. In addition to demanding accountability, Francis begged forgiveness for the pain suffered by victims and said Catholics must be involved in any effort to root out abuse.
By any secular standard, the Catholic Church is a corrupt organization. It in fact sets the standard for impunity. Cardinal Bernard Law, who presided over the coverup of the church’s famous Boston sex abuse scandals, was plucked and brought to Rome by Pope John Paul II, where he resided until he died at the Vatican, beyond the reach of American prosecutors.
Earlier this year, after Bishop Juan Barros of Chile was accused of covering up clerical abuse, Pope Francis denounced the accusers’ “calumny.” When it turned out that there was merit to the accusations, and that the Vatican had been informed of the problem, Francis claimed he’d been misinformed. A few weeks later, all 34 of Chile’s bishops tendered their resignations. Francis eventually accepted three of them. And now, Catholic activist Susan Reynolds has gathered thousands of signatures on a letter demanding the resignation of all American bishops. It would be the right thing to do, but at a guess, the very notion amuses America’s bishopry, comfortable in their armour of piety.
RICO, aggressively deployed by federal prosecutors using wiretaps, search warrants and informants, would be far more effective. They can’t all flee to Rome.
This column is part of CBC’s Opinion section. For more information about this section, please read this editor’s blog and our FAQ. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Neil Macdonald Opinion Columnist Neil Macdonald is an opinion columnist for CBC News, based in Ottawa. Prior to that he was the CBC’s Washington correspondent for 12 years, and before that he spent five years reporting from the Middle East. He also had a previous career in newspapers, and speaks English and French fluently, and some Arabic. More by Neil Macdonald CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News RELATED STORIES More than 1,000 children abused by Pennsylvania priests, report says THE NATIONAL TODAY Pope condemns sex abuse by priests: What we know about number of victims, scope of settlements ‘There’s no room for forgiveness’: Pope’s sexual abuse letter meaningless to survivor Southdown Institute: A ‘shield’ for the Church or a place to provide ‘meaningful’ help for pedophile priests? ‘It wasn’t me’: Disgraced Catholic priest denies touching boy in 1970s.
I’ve touched on this subject before but am compelled to add to it because of ongoing observations. As a senior citizen, I feel very blessed to have been able to observe ‘some’ of nature throughout many years now, without being a back-woods hermit or luddite*.
Though I cannot claim to have been on African Safari’s, or an explorer in deep sea quests, yet from my viewpoint and experience it is utterly obvious that we have only begun to appreciate the complexity and diversity of life on planet earth.
That complexity and diversity of life on earth speaks volumes to me. It says that there is a power and intelligence far beyond human capability, yet still within our capacity to appreciate… if we are humble enough.
Humility is sadly lacking in most of humankind. Philosophers throughout the ages prefer to theorize, even that somehow we may only exist in a dream world. Descortes famously said ‘I think therefore I am!” A complex belief that internal thought and doubt are the only things we can trust. Even today’s science suggests by sheer accidental means we have developed into the ultimate life-form on earth. Even worse, that we are capable of managing our own affairs, and even all other life-forms of the earth wisely. Clearly real facts have proven otherwise!
These assumptions, supported by never-ending, conflicting and unsupported fanciful theories, strikes me as the greatest weakness of our kind, otherwise known as absolute arrogance!
Countless generations of mankind. even those of first nations peoples, has proven beyond a doubt we desperately need superior guidance to manage our affairs and care for all life on earth, including the environment. This may well be the simple, primary purpose of human life.
Its becoming more obvious to thinking people every day; this unique and beautiful planet was never intended to be managed in isolation from its designer and builder. Isn’t it about time we humbly and respectfully acknowledge that basic truth?**
*luditte: a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.
** He is “the Creator of the heavens, . . . the Former of the earth and the Maker of it.” (Isa 45:18) He is “the Former of the mountains and the Creator of the wind” (Am 4:13) and is “the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them.”
Some time ago a friend, who believes, just as I do, that so-called ‘organic evolution’ has no facts to support it, but is really a false ‘doctrine’ adopted by its strongest believers.
And yet the actual use of the term “evolution” is defended by that same friend as applied to ‘inorganic’ matter, such as the amazing ongoing creation of stars!
I wish to fully condemn use of that word description because it has a misleading inference, even an possibly unintended corrupting influence.
Surely terms like ‘progression, expansion, or growth’ to name a few, are much more appropriate and apt adjectives or adverbs, than ‘evolution‘ to describe changes to inanimate objects!?
I simply don’t believe its ‘splitting hairs’ to condemn use of that term, in ‘any’ context whatsoever! To me its a misleading word, a pure invention of pseudo science! At best it may mislead an uninformed general public, possibly even undermining belief in ‘factual’ creation.
So in my humble opinion its simply inappropriate, the ‘thin edge of the wedge’, because by association it may subtly contribute to acceptance of a gross lie, namely ‘organic’ evolution.
All that said; of course I cannot determine anyone’s choice of words, but only kindly ask that common use of this word be rejected.
When about 8 year old I discovered books in the school library. We weren’t allowed to take them out but I read them during library class or noon hours. I was fond of reading in general, but for some reason one particular book on magical tricks attracted me.
It wasn’t long before I decided to have a ‘magician’ show, even placing a sign on our front lawn for the time and perhaps the cost, being maybe 10 cents! I set up a table in my parents basement and prepared tricks for the time specified, however when the time arrived my nemesis neighboring ‘friend’ Donald was determined to disrupt the show – requiring a plea to my mother to evict him, which she did, kindly of course.
Attendees included a few local kids, in particular slightly older girl that had a crush on me. She feigned amazement at my ‘magical’ tricks, but was really the only one impressed! Soon afterwards I decided not to pursue a career as a magician 🙂
