The New Atheism

We have been discussing Fr. O'Malley's outlooks on life.

The "New Ahteism" has made great inroads into American life, especialy in their attempts to remove the religious expression form the public sphere.

Read the following 4 articles:

Evangelizing the Self-Satisfied

Christmas Atheists

Accepting Darwinism

Atheism and Evil

In a three-page typed essay, answer the following questions:

1) What basis do atheists use to justify their moral codes? Is it sufficient?
2) Does religion belong in the public sphere?  Why or why not?
3) As a Catholic, how would you respond to someone who would support the wall of separation between Church and state?
4) Should public school be required to teach Intelligent Design? Why or why not?

Sociology and the Life of Virtue

Professor Aaron Urbanczyk has written about the modern outlook on moral questions.
His work refers to an article by David Brooks about a survey of college students regarding their outlook on morality.

Professor Urbanczyk's article.

David Brook's article.

Questions:

1) What do these articles say about modern interpretations of morlaity?
2) How does this modern interpretation of morality differ from the Catholic perspective on morality as explained in Fr. O'Malley's book?
3) Contrast this view of morality with the phrase "Ought follows is."

Tuesdays with Morrie

As we have watched the movie Tuesdays with Morrie in class, you might be interested to see the actual Nightline interview with Morrie.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Dinesh D'Souza vs. Christopher Hitchens

A debate on theism vs atheism between Dinesh D'Souza arguing for the Christian worldview and Christopher Hitchens arguing the atheistic worldview.

Both debaters take the other side seriously.  They listen to the arguments and anazlye them thoroughly.