What did you think of the ABC special on Monday night? I was a little irate @ the way the Vatican tourists (presumably Catholics) were portrayed -they had no idea who Paul was.

Also, have any of you read Karen Armstrong's "A History of God"? If so, what do you think?

-- Mark Advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), April 06, 2004

Answers

bump

-- (bump@bump.bump), April 06, 2004.

Hi Mark,

I read "A History of God" and found it to be very interesting. It summarizes the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It treats all three with respect but approaches them from an academic position as opposed to a faith based or religious standpoint.

-- JimFurst (furst@flash.net), April 06, 2004.

Her thoughts on Christianity lacked the depth of her thoughts on Judaism and Islam, or maybe the thoughts were from a victimized feminist point of view.

-- Mark Advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), April 06, 2004.

I was dissappointed. The program was rather shallow. And way too many commercials.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), April 06, 2004.

Karen Armstrong is an ex-Catholic nun who converted to Islam. Personally, I think she still holds Catholic roots that are re- surfacing. I agree she is a bit light on Christianity in her book. She also tries to portray Islam as a religion founded on peace and an absence of secular incentive, when in reality it was not. Interesting approach, but revisionist history.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 06, 2004.

Bill- Is she still a Muslim? The last thing I remember seeing (and it may have been in the book) is that she is now a "Freelance Monotheist".

-- Mark Advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), April 06, 2004.

I never heard that she converted to Islam. Are you sure? Last I heard she considered herself a "freelance monotheist." I think she is now moving toward Budhism.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), April 06, 2004.

Mark...Looks like we both listen to "Fresh Air."

-- JimFurst (furst@flasfh.net), April 06, 2004.

Jim, it would seem that you are correct, see this article.

She writes and teaches so much about Islam, I guess that is how I got the impression she had converted. It also explains why I see so much of her is leaning back to the Church.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 06, 2004.

-the program was anti-Catholic in portraying Paul as not actually following the intent of Christ

e.g. suggesting that Paul was a hardliner and the only one against fornication, adultery, homosexuality etc. The program even went so far as to suggest Paul against sex in any form -against Marriage...

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), April 08, 2004.

There is a poll on this site asking if Paul changed Jesus' message

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 08, 2004.