Reviews for Question of Truth

The average rating for Question of Truth based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-01-14 00:00:00 Barry Koch This is a very genuine exposition by a catholic priest of the Church's stance on homosexuality. In his clear and very readable dissection of the arguments used by the Church he examines the oft quoted passages from the scriptures, he looks at Thomas Acquinas, he reflects on some modern approaches, he examines philosophical questions . In all of these he argues with respect and honour but in all his arguments you encounter the cool gaze of an intelligent and deeply thought man. He puts into practice his own challenge to the Church in terms of discussion and debate ' ....the humility to listen carefully to others and always to seek the best in what they say, to speak without aggression, respecting the intelligence and integrity of those from whom we differ ' or again ' if unanimity fails that is a pity; if charity fails, if we no longer listen and speak in love, that is a disaster ' He argues cogently, firmly but gently. He does not belittle, he challenges but does not assume his opponents are evil or stupid or disingenuous. Some of his arguments are ones that involve knowledge, though not necessarily in-depth knowledge, of philosophical concepts and expressions but he is a clear and understanding tutor. His is not a book seeking to give a rubber stamp of approval or justification for homosexuality; he does not purport to be doing so but instead he takes arguments and positions of debate and analyses them in careful sincerity. He is trying to see whether the Church's stance is justifiable, believable and therefore followable ( if there is such a word). As a result his last paragraph is an interesting one which, if not exactly setting off fireworks or launching a ticker tape parade, does say something of encouragment to gay catholics seeking to understand their own strange relationship with their Church. 'The conclusion of this book is therefore not that it is good to be gay, but that it is irrational for serious, reflective Christians to accept church teaching on homosexuality. .......the only rational course at the moment for such Christians is to continue to believe in the possible goodness of homosexual relationships. This is not a matter of dissent or materialism; it is simply that the church at the moment produces no good arguments to assent to. Regrettably, in this area, the church teaches badly '

Review # 2 was written on 2017-10-19 00:00:00 Ralph Westerhoff Well-argued.