Lightly Salted: 2011

Temptation for women?

The damage pornography does to a relationship and to an individual are well documented. I want to consider here just one of the effects of pornography on a couple and consider a possible problem not identified in most discussions of marriage.

One of the problems of porn is that it presents one partner (usually the man) with an unrealistic view of what to expect in and of a sexual partner. That is, it presents an airbrushed reality with a model who is begging to do things any sane woman would find beneath her dignity.

Aug

Those big bad Catholics - Part II

The gentleman running the evangelical blog I was responding to in my post below offered a courteous and thoughtful reply to my comment, which included the following:

"As an evangelical, I agree that we can TRY to justify all manner of foolishness, but we have an enduring authority outside of ourselves, the Scriptures, which continually critique our theology. I agree that many evangelicals have not paid attention to church history and for that reason have fallen into errors.

Aug

Those big bad Catholics

Another straw man argument against those big bad Catholics.

Apr

Australia's two child policy?

A post from a friend's blog (see my sidebar) alerted me to this article promoted by the Greens in 2007 from one of Australia's medical thinkers on population control.

A snippet to give you the main thrust;

"Every newborn baby in Australia represents a potent source of greenhouse gas emissions for an average of 80 years, not simply by breathing, but by the profligate consumption of resources typical of our society.

Mar

Gender specific?

Part of my research at present is reading on gender identity, particularly relating to masculinity, so when I saw that the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRS) have released a discussion paper titled "Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity" I thought I had better read it.

Feb

Lying for Christ?

I had not intended to post on the whole "is lying always a sin?" debate going on in the USA but one aspect of the debate is getting under my skin.

For those who have been living under a rock, the presenting cause was Lila Rose of Live Action carried out a number of 'stings' on Planned Parenthood centres which involved people lying.

Feb

Letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Ms Gillard

15 February 2011

(Although I am not in your electorate I have sent this note to my local MP and to any senator in NSW who stands to benefit from my vote at the next election.)

I wanted to send a short note to make it absolutely clear that, as a married man, a father and a lecturer I will be watching your vote on key moral issues in order to determine my vote in the next election.

Feb

Further to my last post on parenting. This clever piece is worth a look.

A sneak peak:

Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room.

Feb

The formation of children

Being a father, my thoughts and discussions with other fathers frequently visit the matter of my childrens' formation. Are the children receiving the best moral and religious formation possible? Am I a good role model, mentor and do I support to their formation? Any brief moment of relaxation is usually disintegrated by a nagging sense of guilt over perceived failures, or worry about failures I do not actually know about yet, but am certain exist.

Jan

Condoms OK within marriage?

One of our local bishops, +Anthony Fisher OP, was recently published in Communio on the question of whether it is morally licit for a married couple to use condoms in order to prevent one of them catching HIV from the other. No matter what you point of view you begin with in this important debate, +Fisher is no lightweight in academic and ecclesial circles and his contribution to this debate is well worth considering, in addition to those of Robert George and Patrick Lee.

Lightly Salted

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men. - Roald Dahl -