Class Blog Archive

Next class meeting: Sunday Oct 7.

Last time:
It was great to see so many yesterday for our first class meeting. At that class:

• I made the claim that we live in a sick -- even insane -- culture, and we discussed many examples of the craziness, including self-contradictory and conflicting beliefs. I trust I made that point sufficiently, but we will continue to discuss these issues as they touch on future class topics.
• I also made the claim that the Catholic Faith is True, sane, balanced, makes sense of life, has integrity and coherence, and makes a life of freedom possible.

Updates / clarifications:

Topics are approximate and subject to adjustment.

Class date: 6/3/18

Here's the handout from the final class of this academic year, covering some important distinctive beliefs and general information on the Mormons and on the JW's.

Class date: 6/3/18

Founded: 1879 by Charles Taze Russell

Background:

Before he got his religious career well underway, Russell promoted what he called "miracle wheat," which he sold at sixty dollars per bushel. He claimed it would grow five times as well as regular wheat. In fact, it grew slightly less well than regular wheat, as was established in court when Russell was sued. Later he marketed a fake cancer cure and what he termed a "millennial bean" (which a wag has said probably got that name because it took a thousand years to sprout).

~ History of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholic Answers tract

Class date: 6/3/18

Founded: 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr.

Background: As a young man, Smith was confused by all the competing varieties of Protestantism (apparently Catholicism was out of the question for him).

Founding:

Class date: 6/3/18

Class dates: 5/6/18 and 5/20/18

If you missed class or want to review:

• “How to Make Sound Arguments for the Faith” by Matt Fradd, Catholic Answers Magazine, Mar-Apr 2012 **
• Also see class notes post, below.

More helpful articles and sites:

Class date: 5/6/18

Class dates: 4/8/18 and 4/22/18

To catch up or review, please read the class notes plus the ** articles.

• "We Can Work It Out" By Tim Staples, Catholic Answers Magazine, Nov-Dec 2009. **

• "Are Good Works Necessary for Salvation?" By Tim Staples, Catholic Answers Magazine, Online Edition, April 30, 2015.