Foundations Restored: Unlocking the beauty of creation
If you are like me and went to school in the post-modern world dominated by Darwinian thought, then you were probably taught and may have even accepted the idea of human evolution. But what if our teachers were wrong? There likely was no malicious intent, but what if our teachers were never taught the weaknesses and flaws in the theory because the theory has, for over a century, been presented and taught as settled, scientific fact with no room for further inquiry or investigation. These questions and more are explored in great depth in the Foundations Restored series produced by the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation.
Foundations Restored is presented in 17 episodes that systematically and critically evaluate the Cartesian-Darwinian narrative in the context of modern science, Thomistic philosophy, and Church teachings. The episodes address the primary icons of evolution, big bang cosmology, the fossil record, and dating methods in geology, providing a wide array of important evidence that is often left out of the science classroom discussion. When presented with such evidence, it becomes clear that Darwinian thought is more philosophy than science where any gaps in the evidence are simply filled in with unsupported conjecture, based on naturalistic assumptions.
Fully embracing the beauty and wonder of a firm and unwavering belief in Special Creation is undoubtedly a challenge in our postmodern world, but a closer look at the evidence clearly shows the wisdom of the early Church Fathers’ belief in an historical understanding of Genesis. I believe you will agree after watching Foundations Restored. May we never fail to give Our Lord and God all the credit that He deserves for all that He created for us from the beginning.
-Peter D’Alema, Richmond
It’s Catholic teaching to be against death penalty
In its pre-election issue the CV published two articles condemning abortion. One of them argued against abortion even in the case of rape or incest. This exceptionally firm defense of fetal life was striking in the face of even conservative Catholics accepting abortion in the case of danger to the mother’s life. President Joe Biden defended the right to abortion as did candidate Kamala Harris. Candidate Donald Trump was ambiguous on the subject, though generally anti-abortion. Another key element of the pro-life position is opposition to the death penalty. No federal prisoner was executed under President Biden while President-elect Trump is in favor of extending its use. Can we expect the CV to publish an equally unambiguous condemnation of the death penalty, in accordance with the teaching of the revised Catholic Catechism which unambiguously opposes capital punishment?
-Mario Mazzarella, Newport News
Vote for the lesser of two evils
Are Catholics who reject one or more of essential Church teachings, not real Catholics at all but have, self-excluded themselves from the faith? According to a late, holy priest Fr. Ray Ryland who once homilized that if you rejected any key Church teachings you did three things: First, if the Church is wrong on only one thing who is to say She is right on anything, You? By such a challenge to Church authority you’ve made yourself your own pope. Second, dissent from Church authority leaves everyone to invent his own version of Truth. And Three, Voila! You are now a Protestant!
Voting for any candidate who publicly violates not one but several key Catholic moral teachings while publicly proclaiming his Catholicity deepens the sin. Leading others to sin by bad example he earns for himself even worse. “But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea” [Matthew 18:6].
Catholic voters must not encourage such public dissent by refusing to vote for dissident Party of Death, Democrat Party, Marxist politicians. Instead, as more than one bishop has counseled, vote for the lesser of two evils so to not place their own souls, and others in greater jeopardy, while destroying the nation.
– Mike Smith, Chase City
Trump is why Catholics are leaving
WHY? Why are so many Catholics leaving the church, not getting married or having their children baptized in the Catholic Church? I ask myself why do I continue in a faith that embraces our new president-elect? A man who hardly embodies any redeeming Christian virtues or qualities. The most recent CV issue of 11-11-24 highlights what our new President-elect vows to accomplish. Hmmm…Am I to believe that a convicted felon, a liar, a racist, and someone who is patently disrespectful of women and others is someone to admire as the editors at the CV apparently do?
I am barely hanging on along with many other cradle Catholics who recall a time when lying was wrong, making racist comments was wrong, and fondling women was wrong. Now, the highest office in our country will soon be home for the next four years to a person who has done exactly this and, sadly, much more.
Please consider your readers and publish articles about the many faithful and hard-working men and women who try to live out the teachings of Christ. It just might encourage a few Catholics to remain Catholic, or an engaged couple to get married in the church and be proud to have their children baptized as Catholics to continue the faith.
– David Woodburn, Richmond
Mass deportations present moral, ethical, and respect-for-life issues
President-Elect Trump has promised to undertake a mass deportation of over 11 million migrants. Mr. Trump has previously referred to these children of God as “vermin” and asserted that they are “poisoning our blood.”
A deportation of this magnitude presents significant implications for Catholic churches and all faith communities.
Will Catholic and other churches whose members include migrants permit federal agents to conduct sweeps and roundups on church property as migrants attend church or come to churches for other services like food distribution?
Will Catholic and other churches expect the federal government to respect the historical sanctuary of churches? Will the federal government respect this traditional status?
Will faith communities advocate for parents and their children not being separated by deportation? Will children come home from school and find their parents gone because of a workplace sweep? This happened during deportation sweeps conducted during the first Trump administration.
Will faith communities advocate for deportation holding camps that are responsive to the health, safety, and other basic human needs of the people forced to be there?
Will faith communities stand against people being deported back to countries where they face almost certain death?
It is imperative that people of faith and religious denominations and institutions consider these questions. The promised mass deportations present complicated moral, ethical, and respect-for-life issues that cannot be ignored or glossed over.
– Dr. Frank E. Morgan, Glen Allen
Church doesn’t care about killing rodents
So in the Sept. 16, 2024, issue I read the Q&A column that appears each issue. This one was about the church’s position on animal treatment. The inquiring party wanted to know about any moral issue that exists pertaining to exterminating pests/rodents.
Really? So the CV is really giving print space to such a picayune subject? And the fact that the Ms. Cooper decides to respond to someone who is that wrapped up in what is right/wrong when their home has been invaded by rodents is, at best, absurd.
Why doesn’t she answer questions many Catholics have about the church’s position on gun control? Where human beings are being killed. Come on now….if Pope Francis had mice in his kitchen at the Vatican do you think he is going to spend time in prayer about whether to call Orkin?
– David Woodburn, Richmond