TooBad

Gemma doesn't seem to be very interested in discussion. She delivers her pieties as if she were distributing gold pieces among the poor, and if we don't take them on trust, she shows little inclination to argue a case. MRD does seem an inappropriate forum for this sort of thing.

Walter_Mitty

This whole thread made me think of my old parochial school. Originally, this particular Christian school only went as high as the seventh grade. At that point, we sheep were paroled to the public school system. Naturally, we had to receive a week's worth of "transition classes" before they cut us loose.

Problem is, our Church noticed that too many kids were leaving the church after they had been exposed to public school. (That nasty science and critical thinking!)

In the last five years the Church tried to solve this problem by creating a Christian High School. This way, they can continue the indoctrination up until college. Furthermore, they still have a "transition class" but it now warns of the evils of a secular liberal arts education. Also, during this indoctrination, students are encouraged to seek out a private Christian college.

I would dare say Gemma is a perfect example of this problem. She has been taught that the Bible and Church authorities are always right. She has also been taught never to question their precepts. When faced with people who use critical thinking skills on a regular basis, she fails miserably.

I thank the IPU that I liked to read early on and I also thank all the social science professors who exposed me to the scientific method and critical thinking!

I may not be right all the time but at least the scientific method allows for error.

Gemma Therese

Biblio,

Having been educated in Catholic schools my whole life, I have met a good deal of very intelligent, critical thinking Catholics, students as well as intructors. I have met "intellectuals" who converted to Catholicism, convinced of its veracity. And look at the reputations of the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, Villanova University -- institutions respected for their intellectuality even in secular circles.

Gemma Therese

nyx

Show us Gemma.

Nyx

Gemma Therese

Show you what?

nyx

Any critical thinking skills you may have picked up from exposure to religious intellectuals.

Bibliophile, I believe, is attempting to engage you in discussion.

Nyx

Gemma Therese

I'm a critical thinker. One teacher in particular taught me this. This may come as a surprise to some of you, but there ARE Catholics who are critical thinkers!

Gemma Therese

godlessheathenpagan

Dear Gemma Therese,

Thank you very much for the prayers. They will look good in my living room/garage.

I will sacrifice a watermelon to Odin and Freya for you at the next full moon.

Seriously, my evil stepmother is a former nun, Sisters of St. Mary.

Have you considered SSM? They are nursing nuns. There is a really big shortage of nurses these days and I'm sure they'd love to have you.

Also, don't know if you've read it, but I am in the middle of reading "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong (an ex-nun). Very interesting. I know the book is almost 10 years old, but what can I sya, I'm behind on my reading, and I picked it up at a used book sale for a fraction of the price of a new book.

Love & Kisses

GHP

P.S. Helen SL, You Rock (seriously). You have been nothing but unfailingly polite to everyone, even idiots, and have set a wonderful example for all through your kindness. If I had known more real christians like you, I might not have such a lousy opinion of most of them like I do know (not all).

Gemma Therese

"How powerless am I to express in human language the secrets of heaven." - St. Therese of Lisieux

Proxima Centauri

There's scientific evidence that tobacco causes cancer. There's no scienfific evidence for Roman Catholic mumbo jumbo.