When I view a particular possibility as threatening, it imperils some value important to me. That is what I mean by threat. But suppose this threat is directed not to some modest finite value I love but to the very center of my value system, that focal value by which all my other values are viewed as valuable. Suppose my god is sex or my own physical health or the Democratic Party. If I experience one of these as under genuine threat, then I feel myself shake to the depths. In this way, idolatry intensifies anxiety.
Thomas Oden

Reading Room

The Reading Room

Incense

Incense INCENSE BASIC R.C. BELIEF Granulated aromatic resin, carried in an incense boat and sprinkled by a small spoon upon a live coal in the censer (a vessel like bowl…

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Limbo

Limbo LIMBO BASIC R.C. BELIEF A place or state where souls of O.T. saints were detained until the Resurrection of Christ, and a place or state of natural happiness for…

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Fatima

Fatima FATIMA BASIC R.C. BELIEF A Village in Portugal, near where Mary is supposed to have appeared in 1917 to 3 children (aged 10, 9, and 7). Her instructions were…

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Grace

Grace GRACE BASIC R.C. BELIEF Grace is the supernatural gift of God bestowed, mainly through the sacraments, on men and angels to make them capable of supernatural acts and everlasting…

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Mysticism in America

Mysticism in America Mysticism in America . "The main fight, make no mistake," said theologian Nels Ferre in 1961, "is between the Christian faith in its inner, classical meaning and…

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New Age An overview

New Age An overview THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT An Overview STRUCTURE ... . If you have heard the song, "Aquarius" by, "The 5th Dimension" from the musical Hair, then you…

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Forgiveness

Forgiveness FORGIVENESS BASIC R.C. BELIEF In Roman Catholic thought, forgiveness of sin is achieved through the Sacrament of Penance (Rite of Reconciliation). The person must make an Act of Contrition,…

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New Age Harmonies

New Age Harmonies New Age Harmonies . The following article appeared in the December 7, 1987 issue of TIME Magazine. Entitled "NEW AGE HARMONIES", it outlines many of the beliefs…

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