Opinion

Idea of Father God helps us make sense of amazing world we inhabit

Integrity and rationality shine through in the reflection by Danny Treacy (November 22) on evolutionary theory.


Science does, indeed, depend on rational people logically examining evidence in an unbiased fashion. When we apply these same principles to Christianity, we quickly see the cohesive and impressive unity of a faith rooted in solid evidence.


In total contrast, Richard Dawkins seems to have bewitched many people with his talk of ‘memes’.


But these ‘memes’, if they exist at all outside the mind of Mr Dawkins (or his disciples), sound a bit like UFOs or Martians. There is a lot of talk about ‘memes’, but are confirmed sightings or positive identifications rather infrequent?

Science, and science fiction, can both attract a lot of public interest. A one hour TV nature programme, often featuring evolution related ideas, will often leave science naive viewers spellbound. In reality many core doctrines of classical Darwinism have been challenged or radically revised. A Dublin man, Antony Latham, has written extensively on this subject. The Naked Emperor, by Antony Latham, makes careful examination of the scientific weaknesses of evolutionary theory. Mr Treacy should acquaint himself with some rigorous scholarship on the weaknesses of classical Darwinism. In total contrast, arguments for design abound in cosmology-chemistry-biology.

The idea of a Father God, who creates and sustains, helps us make sense of the amazing world we inhabit. Jesus is unquestionably the ‘suffering servant’ Messiah predicted in Isaiah 53. ‘The Spreading Flame’ growth of the Early Church is a fact of history.


Strange as it may sound on initial inspection, the unusual sounding story of Jesus must have an explanation.


The Holy Spirit has supernaturally drawn millions and millions of people down the centuries to believe in Christ.


Mr Treacy needs to consider the most likely explanation for the stunning impact of the Christian Church – the gospel is true and God can be trusted.

TJ HARDY


Belfast BT5

It’s the immorality of abortion that unites men and women of all ages

In response to Niall Meehan (November 25), I, as a Catholic priest, of course approach the morality of abortion from a faith-based perspective. God alone is Sovereign and the author of life.

Also, I believe the Church’s teachings on artificial contraception. I realistically recognise, nevertheless, that many others – even fellow Christians – do not share the Catholic Church’s position on birth control.

That being said, there is still an alliance of many like-minded people, from various religious and philosophical traditions – including atheists – who recognise the grave injustice and immorality of abortion – who consider it an atrocity, perpetrated by society, against the most vulnerable of all our fellow human beings.

Furthermore, Mr Meehan alleges that “widespread availability of contraception” lowers the demand for abortion.

Many dispute his claim including an article on the website of the Royal Society of Medicine: “It is never likely that abortion will be avoided by higher uptake of and compliance with contraception. Women in modern societies use abortion as an adjunct to contraception ....”

It is the immorality of abortion that unites both men and women of all ages and from diverse backgrounds. It is the deliberate termination of a boy or girl that is at issue. The pro-life movement, here and worldwide, will always oppose the evil of abortion because it is unworthy of our common humanity.

There are certain things that we, as human beings, have the right and obligation to tell each other not to do or choose. Terminating the most defenceless ranks is very high on the list of things “not to do”.

Fr PATRICK McCAFFERTY


Belfast BT12

Will somebody please think of the vegans

Is there merit in believing that Christmas food advertising constitutes a hate crime?

Directed at the 2 per cent of the population who identify themselves as vegan and the 8 per cent who identify themselves as vegetarian (2018 figures) our eyes and ears are assaulted by glossy television, radio and print advertisements eulogising an animal products based Christmas.

Glossy photographs and slick television commercials promote having an animal carcase and animal by-products as the centre of the Christmas dinner table.

This is upsetting to those who want to celebrate the holiday season without any input from animal products.

The existence of a myriad of vegan diets, sound in nutrition and health-affirming benefits, shows that humane food consumption is possible.

A diet based on meat and animal by-products is being flayed as unhealthy, environmental destructive, and leaking into the violent culture so prevalent in society today.

Never forget for that trite statement, farm to fork, to exist, a heartbeat must be stilled.

JOHN TIERNEY


Animal Concern Waterford

Poor use of common sense

The PSNI should have behaved in a common sense fashion towards John Finucane, taking into consideration his political career and his leadership role in the community. According to the analysis of their actions, that structure has not really changed from the old RUC.

When thousands of Orange men and woman are on the streets at the Twelfth does the PSNI, with their heavy presence, exercise their public duties in relation to people going to the toilet?


I have never read of hundreds of incidents in the papers. They would have been wise to gave this man a verbal warning.

LIAM ARCHIBALD


Draperstown, Co Derry

Irish cleansing

Brian Feeney (November 20) is right about BBC NI –  especially Radio Ulster – shoving English expressions down our throats.


He omitted one extremely obnoxious one  – ‘High Street’. In Ireland we say ‘Main Street’.


Another is Boxing day instead of St Stephen’s Day.

JOHN McLAUGHLIN


Derry City