Commedian Frank Skinner reveals his concerns about the challenges facing modern Catholicism

'I really feel there is a God. I know atheism is extremely fashionable nowadays but I just can’t kick this believing thing. I must say that I have a lot of time for atheists. I respect anyone who gives this most momentous question a good deal of thought, whatever conclusion they finally arrive at.
I’m less keen on the glut of bandwagon atheists who’ve just unquestioningly joined in because they think the atheist label makes them sound clever and grown-up.'

Frank Skinner

Read more here.

Science that sounds like science fiction with a bit of God thrown in!

The Hadron Collider has been beset by difficulties and accidents. Some of those involved have made the extraordinary suggestion that something is stopping the Hadron Collider from being successful - something from the future... or maybe something from somewhere entirely different.



Read the full article here.

Interpreting The Bible

How the Bible is to be read and understood is by no means a simple matter.

There are a number of different ways of approaching the Bible and different Christian denominations will advocate one method over another.

This matter is further complicated by the huge variety of types of literature in the Bible, the different authors and the huge timescale over which the different books were written.

Some propose the Bible must be taken literally. This creates problems however as there are apparant contradictions and it also, for example, is very difficult to make this compatible with a scientific view of the world.

Others will suggest that many of the Biblical books should be read as myths that still, however, contain truths about God's relationship with humanity. While this may explain some of the contradictions and be compatible with science it does mean that the meaning of these myths is based on human judgement and could vary from person to person or denomination to denomination.

Read more here and here.

Is religious experience a link to the Divine or a trick of the mind?

The University of Wales in Lampeter houses the Religious Experience Research Centre that has records of thousands of spiritual, religious or unexplained experiences.

Many claim these experiences have rational explanations connected to brain activity while others believe they may be a genuine experience of the spiritual or divine.

Find out more in a short article from the Metro here.

Visit the Religious Experince Research Centre here to take their survey.

Can religious people help lead the fight to save the environment?

Some believe that religion may prove a positive factor in what may be humankind's biggest challenge because it teaches moderation rather then over indulgance.

Read more here.

Philosophy and Religion in Films

Many films use philosophical and Theological concepts in their underlying plots.

The Matrix has strong links to Plato's Cave, Signs deals with faith and Minority Report raises the issue of free will.

A list of such films are here.

Have you seen any films that appear to have such an influence?

Pope Benedict XVI believes there is no incompatibility between faith and reason, or religion and science

In March 2009 the Pope reinforced his view that the theory of evolution is compatible with a Christian understanding of humankind.

Read more here.