What is death? Now, “death” is a word which has senses—and each of these senses have related and similar but ultimately differing meanings. When we die, we do not die in the … Continue reading On the Soul
Tag: Catholic Church
Who Should Catholics Vote for?
With the US presidential election drawing nearer, it seems appropriate to address who a Catholic in good standing can or cannot vote for. Regarding this issue, Church guidelines fall under two … Continue reading Who Should Catholics Vote for?
Teleology, Eudaimonia, Plato, & Sex
Arguably the most prevalent criticism of the Catholic Church is that of its stance on homosexuality and homosexual actions—but why does it hold such beliefs? “Because the Church is from … Continue reading Teleology, Eudaimonia, Plato, & Sex
The Divine Autocrat
In regards to how a faithful Catholic may align him or herself politically, it is evident that in some ways we are to be liberal [1], but in others conservative … Continue reading The Divine Autocrat
10 Problems with Spinoza’s God
Among pantheists, the most celebrated philosopher of their ranks is, undoubtedly, Baruch Spinoza. Living in the 17th century Netherlands, Spinoza composed an elaborate argument for the notion of monism—more specifically, … Continue reading 10 Problems with Spinoza’s God
On the Platonic Forms
An Introduction to the Topic In regards to the modes of metaphysical thought opposed to the Scholastic understanding—that is, the understanding of the Roman Catholic Church—there is none more worthy … Continue reading On the Platonic Forms
Socrates and the Pious Problem of Polytheism
Yep, in case you didn’t know, there is now a Rational Catholicism YouTube Channel where posts here are made into videos! Socrates, the father of philosophy, mentor of Plato—whom himself … Continue reading Socrates and the Pious Problem of Polytheism
The Primacy of St Peter in St Augustine’s 56th Tractate
Paragraph one of St Augustine’s Tractate 56, on John 13:6-10, reads: When the Lord was washing thedisciples’ feet, He comes to Simon Peter; and Peter says unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my … Continue reading The Primacy of St Peter in St Augustine’s 56th Tractate
Why the Catholic Church is unable to Marry Homosexual Couples
“Gay marriage” – Fiercely opposed by the Catholic Church while promoted by the zeitgeist, but why? The Church’s opposition of homosexual marriage has roots in one of the marital requirements … Continue reading Why the Catholic Church is unable to Marry Homosexual Couples
Dispelling The Myth of Greed in the Holy Catholic Church & The Inherent Good of Catholic Basilicas
One of the most commonly repeated criticisms of the Catholic Church, by both Christians and non-Christians alike, is the amount of time and money the Church puts into its basilicas, such as St. Peter’s in the Vatican. Critics of the basilicas claim they serve as a massive testament to church greed. However, these claims are made in a blind ignorance to truth.
$11,350,000,000 Kept VS $160,250,000,000 Given Away (Annually*)
The claim that the Catholic Church indulges in greed is simply not supported in any way by the Church’s spending history. The Catholic Church spends about $11,350,000,000 every year on its churches, schools, parish related properties, and the Vatican combined. That’s a minor 6.6% of total spending. Meanwhile, the other $160,250,000,000 (93.4% of spending) goes to hospitals, colleges/universities, and various charities. Simply put, the Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization on the planet.
*Based on Spending in 2010
Should that 6.6% Be Donated As Well?
The wealth here is the wealth used to build basilicas, monolithic structures constructed to worship God and honor the Saints. It is because of their purpose to worship God that the wealth is justly kept and spent. The Bible specifically condones the use of wealth for the worship of God in The Gospel of John.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one [of] his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wagesand given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. -John 12, 3-7
Furthermore, God demands his houses of worship be beautiful in The Book of Exodus 25-26, even if that house of worship be only a simple tent in the desert. Also, the Temple in Jerusalem was adorned with gems and gold, as evident in The First Book of Kings 6 as well as The Second Book of Chronicles 3. Extravagant Churches are explicitly biblical.
– James Ingalls
Rational Catholicism 