wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I have enjoyed listening to Garry Wills being interviewed throughout the years and have read several of his books regarding Christian theology. I feel that he would have welcomed a discussion with Mary Gordon. Again, few people have what may be termed a genuine religious experience, in an ontological sense. Organized religions generally, as Carl Jung noted, defend people against such experiences. The few who do may "love and do what they will" as Augustine states. The others must look to an outer authority, such as the College of Cardinals to do their thinking for them.

It was a good thing that Garry Wills didn't stay for this interview: at least this woman wasn't vicious.

i'm a non-religonist myself. but, the "i'm not religious, but i'm spiritual" position sounds to me like: i'm on a diet, but i'm not giving up chocolate cake, ice cream, etc.

No less a Catholic then Thomas Merton stated that moralism should never be confused with religiosity. The former is a position of judgement (sometimes poor). The latter is experiential, and therefore uniquely personal..

Leonard Lopate's question is very good: If Jesus is the Son of God, why is there a problem with miracles? Why indeed?
Should the Church not teach sexual morality? Sexuality is a human act, so it is governed by morality, how it is to be used, which is the province of the Church.
One day Leonard Lopate will have a Catholic on who knows what Catholicism is, instead of this parade of people who say they are Catholic and badly misrepresent it.

I get my spirituality from the Orthodox Greek broadcast on Sunday morning. Their devotion to holy scripture is awe inspiring. I'm Catholic who enjoys reading Saint John Chyrsostom the "golden mouth" quote "a comprehended god is no god"

Perhaps in reading the gospel, and its diversity is recognition that one persons interpretation is singularly invalid. There is collective history of interpretation and understanding for a reason, in that the contradictions are as much the lesson as the direct morals. If you go looking for themes you like by negating lessons that dissatisfy you then you are not learning, but producing your own dogma.

The Church is a community, and what we make it as the body of that community. Nuns and Sisters have always been held in high regard (as are female saints and martyrs) so I have a difficulty with the claims of misogyny. Sexuality is a gift from God (delightful it is, too).

Re: Catholic writers...you forgot Evelyn Waugh, T.S. Eliot, and the Australian poet Les Murray....as well as G.K. Chesterton (and me!!!!).

The Bible is believed to be the Word of God to a Catholic, the whole Bible. It is Church teaching that the primary author of the Bible is God, this is the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Is it just a coincidence that you just interviewed Garry Wills, author of What the Gospels Meant, What Jesus Meant and What Paul Meant? He should have stuck around for this one too.

I have read all of Mary Gordon's literature which would indicate that her work is of interest to me. This segment is not interesting to me and I question if it is even appropriate to this program. Public dollars for religious programming.

More insults for Catholics, who are encouraged to read the Bible.

Now you're talking about the Fundamentalists (Bible only), what happened to talking about Catholicism?

btw -- I believe your last guest was also a progressive and intellectual practicing Catholic -- the sort that makes atheists like me ok with some personal religious guidance. Not sure that Ed above is in the same boat

As Catholics we believe in the interpretation of the Church of the Bible, and we don't believe in Scripture only, that's the Protestants.

No, your definition of sin is lacking. Graham Greene sinned, but acknowledged it, didn't try to change the definition.
Pat Robertson isn't Catholic.

Moral nonsense? What are you talking about?

The Church is not mysogynistic nor sexual phobic, though many think so. How insulting to Catholics.

You heard the Gospel every Sunday at Mass. You know them better than many Protestants.