FatherOfSix

I could stick a microphone out my window and upload an MP3 since I live in Backwoods, Georgia...

We didn't get to see the whole thing last night (sick kids kept waking up) but we got 40 minutes into it. Very interesting. I am certainly no expert in evolution or intelligent design, but from my personal reading and research I have problems with both. It has been a couple of decades since reading it, but my take on Origin of Species was that Darwin had some excellent observations that he wove into a good "first attempt" theory that needed more work. For example, when I was in college (back in the last century), there were still major issues with evolution theory like an inability to fully define what a species is. I don't think ID has all the answers either, but I think it brings another point of view to discussion. In science, any new discussion, even if it is wrong, is good at least to the point that it can generate new ideas and new discussion that bring scientific advancement. I strongly oppose any outright censorship in the overall discussion. I have also personally observed that ID appears to not be a single theory of one person but instead a group of ideas that elaborate on evolution coming from many people - some of these contradicting with each other as well. In physics, when someone had a revolutionary idea, they had to stand up and defend that idea. Math and physical observations had to back up claims. Any idea that could be presented in an intelligent and peer review capable format would be listened to - even those that most physicists thought were "bogus". Many have turned out to be bogus when I flaw was found in the math or another explanation was found for the observations, but some ended up leading to a new approach and eventual advancement. I don't understand why biology can't follow a similar model due to religious, ideological, and philosophical wars inside the community.

The wife and I are watching it tonight. We found out you can stream it from NetFlix so we don't need to mail in a DVD to get it.

The celibate priest issue is different - that is an administrative rule of the Church, not a dogmatic teaching. There are two married Roman Catholic priests in our local area - they were Anglican priests who converted to the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is allowing them to stay priests even though they are married. That would be different than something like saying birth control is suddenly permitted which is an extension of dogmatic teachings. Catholics believe that Peter was made the head of Christ's Church while Jesus was here on Earth and that this authority granted to Peter has been handed down one leader after another all the way to the current Pope. Through this office, the Pope can have revelation and, through a formal process that involves the college of Cardinals, can introduce that private revelation into the dogma of the church. There have also been private revelations to people that the Catholic Church has recognized and has accepted as Truth (with a capital T), but again that involves a very long investigation and approval process. Does that help?

I am waiting on NetFlix to deliver. I really want to see the movie and it was only open in the theaters near the house for a week.

Pam, Catholics believe that the Pope is the voice of Christ so you can argue whether that voice is intended for the Catholics only (which is still one-sixth of the world's population) or if that voice speaks to the whole world.

No, I am not LDS ... or at least not yet. I have left the Catholic Church after I was no longer able to justify certain doctrinal issues with my own sense of right and wrong any longer. Since I used to teach Catholic Church teachings to prospective Catholics in RCIA and taught for the diocese on matters of Life, Love, and Sexuality, this is a big deal for me. I admire the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have read much of their new scripture. I have attended one Sunday and am in the process reading the Book of Mormon now. I believe that the LDS could be the true Church and plan to investigate and pray deeply before making a final decision. Does that answer your question? Also, my earlier post - my answers on the Catholic Church should have been prefaced with a "Catholics believe" or "The Catholic Church teaches..."

The Pope is more than just the head of the Roman Catholic Church, he sits on the seat of Peter and holds the keys, so what he binds on Earth is bound in Heaven. The Pope can also speak for Jesus and thus has revelation - but it is a power not used often. The Pope is also the bishop of Rome. The Pope also gives guidance and direction to the flock through encyclicals that he writes. John Paul II wrote many mind-blowing encyclicals that are utterly soul-lifting. As someone new to the LDS Church, I am still figuring it all out but the Prophet seems to be much more in touch on a daily basis with both the flock of the church and God. The Pope is more distant from the average Catholic and appears to be more of an administrator than a prophet or pastor. This is just my personal opinion.

I would suggest this - Jesus Christ is supposed to be the Mediator of both Mercy and Justice. Abortion and War are often those extremes in life where it is hard to find the intersection of Mercy and Justice. Abortion is rarely just. If the baby has no chance of living and there is a complication that will likely kill the mother before she would birth anyway - the just thing to do would be abort to save the mother's life. It is the same with war - there is just war and injust war. If you are a people who have lived peacefully and your neighbors keep attacking you and killing your innocent people and no discussion or treaty will keep the peace then you may be left with no option but to take the war to them in order to protect the innocent lives of your people. Note that very few wars fit in this category, in my opinion. In life, it is usually easier to show Mercy OR Justice, but both at once are sometimes impossible with Jesus Christ.