Category Archives: Religion

Cardinal della Costa: an Italian hero in 1943

Posted on April 6, 2018 by odeboyz

The Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal della Costa, has taken a courageous stand. When some of his nuns were arrested, in consequence of having given shelter to some Jewish women in their convent, the Cardinal, putting on his full panoply, went … Continue reading →

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A Christian in the Roman Colosseum

Posted on April 3, 2018 by odeboyz

Christian to the lion: You’re doing God’s work. Chris (inspired by Dave Allen)

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Traditional forms of punishment: Britain* 1700-1900

Posted on April 2, 2018 by odeboyz

Traditionally, British judges sentencing criminals had five principal options: capital punishment, corporal punishment, exile, imprisonment and torture. Judges sentencing criminals to ‘savage’ sentences were using proportionate and appropriate punishments according to the expectations of the time. The sentences were anticipated … Continue reading →

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A convenient miracle

Posted on December 8, 2017 by odeboyz

An Irish priest was stopped for speeding in west London. The police officer smells alcohol on the priest’s breath and sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, “Sir, have you been drinking?” “Just water,” … Continue reading →

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A philosopher contemplates death: Voltaire (1770)

Posted on March 28, 2017 by odeboyz

In any case, Voltaire* added jocularly, he expected to die shortly and would soon find out who was right concerning immortality of the soul— Plato or Spinoza, Saint Paul or Epictetus, Christianity or Confucianism. *This is jocular because Voltaire was … Continue reading →

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The anti-Semitic Martin Luther

Posted on March 8, 2017 by odeboyz

Luther calls for the secular authorities to burn down all the synagogues and schools, and ‘what won’t burn should be covered over with earth, so that not a stone or piece of slag of it should be seen for all … Continue reading →

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The Theology of Church Interiors

Posted on February 21, 2017 by odeboyz

Expressing the inexpressible is impossible. But those that want to worship want to create an atmosphere where worship is enhanced. Here are three interpretations of religious atmospheres created by religious groups over the ages. A Quaker Meeting House emphasising (leaderless) … Continue reading →

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God

Posted on February 7, 2017 by odeboyz

Omnicompetent Omnipotent Omniscient Leading to the irresistible Omnishambles Chris

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Two Yeshiva Jews celebrate a goal

Posted on September 9, 2016 by odeboyz

“it was only when he heard one mutter to the other, ‘I don’t like it Myer- they’ve scored too soon’ and the other reply, ‘I know, I know’; that he understood the significance of their sitting hunched and quiet amid … Continue reading →

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Home-schooling, the National Curriculum and yeshiva schools

Posted on September 9, 2016 by odeboyz

Section 7 Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age – The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable— (a) to his age, ability and aptitude, … Continue reading →

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