The Catholic Book Club discussion

6 - The book is divided into three parts, corresponding to the three enemies of the soul:
a) The world: Angry young atheists.
b) The flesh: The woke ideology. Has the Church surrendered to this ideology?
c) The devil: A conversation with the devil.
What do you think of this approach?

I am not sure catechesis still teaches about the three enemies of the soul. I certainly haven't seen it in my son's RE books or handouts.

This division of the book may be a good way for Catholics who were not properly taught to learn about them.

That's a good point. I haven't seen a RE book since I was in school myself, so I'm not sure how they're teaching it now. But, I do recall when I was a kid, that we mostly learned about the sacraments and the parts of the Mass, mysteries of the rosary, etc. and not so much about the state of our souls.

My daughters are now enrolled in Cathequesis and I’m afraid to say that the material is mostly Therapeutic Deism. Fortunately the parents are most robust and we balance things out but it’s a struggle

Hi, Richard--If I understand the term correctly, that's the philosophy that God just wants you to be happy, right?

If so, that's a very dangerous thing to teach children. Because I grew up thinking that God just wanted to make me happy and the first real crisis I had was enough to completely knock me down, since it didn't compute. Wait! Doesn't God want me to be happy? Then why is this happening to me?? I'm happy to hear that the parents are at least filling in the gaps as best as they can!

It’s the idea that there’s a God floating around working as a pharmacist to the world: so yes, you’re correct.You’re not happy? Have some vaguely religious Prozac. My sister in law is a firm believer in this. Rigorously atheist, she finds completely proper any time she’s got a problem to ask the “Universe” to send her “good energy”.

Thank you for clarifying! I'm sorry to hear about your SIL, though. I have friends like that, who respond to difficulties by sending "good vibes", whatever that means.

Emmy wrote: "Thank you for clarifying! I'm sorry to hear about your SIL, though. I have friends like that, who respond to difficulties by sending "good vibes", whatever that means."

Lately, catechesis is no longer what it used to be. I went to one that was too liberal for my liking. It's what Richard Hannay says, that if the family doesn't help, or the environment, or that you have an interest, there's nothing to do

Richard wrote: "It’s the idea that there’s a God floating around working as a pharmacist to the world: so yes, you’re correct.You’re not happy? Have some vaguely religious Prozac..."

Right! And this not what Christ said in today's Gospel (Lk. 11:9,10,13):
And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened...
If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

So we should ask for the Holy Spirit. But
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3).