tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710228798415703303.post6744741935627887070..comments2024-03-28T20:15:47.564-04:00Comments on Toronto to Ra'anana: Michael Coren's Why Catholics Are RightUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710228798415703303.post-81171038004563507462011-06-19T19:44:50.168-04:002011-06-19T19:44:50.168-04:00I have not read the book but will respond to what ...I have not read the book but will respond to what you have written.<br /><br />I'm willing to accept Coren's description of the church as an insitution 'under attack' in spite of its power and size. The church has become controversial and does not enjoy the simple acceptance and obedience that it once did.<br /><br />I do not, however, accept his assertion (widely quoted in the press) that anti-Catholicism is the "last acceptable prejudice" and I find it ironic that he should say this given that I believe the Church has a large role in promoting some more serious prejudices.<br /><br />One reason that I don't take "anti-Catholocism" as seriously as Coren is because I find that it manifests in anger and disagreement with the institution - not with Catholic individuals. For example, though I am an atheist and hold some of the prejudices that Coren discusses, I married a devoted Catholic in a ceremony officiated by a Catholic priest who I both like and respect.<br /><br />Homophobia, on the other hand, manifests itself in horrible crimes being committed against individuals. Misogyny, as another example, also results in terrible crimes and affects half of the people on the planet. And though great progress has been made against these prejudices in some countries they are still very widespread and are 'acceptable' in most of the world.<br /><br />I would also like to point out that Coren's defense of the relative prevalence of sexual abuse in the Catholic church seems irrelevant to my 'prejudice'. It is the cover-up that angers and surprises me, much more then the occurence or the prevalance. The reaction to these crimes is truly the mark of the institution and in this the Catholic church failed its members. So this becomes another case where the Pope and the Church demonstrate how fallable they are, and show how important it is that we continue to question them - as we should question any similarly powerful and influential institution.<br /><br />I must admit to some feelings of admiration for those, like Coren, who try to practise their faith with such dedication and consistency. As with most belief systems, it is tough to be rigorous - much easier to just bend the rules as expediance dictates. But then I think about the history of the church and of the bible itself and can't see how his literal and strict response to them makes any sense.<br /><br />So, I feel that this book must have been a tough read in spite of its brevity. As an alternative I would suggest 'A Concise History of the Catholic Church' by Thomas Bokenkotter. Though written by a Catholic priest and from a Catholic perspective (and much longer) it is not dogmatic nor pugative. Not comparable perhaps, but more enjoyable and, in my view, reasonable.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134137228523694876noreply@blogger.com